It was not possible to map out any real plan of action, for we must go it blindly, trusting to the chapter of accidents, and hoping fortune would favor; but we all decided upon standing straight across to the Jersey shore, hugging close under the guns of our batteries until coming to the North river, and then keeping so far as might be under the lee of the land, if the wind permitted, until it became necessary to strike across from Staten Island. Sam came back with the skiff after having remained absent mayhap an hour, and as he rowed toward us Abraham asked cheerily, with never a tremor of the voice to tell of the desperate venture he had in mind: “Was Master Dyker willin’ to lend a skiff, knowin’ that the chances were against her bein’ returned?” “Ay, that he was not,” Sam said with a laugh. “I argued with him and his son in vain, an’ then dared them to raise a hand toward stoppin’ me when I took that boat which seemed most nearly fitted to our purpose.” “Did they make any attempt to stop you?” “I didn’t give ’em a chance, for two to one were greater odds than I cared to have against me, therefore, takin’ advantage of the opportunity when Master Dyker turned his back in anger, I pulled away.” “But that is neither more nor less than stealin’, Sam Garratt!” I cried. “Ay, figure it that way if you will; but it was stealin’ to prevent a friend from bein’ murdered, for such is the danger in which Abel Grant stands if so be the Tories have him in their power.” This was an argument which could not be answered, and I remained silent while Sam came alongside, made the skiff fast, and went into the cuddy. He came out a moment later with the musket in his hands, and Abe asked laughingly: “Are you thinkin’ the Britishers may make an attack?” “I am of the mind that Master Dyker will come for his skiff, an’ it is not my intention to let him have her. He has ever claimed to be a good Whig, but now that the enemy is so near at hand an’ evidently about to take possession of the town, it looks much as if there was a Tory love creepin’ into his heart. If I am wrong, he should cheerfully give his skiff to the Cause; if my suspicions are correct, I will hold her because we cannot carry out the plan proposed by Seth without a small boat.” I know not why, but Sam’s resolute bearing heartened me wondrously; the idea of his taking forcible possession of Master Dyker’s property in order that we might set about the work of rescue, and allowing to hold her at the muzzle of a musket, sent a fellow’s blood tingling through his veins, and I almost forgot what awaited us once we set off. Master Dyker did not come, however, perhaps because he was ashamed of himself for having refused to lend a well nigh worthless skiff for such a purpose, and again, perhaps, because he suspected what might be the result if he tried to take her from us.