We lounged around on deck, for the air was not overly chilly, spinning yarns or speculating as to whether General Washington would make a stand in New York when the British were ready to attack; but never once did we speak of the work on hand. As for my own part, I did not dare to start the conversation on that subject lest with discussion of the chances against us I might grow faint-hearted. At a later day, Abraham confessed that he held his peace concerning the rescue because he already knew of too many reasons why we might fail, and feared some one would suggest a danger such as had not yet come to his mind. When the conversation lagged one or another would get “forty winks” of sleep, or have out of the stores sufficient to provide him with a meal that was not needed; but when the first gray streaks of the coming day appeared in the eastern sky all hands were on the alert, and divided in opinion as to whether it would be safest to make harbor back of Coney Island, or off the Jersey shore. I was in favor of the latter anchorage, as was Seth Hartley, and after a few moments of tongue-wagging all agreed that this plan should be carried out. Therefore it was that in the dim light of the morning, with the wind still holding fairly strong, we stood across to Great Kills, seeing neither ship nor skiff on the waters. Now in order to reach a point as near the prison ship as it would be safe to venture, we would be forced to row many miles in the skiff, unless we used the sloop during a portion of the journey, and when we were come to anchor inside the sand-spit where was little chance of being seen by any craft that came into or went out of the harbor, I made the following proposition: “If at sunset the wind holds as now, I’m of the mind that we can do no better than stand across a full two-thirds of the distance from here to Gravesend. Then whosoever is to handle the skiff can put off in her, while the sloop cruises to an’ fro, as near the Good Hope as is safe, to the end that if Abel Grant’s escape is discovered before he is well clear of the ship, we may make a rush with this same craft that has twice shown her heels to the Britishers.” “Suppose we agree upon that plan, who is to go in the skiff?” Abe asked jealously, and I knew he was fearing lest he miss being given the most dangerous post. “It is to my mind that Seth Hartley should be one to go in the skiff, since he can tell very much of what is bein’ done on the ship, while either of us would be all at sea on such matters,” I said, firmly determined to carry this point even though it might be necessary to exercise my authority as leader of the Minute Boys. “I can well see why that should be done,” Abe said emphatically, “an’ am agreed, if Seth is willin’ to take the chances knowin’ that in event of bein’ captured he’d be hung without much ceremony,” and the lad looked inquiringly toward our marine, who replied quietly: