“No sir,” I replied, and with truth, although but for the fact of seeming to speak on serious subjects in a jesting manner, I would have added that we still had the stove leg which Abraham had used with such effect on Luther Stedman’s companion. “It is not well you should be armed, for you are supposed to be simply lads who are curious to gain a glimpse of the English fleet. At the same time it might not go amiss if you had one weapon aboard, and, Lieutenant Winterbottom, you will see that they are provided with a musket and fifteen or sixteen rounds of ammunition.” Having said this the general took up some papers from his desk as if considering the interview at an end, and without waiting for further instructions the lieutenant motioned for me to pass out at the door he opened, saying when we were in the hallway: “So it seems that you lads have become members of the army at short notice?” “But the task given us is not what I should call a soldierly one, being simply to--” “Stop, stop, lad! When you entered the room General Putnam sent me outside, which was the same as if he had announced that the interview should be private, therefore it is not for you to repeat, save it may be necessary to your companions, anything which he said. All I need know is where you will have the provisions and the musket delivered?” “Our sloop is lyin’ at the Oliver-Street bulkhead.” “And you intend going away in her, I suppose?” “Ay; we are to leave as soon as may be.” “The stores will be sent to the foot of Oliver Street, and within the hour if possible.” Having said this the lieutenant opened the outer door; but did not follow me, and when I was in the street once more there stood my companions on the opposite side, looking, as no doubt they felt, keenly curious regarding the result of the interview. Without halting, I beckoned for them to follow, and as we walked up the Broadway I repeated that which had been said, much as is set down here, and was not a little surprised to hear Abel Grant cry exultantly: “Now that’s what I call work fit for the best, an’ the wonder of it is that General Putnam should have entrusted it to those whom he knew as little as he knows us! So you told him I claim to be admiral, eh?” “I fail of seeing in what way the task can be of such great importance,” I said hesitatingly. “It seems to me any who owned a boat might perform it equally well.” “That may be,” Sam cried in a tone of satisfaction. “And yet we are the ones whom he selected. It seems to me that by his own showin’ he considered the work of great importance, in addition to bein’ dangerous.” “Ay, and that is what it is,” Abel Grant declared. “To spy out the enemy’s forces, an’ be able to do it properly, is such big work that the chances of bein’ taken prisoners don’t count, as I’m lookin’ at it. So you told him I was to be admiral, eh?”