“It is certain that if we succeed in the first part of the business our company is to be divided by sendin’ some one of us back to New York,” Abraham said thoughtfully, as if wondering how that might be done, and I confess it had troubled me even when the general spoke; but, not minded to let my comrades believe there was any difficulty in it, I replied carelessly: “To us who know the island so well, it should not be difficult, after a fellow has been set ashore, for him to make his way here. However, that is somethin’ to be considered later, when we have the needed information.” “So you told the general that I counted on bein’ admiral, eh?” Abel Grant repeated after a short time, and it seemed necessary I answer the question, else might he keep on asking it until we were wearied with the sound of the words. “Ay, so I told him,” I replied. “An’ what did he say?” “That it seemed to him very necessary we should have some one to take charge of the sloop.” “Then I am allowin’ that you Minute Boys have no right to interfere with my takin’ charge of the fleet, since no less than General Putnam himself has sanctioned it,” and Abel spoke in a tone of triumph, whereupon Sam added laughingly: “If one small sloop can be called a fleet, then are you the admiral,” and Abel, heeding not the tone of derision, said soberly: “Ay, that I am, an’ with none to interfere after once we’re afloat.” Surely I had no protest to make if Abel Grant wanted to consider himself admiral of a fleet consisting of one small sloop, and, besides, the matter was entirely too trifling, as compared with that we had on hand, to admit of wasting any words; therefore I held my peace, quickening the pace, however, lest the stores which Lieutenant Winterbottom was to send should arrive before we were come to Oliver Street. Abe would have questioned there on the street as to how we had best set about the task in hand; but I prevented any such carelessness by assuming for the first time my rights as leader of the party, and saying: “Everythin’ connected with our work is a secret which we should guard if for no other reason than our own safety. Don’t think that I am overly concerned because of myself; but it must be borne in mind that whatsoever may happen to us affects the purpose for which we are sent, therefore are our lives of consequence until we have done what is required.” This was sufficient to silence my comrades, and not a word was spoken until we were once more in the cabin of the Swiftsure, with the hatch opened so that we might not only see when the men sent by Lieutenant Winterbottom arrived, but also to make certain there was no one within earshot.