Then it was that I began to put into words the thoughts which had been in my mind concerning the way we would set about the work of spying upon the fleet, and much to my surprise found that Abel Grant had already settled upon a plan which seemed so good and reasonable that we could not do otherwise than adopt it at once. “If you Minute Boys set out takin’ a roundabout course, as if you had a lot of things to hide from other people, then have the Britishers, in case we run across any, as is most likely, good reason to suspect that we are more than curious ones intent only upon seein’ the king’s fleet. Now it stands us in hand to lay in a goodly store of fishin’ gear, an’ there’s your excuse for goin’ through the Narrows. Besides, if we take on board a fare of bluefish, or somethin’ of that kind, we have a reason for loiterin’ among the fleet through wantin’ to sell our wares, an’, in case there are many vessels in the lower bay, fishermen should be welcomed.” “Yes,” I said, seeming to hesitate, although I knew full well that Abel’s plan was a wise one; “but how may we get the gear, seein’ that we have little or no time to spend. The general’s orders are that we leave at once, or as soon as the stores are taken on board.” “An’ I see no reason why they should not be obeyed,” the admiral of the fleet replied without hesitation. “I reckon you three Minute Boys can muster strength enough among you to take aboard such provisions as the lieutenant sends, an’ in the meantime I will go down to Jethro Dyker’s. If so be he won’t lend us the gear, I’ll make a dicker, an’ with what money I’ve got, should be able to buy all that will be needed.” “Abel is in the right,” Abraham said decidedly, and I could not have contradicted him if I would; but furthered his scheme by insisting that he take whatsoever money we had among us to help out in the purchase. It was while we were searching our pockets for small coin, Abel gave another proof that he should have been the leader of the party, instead of only the admiral of a single sloop, by saying: “No one can tell how long this ’ere cruise is likely to last, more especially if the Britishers, gettin’ suspicious, should gather us all in as prisoners, an’, that bein’ done, what think you your people would suppose had happened?” “All that is to be counted as the fortunes of war,” I replied loftily, thereby proving myself a simple, for Abel took the wind out of my sails very speedily, when he said: “It will be the fortune of war if we are taken prisoners; but it comes mighty near to being wicked neglect if you fail of sendin’ some word to the island. What’s to hinder leavin’ a message with Master Dyker, or Jethro, to the effect that you have been sent away on important business? I’m allowin’ your folks can guess the reason.”