By this Abe meant to hit Luther on the fact that his father had been trying for no one knows how long, to get the appointment of officer of the customs, and only lately, when the king was no longer able to collect duties in New York, had he received any encouragement. It goes without saying that Luther took fire in an instant, and but for Sam, who stepped between them, the two lads might have come to blows then and there, even though the watch would have made them prisoners in a twinkling. Quickly though Sam moved, mischief was worked, for Abe’s anger was too hot to permit of guarding his tongue, and he foolishly made threats as to what should be done if Luther’s father continued to toady to the king’s officers as he had been doing. Of course I do not count it a mischief for a fellow to stand up boldly for the Cause; but when he lives in a neighborhood where eight out of every nine are Tories, then is it foolish for him to make threats, since it only serves to call particular attention to himself and his friends. “We’ll clip your wings a bit, before this thing is settled,” Luther cried in a rage. “Those who live in our section of the island are, except for a few like the Deckers, the Garratts, and the Lyttles, honest, law-abiding people who will not brook seditious talk from man or boy. You think your ragamuffin army is able to stand against the king’s troops simply because they happen to be holdin’ this town; but just wait until the English ships give you a call! The idea of boys like you talking about a plot, when his majesty’s servants are doing what they may to put down traitors! Before we’re a week older I’ll show you how such as you should be treated, and that without heed to the imitation soldiers you’ve got here!” “And I’ll show--” Abe had begun to reply while he was literally trembling with rage, and, fearing lest more should be said than was wise, I covered his mouth with my hand, at the same time forcing him away from the young Tory. “Let me go!” he cried fiercely, when I gave him opportunity to speak but at the same time, with the aid of Sam and Abel Grant, continued to force him away from Luther’s neighborhood. “That scoundrel shan’t have the satisfaction of believing he has frightened me!” I did not dare to hold him longer against his will, and was well nigh at my wits end to know how a street brawl might be prevented at less cost than a quarrel betwixt him and me, when Abel interrupted happily: “A fine Minute Boy you’ll make, Abraham Decker, if, for the sake of rufflin’ a Tory’s feathers, you let your tongue run away with you! Of how much service can you be to the Cause if you begin by puttin’ it in the minds of those who are strongest, to get you out of the way, as will be done in case Luther Stedman convinces his father that it is in your power to do aught against the king?”