“Can you make out what is bein’ done?” I asked of my comrades after we had gazed at the thrilling scene a full ten minutes in silence. “It would be hard to tell what they wasn’t doin’,” Sam replied with a mirthless laugh. “Say, doesn’t it look as if there were more vessels than when we sailed down the bay?” “Sure; you yourself told us that Admiral Howe’s fleet had come in while we were makin’ the voyage around Long Island,” Abe replied grimly. “I wonder if General Putnam would like to know exactly how many are anchored off here?” “Unless we could tell him how many of the ships were armed, I don’t fancy the information would be very valuable,” was my answer, as if I knew it all, although I was such a poor leader as to have forgotten that we would need provisions during our time of spying. “The question is what there is to be seen of which he would want to know,” and again I gazed around, vainly trying to hit upon some one thing of importance. It was Sam who finally hit upon that which seemed to have a decided meaning outside the general bustle and apparent confusion. “Look at the ship-buildin’ that’s goin’ on over there!” he cried, pointing straight across from where we crouched on the high bank. “They are makin’ a lot of big scows as if their fleet wasn’t large enough already!” We had no difficulty in distinguishing that which he pointed out. I could see no less than a dozen huge craft made of roughly hewn logs, on which soldiers were yet working, and I wondered greatly what could be the meaning of such work until Abe suddenly cried: “They are gettin’ ready to cross the Narrows, an’ the scows are to transport the men an’ heavy guns! It must be they count on landin’ hereabouts! I reckon we’ve got somethin’ to tell General Putnam now!” “But it stands to reason he knows it already,” Sam objected. “Our people at Red Hook can see what is goin’ on, as well as we.” “We are to make a report every night,” I interrupted, “an’ if one is to be made ’twixt now an’ sunrise, it seems as though it should be about the scows, for I can see nothin’ else that would be of interest.” “But if he knows about them already?” “It is not for us to guess what he may know; but simply to tell him what we have seen. He said there were others nearabout on the same errand as ours, an’ I reckon he wants to hear from three or four, in order to make certain that the information is correct. Let’s take due heed as to what is bein’ done there, an’ then make ready to go back to New York.” “Who is to act as messenger this time?” Sam asked just a trifle impatiently, and I replied laughingly: “I reckon we’ll have to draw lots again.” “It isn’t fair to make me do that twice runnin’. I was chosen the last time, an’ it seems as if you an’ Abe ought to take your chances.” “So we will,” I said, determined that there should be no ill-feeling among us Minute Boys if I could prevent it. “You prepare the twigs, an’ we’ll soon settle who shall go.”