All hands came to the water's edge with alacrity. There lay a yawl, the oars set. It was lapping the water unsecured, except for being grounded at the stern, and it looked as though it had been recently used. For all that, Andy leaped into the bow, and Ralph sat down in the center seat and took up the oars. "I will keep the lookout," said Phil. "I ought to know these waters around here pretty well, and if we don't run across some craft of the enemy before we get across, I am sure we can pick out a safe place to land. There's a fog coming up from the bay. That will hide us some." "Not yet, my young gallivanters!" suddenly spoke a gruff voice. From behind a great log near the beach the speaker stepped into view. Advancing slowly upon them, a musket extended, the young patriots saw a redcoat soldier in full uniform. CHAPTER XXII "ON TO LEXINGTON!" The British soldier walked straight up to the yawl, stepped into it, and, his gun still extended, sat down in the stern of the boat. It was all done so easily and naturally, that it fairly took away the breath of the three astonished boys. "Keep right on," said the soldier--"row away, there." Andy for once was subdued. He did not doubt but that the redcoat meant business, and that gun barrel looked ugly and threatening. Ralph mechanically placed the oars in motion. Phil half-faced about wondering what would come next. It seemed to him that he had caught a vague glimpse of a scudding figure shift through the fog and melt away at the water's edge, but he attributed this to a shadow or fancy, his main interest centered on the big, cruel-faced soldier, who now held himself and his companions absolutely at his mercy. "Row, I tell you," ordered the redcoat. "No fooling, no tricks, or I'll sink you with lead. Trying to get into Boston, were you?" he chuckled. "Well, I'll just help you, that's all." "Yes, I guess we'll get to Boston," said Andy rather glumly, in a half-undertone. "Sort of dreaded the row across," continued the redcoat. "Then again, judging from what I overheard you fellows say, I fancy you can tell considerable to our captain. Blame me, if I've found out anything except a heap of signaling. Say," he added to Phil, "what was all that hubbub of shots and shouts and bells I heard down the river?" "I wasn't down the river to find out, you see," responded Phil. "Wasn't you, now?" said the soldier, in a sarcastic tone. "You're all very innocent, aren't you? Row faster and steadier, there," he ordered in a raised, angry tone, as Ralph lagged at the oars. Andy had just whispered something behind Ralph. It was to the effect that he believed boats from the other shore were crossing the river. If this were true, Ralph foresaw that they would soon ride right in amongst the enemy. "Then we'll be gone for good," Andy declared in a hollow whisper. "Let's fight for it--here and now."