The sentry at the gate towards the Boston Neck looked up in surprise as two lads in British uniforms rode up to him on horses. “Hold!” he shouted self-importantly. “State your business.”
The blonde one handed him a paper with a seal on in. “We are on official business for Agent Chaplen,” he announced impatiently.
The sentry read the letter of passage a few times, eyed the seal, and then scrutinized the lads. His eyes swiftly passed over the dark-haired one on the black mare, but he stared at the blonde on the dappled gray stallion for a while. “I was told not to let any young blonde boys dressed as drummers on black horses to pass.” He squinted him again. “But, you are not small, nor are you on a black-”
“Let us pass, man,” growled the blonde lad impatiently. “For one, I am not a drummer, secondly, you have Agent Chaplen’s seal in your hand. Step aside!” He nudged his horse forward.
The sentry glared at both youths, but stepped to the side.
Both nudged their horses, and they galloped off across the flats.
Ben glanced over his shoulder. “So far, so good, Robyn.”
His companion had released Midnight’s reins and was tugging a cloak from her pack. She tugged it over her head. Carefully, she pulled the hood down over her eyes. Rubbing the stage make-up from her face, she pulled a white piece of cloth from the pack perched on her knees.
Ben shifted the coat he had borrowed from Captain Long. “I should have brought something to cover this,” he said.
His sister waved the white cloth. “That’s why I brought this.”
“Ah.” Another thought occurred to him and he asked, “What took so long in Agent Chaplen’s room?”
“I made several copies with seals on them. I think they may come in useful.”
Ben smiled. She thought of everything.
~~~~~
A man ran up the steps of the Vassel House. “General Washington, sir!”
The door opened and the general stepped out.
“There is a man and a boy dressed as Redcoats. One has a cloak on and is waving a white piece of cloth. What are your orders?”
“Bring them here.”
The second the two stood before him, he knew what their purpose was. If the Shadow Fox had merely found out Fenn’s location and had a plan, he would have simply sent Underwood back--not come himself. “William Fenn--is he alright?”
The smaller of the two with the cowl casting his face in shadow answered, “For the time being, General. Unfortunately, Mr. Underwood was seen entering the city at night. Also, I’m slightly embarrassed to say it, Agent Chaplen saw through a disguise I used to slip into the camp. Ben,” here the Shadow Fox gestured to his companion, “overheard Captain Long telling his men of the plan to hang Fenn tonight on the Boston Neck.”
General Washington sighed heavily. “I do not think we will be able to help him.”
The cloaked one was silent for a few minutes. His companion, Ben he had called him, looked at him expectantly. Washington shook his head. “There is no way. I don’t want you two attempting a rescue mission. It will only fail and I don’t want either of you to get killed.“
The Shadow Fox smiled slightly. “I understand your concern, sir, but have you ever heard the expression, ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way?’”
“I have, but I’m afraid there is no way.”
“Begging pardon, General Washington, but if we let the Redcoats hang William Fenn, not many will want to spy for the Continental Army.”
At this, Washington had to agree. Frowning, and unhappy about the situation, he watched the cloaked boy in front of him.
Suddenly, a mischievous smile crept across the Shadow Fox’s face. Ben lifted an eyebrow in question. The knot of worry loosened in the general’s stomach.
“Is there a place I could use to change my attire?”
“What?” both Washington and Ben asked.
Still smiling, the Shadow Fox outlined his plan.
~~~~~~
Evening saw a wagon leave the city’s gates towards the Boston Neck. It was guarded with twenty men plus a captain and a rather exultant agent. As the group rolled onward, the sentry closed the gate.
Agent Chaplen rode behind the cart on his horse. He felt triumphant. There was nothing the Shadow Fox could do against twenty men out in the open. He glanced down at the prisoner sitting at the bottom of the cart. William Fenn glared rebelliously back. Chaplen smirked. “There is no one to come to your aid, rebel. The Shadow Fox will not come. He is far out numbered and does not venture into open spaces.”
Fenn lifted his chin defiantly. “Then I shall die bravely for my country.”
The agent chortled. “Bold words. Sadly, you will die as no more than scum not fit for a proper burial.”
He lifted his head as pounding hoof beats reached his ears. Frowning, he squinted. A black horse with a cloaked rider thundered towards them. His identity was unmistakable. “Impossible,” he breathed. “How did that blasted lad get out?”
Remembering himself, Chaplen shouted, “That’s the Shadow Fox! Fire, men!”
Muskets recoiled as their owners pulled their triggers. The second the soldiers had lifted their guns, the black mare had darted to the side. Now, she wove a serpentine pattern, zigzagging towards the group at full gallop. The men fired continuously, but the horse never slowed her pace.
Horse and rider were on them before they could react. The Shadow Fox and Midnight danced among them, causing the horses pulling the cart to rear in fear and scattering soldiers. Once they reached the back of the cart, Midnight’s rider leapt from her back and landed in it. Drawing her sword, she cut the prisoner’s bonds and pushed him towards her horse. She raised her sword to block a downward slash from Chaplen.
The spy sprang onto the mare’s back, and, kicking at a soldier, the horse cantered back the way she had come.
“After them!” Long yelled as he nudged his horse in pursuit. Several followed him.
The horses pulling the cart choose that exact moment to buck. The cart turned on its side, spilling its contents. Robyn landed on her back several feet away from her sword. She felt something cool and sharp lift her chin. The Shadow Fox took her eyes off of her sword and looked up.
Agent Chaplen stood over her, smiling. “I lose a mole, but gain a fox. I think it’s a fair trade. What think you, boy?”
In response, his opponent swallowed. The agent beamed in triumph. Then, to his surprise, the boy was smiling his crafty smile. Chaplen frowned. Suddenly, the sound of more hoof beats met his ears. He looked up to see twenty-five men on horse pelting towards them, Long and the others riding before them.
Robyn used the distraction to reach for her sword. Her fingertips ran over it, and she brought it closer by dragging it by the pommel. Finally, her sword was in her hand.
Quickly, the horsemen had surrounded the little group. Chaplen ran his eyes over them. He saw Ben perched on his dappled gray wearing a British uniform. The boy grinned at him. Then, with surprise, his eyes alighted on General Washington. The man’s eyes were focused on the lad at the agent’s feet. The Shadow Fox waved from the ground.
“Well, General Washington,” said Chaplen making a mock bow, “this is a pleasure. I’m surprise you rode out yourself.”
“Well,” everyone turned to the boy on the ground, “ I tried to persuade him to stay, but he wouldn’t hear of it.”
“Silence, you!” the agent barked. The Shadow Fox let out a little gasp as the man pressed harder on the blade, and blood trickled from his throat.
The horsemen nudged their mounts forward as of one accord, but rifles swiftly halted them. Chaplen grabbed his opponent’s collar and dragged him to his feet. Before the he could even contemplate escape, the agent had spun him around so his back was against the man’s chest ,and his sword was pressed against his throat.
“You can have your man, Washington, but the boy is mine.” He bent down and hissed in the Shadow Fox’s ear, “This situation familiar, boy?”
“You can’t have him,” Washington retorted. “You are far out numbered here.”
“Ah, yet I hold the advantage.” He lifted the sword on the boy’s neck so he had to stand on tip-toe to avoid having his throat slit. Everyone tensed. Chaplen’s eyes ran over each worried face until they came to rest on Ben’s. The boy was positively terrified.
“Worried for your friend, boy? I suppose you won’t enjoy seeing his neck stretched, then.” Ben glared at him. “Pity,” Chaplen said, running a finger across his captive’s neck. “You’re so young.”
There was a loud clang, and the agent’s sword was batted away by the Shadow Fox’s blade. Robyn grinned. “I’m afraid I simply can not let you have it that easy, my dear Agent Chaplen.”
Muskets were lowered towards her. “No!” Chaplen waved them back. “This boy is mine!”
The circle widened to give them room. The agent stabbed his sword at his opponent’s chest. Robyn dodged to the side and cut at his stomach. Chaplen blocked and delivered a slash which was in turn blocked. So the battle raged with the onlookers staring in fascination. After several long minutes, the sword flew from Agent Chaplen’s hand. Grinning, the Shadow Fox flicked her sword to his throat. She held it there for several minutes as everyone tensed, wondering what would happen. Unexpectedly, she sheathed her sword. She let out a low whistle, and Midnight pushed her way through the circle. William Fenn had been placed on an extra horse the rebels had brought for him so she was free. Robyn swung on her back, bowed slightly, and nudged the mare into a trot.
Murmuring amongst themselves in slight confusion, General Washington and his men followed suit, but headed in the opposite direction. Ben nudged Apollo, his dappled gray, after the Shadow Fox. Bewildered, the British looked to Chaplen for guidance.
Only the agent seemed to understand his opponent’s actions. He smiled and said, “He’s cleverer than they say. If he had killed me, you would not have hesitated to fire at him and the rebels. They, in turn, would have shot you resulting in many unnecessary deaths. Riding off was a smart move.”
-------
Hehe, this chapter reminds me of Peter Pan and Captain Hook! I do love Peter Pan. He really needs to come knock on my dorm-room window....
Exciting chapter, yes? Ooooh, Chaplen's so mean! Man, I love this guy. And Robyn's all noble. Yeeeeesh, I really must have Peter Pan on the brain.
I noticed we had a British visitor! I was excited, until I realized he or she wouldn't find much interest in a Revolutionary War story.... heh heh. ^.^'
However, if you did decide to stick around, my friend, you are more than welcome!
I'm half Scottish, soooooo. I freaked out my lab partner (the dude follows meeeeee) by telling him I'm a bloody Stuart. Thing is, I not lying. Oh, guess what! So my lab teacher was talking to my Bio lecture teacher. My lecture teacher asked, "So, which ones are the bad ones?" My lab teacher replied, "Oh they're all bad, however, that one," she pointed directly at me "is dangerous. You need to watch out for her."
I said, "What?! How'd you find out so fast?!" They thought it was funny. Little did they know I was being serious....
We have a visitor in our room. When she walked in, I was (and still am) wearing a bandanna over one eye because it keeps swelling up for no reason... and I get to pretend to be a pirate.... anyway, then my other roommate killed me, and I shouted "Go away!" (thinking it was a friend) when she and her sister knocked on the door. I think she's hiding somewhere, because I haven't seen her for a while....
Anyway, see you next week, same bat-site, same bat-time!!
C.P. Out!
No comments:
Post a Comment