Four cloaked figures stood on Dorchester Heights. It was a chilly March night, and their cloaks twisted around them in the wind.
“It’s fantastic, General,” the smallest exclaimed.
“To be sure,” agreed the green-feathered one beside her.
The third figure nodded and pulled his cloak tighter around him. “It’s amazing. How did you manage to finish it so quickly?”
General Washington smiled. “Today is the sixth anniversary of the Boston Massacre. I simply reminded the men.”
“Aye, I remember it.”
“So do I.”
“I do, as well.”
The smallest cloaked one snorted. “You were not even in town, Master Green Feather.”
“So? I still remember when I heard about it.”
“Honestly, you two. What does it matter?”
As the three started bickering, Washington smiled. It was good to be refreshed by seeing the war through younger, more hopeful eyes. One more than one occasion, they had revived his hopes for the colonies’ independence. Though the people of the town did not know it, Boston owed so much to these three youths.
“Oh, I cannot wait to see the look on General Howe’s face!” Sovay grinned. “He’s in for quite the shock when he sees we have fortified Dorchester Heights. “
“Are we seeing the look on his face, then? How are we accomplishing that?” Robyn asked.
“I’ll tell him.”
“You most certainly will not.” Ben was adamant.
Robyn nodded. “It’s too dangerous. We will simply have to wait. Besides, we shall see Agent Chaplen’s face. That will be enough for me.” She turned to General Washington. “What do you think General? Will the Redcoats fight or flee?”
Washington’s breath plumed in the night air. “I pray that they will flee. We will lose far fewer men that way. However, evacuating Boston will not appear favorable in the eyes of the king.”
The three nodded, lost in their own thoughts.
“Whatever the case may be, my young friends, I will need you to keep an eye on the situation from the inside. That way, I may know if I should increase the troops or wave as they evacuate.”
The three nodded and Robyn spoke, “You may count on us, Sir.”
~~~~~~
General Howe slammed a fist down on the desk. “These fellows have done more work in one night than I could make my army do in three months! And what are they? A bunch of uneducated colonists.”
Agent Chaplen smiled. “If I may, sir, not all colonists are as dimwitted as they are made out to be.”
“Hmph.” How returned to his chair. “Speaking of clever colonists, how are you getting along with that little fox? More specifically, why is he not hanging from the gallows right now?” Howe narrowed his eyes at Chaplen.
The other seemed unmoved. “Like you said, sir, he is clever. However, do not worry yourself sick over this one. He will swing from you gallows soon enough.” Chaplen smiled. “What of the cannon barrage, sir? Did that achieve anything of consequence other than deafen the ears of the soldiers?”
Howe glared at the agent. “No. However, we are not beat, yet.”
“Naturally, General.” Chaplen bowed ever so slightly. “I must now take me leave. Good day to you.”
He spun on his heel and exited. Once out on Milk Street, he smiled to himself. Chaplen was more than pleased with his response. The general never tired of trying to make a fool out of him, but Chaplen always came out on top. It was amusing, but not a real challenge. Not like the Shadow Fox. Now, that boy was a real challenge.
Chaplen sighed pleasurably. Too bad it was all drawing to a close. He had gathered quite a bit of information on the boy. Now, he just needed to put it all together. However, there was something just on the edge of his mind—something he was missing. It was like the glue that held all the pieces together. If he just had that one piece—
“Oh my goodness, sir, I’m sorry!”
Chaplen bent to retrieve the basket. “It’s quite alright, Miss Rivers. Accidents happen.”
“I was just walking along sir, not bothering to look where I was going, and next thing I knew, I was bumping into you!”
Chaplen handed the basket back to Robyn. “Yes, well, maybe you should be more careful.”
“Aye, sir.”
In truth, Robyn had been looking at Dorchester Heights, trying to see if the fortifications had any easily spotted week points. However, she was not about to explain this to Agent Chaplen.
“Has it been a pleasant morning, sir?”
“What? Oh, yes, Miss Rivers.”
“What was General Howe after, Mr. Chaplen? He should just leave a busy man like yourself alone. Besides, has he not something more important to be doing? Oh, I do not know, training soldiers and the like? Oh, and those cannons this morning! What a nuisance. You would think someone was attacking us.”
While Robyn rambled on about nothing of consequence, Chaplen thought back through the day. A young officer had summoned him to Howe’s residence this morning, but Robyn had been in the barn, milking the cow. Perhaps Ben told her. But no, he and Miss Willows had gone to the blacksmith’s to have the Shadow Fox’s horse re-shoed. Long and his officers were also out. Robyn should not know. She and he had been the only two people in the house.
Robyn’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Mr. Chaplen? Are you quite alright?”
Blinking, he looked down at her. Her eyebrows were raised in concern. No, something hid under the concern. Amusement? Impossible. Was there more than meets the eye to this girl? No, impossible. She was nothing more than a typical silly female.
She smiled cheerfully and trotted into the house. How odd. Chaplen shook himself. No, he was over analyzing everything, now. To his chagrin, Howe was right. Time was running out. He needed to catch that young fox, and he needed to do it quickly.
-----
What?! A post?! On Friday no less?! Yes, see, I'm avoiding studying for finals. Ahem.
By the way, General How actually said “These fellows have done more work in one night than I could make my army do in three months!" I made up the rest.... and the fact he said it to Agent Chaplen. Oh no! Is Robyn starting to give herself away? Will Chaplen ever see through that silly facade?! Hm, I dunno, guys, he's a pretty clever man.
Hopefully, I will post Monday, if I live through my organismal bio and Brit Lit finals.
P.S. Don't forget about the poll on your right!
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