Robyn burst into the barn, Patriot trotting at her heels. She was not in a good mood. Why had she been so stupid? Chaplen had known she was there the entire time. He had known, and he had kept her there. Now, she would never learn of Howe’s plan in time. She had failed General Washington. She had failed the entire Continental Army.
However, Chaplen had not taken her prisoner. In fact, he had not even tried. Why? Why had he not taken the opportunity she so stupidly gave him? Why was he prolonging their little game? What did he have to gain by it?
Someone cleared his throat. Robyn spun to her right, sword drawn. Jack Richards quickly put his hands in the air. “I come in peace! Please, do not run me through!”
Robyn sheathed her sword. Great. Her night had just become better. Patriot had not bothered to warn her. He was over with Midnight, telling her of the evening’s happenings. She regarded Jack coldly.“What do you want?”
“Look, I know you are still angry with me.”
“So? Get to the point.”
“I want to help you.”
“And I’m the king of England.”
“No, I’m serious.”
“As am I.”
“Look, please, just hear me out.”
Robyn plopped down on the nearest pile of hay. Seeing the opportunity to be petted, Patriot trotted over. “Fine. I’m listening. You have ten seconds.”
“General Howe is preparing to attack the rebels on Dorchester Heights.”
“Your ten seconds are up. I knew that already.” She began to rise, and Patriot complained.
Jack held up a hand. “Wait, but do you know how?”
Robyn sat back down. The dog was more than pleased. “As it happens, no. Do you?”
The other grinned. “I do.”
The Shadow Fox regarded him silently, waiting. Jack continued to grin. Stroking Patriots head in an ominous manner, Robyn arched an eyebrow.
“Well, shall I tell you?”
“No, I was just going to sit here until the world ended.”
“Well, if you do not—“
“Just tell me, already.”
Jack bowed. “General Howe leaves tonight with two thousand and four hundred men.”
Robyn whistled. “When?”
“Within three hours.”
“We have to get out and warn General Washington!”
“I do not see how. The sentries are not allowed to let a man pass unless General Howe says so himself.”
Robyn smiled. “I have an idea.”
Jack grinned. “I know that smile. Let me join you in payment for my information.”
Robyn arched an eyebrow. “I thought the information itself was payment.”
“Not on your life. Now, what’s the plan?”
“We’ll need Ben, Sovay, Jacob, Alice, some redcoats, and Agent Chaplen’s clothes.”
~~~~~
“Halt!” The sentry stopped the small mounted precision. “No one is to leave the town.”
The one on the dappled grey moved nudged his horse forward. “What is this outrage? Let us pass, man.”
The sentry eyed the group thoughtfully. There were five of them total, all dressed in British uniforms save the man on the dappled grey. However, one horse, a black mare, was rider-less. He frowned. “And what is your business, sir?”
“Hanging this rebel spy, you idiot. Now, let us pass.”
Perhaps he had drunk a bit too much, but the sentry did not see a rebel spy. “What spy, sir?”
The horse parted to reveal a cloaked boy. His arms were bound behind his back, and a rope wrapped around his upper arms, then fastened to the halter of the black mare.
“This one, idiot. We have to hang him on the Neck before he escapes again.”
The sentry scratched his head. “Yes, well, General Howe said—“
“Do you not know who I am?!”
“Well, no, to be frank, sir.”
The man pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is a waste of precious time. I am James Chaplen, special agent of his royal Highness, King George to the colonies.”
The sentry straightened and saluted. “Yes, sir. But sir, General Howe said that I cannot allow—“
“Confound it, man! I always have rite of passage!”
“Well, sir, if I could ask the general, sir—“
“You imbecile, there is no time! How would you like General Howe to return to Boston to find that you inhibited me—“
“Sir, well, sir, I, uh, that is to say—“
“Yes?”
“Open the gates, lads!”
The gates rumbled open and the little precession ambled through. Once they out of eye and ear shot, they all burst into laughter. Some of it was nervous tension, the rest was genuine mirth.
“Oh, Benjamin Rivers, I think you have a hidden talent!” Jack wiped tears from his eyes.
“Oh, yes, that man was terrified you were going to cause him to lose his post!” Alice grinned.
Jacob nodded. “It seems your mother and her acting ways rubbed off on you, Ben.”
“I nearly laughed several times and gave it away!” Sovay added.
“To be sure. Excellent work, Ben. You make a fine Agent Chaplen. It was a good thing I chose to wear my hood up. Thankfully it hid my ridiculous grin.” Robyn untied the rope from her upper shoulders—her wrists were not truly tied in the event that the sentry did not buy their masquerade. Still grinning, she mounted Midnight. “Thank you all for your magnificent performance.”
“I have a question. Will the troops fire on us with these coats on?” Jacob asked.
Robyn waved a white handkerchief. “No. Besides, General Washington should have lookouts watching for us. He’s expecting information one way or the other.”
Alice looked up at the sky. “Well, let us be on our way. The sky looks like snow.”
The other five agreed, and they quickly set off for Dorchester Heights.
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Hehehe. Ben does make a wonderful Chaplen. So, I'm posting from the couch at home like I said I would. Happy days! Though, my parents are already putting me to work.
See ya'll next week!
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