Read Guns for General Washington for Free Online Page B

fishing,” Paul said.
    The old boatman shrugged. “I’ve got a powerful fat worm on my hook. Mayhap I’ll catch a bit, if the redcoats haven’t fished the harbor clean.”
    They sat for a while side by side, and Paul waited patiently. When Toby had news he would share it in his own way, in his own good time. He moved the pole about in the water, then cleared his throat “Did you ever hear tell of a Captain John Manly?”
    Paul nodded, curious. “A privateer, isn’t he? Licensed by the council to go after British vessels?”
    Toby grunted. “Aye, that be he. Commands an armed brig called the
Lee
. Word’s come that he captured a British supply ship, the
Nancy
, out on Boston Bay. Took the ship, put a prize crew aboard, and sailed ’er into Cape Ann. Washington’s sending four companies to get the cargo and carry it down to Cambridge.”
    â€œWere there good pickings?” Paul asked.
    â€œThe best, lad. The
Nancy
was carrying munitions. Two thousand muskets, plenty of round shot, flints, musket balls—even a grand thirteen-inch brass mortar. When they hauled the monster ashore, ol’ General Putnam christened it with a flagon of rum.”
    Paul smiled. “A thirteen-inch mortar! Lord, wait until the British get a taste of
that
!”
    â€œWe’ll have a long wait,” Toby grumbled. “There’s nary enough powder to fire it.”
    The boy frowned. For weeks now he’d heard rumors that the army was very short of gunpowder, one more battle and the supply would be gone. It was worrisome, if the rumors were true.
    â€œWord’s come,” Toby added, “that powder’s on the way from France and Spain. And a new powder mill’s being built here in Canton. Your pa’s been put in charge, ’n’ he’s got old Jim Otis, the powder master, to help him. But it will be months afore they’re turning out enough to supply everyone.”
    Silently they watched a British patrol frigate as it beat its slow way across the harbor. Then Paul asked, “Any news of my friend Will Knox?”
    Toby spat into the water. He looked around carefully before answering; then he grinned. “He and the colonel have took themselves off to Fort Ticonderoga. They’re aiming to collect the cannons up there and bring ’em back to headquarters.”
    Paul was surprised. The Ticonderoga cannons! So
that
was the colonel’s secret plan—and a mighty clever one!
    â€œThose big guns,” he said, “will be useful when they get here.”
    Toby shot him a grim look. “
If
they get here, lad.
If.
”
    Paul bridled. “I’m not worried. The colonel will have many a good hand with him.”
    The boatman nodded. “Aye, but the one he needs is the hand of Providence.”
    Â 
    Later, walking home through the dreary streets, Paul heard the church bells again. The mournful ringing troubled him. Old Toby wasn’t very hopeful about Colonel Knox’s journey. It
did
seem a bit daft, Paul admitted—well nigh unworkable. He turned and looked toward Charlestown and the Mystic River. Somewhere, miles beyond Boston, his friend Will was helping to haul cannons over the mountains to save the rebel cause. It was a dangerous mission and a daring one. But would it succeed, or would it end in failure?
    None can say
, chimed the bells.
None can say . . . none can say . . .

10
Heading Overland
    The first run from Fort George to Glens Falls was only ten miles, but to Will Knox it seemed like ten times ten.
    This was rough terrain—the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, far from civilization. There were no highways here. No paved roads. No bridges or underpasses. No route signs or sheltered rest areas or lighting to chase the gloom. What passed for a road was only a dirt trail, used now and then by farmers, trappers, or migrating Indians. In summer the trail was often a sea of mud.