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footing with the Americans who know the area,” the younger man said, trying to convince FitzGibbon. “Would you be willing to come along with us, Tommy?”
    â€œThat is not a question that should be asked,” FitzGibbon said.
    â€œI’m sorry, James,” Merritt said. “It’s just that it could make such a difference . . . the difference between life and death.”
    â€œI didn’t bring Tommy away from his family to place him in greater danger.”
    â€œWe can minimize the danger. He could lead the way to the trail at the top and then return to the boats to wait with the guards.”
    â€œTommy, would you please excuse us?” FitzGibbon said. “William . . .” He motioned for Merrit to follow as he walked out of the kitchen. A door swung shut behind them.
    â€œFor my part, I hope they leave you here,” Mr. DeCew said. “We could certainly use the help around the farm and mill. But if it were up to you, Tommy, what would you choose?”
    I did want to be part of their adventure, and I certainly didn’t want to work at somebody else’s farm, but still . . . maybe it would be better to remain.
    Before I could answer the door opened and FitzGibbon and Merritt reappeared.
    â€œTommy, do you want to go for a boat ride?” FitzGibbon asked.

CHAPTER FOUR
    S ILENTLY THE men dipped oars into the water. There wasn’t a sound except the waves washing against the sides of the boat. Both sides of the river were pitch black. The only light at all was from the moon and stars, which were peeking through swirling clouds of mist that blanketed the water.
    It was cool, but not cool enough to explain why I was shivering. I’d had more than second thoughts about agreeing to come along. Staying at the DeCews’ farm wouldn’t have been nearly as exciting but it certainly would have been safer. And warmer.
    The Lieutenant and I were in the lead boat, the biggest vessel, along with twenty others. Around us, in a dozen other boats of different sizes and shapes, were the other eighty who made up FitzGibbon’s and Merritt’s detachments. We didn’t need this many vessels to transport the men, but we’d use them to bring back the supplies they were hoping to capture.
    The Lieutenant said I could come as far as the start of the trail and then, at that point, he’d sent me back with a rear guard to stand over the boats.
    â€œEver travel the river at night?” FitzGibbon whispered.
    â€œNever,” I admitted. “It seems quiet . . . peaceful.”
    â€œAnd dark. If the Americans on either side of the river saw us out here we’d have a welcoming party waiting for us no matter where we put in.”
    â€œThey can’t see us now, right?” My doubts were suddenly overwhelming my confidence.
    â€œNot a chance. Can you even see the other boats?” he asked.
    I looked back and strained my eyes. I could only barely make out the outlines of the next two or three boats behind us, and the rest were invisible. I guess he was right. Between the dark and the mist we were safe from prying eyes.
    â€œAre we coming in at the right place?” FitzGibbon asked of the soldier manning the rudder.
    â€œThe current is strong. It’s a struggle to stay on course, but I’m doing my best,” he answered. “The other boats are smaller and might be pushed farther down river than us.”
    â€œNot good. We might not have enough time to regroup before heading inland and then getting back to the Canadian side before the sun comes up. Put your backs into it lads and let’s make land.”
    We were still too far offshore to make out anything except the darkened outline of the cliffs rising up on the other side.
    Free to think, I couldn’t keep my mind off what we weredoing. I hadn’t stopped thinking about it since FitzGibbon had agreed to let me come along. We’d left the DeCew farm the next morning