The Boy who sailed with Blake | Page 4

had time to strike
a blow for the liberties of our country."
"I hope that I can do something now, sir," I said, not liking the thoughts
of being shut up. "I can fire a pistol if I cannot point an arquebuse; and
since morning I have carried a hundred baskets or more of earth to the
embankment."
"You speak bravely, my boy, and bravely you will act when the time
comes," said the Colonel, and forthwith he addressed himself to others
who came to receive his orders. Such was my first introduction to one
with whom I was destined to serve for many a year.
I well remember the spot where we were standing. On one side lay the
blue sea extending to the horizon, below us was the town with its
white-walled, straw-thatched buildings, the church with its spire to the
left, and before us were the green slopes of the hills sprinkled here and
there with clumps of trees, while on the more level spots were to be
seen corn-fields and orchards smiling in the rays of the setting sun.
Beyond the town was Colway House, a substantial mansion, once the
residence of the Cobham family; and about a mile from it, on the
opposite side of the valley, was a collection of buildings known as
Hayes Farm, both of which had been fortified, and occupied as
outposts.

We had, we knew, not many days to prepare for the defence; and I am
proud to say that, scrap of a boy as I was, I worked as hard as many of
my elders. Late in the evening, when it was already dusk, my father
found me, with Lancelot and Dick, still at our self-imposed task.
"Come, boys," he said, "it is time for you to go home and get some
sleep. You must leave it to stronger men to labour during the night."
"Just let us carry a few more basketfuls, sir," answered Lancelot. "See
that gap; we have undertaken to fill it up, and, for what we can tell, the
enemy may be upon us before the morning."
"Well, well, lads, I like your spirit. I will not baulk you. Give me a
spade; I will try what I can do to expedite the work." And my revered
father, as soon as the spade had been handed to him, began digging
away with right goodwill, filling the baskets, which were carried up to
the embankment. He soon became so interested in the work that he was
as unwilling to knock off as we were.
"Run back and get a lantern. Its light will help us to finish our task
more quickly. Maybe the host of the `Three Tankards' will lend thee
one; or Master Harris who lives opposite; or, if you cannot get one
nearer, go home and bring our big lantern which hangs inside the hall
door. See that it is well trimmed, though."
"Ay, ay, father," I answered, and set off. Knowing every foot of the
way, I was not afraid of running, even though the gathering darkness
made it difficult to see objects at any distance beyond my nose.
At the first places where I called, all the lanterns had been put into
requisition, and so I had to run on until I reached our house. I found my
sister Audrey, and Margaret our maid, wondering why we were so long
absent. Supper was on the table, and the viands getting cold. On
hearing why I wanted the lantern, they both wished to come and help us,
Audrey declaring that she could carry a basket as well as either of us
boys.
"You must stop and take care of the house," I answered, feeling a little

jealous that a girl should fancy she could work as well as my
companions and I. "There are a good many strangers in the town, and it
would not do to leave the house empty. Margaret can trim the lantern,
as she knows how to do it better than I do. Be quick about it, for I must
be off again as fast as my legs can carry me."
"Take a crust of bread and a piece of cheese in the meantime, Master
Ben," said Margaret, as she took down the lantern, and examined the
wick.
"I have no time for eating; I am not hungry," I answered, and I watched
her impatiently, while she poured in some fresh oil. Taking the lantern
as soon as it was lighted, I hurried out, and, holding it before me, ran
on without fear of rushing against any one coming from an opposite
direction. I had got a short distance when I found myself in the midst of
a body of men, who were coming up from the harbour carrying loads
on