As we disembarked from Machias Liberty, Captain Febiger handed the little silver ball to Sgt. Cady, saying, “Send your best night rider who knows what to do with this, back to Colonel Arnold tonight.

“There is a waning three-quarter moon and a clear sky, so he should be able to make it to Colonel Arnold’s headquarters before dawn. But remind him of two important matters.

“First, the Advance Force is scheduled to depart Cambridge for here on Monday morning. Since Captain Daniel Morgan is leading it, it’s entirely possible they may be underway at one minute past midnight. Riding toward a contingent of 250 Riflemen in the middle of the night could be a life-threatening experience.

“Second, if your dragoon does encounter the Advance Force, be sure to have him inform their vanguard about the ford we used to cross that stream flowing into the Merrimac. It will save them some time.

“Captain O’Brien has made arrangements for those of us staying here. He will brief you. You and your four remaining men rest well. Ensign Newman and I will meet you here in the morning at 7:45.”

On Monday morning as we walked to the pier from Wolfe’s Tavern, toting our backpacks, rifles, and the saddlebags full of British and Spanish coins, the air was as cool and clear as we could wish. The harbor was pristine—and not a single British warship was in sight.

As we turned the corner toward Machias Liberty’s berth, we could see the five dragoons, standing beside their mounts and a crowd of a dozen or so sailors and dockworkers gathered around them, plying them with fresh baked biscuits, coffee, tea, and ­questions.

Sgt. Cady, seeing us approaching, detached himself from the crowd and said, “Gentlemen, Captain O’Brien suggests the first thing we should do this morning is reconnoiter where we’re going to bivouac the Expedition outside of town. He has arranged with Mr. Nathanael Tracy for us to be accompanied by his Sons of Liberty deputy. He will be here on horseback in a few minutes.

“Captain O’Brien has offered to safeguard the saddlebags and coins in his cabin aboard the sloop and have one of my men stand guard over it. The other four of us will accompany you.”

Thankfully, Capt. Febiger agreed, and I went aboard the vessel with one of the dragoons and deposited the saddlebags, with fresh wax seals over each pocket, in Capt. O’Brien’s cabin.

As I headed back on deck, Captains Febiger and O’Brien were coming up the gangway with a third gentleman who introduced himself as Anthony Davenport, Deputy Chairman of the secret Newburyport Sons of Liberty Committee.