As dusk settled over the encampment, Capt. Febiger and I filled him in on all we experienced and were told—particularly about the assurances we received about the shipping and the saddlebags full of British and Spanish coins. We then offered to return to town, gather our gear and the money, and return.

He thought about it for a moment, then said, “You two and the dragoons go back to the port. Tomorrow morning at 9:00, be here with two saddle horses for 1st Lt. Humphrey and me and we will ride into Newburyport, meet the gentlemen you have spoken of, and start planning to launch this expedition. I am increasingly concerned about how late it is in the season.”

By now, it was dark and the three-quarter moon was just rising over the harbor. We saluted, mounted our horses, and headed toward the port. As we rode, the offshore breeze picked up a bit. And for the first time in five months, I could feel just the slightest chill in the air.

Newburyport, Massachusetts

Tuesday, September 12th, 1775

At precisely 8:30 this morning, Capt. Febiger, Sgt. Cady, his detachment of dragoons, and I arrived at the Advance Force bivouac outside Newburyport with two extra steeds for Capt. Morgan and 1st Lt. Humphrey. We spent the balance of the day meeting aboard Machias Liberty with Captain O’Brien and a dozen merchant captains. We also ordered fresh beef, pork, fish, and vegetables from local merchants for delivery to our encampment on Wednesday to feed our Advance Force.

On the way back to the bivouac, Capt. Morgan met with Mr. Nathanael Tracy, now nearly recovered from being down with gout.

Mr. Tracy, thanks to being Chairman of the local Sons of Liberty Committee, was a font of information about the activities of Tory spies and the British fleet—still in Boston. He assured us he would know about a Royal Navy threat to our convoy at least twelve hours in advance.

“How?” asked Captain Morgan.

“Because, the British aren’t the only ones who know how to spy.”

Chapter Ten: 1775: A Sortie Delayed

Chapter Ten

1775: A SORTIE DELAYED

Newburyport, Massachusetts

Wednesday, September 13th, 1775

Captain Febiger and I have twice volunteered to vacate our comfortable lodging at Wolfe’s Tavern and move out to the Advance Force bivouac. Captain Morgan ordered us to remain where we are “because the money is safer there, being guarded by one of Sergeant Cady’s dragoons and I want someone I know and trust to be in town with their eyes and ears open.”

This morning our day began with a quick visit with Captain O’Brien aboard Machias Liberty. He reported there are now ten large sea-going transport vessels tied up or anchored in the harbor and there is still no sign of any nearby British warships.