[antform] young patriot, actuated by a motive which

[Willow J. <li...@gc...>]

Thin your reach, would be a worthy mark for your treacherous British
muskets," said Blair boldly. "I would dare you to fire, but there are
those at home who would miss us too much. Do what you will with us; we
are your prisoners." The British tars handled their captives without
ceremony, and hurried them at once on board the man-of-war and presented
them before its impatient commander. Not a little surprised at the
grotesque appearance of the prisoners, he exclaimed in astonishment,
"Who and what are you?" "I am a Yankee boy, the captain of the Fairport
Guard," said Blair frankly. "We had been parading, when your signal for
a pilot called me too suddenly away for me to have time to lay aside
this dress, _this coat_ which my grandfather wore at _Bunker Hill_." A
strong emphasis was laid on the last word of the sentence. "You young
rascal!" exclaimed the commander. "And who is this Tom-fool of a
companion?" "It is my friend, and one of our company. He would not see
me risking my life on the water while he stood on the shore. Would that
we had many such 'Tom-fools,' with brave, strong hearts like his." As
Blair spoke, he took off his official cap and left his noble young head
bare. With another movement the precious coat was thrown over his arm,
and the stripling stood in his school-boy dress before the English
commander, who exclaimed, "A pretty pilot, you. Who sent you on this mad
errand?" "My father has been for thirty years the pilot of Fairport. He
is now absent fighting for his country against her oppressors. I know
the channel well. No one of our few remaining men would venture his life
in such a sea for an unknown vessel, and so I came. I knew it would be
certain death for you to try to enter that harbor without a pilot."
"Then do your duty, young malapert. There is no time to be lost. We'll
run up the British flag, and go into port under fair colors." The
commander gave the necessary orders to have the last suggestion carried
out, and the sailors were prompt to do