The First Capture; or, Hauling Down the Flag of England

concerned? We do not mean by saying this that Zeke Lewis was lazy-the old folks had a milder term for it. He was always at work at something, but he was shiftless. Nothing tha

found. Zeke would work early and late upon those shoes until he got them done, and he carried his money straight to his wife, who had the faculty of making a shilling go farther than he would. If a vessel was ready to sail, either up or

t at all; he was strong; so strong that when he got hold of a rope everybody knew he was there. There were two things about him that were noticeable-his smiling, good-natured face and hi

hard day's work in the hay-field. He found his wife sitting in the kitchen engaged in knitting, but she made no efforts at all to get supper for her husband. Zeke thought she looked a little

" aske

nswered his wife. "I

it," said Zeke. "I guess I will have to go

crust of bread in the

ell me!" exc

and I cannot find anything.

backing toward the nearest cha

he field and would need it more

enough to keep a hen from starving when I ate it. Mr. Howard

hat man? Then you will

for wo

it just as he has cheated everyb

kless since I went to school to old Parson Stebbins, and then I slung them at Jeems Howard because I thought he had tried to take my knickerbockers[4] away from me. He has not forgotten th

m up in his arms. A pang shot through him while he did so, for he could not help thinking w

d me, and she has had the worst all the time. I will go and see Jeems Howard about them, and see what h

the street, and every one wanted to know where he was going to mend shoes. For in those days the cobblers always came to a person's house and did their work there. Zeke al

til Saturday night," said he, when he had brought the man for whom

could afford to give, and he concluded that two and a half shillings were all he could pay. He insisted so strongly upon it that Zeke was about to close with his offer, when a new actor appeared upon the scene. It was Jeremiah O'Brien, of whom we shall have somethin

doing with your to

until next Saturday n

you going to

Jeems allows that he can't g

if they are worth anything,

Just see that kn

and come with me,"

are you

ith me," insisted O'Brien. "I

returned his gaze with interest and Zeke finally thought better of it, gathered

tools that you make a living with, I want you to come to me. Don't go to that old Tory, who is

he ground. "She gave me all she had for br

'Brien, when they came to Zeke's house.

laimed Zeke. "What a

me provisions. I am going to send out a

t sea on one of Mr. O'Brien's vessels, his wife could go to the store and get anything she pleased; but Zeke knew it was not so while he was working for James Howard. The old Tory was a cheat, and nobody except Zeke

g bothered him. His wife being out of provisions was the nearest thing that came to throwing him off his balance;

ed on him for everything, was not of much use in the world; but on this particular morning, after listening to the story of the battle of Lexington, Zeke began to take a little interest in matters. In fact the people had never seen him so worked up before. H

Zeke?" asked one of his compa

nd him. "Then I guess I can speak out here as well as anywhere. I say we

nion. "These Tories will not come out so that

got some property here, and we

or that. W

two sloops that are loading up with lumber for th

; but suppose we should fail? Have you f

en men that will capture her to-night. Where are the rest of you?" he continued, glancing around at the men who ha

stance from the wharf,"

ke us out to her?" asked Zeke. "Some of you are afraid

Mr. O'Brien. "What are your plans, Zeke? But first let us

re into Zeke's scheme. If he was not afraid to undertake it the rest