So he waited until the loosely-constructed raft reached midstream, where the current of the sluggish water turned it partially around so that the boys faced back at England, and dared not turn about for fear of another submersion.
Taking careful aim, John threw a large and wonderfully squashy apple at Jack. It landed on top of his head, and the juicy, brown contents of the apple-skin ran down over his face, ears and neck.
Ouch! Whats that? screamed Jack, the acid of the juice blinding his eyes. He threw out his hands for help as he cried, and thus catching Jim, both slid off the raft a second time, as the craft went under on that side.
George could afford to laugh at the sight, for he still held his footing on the wet and slippery raft; but he laughed too soon. John took another aim and fired a second shot. It hit the boards of the raft just back of George, who was not aware of it, as it simply squashed all over without making a noise.
He moved back a trifle to gain a surer footing, and that action was his own undoing. His foot slipped on the slippery mush, and down he came upon the planks. Again the tipsy raft dove, and again George slid off into the stream.
The middle of the stream was swollen by the rains to a depth of four feet, and Jim only being three feet high, could not be seen, but he could paddle a bit with legs and arms in poor imitation of swimming, so George and Jack found him wildly kicking and striking the water in a vain endeavor to float.
John doubled over in glee at his marksmanship, and the two girls, running to see what the new commotion was about, saw the three boys in the creek, trying to board the raft. With every pull and extra weight on the warship, it dipped gracefully and slipped the childrens eager, clutching hands from its edges.
Youll have to wade back to England and sail again, yelled John comfortingly.
You just wait till we get over there! threatened Jack, who suspected the power back of that apple.
Well wait all right! Long time comin, too! roared John, slapping his knees.
While Jack pulled Jim to shallow water, George managed to haul the now water-logged raft back to the English shore. The pasteboard cartons and drum were thoroughly soaked by this time and showed signs of collapse, but the soap-box withstood the elements in a fine manner.
During the third trial to cross the tempestuous seas, the cartons holding oatmeal and hominy spread out and the cereals floated down on the face of the creek. The pasteboard sides, now flattened out and soaked, were of no use, so they were kicked off; but in the sudden jerking Jack and George clutched each other madly, or they would have slid into the water for the third time.
I guess Boston will never get a speck of that cargo! laughed John, both hands behind his back holding large-sized decayed cannon-balls from the apple tree.
Whatll you bet? challenged Jack.
Bet you three shots to your every one that you wont land it! taunted John.
Take you up! If we land anything we take three shots at you. If you keep us from landing, you have three at us, cried George, the fire of battle shining in his eyes.
Here, John, you wade out and upset them, whispered Anne mischievously.
They wont count that as fair! exclaimed Martha.
Ive got a better idea. Ill get up on that tree-trunk leaning out over the creek and you girls can hand me some heavy clumps of dirt, wood or rocks. Ill drop it over on the raft so it will tip and roll off the rest of the cargo, whispered John.
The three sailors were fully occupied in balancing and bringing the raft across the stream where it should go, so they failed to see John scale the overhanging willow tree and lean down to get the rocks and fragments of tree-trunks the girls passed up to him. Not until a stone fell upon the side of the raft where the remaining boxes stood did they dream of danger from a fort.
Ah, say, that isnt fair! complained Jack, not daring to look up or around.
Alls fair in play! laughed Anne from the bank.
A second rock landed on the edge of the raft, and then a mass of dirt and dead leaves. After this, the girls assisted in the fusillade, and the boys were not only kept busy avoiding the ammunition of the Americans; but they found the raft tilting so dangerously that another added bit of weight would roll the single remaining soap-box from the ship.
Jack, its dare or die! said George, nodding to the débris thrown on the raft and the slant of the ship under water.
What do you say? wondered Jack.
Jims the lightest he must take the soap-box and try to reach shore with it while we fight them for a landing out here. If they go for Jim, we can land, and if they keep up with us Jim can scramble up the bank.
Jim was willing, and Jack thought it was a fighting chance, so the captain of the Dartmouth sidled off into the water and grabbed the box which he had to safely carry up on shore in the face of the American cannonading.
Had the creek been clear of mud and roots, the British might have landed their sea forces, and thus the history of the American colonists might never have been written as such; but which one of the combating parties could dream of the unseen menace that took a part in this tragic fight?