“We want you to proceed to Portsmouth and deliver this packet to Captain Jones,” spoke Mr. Jefferson.
“And, further, you are to sail with him in his ship and accompany him to Paris.”
“Very well, sir,” answered the lad, quietly.
“As every person knows who is at all interested in the welfare of the country,” said the president of Congress, “our sole hope of success in this war lies in the possibility of securing the aid of France against our enemy. But France has seen us go down in defeat after defeat; she has feared that we are not strong enough to continue the fight, and so far has refused to ally herself with us. But this victory of General Gates will put a different face upon matters. If the news that we send here, and the secret instructions that accompany it, are placed in the hands of Mr. Franklin at Paris, the help of France and her fleets are almost assured us.”
The boy’s eyes gleamed as he watched the white fingers of Mr. Hancock tapping the red-sealed packet; and the dark, strange face peering in at the window was filled with an expression of triumph.
“Let the contents of these documents, however, come under the eyes of Lord North, or any other member of King George’s ministry, and all would be ruined. None but the very highest British officials would understand their meaning; but these would grasp it instantly, and a condition for which we have striven for months would at once be changed, and France would find it to her disadvantage to take sides with us.”
“All this means that the instructions are to be guarded carefully,” said Ethan.
“As you would guard your life,” said Mr. Jefferson, laying his hand upon his young secretary’s shoulder.
“As my life be it,” answered the boy with a resolute lift of the head.
“It will take some little time for you to reach Portsmouth,” said Mr. Hancock, “and Captain Jones must be all but ready to put to sea.”
“Yes; there is a schooner called the Island Queen which sails for Portsmouth at the next tide.”
“Which will be at ten to-night,” said Mr. Jefferson.
“I will be ready,” returned the boy as they arose to their feet, and Mr. Hancock handed him the packet.
“No one aboard the Ranger will know of this packet but yourself and the commander,” said the Virginian. “That is why we desire you to accompany the vessel; it will have another pair of eyes to watch over it.”