“He already knows. He’s gone to seek protection from his friends in the South End Gang.”
“We have to tell Mr. Adams!”
“That is already being taken care of,” she said. “The important thing for you to do right now is rest. You’ve had a nasty blow. After such a fall, rest is just the thing. Come on. I’ll help you to get home.”
She helped him up.
“I–I feel a little dizzy,” he said.
“That often happens when one’s had a nasty fall,” she said. “Can you walk’?” “Yes. I believe so.”
“Come on, then. I’ll walk with you.”
“I feel so strange,” said Johnny. “Nothing like that has ever happened to me before. I was only trying to find you and Mr. Priest and Mr. Delaney… where were you? Where did you go? I looked for you everywhere!”
“We had a great deal to do,” said Andre. “We were with the Tories, discovering their plot against the Sons of Liberty.”
“I was afraid that something may have happened to you.” Johnny said. “I feared perhaps the Tories had discovered your deception. I–I don’t know what I would have done if they had hurt you.”
She smiled. “I’m touched by your concern.”
He stopped. “It is much more than mere concern.” he said. “Andre
… I–I have never said this to a girl before…”
She quickly put her fingertips up against his lips. “Don’t say it. Johnny.” she said softly. “I know. And I am flattered more than I could say. But please try to understand. I am not free.”
“You-you are promised to another?” he said.
“Yes. Johnny, I am.” He looked down at the ground. “I see. I–I suppose I dared not hope that you would-”
“There is much about you that a girl could love. Johnny,” she said. “Someday, you will meet the one who’s right for you and then I’m sure that you will make her very proud and very happy. But I…” she stopped, listening. “Did you hear that?”
“What?”
“Sssh! Listen!”
The sound came to them on the stillness of the cool night breeze.
“Men shouting.” Johnny said. “It sounds as if it’s coming from the Common.”
“Something’s happening. Come on. Johnny, run!” she said.
They sprinted toward the Common, Andre leading the way. Johnny running hard to keep up with her. They crossed Marlborough Street and ran toward the granary, on the comer of Common Street. The sound grew louder as they approached. They pulled up short as they reached the tree-lined Mall at the edge of the Common. A large group of black-robed figures were heading toward the Liberty Tree. Several of them were dragging along a fiercely struggling man, whose hands had been bound and whose mouth was gagged.
“They’ve got Mr. Macintosh!” said Johnny. he looked at Andre with alarm. “My God, they’re going to hang him, like the others! What are we to do?”
Andre thought fast. There was nothing she could do, not with Johnny there. They had already reached the Liberty Tree and were throwing a rope over one of its stout branches.
“Run, Johnny!” she said. “Get help!”
“But they will never come in time!”
She took out her dueling pistol. “I’ll fire a shot in the air.” she said, “then reload quickly and fire again. They may think the Sons of Liberty have come to rescue him.”
“They will not be fooled!” said Johnny.
“I have to try!” she said.