JoAnn A. Grote - Kate and the Spies: The American Revolution

While the Miltons and Langs are fictional, the turmoil in Boston leading up to the Revolutionary War is not. By the time war broke out, one in every four people in Boston was a British soldier. These soldiers were everywherein peoples homes, businesses, and public meetinghouses. Whether citizens were Loyalists or Patriots, most of them wished there were far fewer in their town. In spite of all the soldiers, Patriots continued to work secretly for American rights.

2004 by JoAnn A. Grote

Print ISBN 978-1-59310-354-5

eBook Editions:

Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-62836-209-1

Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-62836-210-7

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All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

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C HAPTER 1

Boston, December 16, 1773

Oof!

Eleven-year-old Kate Milton braced against the crowd that dragged her and her cousin Colin Lang along. Whistles and yells from merchants, craftsmen, and seamen filled the early night air.

A Boston tea party tonight! called a large man beside her. From the smell of him, Kate guessed he was one of Bostons many fishermen.

Kate struggled to keep her footing on the slippery wet stones of Bostons Milk Street. She hung on tightly to Colins arm, clinging to him for support. Thousands of people filled the streets. She had never seen such a crowd in Boston. She and her cousin had no choice but to go the same way as everyone else. Her heart beat like crazy beneath her wool bodice. She and Colin had wondered for weeks what would happen tonight, and now they were about to find out!

Wheres everyone going? Kate had to yell to be heard. She tipped her head back, trying to see Colins face, but he was taller than she was, and his face was turned away as he scanned the crowd. Kate stood on tiptoes and pushed back the gray wool cloak from her blond curls, but she could still only see the backs of the people ahead of them.

Were headed toward Griffin Wharf at Boston Harbor, Colin shouted. The tea ships are there.

Kate felt fear settle in her chest like a rock. Are the people going to hurt the crews? Will they sink the ships?

I dont think so, her cousin answered. People arent carrying weapons or sticks or stones.

When they reached Griffin Wharf, Kate had to step carefully to keep from tripping on the slippery wooden planks and huge coils of rope. Beneath them, water lapped at the tall wooden poles that held up the dock.

The people filled the wharf to the very end. Judging by the light from tin and wooden lanterns on long wooden torches that people carried, Kate guessed the next wharf was just as crowded.

The Dartmouth, one of three ships carrying tea, rose high above them. It tugged at the thick ropes tying it to the pier. The other two tea ships were anchored nearby.

Kate looked at the three ships, dark outlines against the darker sky of early evening. With their sails rolled up, the ships straight pine masts stood like tall, leafless trees, but the ships themselves were like great winged beasts, poised to swoop into the air. The ships look like dragons, dont they? Kate whispered.

Will the ships still be here in the morning? she wondered. Will the tea?

At least the rain had stopped. The December chill crept through Griffin Wharfs wet wooden planks, up through the soles of Kates leather shoes, through the three layers of itchy wool stockings, through the woolen petticoats beneath her gown, and right into her bones. She shivered, yanked her hood over her head again, and wrapped her cloak more tightly around her shoulders.

Its not only the cold that makes me shiver, she thought. Its fear. Fear for Boston. Fear of the unknown. Fear for her older cousin Harrisons life.

The fear had been crawling inside her ever since that day two weeks ago at her uncles print shop. That was when Harry had told Colin and Kate what might happen and had asked them to help.

Theyd been printing handbills, or posters, for the Sons of Liberty. Kate didnt mind helping, but she liked helping her father better. Her father was Dr. Firth Milton, and Kate was fascinated with the thought that he could actually do something to help sick people heal.

As he had talked to them, Harrys eyes, as brown as Colins, had flashed with excitement. Hed leaned across the huge printing press and told them the plan in a loud whisper. The law says the Dartmouth has to either leave Boston on December sixteenth or unload its tea by then.

I know. Colin and Kate were hanging up copies of the paper, fresh from the press, to dry. Theyve only fourteen days left.

Mark my words, the tea wont be unloaded or sold here.

Kate frowned. She always felt so powerless in the face of all the events that swirled around her, but Harry sounded as confident as if he had some control over what happened. Harrison was twenty-two, nine years older than Colin. He was an adult, and a man besides, while Kate was only a little girl. Still, what could he or the other men do? I dont understand, Kate said.

Harry spoke quickly, excitedly. If the ships are unloaded here, we Patriots will do it ourselves. It will take lots of hands. We need men and boys to help who arent well known in town. He glanced at Kate. Youd pass for a boy if you tucked your hair up inside a hat and wore some of Colins old clothes. We need people to help us who can be trusted not to tell what they do that nightnot before and not after. Youre Patriots, the both of you, and Id trust you with my life.

Pride flooded Kate at her cousins words, but she still felt uneasy.

Im a Patriot, all right, Colin said proudly, and Ill keep your secret. You can count on us.

Kate nodded silently. What else could she do? She couldnt let Harry down.

Kate knew her father referred to people like Harry as rebels, but she had to admit she liked the word Patriot better. Rebel sounded like an enemy of King George III. Patriot sounded like a loyal British citizen, and thats what both Colin and Harry were. And so was she, she supposed.

Harry grinned at the two children. Then youll help?

I dont know. Kate still wasnt certain about this. How are you going to unload the tea?

Were going to throw the tea into the harbor.

Kates heart thumped like a drum. Youre going to ruin it? Her voice rose in a squeak, and Harry waved his hand to shush her. He nodded once, sharply.