Master Jonathan permitted himself a vinegary smile, but made no other reply, and, a Dutch serving girl announcing that supper was ready, Master Hardy led them into the dining-room, where a generous repast was spread.  But the room itself continued and accentuated the likeness of a ship.  The windows were great portholes, and two large swinging lamps furnished the light.  Pictures of naval worthies and of sea actions lined the walls.  Two or three of the battle scenes were quite spirited, and Robert regarded them with interest.

“Have you fought in any of those encounters, Mr. Hardy?” he asked.

Willet laid a reproving hand upon his shoulder.

“’Twas a natural question of yours, Robert,” he said, “but ’tis the fashion here and ’tis courtesy, too, never to ask Benjamin about his past life.  Then he has no embarrassing questions to answer.”

Robert reddened and Hardy broke again into that deep, spontaneous laughter which, in time, compelled all the others to laugh too and with genuine enjoyment.

“Don’t believe all that David tells you, Robert, my brave macaroni,” he said.  “I may not answer your questions, but faith they’ll never prove embarrassing.  Bear in mind, lad, that our trade being restricted by the mother country and English subjects in this land not having the same freedom as English subjects in England, we must resort to secrecy and stratagem to obtain what our fellow subjects on the other side of the ocean may obtain openly.  And when you grow older, Master Robert, you will find that it’s ever so in the world.  Those to whom force bars the way will resort to wiles and stratagems to achieve their ends.  The fox has the cunning that the bear lacks, because he hasn’t the bear’s strength.  Lads, you two will sit together on this side of the table, Jonathan, you take the side next to the portholes, and David, you and I will preside at the ends.  Benjamin, David and Jonathan, it has quite a Biblical sound, and at least the friendship among the three of us, despite the sourness of Master Pillsbury, with which I bear as best I can, is equal to that of David and Jonathan.  Now, lads, fall on and see which of you can keep pace with me, for I am a mighty trencherman.”

“Meanwhile tell us what is passing here,” said Willet.

In the course of the supper Hardy talked freely of events in New York, where a great division of councils still prevailed.  Shirley, the warlike and energetic governor of Massachusetts, had urged De Lancy, the governor of New York, to join in an expedition against the French in Canada, but there had been no agreement.  Later, a number of the royal governors expected to meet at Williamsburg in Virginia with Dinwiddie, the governor of that province.

“At present there are plans for four enterprises, every one of an aspiring nature,” he said.  “One expedition is to reduce Nova Scotia entirely, another, under Governor Shirley of Massachusetts, is to attack the French at Fort Niagara, Sir William Johnson with militia and Mohawks is to head a third against Crown Point.  The fourth, which I take to be the most important, is to be led by General Braddock against Fort Duquesne, its object being the recovery of the Ohio country.  I cannot vouch for it, but such plans, I hear, will be presented at the conference of the governors at Williamsburg.”