"Master McCleary! Why has he come? Is there more danger for me?"
"You are free to go to Portsmouth this day. Samuel Haines has sailed for
England, and there is little chance he will ever return."
Before Walter could realize the full bearing which Haines's departure
would have upon his own affairs, Andrew McCleary came into view.
"It is a brave spot, my lad, and you have done well to choose it. Master
Leavitt gives me great encouragement in regard to advancing the money, but
stipulates that he shall be made a partner in the enterprise, you to pay
him interest on the entire amount until your debt of one-half is
discharged."
"I shall not need his money, for I already have a partner who neither
demands interest nor a portion of the profits," Walter replied,
laughingly; and then he told his now mystified friends of what Sewatis had
done.
McCleary insisted upon taking the Indian by the hand as he praised him,
but not a word, either good or bad, could he persuade Sewatis to speak.
The mill was built and opened for business four months after the repeal of
the Stamp Act, and Sewatis insisted on pouring into the hopper the first
bushel of corn brought to be ground.
This much regarding Walter Neal and his friends is known through the
writings of others, and the next mention which is made of either person
immediately connected with this story is found in Belknap's "History of
New Hampshire" regarding the battle of Bunker Hill, where he writes
concerning the three New Hampshire regiments which were mustered into the
service of Congress:
"The two former were present in the memorable battle on the heights on
Charlestown, being posted on the left wing, behind a fence, from which
they sorely galled the British as they advanced to the attack, and cut
them down by whole ranks at once.
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