Midnight Rider

During the weeks after the midnight handbill distribution, Hannah disguises herself as Hans and regularly rides Promise through the tunnel, learning the patrol routes around Boston. She overhears General Gage discussing the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia. He and his officers mention Dr. Joseph Warren’s resolutions; General Gage has an informant who has alerted him that Paul Revere might be carrying them to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

One morning, Hannah and Caleb discuss the general’s informant and Will’s recent courier missions on Promise for the Committees of Correspondence. In the stables, Hannah and Caleb hear Gabriel, General Gage’s horse, shrieking in distress and rush to help. When General Gage enters and attempts to subdue the horse with a whip, Hannah intervenes, using her gentle approach and a soothing song to calm Gabriel. Caleb discovers that an errant orange kitten frightened the horse. When General Gage orders the kitten drowned, Hannah pleads for its life. The general relents, allowing Hannah to keep the kitten, provided that it remains hidden and out of the stables. Hannah plans to keep the kitten in the room that she shares with Catherine. Caleb is astonished that Hannah was able to get the governor to soften enough to smile.

Hannah names the kitten Gypsy. In October, Mrs. Gage announces that the Province House will host regular parties for British officers. As Hannah helps prepare for these gatherings and serves at them, she observes Lieutenant Pratt watching Meg possessively. Caleb tells Hannah that Will wants to meet her at Valley Acres that night. When Meg asks Hannah to perform imitations for entertainment, Pratt scolds Hannah for her “impertinence” when she initially refuses. Hannah then imitates the lieutenant’s haughty manner, amusing Meg but enraging the officer.

Later, Hannah confides in Catherine about her Patriot activities, and Catherine expresses concern for her safety. That evening, Hannah meets Will at Valley Acres, where he updates her on events in Cambridge and Salem, including riots against Tory lawyers and judges. He mentions that Hannah’s aunt Phoebe is reportedly seeing a Tory lawyer named Mr. Parley, and Hannah predicts that Phoebe will marry him for his money. After their conversation, Hannah rides Promise to the Common, where British soldiers are camped. Noticing Lieutenant Pratt’s horse, Red Roy, tied uncomfortably tight, she releases him as a prank before fleeing on Promise.

The following day, servants at the Province House discuss Lieutenant Pratt’s missing horse. Caleb reports that Red Roy was found near Frog Lane. When the conversation turns to General Gage, Hannah claims that he has been perfectly kind and fair to her. Lydia commends Hannah’s supposed loyalty to General Gage, which Hannah internally rejects. 

Later, Caleb confirms that Hannah responsible for unhitching Red Roy and warns her that Lieutenant Pratt is furious, as he has been disciplined by Colonel Maddison. They discuss the Patriots’ Committee of Safety, which has been formed to surveil both the British and the Tories. Will is also a member of this committee. Caleb warns Hannah not to get into trouble with her late-night escapades on Promise.

That night, Hannah (disguised as Hans) rides Promise to the Common to observe soldiers’ night maneuvers. She disrupts their formation by galloping through a line of mounted soldiers, who shout, “Stop that horseman!” (188). Hannah then unlatches a paddock gate, freeing more soldiers’ horses, before escaping pursuit. She hides with Promise near the waterfront as soldiers search for the “Yankee rebel,” threatening to shoot the culprit.

After evading her pursuers, Hannah returns Promise to Valley Acres. On her way back, she is stopped by soldiers and Lieutenant Pratt. Thinking quickly, Hannah (as Hans) adopts a British accent, identifying herself as “Hans Gibbs.” Paul Revere and Will arrive, vouching for “Hans” and claiming that “he” was with them, successfully diverting Pratt’s suspicions.

After Lieutenant Pratt leaves, Paul confronts “Hans,” scolding “him” for recklessness. Shaken, Hannah apologizes, forgetting to maintain her male voice. Paul notices her mother’s ring and realizes that “Hans” is actually a young girl. Hannah admits her identity and states her desire to help the Patriot cause. Paul advises her to help by discreetly observing at the Province House rather than playing risky pranks after dark. Will escorts Hannah toward the tunnel, and they discuss the espionage networks on both sides. Will warns Hannah to stop her pranks and avoid riding Promise, as all mishaps that occur at night are now blamed on the so-called “Midnight Rider.” He also warns her against riding Promise, as the soldiers know to look for a black horse. When Hannah returns to the Province House, Catherine warns her that Meg knows she was out and wants to see her immediately.

Meg confronts Hannah, revealing that she has followed Hannah and now knows about the tunnel. Meg mistakenly assumes that Hannah is having trysts with Caleb. Relieved that her true activities remain unknown, Hannah goes along with this misunderstanding. Meg reveals her plan to use the tunnel to meet Lieutenant Pratt and demands Hannah’s silence, threatening to expose her to Mrs. Gage otherwise.

Meg proposes that they cover for each other, with Hannah impersonating Meg in bed if Mrs. Gage checks on Meg during her absences. Hannah agrees to the pact but persuades Meg not to tell Lieutenant Pratt about the tunnel, suggesting that General Gage might need it as an escape route. Meg agrees to keep the tunnel secret from him, and the two reach an accord.

Several days after the pact with Meg, Hannah accompanies Catherine to Christ Church. As they pass the Old South Meeting House, Catherine shares the history of the Boston Tea Party. Hannah does not understand the minister’s message during the service. Afterward, Catherine introduces Hannah to Joseph Greenleaf. Later, Catherine explains that he is the secret Whig publisher of “The Royal American” (209), a newspaper disguised as a Tory publication. Catherine also explains that the minister’s decision to quote the Bible verse stating that an enslaved person “cannot serve two masters” means that it is impossible for a person to maintain divided loyalties (210).

Two weeks pass, with Hannah staying at the Province House and refraining from her midnight rides on Promise. One day, Mrs. Gage tasks Hannah with delivering a letter to Phillis Wheatley, giving her a sealed letter and an unsealed permission slip for the journey. Hannah discovers that the permission slip is blank except for an iris drawing. When the sentry refuses to let Hannah leave, she realizes that “Mrs. Gage must have sealed the wrong letter” (213). She wonders why Mrs. Gage would have wanted her to deliver a letter without any message on it.

Hannah returns to Mrs. Gage, pointing out the mistake with the letters. Mrs. Gage appears startled, takes the papers from Hannah, and prepares a new letter for Phillis. As she moves to obey, Hannah notes that Mrs. Gage looks distressed.

Hannah successfully delivers the corrected letter to Phillis, who receives it secretively and offers no reply. Mystified by this behavior, Hannah visits Promise at Valley Acres. The stable hand approaches and warns Hannah to stay outside the fence, revealing that an army officer inquired about Promise’s owner just that morning. Hannah learns that the stable hand named Will as the owner, and she worries that Promise is being linked to the Midnight Rider—a complication that could potentially implicate Will.

General Gage orders a Thanksgiving banquet at the Province House in order to respect American customs. The servants, including Hannah, prepare an elaborate feast. When Lydia disparages the idea of celebrating an American holiday, Mrs. Gage overhears and angrily rebukes her, asserting, “I happen to be an American!” (222). 

Before the feast begins, Hannah and Catherine don their best garments. They discuss Mrs. Gage’s divided loyalties, and Hannah reflects on the recent sermon about the impossibility of serving two “masters.” Catherine says that Gypsy has been particularly eager to escape lately.

When Hannah helps Meg dress for dinner, Meg reveals her plans to use the tunnel that night to meet Lieutenant Pratt while Hannah takes her place in bed. During the post-dinner entertainment, Hannah spots an escaped Gypsy under a lady’s chair and causes a commotion in her efforts to catch the kitten, toppling the woman and startling guests. Pratt suggests drowning Hannah and Gypsy both.

Meg intervenes, claiming Gypsy as her own pet. General Gage allows Meg to keep the kitten, saving Hannah from punishment. After the Thanksgiving banquet, Meg gives Gypsy back to Hannah with a warning to be more careful. That night, Meg prepares to leave through the tunnel to meet Lieutenant Pratt. Hannah locks Meg’s door and waits in Meg’s bed, passing the time by speculating about the resistance. She also contemplates Will’s good looks and wonders whether he cares for her. She eventually falls asleep. When Mrs. Gage knocks to check on Meg, Hannah successfully impersonates Meg’s voice.

Meg returns very late, disheveled and upset. She recounts her miserable experience. She found the tunnel to be cold and dark; her candle went out, and she fell. Lieutenant Pratt was late because he had to escort another lady home first. Indignant, Meg vowed never to speak to him again. Despite the difficult situation, Meg confirms that she did not tell Pratt about the tunnel. Hannah offers comfort as Meg, still believing that Hannah uses the tunnel for trysts, marvels at Hannah’s supposed devotion. Hannah doesn’t correct Meg’s misunderstanding about her own activities.