CHAPTER XXXII.
Why the Plan Failed.
The reason of the failure of the plan of escape may be gathered from a little conversation that took place between Squire Hathorne and Thomas Putnam the morning of the day fixed upon by Master Philip English.
Thomas Putnam had called to see the magistrate at the suggestion of that not very admirable but certainly very sharp-witted wife of his.

I do not suppose that Thomas Putnam was at all a bad man, but it is a lamentable sight to see, as we so often do, a good kind honest-hearted man made a mere tool of by some keen-witted and unscrupulous woman; in whose goodness he believes, in a kind of small-minded and yet not altogether ignoble spirit of devotion, mainly because she is a woman.

Being a woman, she cannot be, as he foolishly supposes, the shallow-hearted, mischievous being that she really is.
"Do you know, Squire, how Master English's sailors are talking around the wharves ?" "No! What are the rascals saying ?" "Well, Mistress Putnam has been told by a friend of hers in the town, that he heard a half-drunken sailor, belonging to one of Master English's vessels, say that they meant to tear down the jail some night, hang the jailers, and carry off their Master and Mistress." "Ah," said the Squire, "this must be looked into." "Another of the sailors is reported to have said, that if the magistrates attempted to hang Mistress English they would hang Squire Hathorne, and Squire Gedney, if they could catch him, by the side of her." "The impudent varlets!" exclaimed Squire Hathorne, his wine-red face growing redder.

"Master English shall sweat for this.

How many of his sailors are in port now ?" "Oh, I suppose there are fifty of them; and all reckless, unprincipled men.