nother
horse. I had believed I could get one from you without difficulty."

"So you can, lad but at the same time you must not think hardly of me
if I use proper precaution to save myself from being caught in the
meshes of the law. You know where my stable is. Take an animal from
there without my permission, and I cannot prevent it."

"I am to steal another horse in order that you may not get into
trouble?"

"It can make but little difference to you, so long as you see Master
Revere by daylight, and I must not neglect my own interests. No one has
seen you, and you may be able to get out of town secretly."

Walter could not afford to waste any more time in what seemed very like
quibbling, and without further parley he turned to act upon his
friend's suggestion.

"It is not well that you remain in Boston any longer than may be
absolutely necessary for your business," the worthy Master Cotton
called after him, warningly. "There is that being done which you need
not be identified with."

Walter made no reply; but when he was out of the building on his way to
the stable, he muttered to himself,--

"If I was as timorous as you, Master Cotton, I should now be in the
company of Sam Haines, with a rope tied tightly about me."

Five minutes later he was riding out of Salem at full speed on the
fleetest horse to be found in the stable, and there was every reason
for him to believe that he would, in due season, deliver the message
with which he had been charged.

CHAPTER III

IN BOSTON

The light of the coming day had not yet appeared in the eastern sky
when the young messenger drew rein at the edge of Charlestown harbour,
and sat in the saddle, gazing curiously around, as he speculated upon
the chances of being ferried across to Boston.

It was well the journey was ended, for the heaving flanks of Master
Cotton's horse told that he had been ridden so long at full speed as to
be well-nigh exhausted.

Immediately on leaving Salem, Walter had debated in his mind as to the
choice of roads. By making a long detour he could ride directly into
the city of his destination; but it would be at the expense of
considerable time, which he believed to be precious.

On the other hand, by traversing the shortest road he would, as he now
did, find himself penniless, with a broad stretch of water to be
crossed before the message could be delivered.

"I shall get over in some way," he had said, as he arrived at a
decis