-him as has set up for a goldsmith?"

"The very one."

"And you count on goin' into a shop, instead of pullin' boats, eh? I'll
wager you're a sailor who has given his captain the slip."

"I have never been beyond the sight of land, neither do I care to work
in a shop; but I have business which admits of no delay, and if you
will give me the information I shall be very grateful."

"Do you know where North Square is?"

"I have never been in Boston before."

"Then inquire of the first one you see. It is not far."

Walter waited to hear no more, but ran swiftly on in the direction he
supposed North Square might lay, and a kindly fortune guided his
footsteps, for when he had an opportunity to ask the desired question,
he was within a few paces of his destination.

Master Revere's shop was not yet opened, but the young messenger had
little difficulty in arousing the household, and a few moments later he
was standing in a room which, although not furnished with any
pretension to elegance, was more rich in ornamentation than Walter had
ever fancied could be found.

Master Revere did not keep him waiting very long; he had received too
many visitors at unseemly hours to make any delay, and the sun had but
just risen when Walter's mission was accomplished.

"You have come in good time, young sir," Master Revere said, when the
boy had repeated the message.

"The ship on which the stamp distributor for the Province of New
Hampshire sailed from London arrived last evening. I will see him at
once, and before noon you shall take to your friends such information
as I have to give. In the meanwhile you will eat breakfast, and then my
eldest son shall act as host, unless you prefer to sleep, for you have
been travelling all night."

"I can sleep later, sir; but now that I am in Boston I would like to
see the city."

"So you shall. You will find much that is fair and comely to look upon;
but beneath all the air of bravery is the disquietude of oppression,
and the sense of wrongs yet to be wiped out."

"In the province from which I have come we believe the remedy for
oppression to be among ourselves, sir," Walter replied, modestly.

"So it is, lad; and may you be one not lacking in wholesome love for
your country when the time for action arrives."

"I fear a boy like me will be of but little service."

"The boys may be men before the time for stirring deeds shall come,"
Master Revere said, much as if speaking to himself