; and then he added,
quickly, "You will break your fast with me."

Walter was not accustomed to such a meal as was speedily placed before
him; but the novelty of his surroundings did not prevent him from doing
full justice to the food.

When the master of the house set out to perform the duty expected of
him by his friends in Portsmouth, young John took charge of the guest,
and from that time until nearly noon Walter feasted his eyes upon such
wonders as he had never even dreamed about.

His first visit was to the magnificent building presented to the city
by Peter Faneuil, and then to that elm at the head of Essex Street
beneath the branches of which the association known as the Sons of
Liberty had sprung into existence.

Here young Revere told him what had occurred during the month of
August, when on the tree he was then gazing at had been found hanging
an effigy of Andrew Oliver, his majesty's distributor of stamps for the
Province of Massachusetts, and a boot, symbolical of Lord Bute, with
Satan peeping out of it as he displayed a copy of the Stamp Act. John
also described the scenes when the more lawless members of the
community destroyed the building which had been erected as the office
for the sale of stamps, and the dwelling of the Lieutenant Governor was
sacked.

"Does your father believe it is by such a course we can be relieved of
oppression?" Walter asked in surprise, as John Revere concluded his
story with an account of the violence offered to several others of the
king's officers.

"By no means. He was among those who gave public expressions of regret
that such deeds should have been done."

Then young Revere told of the town-meeting which was held immediately
following the scenes of violence, and by the time he had concluded, the
boys were on North Square again, where Master Revere was ready to
deliver the message Walter was to take back to Portsmouth. "I have seen
Master George Messerve," he said, "and believe he fully sympathizes
with us. He has already publicly resigned the office of stamp
distributor, and I doubt not will be found on our side when the
decisive moment comes."

Walter understood that with the message given was an intimation for him
to depart, and although he could have done full justice to a dinner, he
took his leave without delay.

There is no question but that Master Revere would have been more than
willing to both feed the young messenger and provide him with
sufficient