began to read his commission, Bull ordered him to be silent.
Andros was compelled to yield to the bold spirit and superior military
power of Captain Bull, and in a towering passion he returned to New
York, flinging curses and threats behind him at the people of
Connecticut in general and Captain Bull in particular.

More than a dozen years had passed since Andros had been humiliated by
Connecticut, and, despite his anathemas, the colony quietly pursued the
even tenor of its way. At the end of that period, a most exciting
incident occurred at Hartford, during the visit of Charles Stevens to
that city. This historical incident has about it all the rosy hues of
romance. On the very day of the arrival of Charles Stevens at Hartford,
while he was talking with Captain Wadsworth, his aunt's husband, a
member of the colonial assembly suddenly entered the house, his face
flushed with excitement.

"What has happened, Mr. Prince?" Wadsworth asked, for he could see that
the man was greatly excited.

"Governor Andros has come again," gasped Mr. Prince.

"Why should that alarm us? The fellow, though given to boasting, is not
dangerous, or liable to put his threats into execution."

"But he has grown dangerous!" declared Mr. Prince. "The liberties of the
colony are involved. Andros appears as a usurper of authority--the
willing instrument of King James the second, who, it seems, has
determined to hold absolute rule over all New England."

Captain Wadsworth became a little uneasy, though he was still inclined
to treat the matter lightly. Mr. Prince, to convince him of the danger
they were in, continued:

"You remember that on his arrival in New York as governor of New
Netherland, he demanded the surrender of all the colonial charters into
his hands."

"I remember such an order, and furthermore that all the colonies
complied with his infamous demand save Connecticut. We have stubbornly
refused to yield our charter voluntarily, for it is the guardian of our
political rights."

"That is true, Captain Wadsworth," continued Mr. Prince, "and, to subdue
our stubbornness, this viceroy has come to Hartford with sixty armed
men, to demand the surrender of the charter in person."

Captain Wadsworth bounded to his feet in a rage and, placing his hand on
the hilt of his sword, declared:

"He shall not have it!"

Arriving at Hartford on the 31st of October, 1687, Andros found the
general assembly in session in the meeting-house. The m