beat, this terrible summons resounded
through first one street and then another, striking terror to the
hearts of those who heard it; but causing the courageous to hasten to
the scene of the murder in order to aid their townsmen, and the
cowardly to seek refuge in flight.

Five minutes later, amid the rattle of drums and the menacing cries,
came the pealing of bells summoning the inhabitants to defend their
city.

In Dock Square men stood shoulder to shoulder, the well-to-do citizen
by the side of the labourer or sailor, each armed after his own
fashion, and each ready to defend the lives of those nearest and
dearest to him.

During half an hour or more there was probably no person in the
vicinity of the tragedy who did not firmly believe that the soldiers
were rising with the intent to massacre, and then Governor Hutchinson
appeared upon the scene, ordering the people to disperse, and
declaring the "law should have its course."

"Has the captain who ordered the soldiers to fire been arrested?" some
one cried, and instantly there went up a great shout.

"Arrest the murderers! Bring them to justice before you call upon us
to go quietly to our homes! Murder has been done this night, and the
blood must be avenged!"

The Governor hesitated, as if uncertain what reply should be made, and
then said:

"Justice shall be meted out to all. You who have gathered here have
done so in defiance of the law, and--"

"We have come here that the law shall not be broken," a voice cried.
"Arrest those who have committed the murder! Do your own duty before
you call upon us to do ours."

The Governor attempted once more to speak, but the cries of the more
ignorant ones drowned his voice, and he disappeared from view.

Shortly after, while the citizens remained in an attitude of defiance,
it was reported that Governor Hutchinson had ordered Captain Preston
to be brought before him, and that an investigation of the officer's
conduct would be made.

Then a portion of the people returned to their homes; but yet more
remained to make certain the report regarding the investigation was
not a falsehood, devised for the purpose of inducing them to disperse.

Of all these things Amos knew nothing. His thoughts were confined
entirely to his grief-stricken friend, and as he assisted in carrying
Sam to his brother's house on Royal Exchange Lane, he moved and acted
like one in a dream, for the terror of the scene was still upon him.

He