treets almost brilliantly, thereby preventing
secrecy of movement.

Amos Richardson insisted that it might be fatal to the success of the
scheme if they were discovered by Master Lillie before the pole had been
set in place, and suggested that a certain number be selected to perform
the work at an hour when all good people were supposed to be asleep.

The only difficulty in acting upon this suggestion was that every member
of the party was desirous of doing a portion of the work; but Amos held
firm to the idea that they might defeat their purpose by allowing too
large a body of workmen to take part, and that the smallest number
needed to perform the task would have greater chance of success.

Therefore it was that Jim, who was entitled to a place on the
"committee" because of having designed the symbol; Amos, owing to the
fact that he was looked upon by his comrades as their leader; Hardy
Baker, because he had a personal grievance against the British and,
consequently, against British goods, through his unsatisfied claim
against the lieutenant, and little Chris Snyder were finally selected
as the boys to perform the more delicate portion of the task.

Very reluctantly the others took their departure, leaving the four to
complete the work after their own fashion, and promising to be in
front of Master Lillie's shop at an early hour next morning.

Being thus left to their own devices, the "committee" took refuge in
the wood-shed, for the night seemed uncomfortably cold, save when a
fellow was indulging in plenty of exercise, and there they remained,
looking out of the open door at the result of Jim's handiwork ten
minutes or more without speaking, when Chris Snyder broke the silence
by asking, in his thin, piping voice:

"What are you fellows waiting here for? Why don't we carry the thing
up to Master Lillie's shop at once? It won't be a hard job for four of
us, and I must be getting home. Mother says a boy of my age ought not
to be out-of-doors after nine o'clock."

"And that's where your mother is right, Chris," Amos replied, with a
laugh. "We shall all get the reputation of being very dissolute lads
if the meetings at the Liberty Tree are continued many weeks longer.
As a matter of fact, I think you had best go home now."

"Why? I am one who was chosen to help place this warning in front of
Master Lillie's shop."

"You wasn't selected with the idea that you would be of very much
assistance, Chris. I think the