iculty, and, desirous
of having the spar affixed so firmly there could be no question of
overturning it readily, Hardy thrust into his pocket a piece of stout
Manilla rope.

Thus equipped, the party set out.

Contrary to Amos's anticipations, they met no person during the walk
from Cross Street to Hanover, near the New Brick Church, where was
situated Master Theophilus Lillie's shop.

This quarter of the city appeared to be deserted, and the boys,
working noiselessly but rapidly, soon had such an excavation, despite
the frozen ground, as permitted of setting the spar at least two feet
below the surface, and within a couple of yards of the shopkeeper's
door. Then, by packing the clods of frosty earth around it, the symbol
of warning was soon as firm as could have been desired.

"Now help me to climb up there," Hardy whispered to Amos, as he took
the rope from his pocket and pointed to the top of the spar.

"What are you going to do?"

"Tie the pole to a limb of that tree, and then Master Lillie may dig
around the bottom as much as he pleases, for he will not be able to
dislodge it unless he does as I am about to do."

[Illustration]

Amos realised the wisdom of Hardy's plan, and, giving him the required
"leg up," the warning was speedily attached to a limb of the tree in
such a manner that considerable labour would be necessary in order to
overthrow it.

Then the boys walked to the opposite side of the street and surveyed
the result of their toil, after which Amos said, in a whisper:

"Now then, lads, we must get under cover. I don't fancy Master Lillie
would attempt to make any serious trouble, even if he knew who put the
ornament into position; but it is just as well that he and every one
else is kept in ignorance of our share in the work. I shall be here as
soon after daylight as possible, and reckon by that time there will be
a bigger crowd around the shop than has been seen for many a day."

Then the conspirators separated, each going to his own home, and there
was not in the minds of a single member of the party the slightest
forebodings of the terrible tragedy which was to follow their attempt
to teach Master Theophilus Lillie his duty.

[Footnote A: Gilman's "Story of Boston."]

CHAPTER II.

FIRST FRUITS.

On the morning following the assembly at Liberty Hall, which resulted
in the warning given to Master Theophilus Lillie, Hardy Baker,
regardless of the fact that Lieutenant Draper's a