ult.

"Perhaps I made a mistake, and Hardy didn't get as severe a lesson as
he needed," Jim whispered to his friend.

"If he didn't, he's likely to receive it before this day is ended, in
case he continues as they claim he has begun. It seems evident that
the citizens do not intend to carry this matter any further, and the
only trouble may be from such as Hardy. Let us go home and stay there
quietly. If the Sons of Liberty were to make any demonstration, we
would want to be with them; but if there is to be nothing more than
street brawls, we had better keep out of sight."

Jim was perfectly willing to act upon this suggestion, and
particularly because his father had warned him not to go in the
vicinity of the ropewalk, fearing lest the trouble, having originated
there, it would be a favourite rendezvous for those ripe for mischief.

The boys had hardly reached Amos's home, thoroughly confident there
would be no serious disturbance, when the alarm-bells began to ring,
and, as in the twinkling of an eye, the city, which had apparently
been so peaceful, was the scene of tumult and confusion.

Men and boys rushed from their homes into the streets. Those who were
already there ran to and fro in the wildest excitement, not
understanding the cause of the alarm, and prudent housewives barred
windows and doors as if each thought her home was about to be attacked.

As a matter of course, Amos and Jim went directly to the Liberty Tree;
but failed to find there the throng which had occupied Liberty Hall
almost constantly, with the exception of the Sabbath hours, since
Friday morning.

"The soldiers have attacked the citizens!" a man cried, as he ran up
Newbury Street at full speed.

"Where? Where?" Amos shouted.

"At the head of King Street."

The few who were waiting at Liberty Hall started immediately for the
scene of the supposed conflict, and Amos and Jim followed their example.

The boys had no idea of mingling in street brawls; but if unoffending
citizens were attacked by the soldiers, it was their intention to aid
the former to the best of their abilities.

Before they could traverse the distance between Essex and King
Streets, the alarm-bells had ceased ringing, and they met a throng of
citizens returning from the supposed scene of violence with
information that no outrage had been committed.

Samuel Gray, Jim's elder brother, was standing at the corner of Summer
and Marlborough Streets when the two boys arr