ived at that point, and
he explained the cause of the commotion by saying:

"A party of citizens, not over-gentle in their ways, attempted to pass
the sentinel near the barracks, and were received by him at the point
of his bayonet. One of our people was scratched slightly on the arm,
and at the sight of the blood some one more timid than wise alarmed
the city. You can go back, boys, for your services are not needed.
Take my advice, Jim, and keep off the streets."

"But I intend to be on hand if there is any serious trouble."

"I should hope so, for you are old enough, if not large enough, to do
your full share. What I meant was, don't get mixed up in street fights
between the soldiers and disreputable citizens whose proper place is
in the watch-house."

"I don't count on doing anything of that kind. Where are you going?"

"Up to Liberty Hall."

Amos and Jim followed, and, arriving at this common rendezvous, they
found that the people were once more assembled; but this time in not
as placid a humour as before.

The news of the encounter, and the needless alarm, had so excited the
people that the more impetuous ones were in such a frame of mind that
prudence would not be their first counsellor.

[Illustration]

The city, which had been in an apparent state of quietude an hour
previous, was now in a tumult, and when a squad of eight soldiers
marched past the Liberty Tree, as if defying the people, they were
received with epithets of derision and a shower of missiles thrown by
the angry members of the party.

The cooler-headed men and boys did their best to restrain their
companions, and the result was that the soldiers passed on, after
indulging in a few threats.

"One can see how easily a fight may be brought about just now," Samuel
Gray said to Amos. "The people are ripe for almost any kind of
trouble, and if the authorities were wise the soldiers would not be
allowed to show themselves on the streets."

"It seems as if those fellows passed this way simply to provoke us."

"Very likely they did; but it isn't because of such provocation that
we should resort to bloodshed. Our part is to preserve the peace, if
possible, while men like Master Samuel Adams redress our wrongs in a
proper fashion. I doubt not but that through his influence the
soldiers will be forced to leave the city; but nothing of the kind can
be brought about by street brawls and foolish threats.

The excitement among those gathered at L