g to
where were gathered those brave hearts who counted on making a great
army which was to be raised against the king, and in defence of the
colonies.

Already had the place begun to look like a military encampment, except
that instead of glistening white canvas tents such as the king's men
had, our people were housed as best they might be in shelters of brush,
tents formed of blankets, and even many with nothing 'twixt their
illy-clad bodies and God's sky.

Hiram, who appeared to be thoroughly familiar with this poor imitation
of an encampment, passed rapidly along until we were come to a building
in front of which stood a man without a uniform, but with a musket over
his shoulder, who was acting as sentinel.

There were no military salutes exchanged between my companion and this
man on duty; but they greeted each other as old friends, the sentinel
saying in a querulous tone as if he was well acquainted with the mission
on which Hiram had been sent:

"I had come to think you counted on staying with the blooming
Britishers, instead of coming back here to do your share of playing at
soldiering."

"I hope I may never run the same risk among the lobster backs again. It
was too tight a squeeze to suit me," Hiram replied grimly, and added,
"Are the gentlemen in?"

"They were when I came on duty, and I reckon none of 'em have slipped
away since."

"Then we'll go in," and without further ceremony Hiram entered the
building as if it was his own home, I following close at his heels as a
matter of course, never dreaming that we were to meet an officer, owing
to the lack of military show. I began to believe I had simply been
brought there to speak with one of the citizens.

I came speedily to know, however, that we were at the headquarters of
the Committee of Safety, that body of men which stood at the head of
what you might call the "rebellion", and they all unguarded except for
that farmer-sentinel at the door, who was seemingly ready to admit any
that might desire to enter.

Telling me to await his return in a room which looked not unlike one
that might have been fitted up for a merchant's use, Hiram disappeared,
his heavy footsteps betokening that he had ascended to the floor above,
and ten minutes later a cry of joy burst from my lips when none other
than Doctor Warren himself entered the room.

"So it was you who sent for me, sir?" I asked, and he replied:

"Remembering what you said about raising a company o