ck square. As to the rest of the journey, I
said to myself it should be determined by chance.

Once at a safe distance from Master Lord's house I walked rapidly,
keeping my ears wide open, as you can well suppose, for any sound of the
patrol, until I was come to Milk street, and from thence on my heart was
literally in my mouth, for then I was in that part of the town where I
must reasonably expect to come upon enemies.

Twice I was within a hair's-breadth of being discovered by the patrol,
but it seemed as if fortune favored me on this venture, for each time
when the sound of their footfalls came to my ears I was nigh a
convenient hiding-place, either in a garden or at the rear of some
building, and although it may seem impossible that the trick could have
been turned so readily, I passed through Dock square and gained Union
street without having come face to face with a single person.

Then it was that I steered a course for the water mill, and thence kept
on along the shore of the mill pond, where was less danger of coming in
contact with a lobster back, and after that the way was, as you might
say, plain sailing.

Perhaps the most difficult part of the venture thus far, was when I
strove to awaken my mother without attracting the attention of the
neighbors. She, dear soul, had secured every door and window lest
thieves might break in and steal what little of property the Britishers
had left us, and more than once did I half turn as if to depart,
believing I was courting too much of danger in thus striving to have
speech with her.

Fortunately, however, I continued my efforts sufficiently long to
arouse the dear woman, and heard in a low, frightened tone from inside,
the question as to who was demanding entrance.

It goes without saying that the door was opened very suddenly when I
whispered my name, and on feeling her arms around me I was so heartened
that it seemed as if I could successfully encounter any ordinary number
of Tories or red-coats who might seek to make me prisoner.

She would have cried out against it when I told her for what purpose we
had come to Boston town, and I knew full well that if I had explained
the dangers to which we were exposed, even while under the supposed care
of Job Lord, she would have begged and insisted so strenuously for us to
give over that which had in it so much of hazard, that I might not have
prevailed against her.

I contented myself with telling her how we had cha