ard once more, agreeing crustily to meet
those who had promised to become Minute Boys at the old ship-yard that
evening.

A blind man might have seen that Archie was not well pleased with my
sudden lukewarmness in the matter of raising a company. He believed he
knew there had been no betrayal by Seth, and therefore set down my
behavior to ill nature, rather than disappointment because the plan had
gone awry even before it was well begun.

During the remainder of the day I kept closely housed, doing whatsoever
came to hand in the way of helping my mother, therefore it was, perhaps,
that I failed of hearing much which might have startled, and even
frightened me.

When the night was come I went according to agreement to the ship-yard,
and there found assembled those whom Archie and Silas had enrolled. A
goodly company it was, for all told we numbered sixteen, and surely if
that many lads, eager to do whatsoever they might in aid of the Cause,
could be found in Boston town within twelve hours, the time must be near
at hand when we could boast of sufficient recruits to make a showing
before our elders.

Seth Jepson was among the number, and I must confess at being surprised.
So firmly did I believe him to be the one who had betrayed us, that I
fancied the fellow would not dare show his head, yet there he was with
no token of guilt, so far as I could see, but appearing to be on most
friendly terms with every one.

He was so outspoken in behalf of the Minute Boys; so confident they
might in time to come make for themselves an enviable name, that my
belief in his treachery was almost shaken for the moment.

Then came that which I least expected. It had been decided that we would
have two officers, one a captain, and the other a lieutenant. Archie
Hemming spoke up boldly, declaring that I was his choice as leader; but
before it was possible for me to make any protest, the others had backed
him up with so many noisy words that the matter was settled without my
permission, and decidedly against my inclination. It was Archie who
should have been the commander of the Minute Boys, because his head was
clearer than mine. He was more ready of wit; but when I would have said
as much to my comrades, Silas shut me off with a sharp turn, declaring
laughingly that Archie should be the lieutenant, and thus hold a
position where he could counter-balance all my shortcomings.

This also was decided in a twinkling, and thus was our compa