itish army; but on the ocean, and in every bay,
harbor and river, they were powerless. The enemy's ships had kept
Boston in siege for nearly two years, the Americans having no opposing
force to contend with them.

Could this little Turtle, which David Bushnell carried under his arm,
do the work he wished it to, why, every ship of the line could be
blown into the air!

The inventor had faith in his invention, but he feared, when he looked
into the faces of the grave Governor and his Council of War, that he
could _never_ impart his own belief to them.

I cannot tell you with what trust of heart and faith of soul Mrs.
Bushnell kept the February day in the house by the bridge at Pochaug.
Even the strong-minded, sturdy-nerved Mr. Bushnell looked often up
the road by which David and Ezra would approach from Lebanon, with a
keen interest in his eyes; but he would not let any word escape him,
until darkness had fallen and they were not come.

"He said he would be here at eight, at the very latest," said the
mother at length, and she went to the fire and placed before the
burning coals two chickens to broil.

"I'm afraid David won't have much appetite, unless his model _should_
be approved, and money is too precious to spend on _experiments_,"
said Mr. Bushnell, as she returned to his side.

"Do you mean to tell me you _doubt_?"

"Of course I doubt. Jonathan Trumbull is a man not at all likely to
give his consent to anything that does not commend itself to common
sense."

Mr. Bushnell was saved the pain of saying his thought, that he was
afraid, if David's plan was a good one, _somebody_ would have thought
of it long ago, for vigorous knuckles were at work upon the
winter-door.

As soon as it was opened the genial form of good Dr. Gale stood
revealed.

"Are the boys back yet?" he asked, stepping within.

"No, but we expect them every minute," said Mr. Bushnell.

"Well, friends, I had a patient within three miles of you to visit,
and I thought I'd come on and hear the news."

Ere he was fully made welcome to hearth and home, in walked David,
with the little Turtle under his arm. Without ado he went up to his
mother and said:

"Madam, I present this to you, with Governor Trumbull's compliments.
He has ordered your boy money, men, metals and powder without stint to
work with. _Wish me joy, won't you?_"

I do not anywhere find a record of the words in which the joy was
wished, on that 2nd of February, a hundred