es. He was a frank, fearless character. All who sat on the top of
the coach had heard him and when he had finished they clapped their
hands.

Jack was much relieved. He had been put in mind of what Doctor
Franklin had said long ago, one evening in Albany, of his struggle
against the faults and follies of his youth. For a moment Mr. Pinhorn
was dumb with astonishment.

"Nevertheless, sir, I hold to my convictions," he said.

"Of course you do," Mr. Adams answered. "No man like you ever
recovered from his convictions, for the reason that his convictions are
stronger than he is."

Mr. Pinhorn partly covered his mouth and turned to the boy and
whispered:

"It is a time of violent men. Let us hold our peace."

At the next stop where they halted for dinner Mr. Adams asked the boy
to sit down with him at the table. When they were seated the great man
said:

"I have to be on guard against catching fire these days. Sometimes I
feel the need of a companion with a fire bucket. My headlight is hope
and I have little patience with these whispering, croaking Tories and
with the barons of the south and the upper Hudson. I used to hold the
plow on my father's farm and I am still plowing as your father is."

Jack turned with a look of inquiry.

"We are breaking new land," Mr. Adams went on. "We are treading the
ordeal path among the red-hot plowshares of politics."

"It is what I should like to do," said the boy.

"You will be needed, but we must be without fear, remembering that
almost every man who has gained real distinction in politics has met a
violent death. There are the shining examples of Brutus, Cassius,
Hampden and Sidney, but it is worth while."

"I believe you taught school at Worcester," said Jack.

"And I learned at least one thing doing it--that school-teaching is not
for me. It would have turned me into a shrub. Too much piddling! It
is hard enough to teach men that they have rights which even a king
must respect."

"Let me remind you, sir," said Mr. Pinhorn, who sat at the same table,
"that the King can do no wrong."

"But his ministers can do as they please," Mr. Adams rejoined, whereat
the whole company broke into laughter.

Mr. Pinhorn covered his mouth with astonishment, but presently allowed
himself to say: "Sir, I hold to my convictions."

"You are wrong, sir. It is your convictions that hold to you. They
are like the dead limbs on a tree," Mr. Adams answered. "The motto of