itizens. The
vigilant Sons of Liberty were cognizant of all their movements and
notified the patriotic citizens, who had them under surveillance every
moment. Ensign De Berniere has written a narrative of the journey.]

"We can march from one end of the continent to the other, without
opposition from the cowardly Yankees," said the boasting soldiers.

Paul Revere, Tom Brandon, Robert Newman, and a score of the Sons of
Liberty were keeping watch of the movements of the redcoats. They saw
the sailors of the warships, and of the vessels which had brought the
new troops, launching their boats and putting them in order. They knew
General Gage wanted to seize Samuel Adams and John Hancock, and quite
likely the military supplies which the committee of safety had
collected at Concord. Paul Revere rode out to Lexington on Sunday to
see Adams and Hancock, and let them know what was going on in Boston.

"The launching of the ship's boat means something," said Mr. Adams.
"It looks as if the troops were going to make a short cut across
Charles River instead of marching over Roxbury Neck."

"We will keep our eyes open and let you know the moment they make any
movement," said Revere.

"Quite likely Gage will set a patrol so you can't leave Boston," said
Hancock.

"I'll tell ye what we'll do. If the troops leave in the night by way
of Roxbury, I'll get Robert Newman to hang a lantern in the steeple of
Christ Church; if they take boats to make the short cut across Charles
River, I'll have him hang out two lanterns. I'll tell Deacon Larkin
and Colonel Conant, over in Charlestown, to keep their eyes on the
steeple."

* * * * *

It was Tuesday morning, April 18. Abraham Duncan wondered how it
happened that so many British officers with their overcoats on were
mounting their horses and riding out towards Roxbury, not in a group,
but singly, or two together, with pistols in their holsters.

"We will dine at Winship's tavern in Cambridge, and then go on," he
heard one say.

He also noticed that the grenadiers and light infantry guards were not
on duty as on other days.

He hastened to inform Doctor Warren, who sent a messenger with a
letter to the committee of safety.

It was evening when Richard Devens and Abraham Watson, members of the
committee of safety, shook hands with their fellow members, Elbridge
Gerry, Asa Orne, and Colonel Lee at Wetherby's, bade them good-night,
and stepped into their