m one end
of the continent to the other, but the events of the preceding day
were opening his eyes to a far different state of affairs. Till within
a few hours the country had been at peace: farmers following the plow;
blacksmiths hammering iron; carpenters pushing the plane. All had
changed. Thousands were under arms, gathering at Cambridge and
Roxbury. The Colonies were aflame,--not only Massachusetts, but New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. The troops which marched to
Concord so proudly were back in Boston,--not all: twenty-three had
been killed, two hundred wounded and missing. Eighteen of the officers
had been killed or wounded. Governor Gage could not gainsay the fact
that the citizens were victors. They had followed the troops to
Charlestown till nightfall, like a swarm of angry hornets. A great
army was closing around him, cutting off his supplies. No more fresh
beef or mutton would be for sale in the market; no teams would bring
potatoes and cabbages for the soldiers. What would King George say?
What would the ministry think? What would they do? How would the
people of England regard his administration of affairs? The unexpected
had happened. He had not dreamed of such an uprising. What course
should he pursue? All Boston was in commotion. People were packing
their goods on carts, loading them on boats to flee from the town.
Women were wringing their hands, children crying, fathers walking the
streets with careworn faces, not knowing whither to go or what to do.
Officers were gathering at the Province House awaiting orders and
talking of what had happened, and smarting under the thought that the
retreat had been a flight and almost a panic. It was a humiliating
reflection that disciplined soldiers had been put upon the run by a
rabble of countrymen. Earl Percy, after a sleepless night, weary and
travel-worn, was gladly welcomed by Governor Gage. He told the story
of the retreat.

[Illustration: Province House.]

"If it had not been, your excellency, for my timely arrival, I fear
few of Lieutenant-Colonel Smith's troops would have escaped, as they
were completely exhausted, their ammunition gone, and the men upon the
run. I am free to say that I was completely astonished. I formed my
brigade in hollow square, and his men threw themselves on the ground
with their tongues lolling from their mouths," he said.

"It is plain that you marched none too soon," the governor replied.

"I cannot account for