rs. He was kindly received and informed he was to negotiate
with the British for an exchange of prisoners.

Mounted upon his horse, Lieutenant Walden rode to Charlestown Neck,
and from thence to the top of Bunker Hill to obtain a view of Boston
and the harbor. He saw the warships were swinging at anchor in the
stream. Across the river were the silent streets of the besieged town.
He could distinguish the home of Captain Brandon, and the Green Dragon
Tavern,--its doors closed. It was not these buildings, however, that
most interested him, but a mansion on the slope of Beacon Hill, with
its surrounding grounds,--the Newville home. The window of Miss
Newville's chamber was open, the curtain drawn aside. His spy-glass
made it seem very near. How would she greet him were they to meet
again? Would she be changed by the changing circumstances? Would she,
daughter of a loyalist, deign to notice him, a rebel? Blessed vision!
A figure in white appeared at the window. It was she for whom he could
lay down his life, if need be. Oh, if he could but reach out his hand
to her,--hear once more the voice that had thrilled him in the past!
She stood by the window, looking upon the flowers blooming in the
garden. The vision was but for a moment, for the window was soon
closed and the curtain drawn. He descended the hill, rode through the
village to the ferry landing, displaying a white flag. It was answered
by the waving of another on the deck of the Lively warship. Then a
boat brought a lieutenant of the fleet to the shore.

"Who are you and what do you want?" the curt question of the
Britisher.

"I am commissioned by the commander-in-chief of the provincial army to
ask if it will be agreeable to General Gage to make an exchange of
prisoners?"

"The rebel army, you mean."

"I said provincial, but if it suits you any better to think of the
Americans as rebels, I will not object. We are rebels against tyranny
and oppression, as I trust we always shall be. We have several
officers of the king's troops in our hands, and you have some of our
men. If an exchange is desired by General Gage, I am empowered to
arrange the details," Robert said with calm dignity.

The Britisher bowed, and the boat pulled back to the ship, returning
again after a time with an officer commissioned to make arrangements
for the transfer.

The sun was nearing the hour of noon, three days later, when
Lieutenant Walden, accompanied by General Putnam, Doctor Warr