y to the
other commanders that the Charlestown Hills ought to be occupied at
once, for fear the rebels might seize them. Were they to do so, Boston
might be bombarded, and the ships driven from their anchorage.

"Doctor Warren and General Ward ought to know that," Abraham said to
himself.

There were only a few words in the letter which Abraham Duncan tucked
under the cuff of Cato's coat-sleeve the next morning, when he stepped
into his boat to cross the river and gather young asparagus and
water-cresses for General Howe's dinner. Cato was directed to hand the
slip of paper to Deacon Larkin's negro, Jim, who would know what to do
with it.

Faithful and true to their kind-hearted masters were Cato and Jim,
passing the letter from hand to hand, till it reached Doctor Joseph
Warren in consultation with General Artemus Ward and the committee of
safety in Cambridge.

"Bunker's Hill is to be occupied at once."[67]

[Footnote 67: The two eminences in Charlestown were named Breed's and
Bunker's Hill respectively,--that upon which the redoubt was
constructed was Breed's Hill; the rail fence behind which the troops
from New Hampshire fought was on the slope of Bunker's Hill.]

That was all, except an ink blot.

"It is authentic,--from a trustworthy Son of Liberty," said Doctor
Warren.

"It has no signature," said General Ward.

"Therefore is not treasonable. Besides, it does not state who is to
occupy Bunker's Hill,--the British or ourselves," the doctor replied.

"How do you know it is genuine--from the writing?"

"No; the hand is disguised. Nevertheless, I know the writer. He
informs me that the British intend to take possession of Charlestown
Heights."[68]

[Footnote 68: General Gage at the outset saw the value of Charlestown
Heights from the military standpoint, but was not able to make any
movement to take possession of the ground till the arrival of his
reinforcements.]

"Are you sure it is authentic information?"

"I have no doubt of it. The writer is in position to learn what they
intend to do. He is a very quiet man, but has his eyes and ears open.
It is not the first time he has shown his devotion to our cause. You
say he has not signed it; true he has not written his name, not even
the initials, yet his signature is upon the sheet,--the insignificant
ink-blot. It would not be accepted as testimony in a court-martial,
but it is sufficient for me," said Doctor Warren.

With the letter came a copy of