“Unhappily, the experiment has been already
tried; and yet years have rolled by, while England
keeps her footing and authority good.”

“Her authority!” repeated the old man; “see
you not, Major Lincoln, in the forbearance of this
people, when they felt themselves in the wrong,
the existence of the very principles that will render
them invincible and unyielding when right?
But we waste our time—I came to conduct you
to a place where, with your own ears, and with
your own eyes, you may hear and see a little of
that spirit which pervades the land—You will
follow?”

“Not surely in such a tempest!”

“This tempest is but a trifle to that which is
about to break upon you, unless you retrace your
steps; but follow, I repeat; if a man of my years
disregards the night, ought an English soldier to
hesitate!”

The pride of Lionel was touched; and remembering
an engagement he had previously made
with his aged friend to accompany him to a scene
like this, he made such changes in his dress
as would serve to conceal his profession, threw
on a large cloak to protect his person, and
was about to lead the way himself, when he was
aroused by the voice of the other.

“You mistake the route,” he said; “this is to
be a secret, and I hope a profitable visit—none
must know of your presence; and if you are a
worthy son of your honourable father, I need
hardly add that my faith is pledged for your discretion.”

“The pledge will be respected, Sir,” said Lionel,
haughtily; “but in order to see what you
wish, we are not to remain here?”

“Follow, then, and be silent,” said the old

[figure description] Page 090.[end figure description]

man, turning and opening the doors which led into
a little apartment lighted by one of those smaller
windows, already mentioned in describing the
exterior of the building. The passage was dark
and narrow, but, observing the warnings of his
companion, Lionel succeeded in descending, in
safety, a flight of steps which formed a private
communication between the offices of the dwelling
and its upper apartments. They paused an instant
at the bottom of the stairs, where the youth
expressed his amazement that a stranger should
be so much more familiar with the building than
he who had for so many days made it his home.

“Have I not often told you,” returned the old
man, with a severity in his voice which was even
apparent in its suppressed tones, “that I have
known Boston for near an hundred years! how
many edifices like this does it contain, that I
should not have noted its erection! But follow in
silence, and be prudent.”

He now opened a door which conducted them
through one end of the building, into the courtyard
in which it was situated. As they emerged
into the open air, Lionel perceived the figure of a
man, crouching under the walls, as if seeking a
shelter from the driving rain. The moment they
appeared, this person arose, and followed as they
moved towards the street.

“Are we not watched?” said Lionel, stopping
to face the unknown; “whom have we skulking in
our footsteps?”

“'Tis the boy,” said the old man, for whom we
must adopt the name of Ralph, which it would
appear was the usual term used by Job when addressing
his mother's guest—“'tis the boy, and
he can do us no harm. God has granted to him
a knowledge between much of what is good and

[figure description] Page 091.[end figure description]

that which is evil, though the mind of the child
is, at times, sadly weakened by his bodily ailings.
His heart, however, is with his country, at a
moment when she needs all hearts to maintain
her rights.”

The young British officer bowed his head to
meet the tempest, and smiled scornfully within the
folds of his cloak, which he drew more closely
around his form, as they met the gale in the
open streets of the town. They had passed
swiftly through many narrow and crooked ways,
before another word was uttered between the adventurers.
Lionel mused on the singular and indefinable
interest that he took in the movements
of his companion, which could draw him at a time
like this from the shelter of Mrs. Lechmere's
roof, to wander he knew not whither, and on an
errand which might even be dangerous to his person.
Still he followed, unhesitatingly, for with
these passing thoughts were blended the recollection
of the many recent and interesting communications
he had held with the old man during
their long and close association in the ship; nor
was he wanting in a natural interest for all that
involved the safety and happiness of the place of
his birth. He kept the form of his aged guide in
his eye, as the other moved before him, careless
of the tempest which beat on his withered frame,
and he heard the heavy footsteps of Job in his
rear who had closed so near his own person as to
share, in some measure, in the shelter of his ample
cloak. But no other living being seemed to
have ventured abroad; and even the few sentinels
they passed, instead of pacing in front of those
doors which it was their duty to guard, were concealed
behind the angles of walls, or sought shelter
under the projections of some favouring roof.
At moments the wind rushed into the narrow

[figure description] Page 092.[end figure description]

avenues of the streets, along which it swept, with
a noise not unlike the hollow roaring of the sea,
and with a violence which was nearly irresistible.
At such times Lionel was compelled to pause, and
even frequently to recede a little from his path,
while his guide, supported by his high purpose,
and but little obstructed by his garments, seemed,
to the bewildered imagination of his follower, to
glide through the night with a facility that was
supernatural. At length the old man, who had
got some distance ahead of his followers, suddenly
paused, and allowed Lionel to approach to his
side. The latter observed with surprise, that
he had stopped before the root and stump of
a tree which had once grown on the borders of
the street, and which appeared to have been recently
felled.

“Do you see this remnant of the Elm?” said
Ralph, when the others had stopped also; “their
axes have succeeded in destroying the mother-plant,
but her scions are flourishing throughout a
continent!”

“I do not comprehend you!” returned Lionel;
“I see here nothing but the stump of some tree;
surely the ministers of the king are not answerable
that it stands no longer?”

“The ministers of the king are answerable to
their master that it has ever become what it
is—but speak to the boy at your side, he will
tell you of its virtues.”

Lionel turned to wards Job, and perceived, by
the obscure light of the moon, to his surprise,
that the changeling stood with his head bared
to the storm, regarding the root with an extraordinary
degree of reverence.

“This is all a mystery to me!” he said; “what
do you know about this stump to stand in awe of,
boy?”

[figure description] Page 093.[end figure description]

“'Tis the root of `Liberty-tree,”' said Job,
“and 'tis wicked to pass it without making your
manners!”

“And what has this tree done for liberty, that it
has merited so much respect?”

“What! why did you ever see a tree afore this
that could write and give notices of town meetinda's,
or that could tell the people what the king
meant to do with the tea and his stamps!”

“And could this marvellous tree work such
miracles?”

“To be sure it could, and it did too—you let
stingy Tommy think to get above the people
with any of his cunning over night, and you might
come here next morning and read a warning on
the bark of this tree, that would tell all about it,
and how to put down his deviltries, written out
fair, in a hand as good as master Lowell himself
could put on paper, the best day of his grand
scholarship.”

“And who put the paper there?”

“Who!” exclaimed Job, a little positively;
“why Liberty came in the night, and pasted it
up herself. When Nab couldn't get a house to
live in, Job used to sleep under the tree, sometimes,
and many a night has he seen Liberty with
his own eyes come and put up the paper.”

“And was it a woman?”

“Do you think Liberty was such a fool as to
come every time in woman's clothes, to be followed
by the rake-helly soldiers about the streets!”
said Job, with great contempt in his manner.
“Sometimes she did, though, and sometimes she
didn't; just as it happened. And Job was in the
tree when old Noll had to give up his ungodly
stamps; though he didn't do it till the `Sons of
Liberty' had chucked his stamp-shop in the dock,
and hung him and Lord Boot together, on the
branches of the old Elm!”

[figure description] Page 094.[end figure description]

“Hung!” said Lionel, unconsciously drawing
back from the spot; “was it ever a gallows!”

“Yes, for iffigies,” said Job, laughing; “I
wish you could have been here to see how the
old boot, with Satan sticking out on't, whirled
about when they swung it off! they give the old
boy a big shoe to put his cloven huff in!”

“Lionel, who was familiar with the peculiar
sound that his townsmen gave to the letter
u, now comprehended the allusion to the Earl
of Bute, and beginning to understand more clearly
the nature of the transactions, and the uses to
which that memorable tree had been applied, he
expressed his desire to proceed.

The old man had suffered Job to make his
own explanations, though not without a curious
interest in the effect they would produce on Lionel;
but the instant the request was made to advance,
he turned, and once more led the way.
Their course was now directed more towards the
wharves; nor was it long before their conductor
turned into a narrow court, and entered a house
of rather mean appearance, without even observing
the formality of announcing his visit by the
ordinary summons of rapping at its door. A long,
narrow, and dimly-lighted passage, conducted
them to a spacious apartment far in the court,
which appeared to have been fitted as a place for
the reception of large assemblages of people. In
this room were collected at least a hundred men,
seemingly intent on some object of more than usual
interest, by the gravity and seriousness of demeanor
apparent in every countenance.

As it was Sunday, the first impression of Lionel,
on entering the room, was that his old friend, who
often betrayed a keen sensibility on subjects of
religion, had brought him there with a design to
listen to some favourite exhorter of his own

[figure description] Page 095.[end figure description]

peculiar tenets, and as a tacit reproach for a neglect of
the usual ordinances of that holy day, of which
the conscience of the young man suddenly accused
him, on finding himself unexpectedly mingled
in such a throng. But after he had forced his
person among a dense body of men, who stood at
the lower end of the apartment, and became a silent
observer of the scene, he was soon made to
perceive his error. The weather had induced all
present to appear in such garments as were best
adapted to protect them from its fury; and their
exteriors were rough, and perhaps a little forbidding;
but there was a composure and decency in
the air common to the whole assembly, which denoted
that they were men who possessed in a high
degree the commanding quality of self-respect.
A very few minutes sufficed to teach Lionel that
he was in the midst of a meeting collected to discuss
questions connected with the political movements
of the times, though he felt himself a little
at a loss to discover the precise results it was intended
to produce. To every question, there were
one or two speakers, men who expressed their
ideas in a familiar manner, and with the peculiar
tones and pronunciation of the province, that
left no room to believe them to be orators of a
higher character than the mechanics and tradesmen
of the town. Most, if not all of them, wore
an air of deliberation and coldness that would
have rendered their sincerity in the cause they
had apparently espoused, a little equivocal, but
for occasional expressions of coarse, and sometimes
biting invective that they expended on
the ministers of the crown, and for the perfect
and firm unanimity that was manifested, as
each expression of the common feeling was taken
after the manner of deliberative bodies. Certain
resolutions, in which the most respectful

[figure description] Page 096.[end figure description]

remonstrances were singularly blended with the boldest
assertions of constitutional principles, were read,
and passed without a dissenting voice, though
with a calmness that indicated no very strong excitement.
Lionel was peculiarly struck with the
language of these written opinions, which were expressed
with a purity, and sometimes with an elegance
of style, which plainly showed that the acquaintance
of the sober artisan with the instrument
through whose periods he was blundering,
was quite recent, and far from being very intimate.
The eyes of the young soldier wandered
from face to face, with a strong desire to detect
the secret movers of the scene he was witnessing;
nor was he long without selecting one
individual as an object peculiarly deserving of his
suspicions. It was a man apparently but just
entering into middle age, of an appearance, both
in person, and in such parts of his dress as escaped
from beneath his over-coat, that denoted him
to be of a class altogether superior to the mass of
the assembly. A deep but manly respect was evidently
paid to this gentleman, by those who stood
nearest to his person; and once or twice there
were close and earnest communications passing
between him and the more ostensible leaders of
the meeting, which roused the suspicions of Lionel
in the manner related. Notwithstanding the
secret dislike that the English officer suddenly conceived
against a man that he fancied was thus abusing
his powers, by urging others to acts of insubordination,
he could not conceal from himself the
favourable impression made by the open, fearless,
and engaging countenance of the stranger. Lionel
was so situated as to be able to keep his person,
which was partly concealed by the taller forms
that surrounded him, in constant view; nor was
it long before his earnest and curious gaze caught

[figure description] Page 097.[end figure description]

the attention of the other. Glances of marked
meaning were exchanged between them during
the remainder of the evening, until the chairman
announced that the objects of the convocation
were accomplished, and dissolved the meeting.

Lionel raised himself from his reclining attitude
against the wall, and submitted to be carried
by the current of human bodies into the dark
passage through which he had entered the room.
Here he lingered a moment, with a view to recover
his lost companion, and with a secret wish
to scan more narrowly the proceedings of the
man whose air and manner had so long chained
his attention. The crowd had sensibly diminished
before he was aware that few remained beside
himself, nor would he then have discovered
that he was likely to become an object of suspicion
to those few, had not a voice at his elbow
recalled his recollection.

“Does Major Lincoln meet his countrymen tonight
as one who sympathizes in their wrongs, or
as the favoured and prosperous officer of the
crown?” asked the very man for whose person he
had so long been looking in vain.

“Is sympathy with the oppressed incompatible
with loyalty to my Prince?” demanded Lionel.

“That it is not,” said the stranger, in a
friendly accent, “is apparent from the conduct
of many gallant Englishmen among us, who
espouse our cause—but we claim Major Lincoln
as a countryman.”

“Perhaps, sir, it would be indiscreet just now
to disavow that title, let my dispositions be as
they may,” returned Lionel, smiling a little
haughtily; “this may not be as secure a spot in
which to avow one's sentiments, as the town-common,
or the palace of St. James.”

[figure description] Page 098.[end figure description]

“Had the king been present to-night, Major
Lincoln, would he have heard a single sentence
opposed to that constitution which has declared
him a member too sacred to be offended?”

“Whatever may have been the legality of your
sentiments, sir, they surely have not been expressed
in language altogether fit for a royal ear.”

“It may not have been adulation, or even flattery,
but it is truth—a quality no less sacred than the
rights of kings.”

“This is neither a place nor an occasion, sir,”
said the young soldier, quickly, “to discuss the
rights of our common master; but if, as from
your manner and your language, I think not improbable,
we should meet hereafter in a higher
sphere, you will not find me at a loss to vindicate
his claims.”

The stranger smiled with meaning, and as he
bowed before he fell back and was lost in the
darkness of the passage, he replied—

“Our fathers have often met in such society,
I believe; God forbid that their sons should ever
encounter in a less friendly manner.”

Lionel now finding himself alone, groped his
way into the street, where he perceived Ralph
and the changeling in waiting for his appearance.
Without demanding the cause of the other's delay,
the old man proceeded by the side of his
companions, with the same indifference to the
tempest as before, towards the residence of Mrs.
Lechmere.

“You have now had some evidence of the spirit
that pervades this people,” said Ralph, after a
few moments of silence; “think you still there is
no danger that the volcano will explode?”

“Surely every thing I have heard and seen tonight,
confirms such an opinion,” returned Lionel.
“Men on the threshold of rebellion

[figure description] Page 099.[end figure description]

seldom reason so closely, and with such moderation.
Why, the very fuel for the combustion, the rabble
themselves, discuss their constitutional principles,
and keep under the mantle of law, as though they
were a club of learned Templars.”

“Think you that the fire will burn less steadily,
because what you call the fuel has been prepared
by the seasoning of time,” returned Ralph. “But
this comes from sending a youth into a foreign
land for his education! The boy rates his sober
and earnest countrymen on a level with the peasants
of Europe.”

So much Lionel was able to comprehend, but
notwithstanding the old man muttered vehemently
to himself for some time longer, it was in a tone too
indistinct for his ear to understand his meaning.
When they arrived in a part of the town with
which Lionel was familiar, his aged guide pointed
out his way, and took his leave, saying—

“I see that nothing but the last, and dreadful
argument of force, will convince you of the
purpose of the Americans to resist their oppressors.
God avert the evil hour! but when it shall
come, as come it must, you will learn your error,
young man, and, I trust, will not disregard the
natural ties of country and kindred.”

Lionel would have spoken in reply, but the rapid
steps of Ralph rendered his wishes vain, for
before he had time to utter, his emaciated form
was seen gliding, like an immaterial being,
through the sheets of driving rain, and was soon
lost to the eye, as it vanished in the dim shades
of night, followed by the more substantial frame
of the ideot.

CHAPTER VII.

[figure description] Page 100.[end figure description]

Two or three days of fine, balmy, spring weather
succeeded to the storm, during which Lionel
saw no more of his aged fellow-voyager. Job,
however, attached himself to the British soldier
with a confiding helplessness that touched the
heart of his young protector, who gathered from
the circumstance a just opinion of the nature
of the abuses that the unfortunate changeling
was frequently compelled to endure from the brutal
soldiery. Meriton performed the functions
of master of the wardrobe to the lad, by Lionel's
express commands, with evident disgust, but
with manifest advantage to the external appearance,
if with no very sensible evidence of
additional comfort to his charge. During this
short period, the slight impression made on Lionel
by the scene related in the preceding chapter,
faded before the cheerful changes of the
season, and the increasing interest which he
felt in the society of his youthful kinswomen.
Polwarth relieved him from all cares of a domestic
nature, and the peculiar shade of sadness,
which at times had been so very perceptible in

[figure description] Page 101.[end figure description]

his countenance, was changed to a look of a more
brightening and cheerful character. Polwarth
and Lionel had found an officer, who had formerly
served in the same regiment with them in the
British Islands, in command of a company of
grenadiers, which formed part of the garrison of
Boston. This gentleman, an Irishman of the
name of M'Fuse, was qualified to do great
honour to the culinary skill of the officer of light-infantry,
by virtue of a keen natural gusto for
whatever possessed the inherent properties of a
savoury taste, though utterly destitute of any of
that remarkable scientific knowledge which might
be said to distinguish the other in the art. He
was, in consequence of this double claim on the
notice of Lionel, a frequent guest at the nightly
banquets prepared by Polwarth. Accordingly
we find him, on the evening of the third day in
the week, seated with his two friends, around a
board plentifully garnished by the care of that
gentleman, on the preparations for which, more
than usual skill had been exerted, if the repeated
declarations of the disciple of Heliogabulus, to
that effect, were entitled to any ordinary credit.

“In short, Major Lincoln,” said Polwarth, in
continuance of his favourite theme, while seated
before the table, “a man may live any where,
provided he possesses food—in England, or out
of England, it matters not. Raiment may be
necessary to appearance, but food is the only
indispensable that nature has imposed on the animal
world; and in my opinion there is a sort of
obligation on every man to be satisfied, who has
wherewithal to appease the cravings of his appetite—
Captain M`Fuse, I will thank you to cut that
surloin with the grain.”

“What matters it Polly”—said the captain of
grenadiers, with a slight Irish accent, and with

[figure description] Page 102.[end figure description]

the humour of his countrymen strongly depicted
in his fine, open, manly features, “which way a
bit of meat is divided, so there be enough to allay
the cravings of the appetite, you will remember!”

“It is a collateral assistance to nature that
should never be neglected,” returned Polwarth,
whose gravity and seriousness at his banquets
were not easily disturbed; “it facilitates mastication
and aids digestion, two considerations of
great importance to military men, sir, who have
frequently such little time for the former, and no
rest after their meals to complete the latter.”

“He reasons like an army contractor, who
wishes to make one ration do the work of two,
when transportation is high,” said M`Fuse, winking
to Lionel. “According to your principles,
then, Polly, a potato is your true campaigner,
for that is a cr'ature you may cut any way without
disturbing the grain, provided the article be a
little m'aly.”

“Pardon me, captain M`Fuse,” said Polwarth,
“a potato should be broken, and not cut at all—
there is no vegetable more used, and less understood
than the potato.”

“And is it you, Pater Polwarth, of Nesbitt's
light-infantry,” interrupted the grenadier, laying
down his knife and fork with an air of infinite
humour, “that will tell Dennis M`Fuse how to
carve a potato! I will yield to the right of an
Englishman over the chivalry of an ox, your sirloins,
and your lady-rumps, if you please, but in
my own country, one end of every farm is a
bog, and the other a potato-field—'tis an Irishman's
patrimony that you are making so free with,
sir!”

“The possession of a thing, and the knowledge
how to use it, are two very different properties—”

[figure description] Page 103.[end figure description]

“Give me the property of possession, then,”
again interrupted the ardent grenadier, “especially
when a morsel of the green island is in dispute;
and trust an old soldier of the Royal Irish to
carve his own enjoyments. Now, I'll wager a
month's pay, and that to me is as much as if the
Major should say, done for a thousand, that you
can't tell how many dishes can be made, and are
made every day in Ireland, out of so simple a
thing as a potato.”

“You roast and boil; and use them in stuffing
tame birds, sometimes, and—”

“All old woman's cookery!” interrupted
M`Fuse, with an affectation of great contempt
in his manner—“now, sir, we have them with
butter, and without butter, that counts two;
then we have the fruit p'aled; and—”

“Impaled,” said Lionel, laughing. “I believe
this nice controversy must be referred to Job,
who is amusing himself in the corner there, I
see, with the very subject of the dispute transfixed
on his fork, in the latter condition.”

“Or suppose, rather,” said M`Fuse, “as it is a
matter to exercise the judgment of Solomon, we
make a potato umpire of master Seth Sage, yonder,
who should have some of the wisdom of the
royal Jew, by the sagacity of his countenance, as
well as of his name.”

“Don't you call Seth r'yal,” said Job, suspending
his occupation on the vegetable. “The
king is r'yal and fla'nty, but neighbour Sage lets
Job come in and eat, like a christian.”

“That lad there, is not altogether without reason,
Major Lincoln,” said Polwarth; “on the
contrary, he discovers an instinctive knowledge of
good from evil, by favouring us with his company
at the hour of meals.”

“The poor fellow finds but little at home to

[figure description] Page 104.[end figure description]

tempt him to remain there, I fear,” said Lionel;
“and as he was one of the first acquaintances I
made on returning to my native land, I have desired
Mr. Sage to admit him at all proper hours;
and especially, Polwarth, at those times when he
can have an opportunity of doing homage to your
skill.”

“I am glad to see him,” said Polwarth, “for
I love an uninstructed palate, as much as I admire
naiveté in a woman.—Be so good as to favour me
with a cut from the breast of that wild-goose,
M`Fuse—not quite so far forward, if you please;
your migratory birds are apt to be tough about the
wing—but simplicity in eating is, after all, the
great secret of life; that and a sufficiency of food.”

“You may be right this time,” replied the grenadier,
laughing, “for this fellow made one of
the flankers of the flock, and did double duty in
wheeling, I believe, or I have got him against
the grain too! But, Polly, you have not told us
how you improve in your light-infantry exercises
of late.”

By this time Polwarth had made such progress
in the essential part of his meal, as to have recovered
in some measure his usual tone of good-nature,
and he answered with less gravity—

“If Gage does not work a reformation in our
habits, he will fag us all to death. I suppose you
know, Leo, that all the flank companies are relieved
from the guards to learn a new species of
exercise. They call it relieving us, but the only
relief I find in the matter, is when we lie down to
fire—there is a luxurious moment or two then, I
must confess!”

“I have known the fact, any time these ten
days, by your moanings,” returned Lionel; “but
what do you argue from this particular exercise,
captain M`Fuse? does Gage contemplate more
than the customary drills?”

[figure description] Page 105.[end figure description]

“You question me now, sir, on a matter in
which I am uninstructed,” said the grenadier;
“I am a soldier, and obey my orders, without
pretending to inquire into their objects or merits;
all I know is, that both grenadiers and light-infantry
are taken from the guards; and that we
travel over a good deal of solid earth each day,
in the way of marching and counter-marching, to
the manifest discomfiture and reduction of Polly—
there, who loses flesh as fast as he gains ground.”

“Do you think so, Mac?” cried the delighted
captain of light-infantry; “then I have not all the
detestable motion in vain. They have given us
little Harry Skip as a drill officer, who I believe
has the most restless foot of any man in his majesty's
service. Do you join with me in opinion, master
Sage? you seem to meditate on the subject as
if it had some secret charm.”

The individual to whom Polwarth addressed
this question, and who has been already named,
was standing with a plate in his band, in an attitude
that bespoke close attention, with a sudden and
deep interest in the discourse, though his eyes
were bent on the floor, and his face was averted
as if, while listening earnestly, he had a particular
desire to be unnoticed. He was the owner of
the house in which Lionel had taken his quarters.
His family had been some time before removed
into the country, under the pretence of his inability
to maintain them in a place destitute of business
and resources like Boston; but he remained
himself, for the double purpose of protecting
his property and serving his guests. This man
partook, in no small degree, of the qualities, both
of person and mind, which distinguish a large class
among his countrymen. In the former he was
rather over than under the middle stature; was
thin, angular, and awkward, but possessing an

[figure description] Page 106.[end figure description]

unusual proportion of sinew and bone. His eyes
were small, black, scintillating, and it was not
easy to fancy that the intelligence they manifested
was unmingled with a large proportion of shrewd
cunning. The rest of his countenance was meager,
sallow, and rigidly demure. Thus called
upon, on a sudden, by Polwarth for an opinion,
Seth answered, with the cautious reserve with
which he invariably delivered himself—

“The adjutant is an uneasy man, but that, I
suppose, is so much the better for a light-infantry
officer. Captain Polwarth must find it considerable
jading to keep the step, now the General
has ordered these new doings with the soldiers.”

“And what may be your opinion of these doings,
as you call them, Mr Sage,” asked M`Fuse;
“you who are a man of observation, should understand
your countrymen; will they fight?”

“A rat will fight if the cats pen him,” said Seth,
without raising his eyes from his occupation.

“But do the Americans conceive themselves
to be penned?”

“Why, that is pretty much as people think,
captain; the country was in a great toss about
the stamps and the tea, but I always said such
folks as didn't give their notes-of-hand, and had
no great relish for any thing more than country
food, wouldn't find themselves cramped by the
laws, after all.”

“Then you see no great oppression in being
asked to pay your bit of a tax, master Sage,”
cried the grenadier, “to maintain such a worthy
fellow as myself in a dacent equipage to fight
your battles.”

“Why, as to that captain, I suppose we can
do pretty much the whole of our own fighting,
when occasion calls; though I don't think
there is much stomach for such doings among the
people, without need.”

[figure description] Page 107.[end figure description]

“But what do you think the Committee of
Safety, and your `Sons of Liberty,' as they call
themselves, really mean, by their parades of `minute-men,
' their gathering of provisions, carrying
off the cannon, and such other formidable
and appalling preparations—ha! honest Seth, do
they think to frighten British soldiers with the roll
of a drum, or are they amusing themselves, like
boys in the holy days, with playing war.”

“I should conclude,” said Seth, with undisturbed
gravity and caution, “that the people are
pretty much engaged, and in earnest.”

“To do what?” demanded the Irishman; “to
forge their own chains, that we may fetter them
in truth?”

“Why, seeing that they have burnt the stamps,
and thrown the tea into the harbour,” returned
Seth, “and since that have taken the management
into their own hands, I should rather conclude
that they have pretty much determined to
do what they think best.”

Lionel and Polwarth laughed aloud, and the
former observed—

“You appear not to come to conclusions with
our host, captain M`Fuse, notwithstanding so
much is determined. Is it well understood, Mr.
Sage, that large reinforcements are coming to
the colonies, and to Boston in particular?”

“Why yes,” returned Seth, “it seems to be
pretty generally contemplated on.”

“And what is the result of these contemplations?”

Seth paused a moment, as if uncertain whether
he was master of the other's meaning, before he
replied—

“Why, as the country is considerably engaged
in the business, there are some who think if the

[figure description] Page 108.[end figure description]

ministers don't open the Port, that it will be
done without much further words by the people.”

“Do you know,” said Lionel, gravely, “that
such an attempt would lead directly to a civil
war?”

“I suppose it is safe to calculate that such doings
would bring on disturbances,” returned his
phlegmatic host.

“And you speak of it, sir, as a thing not to be
deprecated, or averted by every possible means
in the power of the nation!”

“If the Port is opened and the right to tax
given up,” said Seth, calmly, “I can find a man
in Boston who'll engage to let them draw all the
blood that will be spilt, from his own veins, for
nothing.”

“And who may that redoubtable individual
be, master Sage?” cried M`Fuse; “your own plethoric
person?—How now, Doyle, to what am I
indebted for the honour of this visit?”

This sudden question was put by the captain
of grenadiers to the orderly of his own company,
who at that instant filled the door of the apartment
with his huge frame, in the attitude of
military respect, as if about to address his officer.

“Orders have come down, sir, to parade the
men at half an hour after tattoo, and to be in
readiness for active service.”

The three gentlemen rose together from their
chairs at this intelligence, while M`Fuse, exclaimed—
“A night march! Pooh! We are to be sent
back to garrison-duty I suppose; the companies
in the line grow sleepy, and wish a relief—Gage
might have taken a more suitable time, than to put
gentlemen on their march so soon after such a
feast as this of yours, Polly.”

“There is some deeper meaning to so extraordinary
an order,” interrupted Lionel; “there

[figure description] Page 109.[end figure description]

goes the tap of the tattoo, this instant! Are
no other troops but your company ordered to
parade?”

“The whole battalion is under the same orders,
your honour, and so is the battalion of
Light Infantry; I was commanded to report it
so to Capt. Polwarth, if I saw him.”

“This bears some meaning, gentlemen,” said
Lionel, “and it is necessary to be looked to—if
either corps leaves the town to-night, I will
march with it as a volunteer, for it is my business,
just now, to examine into the state of the
country.”

“That we shall march to-night, is sure, your
honour,” added the sergeant, with the confidence
of an old soldier; “but how far, or on what road,
is known only to the officers of the Staff; though
the men think we are to go out by the colleges.”

“And what has put so learned an opinion in
their silly heads?” demanded his captain.

“One of the men who has been on leave, has
just got in, and reports that a squad of gentlemen
from the army dined near them, your honour,
and that as night set in they mounted and began
to patrole the roads in that direction. He was
met and questioned by four of them as he crossed
the flats.”

“All this confirms my conjectures,” cried Lionel—
“there is a man who might now prove of
important service—Job—where is the simpleton,
Meriton?”

“He was called out, sir, a minute since, and
has left the house.”

“Then send in Mr. Sage,” continued the young
man, musing as he spoke. A moment after it
was reported to him that Seth had strangely disappeared
also.

“Curiosity has led him to the barracks,” said

[figure description] Page 110.[end figure description]

Lionel, “where duty calls you, gentlemen. I will
despatch a little business, and join you there in
an hour; you cannot march short of that time.”

The bustle of a general departure succeeded;
Lionel threw his cloak into the arms of Meriton,
to whom he delivered his orders, took his arms,
and making his apologies to his guests, he left the
house with the manner of one who saw a pressing
necessity to be prompt. M`Fuse proceeded to
equip himself with the deliberation of a soldier
who was too much practised to be easily disconcerted.
Notwithstanding his great deliberation,
the delay of Polwarth, however, eventually vanquished
the patience of the grenadier, who exclaimed,
on hearing the other repeat, for the
fourth time, an order concerning the preservation
of certain viands, to which he appeared to cling
in spirit, after a carnal separation was directed by
fortune.

“Poh! poh! man,” exclaimed the Irishman,
“why will you bother yourself on the eve of a
march, with such epicurean propensities. It's the
soldier who should show your hermits and anchorites
an example of mortification; besides, Polly,
this affectation of care and provision is the less excusable
in yourself, you who have been well aware
that we were to march on a secret expedition this
very night on which you seem so much troubled.”

“I!” exclaimed Polwarth; “as I hope to eat
another meal, I am as ignorant as the meanest
corporal in the army of the whole transaction—
why do you suspect otherwise?”

“Trifles tell the old campaigner when and
where the blow is to be struck,” returned M`Fuse,
coolly drawing his military over-coat tighter to
his large frame; “have I not, with my own eyes,
seen you within the hour, provision a certain captain
of light-infantry after a very heavy fashion!
Damn it, man, do you think I have served these

[figure description] Page 111.[end figure description]

five-and-twenty years, and do not know that when
a garrison begins to fill its granaries, it expects a
siege?”

“I have paid no more than a suitable compliment
to the entertainment of Major Lincoln,”
returned Polwarth; “but so far from having had
any very extraordinary appetite, I have not found
myself in a condition to do all the justice I could
wish to several of the dishes.—Mr. Meriton, I
will thank you to have the remainder of that bird
sent down to the barracks, where my man will receive
it; and as it may be a long march, and
a hungry one, add the tongue, and a fowl, and
some of the ragout; we can warm it up at any
farm-house—we'll take the piece of beef, Mac—
Leo has a particular taste for a cold cut; and you
might put up the ham, also; it will keep better
than any thing else, if we should be out long—and—
and—I believe that will do, Meriton.”

“I am as much rejoiced to hear it as I should
be to hear a proclamation of war read at Charing-Cross,”
cried M`Fuse—“you should have been a
commissary, Polly—nature meant you for an army
suttler!”

“Laugh as you will, Mac,” returned the good-humoured
Polwarth, “I shall hear your thanks
when we halt for breakfast; but I attend you now.”

As they left the house, he continued, “I hope
Gage means no more than to push us a little in
advance, with a view to protect the foragers and
the supplies of the army—such a situation would
have very pretty advantages; for a system might
be established that would give the mess of the
light corps the choice of the whole market.”

“'Tis a mighty preparation about some old iron
gun, which would cost a man his life to put a match
to,” returned M`Fuse, cavalierly; “for my part,
captain Polwarth, if we are to fight these colonists
at all, I would do the thing like a man, and

[figure description] Page 112.[end figure description]

allow the lads to gather together a suitable arsenal,
that when we come to blows it may be a military
affair—as it now stands, I should be ashamed, as
I am a soldier and an Irishman, to bid my fellows
pull a trigger, or make a charge, on a set of peasants
whose fire-arms look more like rusty waterpipes
than muskets, and who have half a dozen
cannon with touch-holes that a man may put his
head in, with muzzles just large enough to throw
marbles.”

“I don't know, Mac,” said Polwarth, while
they diligently pursued their way towards the
quarters of their men; “even a marble may destroy
a man's appetite for his dinner; and the
countrymen possess a great advantage over us in
commanding the supplies—the difference in equipments
would not more than balance the odds.”

“I wish to disturb no gentleman's opinion on
matters of military discretion, captain Polwarth,”
said the grenadier with an air of high martial
pride; “but I take it there exists a material difference
between a soldier and a butcher, though
killing be a business common to both—I repeat,
sir, I hope that this secret expedition is for a more
worthy object than to deprive those poor devils,
with whom we are about to fight, of the means of
making a good battle, and I add, sir, that such is
sound military doctrine, without regarding who
may choose to controvert it.”

“Your sentiments are generous and manly,
Mac; but, after all, there is both a physical and
moral obligation on every man to eat; and if starvation
be the consequence of permitting your enemies
to bear arms, it becomes a solemn duty to
deprive them of their weapons—no—no—I will
support Gage in such a measure, at present, as
highly military.”

“And he is much obliged to you, sir, for your

[figure description] Page 113.[end figure description]

support,” returned the other—“I apprehend, captain
Polwarth, whenever the Lieutenant-General
Gage finds it necessary to lean on any
one for extraordinary assistance, he will remember
that there is a regiment called the Royal Irish
in the country, and that he is not entirely ignorant
of the qualities of the people of his own nation.—
You have done well, captain Polwarth, to
choose the light-infantry service—they are a set
of foragers, and can help themselves; but the grenadiers,
thank God, love to encounter men, and
not cattle in the field.”

How long the good-nature of Polwarth would
have endured the increasing taunts of the Irishman,
who was exasperating himself, gradually, by
his own arguments, there is no possibility of determining,
for their arrival at the barracks put
an end to the controversy and to the feelings it
was beginning to engender.

CHAPTER VIII.

[figure description] Page 114.[end figure description]

Lionel might have blushed to acknowledge the
secret and inexplicable influence which his unknown
and mysterious friend, Ralph, had obtained
over his feelings, but which induced him, on
leaving his own quarters thus hastily, to take his
way into the lower parts of the town, in quest of
the residence of Abigail Pray. He had not visited
the sombre tenement of this woman since the night
of his arrival, but its proximity to the well-known
town-hall, as well as the quaint architecture of the
building itself, had frequently brought its exterior
under his observation, in the course of his rambles
through the place of his nativity. A guide being,
consequently, unnecessary, he took the
most direct and frequented route to the docksquare.
When Lionel issued into the street, he
found a deep darkness already enveloping the
peninsula of Boston, as if nature had lent herself
to the secret designs of the British commandant.
The fine strain of a shrill fife was playing among
the naked hills of the place, accompanied by the
occasional and measured taps of the sullen drum;

[figure description] Page 115.[end figure description]

and, at moments, the full, rich notes of the horns
would rise from the common, and borne on the
night-air, sweep along the narrow streets, causing
the nerves of the excited young soldier to thrill
with a stern pleasure, as he stepped proudly along.
The practised ear, however, detected no other
sounds in the music than the usual nightly signal of
rest; and when the last melting strains of the horns
seemed to be lost in the clouds, a stillness fell upon
the town, like the deep and slumbering quiet
of midnight. He paused a moment before the
gates of Province-house, and, after examining,
with an attentive eye, the windows of the building,
he spoke to the grenadier, who had stopped
in his short walk, to note the curious stranger.

“You should have company within, sentinel,”
he said, “by the brilliant light from those windows.”

The rattling of Lionel's side-arms as he pointed
with his hand in the direction of the illuminated
apartment, taught the soldier that he was addressed
by his superior, and he answered respectfully—

“It does not become one such as I, to pretend
to know much of what his betters do, your honour,
but I stood before the quarters of General Wolfe
the very night we went up to the Plains of Abram;
and I think an old soldier can tell when a movement
is at hand, without asking his superiors any
impertinent questions.”

“I suppose, from your remark, the General
holds a council to-night?” said Lionel.

“No one has gone in, sir, since I have been
posted,” returned the sentinel, “but the Lieutenant-Colonel
of the 10th, that great Northumbrian
Lord, and the old Major of marines; a great
war-dog is that old man, your honour, and it is
not often he comes to Province-house for nothing.”

[figure description] Page 116.[end figure description]

“A good-night to you, my old comrade,” said
Lionel, walking away; “'tis probably some consultation
concerning the new exercises that you
practise.”

The grenadier shook his head, as if unconvinced,
and resumed his march with his customary
steadiness. A very few minutes now brought
Lionel before the low door of Abigail Pray,
where he again stopped, struck with the contrast
between the gloomy, dark, and unguarded threshold
over which he was about to pass, and the gay
portal he had just left. Urged, however, by his
feelings, the young man paused but a moment
before he tapped lightly for admission. After repeating
his summons, and hearing no reply, he
lifted the latch, and entered the building without
further ceremony. The large and vacant apartment
in which he found himself, was silent
and dreary as the still streets he had quitted.
Groping his way towards the little room in the
tower, where he had met the mother of Job, as
before related, Lionel found that apartment also
tenantless, and dark. He was turning in disappointment,
to quit the place, when a feeble
ray fell from the loft of the building, and settled
on the foot of a rude ladder which formed the
means of communication with its upper apartments.
Hesitating a single moment how to decide,
he then yielded to his anxiety, and ascended
to the floor above, with steps as light as extreme
caution could render them. Like the basement,
the building was subdivided here, into a
large, open ware-room, and a small, rudely-finished
apartment in each of its towers. Following the
rays from a candle, he stood on the threshold
of one of these little rooms, in which he found the
individual of whom he was in quest. The old man
was seated on the only broken chair which the

[figure description] Page 117.[end figure description]

loft contained, and before him, on the simple bundle
of straw which would seem, by the garments
thrown loosely over the pile, to be intended as his
place of rest, lay a large map, spread for inspection,
which his glazed and sunken eyes appeared
to be intently engaged in making. Lionel hesitated
again, while he regarded the white hairs which
fell across the temples of the stranger, as he bowed
his head in his employment, imparting a wild
and melancholy expression to his remarkable
countenance, and seeming to hallow their possessor
by the air of great age and attendant
care that they imparted.

“I have come to seek you,” the young man
at length said, “since you no longer deem me
worthy of your care.”

“You come too late,” returned Ralph, without
betraying the least emotion at the suddenness of
the interruption, or even raising his eyes from the
map he studied so intently; “too late at least to
avert calamity, if not to learn wisdom from its
lessons.”

“You know, then, of the secret movements of
the night?”

“Old age, like mine, seldom sleeps,” returned
Ralph, looking for the first time at his visiter,
“for the eternal night of death promises a speedy
repose. I too served an apprenticeship in my
youth to your trade of blood.”

“Your watchfulness and experience have then
detected the signs of preparation in the garrison?
Have they also discovered the objects, and probable
consequences of the enterprise?”

“Both; Gage weakly thinks to crush the
germ of liberty which has already quickened in
the land, by lopping its feeble branches, when it
is rooted in the hearts of the people. He thinks

[figure description] Page 118.[end figure description]

that bold thoughts can be humbled by the destruction
of magazines.

“It is then only a measure of precaution that
he is about to take?”

The old man shook his head mournfully as he
answered—

“It will prove a measure of blood.”

“I intend to accompany the detachment into the
country,” said Lionel—“it will probably take
post at some little distance in the interior, and it
will afford me a fitting opportunity to make those
inquiries which you know are so near my heart,
and in which you have promised to assist—it is to
consult on the means that I have now sought you.”

The countenance of the stranger seemed to lose
its character of melancholy reflection, as Lionel
spoke, and his eyes moved, vacant and unmeaning,
over the naked rafters above him, passing in
their wanderings across the surface of the unheeded
map again, until they fell full upon the face of
the astonished youth, where they remained settled
for more than a minute, fixed in the glazed,
rivetted look of death. The lips of Lionel had already
opened in anxious inquiry, when the expression
of life shot again into the features of
Ralph, with the suddenness, and with an appearance
of the physical reality with which light flashes
from the sun when emerging from a cloud.

“You are ill!” Lionel exclaimed.

“Leave me,” said the old man, “leave me.”

“Surely not at such a moment, and alone.”

“I bid you leave me—we shall meet as you desire,
in the country.”

“You would then have me accompany the
troops, and expect your coming?”

“Both.”

“Pardon me,” said Lionel, dropping his eyes
in embarrassment, and speaking with hesitation,

[figure description] Page 119.[end figure description]

“but your present abode, and the appearance of
your attire, is an evidence that old age has come
upon you when you are not altogether prepared
to meet its sufferings.”

“You would offer me money?”

“By accepting it, I shall become the obliged
party.”

“When my wants exceed my means, young
man, your offer shall be remembered. Go, now;
there is no time for delay.”

“But I would not leave you alone; the woman,
the termagant is better than none?”

“She is absent.”

“And the boy—the changeling has the feelings
of humanity, and would aid you in extremity.”

“He is better employed than in propping the
steps of a useless old man.—Go then, I entreat—
I command, sir, that you leave me.”

The firm, if not haughty, manner in which the
other repeated his desire, taught Lionel that he
had nothing more to expect at present, and he
obeyed reluctantly, by slowly leaving the apartment,
and as soon as he had descended the ladder
he began to retrace his steps towards his own quarters.
In crossing the light draw-bridge thrown over
the narrow dock, already mentioned, his contemplations
were first disturbed by the sounds
of voices, at no great distance, apparently conversing
in tones that were not intended to be heard
by every ear. It was a moment when each unusual
incident was likely to induce inquiry, and
Lionel stopped to examine two men, who, at
a little distance, held their secret and suppressed
communications. He had, however, paused but an
instant, when the whisperers separated, one walking
leisurely up the centre of the square, entering
under one of the arches of the market-place, and

[figure description] Page 120.[end figure description]

the other coming directly across the bridge on
which he himself was standing.

“What, Job, do I find you here, whispering
and plotting in the dock-square!” exclaimed Lionel;
“what secrets can you have, that require
the cover of night?”

“Job lives there, in the old ware'us',” said the
lad sullenly—“Nab has plenty of house room,
now the king wont let the people bring in their
goods.”

“But whither are you going into the water!
surely the road to your bed cannot be through
the town dock.”

“Nab wants fish to eat, as well as a ruff to keep
off the rain,” said Job, dropping lightly from the
bridge into a small canoe, which was fastened to
one of its posts, “and now the king has closed
the harbour the fish have to come up in the dark;
for come they will; Boston fish an't to be shut
out by acts of Parliament!”

“Poor lad!” exclaimed Lionel, “return to
your home and your bed; here is money to buy
food for your mother if she suffers—you will
draw a shot from some of the sentinels by going
about the harbour thus at night.”

“Job can see a ship farther than a ship can see
Job,” returned the other; “and if they should
kill Job, they need'n't think to shoot a Boston
boy without some stir.”

Further dialogue was precluded; the canoe
gliding along the outer dock into the harbour,
with a stillness and swiftness that showed the idiot
was not ignorant of the business which he had undertaken.
Lionel resumed his walk, and was passing
the head of the square when he encountered,
face to face, under the light of a lamp, the man
whose figure he had seen but a minute before to

[figure description] Page 121.[end figure description]

issue from beneath the town-hall. A mutual desire
to ascertain the identity of each other drew
them together.

“We meet again, Major Lincoln,” said the interesting
stranger Lionel remembered to have
seen at the political meeting. “Our interviews
appear ordained to occur in secret places.”

“And Job Pray would seem to be the presiding
spirit,” returned the young soldier. “You parted
from him but now?”

“I trust, sir,” said the stranger gravely, “that
this is not a land, nor have we fallen on times when
and where an honest man dare not say that he
has spoken to whom he pleases.”

“Certainly, sir, it is not for me to prohibit the
intercourse,” returned Lionel. “You spoke of
our fathers; mine is well known to you, it would
seem, though to me you are a stranger.”

“And may be so yet a little longer,” said the
other, “though I think the time is at hand when
men will be known in their true characters; until
then, Major Lincoln, I bid you adieu.”

Without waiting for any reply, the stranger
took a different direction from that which Lionel
was pursuing, and walked away with the swiftness
of one who was pressed with urgent business.
Lionel soon ascended into the upper part of the
town, with the intention of going into Tremontstreet,
to communicate his design to accompany
the expedition. It was now apparent to the young
man, that a rumour of the contemplated movement
of the troops was spreading secretly, but
swiftly, among the people. He passed several
groups of earnest and excited townsmen, conferring
together at the corners of the streets, from
some of whom he overheard the startling intelligence
that the neck, the only approach to the
place by land, was closed by a line of sentinels;

[figure description] Page 122.[end figure description]

and that guard-boats from the vessels of war, were
encircling the peninsula in a manner to intercept
the communication with the adjacent country.
Still no indications of a military alarm could be
discovered, though, at times, a stifled hum, like the
notes of busy preparation, was borne along by the
damp breezes of the night, and mingled with
those sounds of a Spring evening, which increased
as he approached the skirts of the dwellings. In
Tremont-street Lionel found no appearance of
that excitement which was spreading so rapidly in
the old and lower parts of the town. He passed into
his own room without meeting any of the family,
and having completed his brief arrangements,
he was descending to inquire for his kinswomen,
when the voice of Mrs. Lechmere, proceeding
from a small apartment, appropriated to her own
use, arrested his steps. Anxious to take leave in
person, he approached the half-open door, and
would have asked permission to enter, had not his
eye rested on the person of Abigail Pray, who was
in earnest conference with the mistress of the
mansion.

“A man aged, and poor, say you?” observed
Mrs. Lechmere, at that instant.

“And one that seems to know all,” interrupted
Abigail, glancing her eyes about with an expression
of superstitious terror.

“All!” echoed Mrs. Lechmere, her lip trembling
more with apprehension than age; “and
he arrived with Major Lincoln, say you?”

“In the same ship; and it seems that heaven
has ordained that he shall dwell with me in my
poverty, as a punishment for my great sins!”

“But why do you tolerate his presence, if it be
irksome,” said Mrs. Lechmere; “you are at least
the mistress of your own dwelling.”

“It has pleased God that my home shall be the

[figure description] Page 123.[end figure description]

home of any who are so miserable as to need one.
He has the same right to live in the warehouse
that I have.”

“You have the rights of a woman, and of first
possession,” said Mrs. Lechmere, with that unyielding
severity of manner that Lionel had often
observed before; “I would turn him into the
street, like a dog.”

“Into the street!” repeated Abigail, again
looking about her in secret terror; “speak lower,
madam Lechmere, for the love of heaven—I dare
not even look at him—he reminds me of all I have
ever known, and of all the evil I have ever done, by
his scorching eye—and yet I cannot tell why—and
then Job worships him as a god, and if I should
offend him, he could easily worm from the child
all that you and I wish so much—”

“How!” exclaimed Mrs. Lechmere, in a voice
husky with horror, “have you been so base as to
make a confident of that fool!”

“That fool is the child of my bosom,” said
Abigail, raising her hands, as if imploring pardon
for the indiscretion.—“Ah! madam Lechmere,
you who are rich, and great, and happy, and
have such a sweet and sensible grandchild, cannot
know how to love one like Job; but when
the heart is loaded and heavy, it throws its burden
on any that will bear it; and Job is my child,
though he is but little better than an ideot!”

It was by no trifling exertion of his breeding
that Lionel was enabled to profit by the inability
of Mrs. Lechmere to reply, and to turn away
from the spot, and cease to listen to a conversation
that was not intended for his ear. He
reached the parlour, and threw himself on one
of its settees before he was conscious that he was
no longer alone or unobserved.

“What! Major Lincoln returned from his

[figure description] Page 124.[end figure description]

revels thus early, and armed like a bandit, to
his teeth!” exclaimed the playful voice of Cecil
Dynevor, who, unheeded, was in possession of the
opposite seat, when he entered the room.

Lionel started, and rubbed his forehead, like a
man awaking from a dream, as he answered—

“Yes, a bandit, or any other opprobrious name
you please; I deserve them all.”

“Surely,” said Cecil, turning pale, “none
other dare use such language of Major Lincoln,
and he does it unjustly!”

“What foolish nonsense have I uttered, Miss
Dynevor?” cried Lionel, recovering his recollection;
“I was lost in thought, and heard your
language without comprehending its meaning.”

“Still you are armed; a sword is not a usual
instrument at your side, and now you bear even
pistols!”

“Yes,” returned the young soldier, laying aside
his dangerous implements; “yes, I am about to
march as a volunteer, with a party that go into
the country to-night, and I take these because I
would affect something very warlike, though you
well know how peaceably I am disposed.”

“March into the country—and in the dead of
night!” said Cecil, catching her breath, and turning
pale—“And does Lionel Lincoln volunteer
on such a duty?”

“I volunteer to perform no other duty than to
be a witness of whatever may occur—you are not
more ignorant yourself of the nature of the expedition
than I am at this moment.”

“Then remain where you are,” said Cecil,
firmly, “and enlist not in an enterprise that may
be unholy in its purposes, and disgraceful in its
results.”

“Of the former I am innocent, whatever they
may be, nor will they be affected by my presence

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or absence. There is little danger of disgrace in
accompanying the grenadiers and light-infantry
of this army, Miss Dynevor, though it should be
against treble their numbers of chosen troops.”

“Then it would seem,” said Agnes Danforth,
speaking as she entered the room, “that our
friend Mercury, that feather of a man, captain Polwarth,
is to be one of these night depredators!
heaven shield the hen-roosts!”

“You have then heard the intelligence, Agnes?”

“I have heard that men are arming, and that
boats are rowing round the town in all directions,
and that it is forbidden to enter or quit Boston,
as we were wont to do, Cecil, at such hours and
in such fashion as suited us plain Americans,”
said Agnes, endeavouring to conceal her deep
vexation in affected irony—“God only can tell
in what all these oppressive measures will end.”

“If you go only as a curious spectator of the
depredations of the troops,” continued Cecil,
“are you not wrong to lend them even the sanction
of your name?”

“I have yet to learn that there will be depredations.”

“You forget, Cecil,” interrupted Agnes Danforth,
scornfully, “that Major Lincoln did not arrive
until after the renowned march from Roxbury
to Dorchester! Then the troops gathered
their laurels under the face of the sun; but it
is easy to conceive how much more glorious
their achievements will become when darkness
shall conceal their blushes!”

The blood rushed across the fine features of
Lionel, but he laughed as he arose to depart,
saying—

“You compel me to beat the retreat, my spirited
coz. If I have my usual fortune in this
forage, your larder, however, shall be the better

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for it. I kiss my hand to you, for it would be necessary
to lay aside the scarlet to dare to approach
with a more peaceable offering. But here I may
make an approach to something like amity.”

He took the hand of Cecil, who frankly met
his offer, and insensibly suffered herself to be led
to the door of the building while he continued
speaking.

“I would, Lincoln, that you were not to go,”
she said, when they stopped on the threshold—
“it is not required of you as a soldier; and as a
man your own feelings should teach you to be
tender of your countrymen.”

“It is as a man that I go, Cecil,” he answered;
“I have motives that you cannot suspect.”

“And is your absence to be long?”

“If not for days, my object will be unaccomplished;”
but he added, pressing her hand gently,
“you cannot doubt my willingness to return when
occasion may offer.”

“Go, then,” said Cecil, hastily, and perhaps
unconsciously extricating herself—“go, if you
have secret reasons for your conduct; but remember
that the acts of every officer of your rank are
keenly noted.”

“Do you then distrust me, Cecil!”

“No—no—I distrust no one, Major Lincoln—
go—go—and—and—we shall see you, Lionel,
the instant you return.”

He had not time to reply, for she glided into
the building so rapidly as to give the young man
an opportunity only to observe, that instead of
rejoining her cousin, her light form passed up the
great stairs with the swiftness and grace of a fairy.

CHAPTER IX.

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Lionel had walked from the dwelling of Mrs.
Lechmere to the foot of Beacon-Hill, and had
even toiled up some part of the steep ascent, before
he recollected why he was thus wandering
by himself at that unusual hour. Hearing, however,
no sounds that denoted an immediate movement
of the troops, he then yielded, unconsciously,
to the nature of his sensations, which just at that
moment rendered his feelings jealous of communication
with others, and continued to ascend until
he gained the summit of the eminence. From
this elevated stand he paused to contemplate the
scene which lay in the obscurity of night at his
feet, while his thoughts returned from the flattering
anticipations in which he had been indulging, to
consider the more pressing business of the hour.
There arose from the town itself a distant
buzzing, like the hum of suppressed agitation, and
lights were seen to glide along the streets, or flit
across the windows, in a manner which denoted
that a knowledge of the expedition had become

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general within its dwellings. Lionel turned his
head toward the common, and listened long and
anxiously, but in vain, to detect a single sound
that could betray any unusual stir among the soldiery.
Towards the interior, the darkness of night
had fallen heavily, dimming the amphitheatre of
hills that encircled the place, and enshrouding
the vales and lowlands between them and the water
with an impenetrable veil of gloom. There
were moments, indeed, when he imagined he overheard
some indications among the people of the
opposite shore that they were apprised of the impending
descent, but on listening more attentively,
the utmost of which his ear could assure him,
was the faint lowing of cattle from the meadows,
or the plash of oars from a line of boats, which, by
stretching far along the shores, told both the nature
and the extent of the watchfulness that was
deemed necessary for the occasion.

While Lionel stood thus, on the margin of the
little platform of earth that had been formed by
levelling the apex of the natural cone, musing on
the probable results of the measure his superiors
had been resolving to undertake, a dim light shed
itself along the grass, and glancing upward, danced
upon the beacon with strong and playful rays.

“Scoundrel!” exclaimed a man, springing from
his place of concealment, at the foot of the post,
and encountering him face to face, “do you dare
to fire the beacon?”

“I would answer by asking how you dare to
apply so rude an epithet to me, did I not see the
cause of your error,” said Lionel. “The light is
from yonder moon, which is just emerging from
the ocean.”

“Ah! I see my error,” returned his rough assailant—
“by heavens, I would have sworn at first,
'twas the beacon.”

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“You must then believe in the traditional
witchcraft of this country, for nothing short of necromancy
could have enabled me to light those
combustibles at this distance.”

“I don't know; 'tis a strange people we have
got amongst—they stole the cannon from the gunhouse
here, a short time since, when I would have
said the thing was impossible. It was before your
arrival, sir; for I now believe I address myself to
Major Lincoln, of the 27th.”

“You are nearer the truth, this time, than in
your first conjecture as to my character,” said
Lionel; “but have I met one of the gentlemen of
our mess?”

The stranger now explained that he was a subaltern
in a different regiment, but that he well
knew the person of the other. He added that he
had been ordered to watch on the hill to prevent
any of the inhabitants lighting the beacon, or
making any other signal which might convey into
the country a knowledge of the contemplated inroad.

“This matter wears a more serious aspect than
I had supposed,” returned Lionel, when the young
man had ended his apologies and explanation;
“the commander-in-chief must intend more than
we are aware of, by employing officers in this
manner, to do the duties of privates.”

“We poor subs know but little, and care less
what he means,” cried the ensign; “though I will
acknowledge that I can see no sufficient reason
why British troops should put on coats of darkness
to march against a parcel of guessing, canting,
countrymen, who would run at the sight of their
uniforms under a bright sun. Had I my will,
the tar above us, there, should blaze a mile high,
to bring down the heroes from Connecticut river;
the dogs would cow before two full companies of

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grenadiers—ha! listen, sir; there they go, now,
the pride of our army! I know them by their
heavy tread.”

Lionel did listen attentively, and plainly distinguished
the measured step of a body of disciplined
men, moving rapidly across the common, as if
marching towards the water-side. Hastily bidding
his companion good-night, he threw himself over
the brow of the hill, and taking the direction of
the sounds, he arrived at the shore at the same instant
with the troops. Two dark masses of human
bodies were halted in order, and as Lionel
skirted the columns, his experienced eye judged
that the force collected before him, could be but
little short of a thousand men. A group of officers
was clustered on the beach, and he approached
it, rightly supposing that it was gathered about
the leader of the party. This officer proved to
be the Lieutenant-Colonel of the 10th, who was
in close conversation with the old Major of Marines,
alluded to by the sentinel who stood before
the gates of Province-house. To the former of
these the young soldier addressed himself, demanding
leave to accompany the detachment as a
volunteer. After a few words of explanation, his
request was granted, though each forbore to touch
in the slightest manner on the secret objects of the
expedition.

Lionel now found his groom, who had followed
the troops with his master's horses, and after giving
his orders to the man, he proceeded in quest
of his friend Polwarth, who he soon discovered,
posted in all the stiffness of military exactness, at
the head of the leading platoon of the column of
light-infantry. As it was apparent, both from the
position they occupied, as well as by the boats that
had been collected at the point, that the detachment
was not to leave the peninsula by its ordinary
channel of communication with the country, there

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remained no alternative but to await patiently the
order to embark. The delay was but short, and,
as the most perfect order was observed, the troops
were soon seated, and the boats pulled heavily
from the land, just as the rays of the moon, which
had been sometime playing among the hills, and
gilding the spires of the town, diffused themselves
softly over the bay, and lighted the busy
scene, with an effect not unlike the sudden rising
of the curtain at the opening of some interesting
drama. Polwarth had established himself by the
side of Lionel, much to the ease of his limbs, and
as they moved slowly into the light, all those misgivings
which had so naturally accompanied his
musings on the difficulties of a partisan irruption,
vanished before the loveliness of the time, and
possibly before the quietude of the action.

“There are moments when I could fancy the
life of a sailor,” he said, leaning indolently back,
and playing with one hand in the water—“this
pulling about in boats is easy work, and must be
capital assistance for a heavy digestion, inasmuch
as it furnishes air with as little violent exercise as
may-be—your marine should lead a merry life
of it!”

“They are said to murmur at the clashing of
their duties with those of the sea-officers,” said
Lionel; “and I have often heard them complain of
a want of room to make use of their legs.”

“Humph!” ejaculated Polwarth; “the leg is
a part of a man for which I see less actual necessity
than for any other portion of his frame. I
often think there has been a sad mistake in the
formation of the animal; as, for instance, one
can be a very good waterman, as you see, without
legs—a good fiddler, a first-rate tailor, a lawyer,
a doctor, a parson, a very tolerable cook, and
in short, any thing but a dancing master. I see

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no use in a leg unless it be to have the gout—at
any rate, a leg of twelve inches is as good as one
a mile long, and the saving might be appropriated
to the nobler parts of the animal; such as the brain
and the stomach.”

“You forget the officer of light-infantry,” said
Lionel, laughing.

“You might give him a couple of inches more;
though, as every thing in this wicked world, is excellent
only by comparison, it would amount to the
same thing, and on my system a man would be
just as fit for the light-infantry without, as with
legs; and he would get rid of a good deal of troublesome
manœuvring, especially of this new exercise.
It would then become a delightful service,
Leo; for it may be said to monopolize all the
poetry of military life, as you may see. Neither
the imagination nor the body can require more
than we enjoy at this moment, and of what use, I
would ask, are our legs? if any thing, they are incumbrances
in this boat. Here we have a soft
moon, and softer seats—smooth water, and a stimulating
air—on one side a fine country, which,
though but faintly seen, is known to be fertile,
and rich to abundance; and on the other a picturesque
town, stored with the condiments of
every climate—even those rascally privates look
mellowed by the moon-beams, with their scarlet
coats and glittering arms! Did you meet Miss
Danforth in your visit to Tremont-street, Major
Lincoln?”

“That pleasure was not denied me.”

“Knew she of these martial proceedings?”

“There was something exceedingly belligerent
in her humour.”

“Spoke she of the light-infantry, or of any who
serve in the light corps?”

“Your name was certainly mentioned,”

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returned Lionel, a little dryly—“she intimated that the
hen-roosts were in danger.”

“Ah! she is a girl of a million! her very
acids are sweet! the spices were not forgotten
when the dough of her composition was mixed;
would that she were here—five minutes of moon-shine
to a man in love is worth a whole summer
of a broiling sun—'twould be a master-stroke to
entice her into one of our picturesque marches;
your partisan is the man to take every thing by
surprise—women and fortifications! Where now
are your companies of the line; your artillery
and dragoons; your engineers and staff! night-capped
and snoring to a man, while we enjoy here
the very dessert of existence—I wish I could hear
a nightingale!”

“You have a solitary whip-poor-will whistling
his notes, as if in lamentation at our approach.”

“Too dolorous, and by far too monotonous;
'tis like eating pig for a month. But why are our
fifes asleep?”

“The precautions of a whole day should hardly
be defeated by the tell-tale notes of our music,”
said Lionel; “your spirits get the better of your
discretion. I should think the prospect of a fatiguing
march would have lowered your vein.”

“A fico for fatigue!” exclaimed Polwarth—
“we only go out to take a position at the colleges
to cover our supplies—we are for school, Leo—
only fancy the knapsacks of the men to be satchels,
humour my folly, and you may believe yourself
once more a boy.”

The spirits of Polwarth had indeed undergone
a sudden change, when he found the sad anticipations
which crossed his mind on first hearing of a
night inroad, so agreeably disappointed by the
comfortable situation he occupied; and he continued
conversing in the manner described, until

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the boats reached an unfrequented point that
projected a little way into that part of the Bay
which washed the western side of the peninsula of
Boston. Here the troops landed, and were again
formed with all possible despatch. The company
of Polwarth was posted, as before, at the head of
the column of light-infantry, and an officer of the
staff riding a short distance in front, it was directed
to follow his movements. Lionel ordered his
groom to take the route of the troops with the
horses, and placing himself once more by the side
of the captain, they proceeded at the appointed
signal.

“Now for the shades of old Harvard!” said
Polwarth, pointing towards the humble buildings
of the university; “you shall feast this night on
reason, while I will make a more sub—ha! what
can that blind quarter-master mean by taking this
direction! Does he not see that the meadows are
half covered with water!”

“Move on, move on with the light-infantry,”
cried the stern voice of the old major of marines,
who rode but a short distance in their rear. “Do
you falter at the sight of water!”

“We are not wharf-rats,” said Polwarth.

Lionel seized him by the arm, and before the
disconcerted captain had time to recollect himself,
he was borne through a wide pool of stagnant
water, mid-leg deep.

“Do not let your romance cost your commission,”
said the major, as Polwarth floundered
out of his difficulties; “here is an incident at
once for your private narrative of the campaign.”

“Ah! Leo,” said the captain, with a sort of
comical sorrow, “I fear we are not to court the
muses by this hallowed moon to-night!”

“You can assure yourself of that, by observing
that we leave the academical roofs on our left—
our leaders take the high-way.”

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They had by this time extricated themselves
from the meadows, and were moving on a road
which led into the interior.

“You had better order up your groom, and
mount, Major Lincoln,” said Polwarth, sullenly;
“a man need husband his strength, I see.”

“'Twould be folly now; I am wet, and must
walk for safety.”

With the departure of Polwarth's spirits the
conversation began to flag, and the gentlemen
continued their march with only such occasional
communications as arose from the passing incidents
of their situation. It very soon became apparent,
both by the direction given to the columns,
as well as by the hurried steps of their guide, that
the march was to be forced, as well as of some
length. But as the air was getting cool, even Polwarth
was not reluctant to warm his chilled blood
by more than ordinary exertion. The columns
opened for the sake of ease, and each man was
permitted to consult his own convenience, provided
he preserved his appointed situation, and kept
even pace with his comrades. In this manner the
detachment advanced swiftly, a general silence
pervading the whole, as the spirits of the men
settled into that deep sobriety which denotes
much earnestness of purpose. At first the whole
country appeared buried in a general sleep, but
as they proceeded, the barking of the dogs, and
the tread of the soldiery, drew the inhabitants of
the farm-houses to their windows, who gazed in
mute wonder at the passing spectacle, across
which the mellow light of the moon cast a glow
of brilliancy. Lionel had turned his head from
studying the surprise depicted in the faces of
the members of one of these disturbed families,
when the deep tones of a distant church-bell
came sweeping down the valley in which they

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marched, ringing peel on peel, in the quick, spirit-stirring
sounds of an alarm. The men raised
their heads in wondering attention, as they advanced;
but it was not long before the reports of
fire-arms were heard echoing among the hills, and
bell began to answer bell in every direction, until
the sounds blended with the murmurs of the night-air,
or were lost in distance. The whole country
was now filled with every organ of sound that the
means of the people furnished, or their ingenuity
could devise, to call the population to arms. Fires
blazed along the heights, the bellowing of the
conchs and horns, mingled with the rattling of the
muskets and the varied tones of the bells, while
the swift clattering of horses' hoofs began to be
heard, as if their riders were dashing furiously
along the flanks of the party.

“Push on, gentlemen, push on,” shouted the
old veteran of marines, amid the din. “The
Yankees have awoke, and are stirring—we have
yet a long road to journey—push on, light-infantry,
the grenadiers are on your heels!”

The advance quickened their steps, and the
whole body pushed for their unknown object with
as much rapidity as the steadiness of military
array would admit. In this manner the detachment
continued to proceed for some hours, without
halting, and Lionel imagined that they had
advanced several leagues into the country. The
sounds of the alarm had now passed away, having
swept far inland, until the faintest evidence of its
existence was lost to the ear, though the noise of
horsemen, riding furiously along the by-ways,
yet denoted that men were still hurrying past
them, to the scene of the expected strife. As the
deceitful light of the moon was blending with
the truer colours of day, the welcome sound
of `halt!' was passed from the rear up to the
head of the column of light-infantry.

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