_Henry_. "Why were they called '_minute men_,' father?"

_Gen. P_. "Because they stood ready to march at a _minutes_ warning,
should occasion require."

_John_. "Was Enoch Crosby a minute man?"

_Gen. P_. "No; he was not; but he stood ready to enlist, at any time
when his services were needed.

"We will now pass on to the year 1775. In April of that year occurred
the famous battle of Lexington. A party of British troops had been
sent from Boston, to destroy some military stores, belonging to the
Americans, at Concord, north of Boston. On their way thither, they
came to Lexington; and here they fired upon a small company of
Americans, and killed several.

"It was a cruel act--worthy only of savages. But it roused the
Americans in that part of the country; and they immediately sent
expresses--that is, men on horseback--to carry the tidings abroad.

"One of these expresses was directed to take his course for Danbury,
and to speed his flight. On his arrival, he told the story.

"It produced alarm--and well it might; but it also produced
resolution. The bells were rung--cannon were fired--drums beat to
arms. Within a few hours, many people had assembled--the young and the
old--all eager to do something for their country. One hundred and
fifty young men came forward, and entered their names as soldiers--
chose a captain Benedict to lead them--and begged that they might go