"And how much may that be? He has no friends at court who can--"

"Neither does he wish for one there, Stephen Kidder. He is a man who has
the welfare of the colonists too much at heart to seek for friends near
the throne."

"It is there he will need them if he hopes to benefit New Hampshire."

"Perhaps not. The time is coming when it behooves each of us to observe
well the law regarding our arms."

"You mean the statute which declares that' every male from sixteen to
sixty must have ready for use one musket and bayonet, a knapsack,
cartridge-box, one pound of powder, twenty bullets and twelve flints?' "

"There is none other that I know of."

"Then I shall not be a law-breaker, for I am provided in due form. But
what has that to do with your mill? I think you will find it difficult to
buy the stamped paper necessary for the lawful making of your contracts
unless you dispose of your outfit for war or hunting, which is the best to
be found in Portsmouth."

"That I shall never do, even if I fail in getting the mill. Do you know,
Stephen, that I was admitted to the ranks of the Sons of Liberty last
night?"

"The honours are being heaped high on the head of the would-be miller of
the Pascataqua," Kidder replied, with a laugh. " Do you expect the Sons of
Liberty will do away with the necessity for stamped paper?"