supposed North Square might lay, and a kindly fortune guided his
footsteps, for when he had an opportunity to ask the desired question, he
was within a few paces of his destination.

Master Revere's shop was not yet opened, but the young messenger had
little difficulty in arousing the household, and a few moments later he
was standing in a room which, although not furnished with any pretension
to elegance, was more rich in ornamentation than Walter had ever fancied
could be found.

Master Revere did not keep him waiting very long; he had received too many
visitors at unseemly hours to make any delay, and the sun had but just
risen when Walter's mission was accomplished.

"You have come in good time, young sir," Master Revere said, when the boy
had repeated the message.

"The ship on which the stamp distributor for the Province of New Hampshire
sailed from London arrived last evening. I will see him at once, and
before noon you shall take to your friends such information as I have to
give. In the meanwhile you will eat breakfast, and then my eldest son
shall act as host, unless you prefer to sleep, for you have been
travelling all night."

"I can sleep later, sir; but now that I am in Boston I would like to see
the city."

"So you shall. You will find much that is fair and comely to look upon;
but beneath all the air of bravery is the disquietude of oppression, and
the sense of wrongs yet to be wiped out."