Massachusetts, and a boot, symbolical of Lord Bute, with Satan peeping out
of it as he displayed a copy of the Stamp Act. John also described the
scenes when the more lawless members of the community destroyed the
building which had been erected as the office for the sale of stamps, and
the dwelling of the Lieutenant Governor was sacked.

"Does your father believe it is by such a course we can be relieved of
oppression?" Walter asked in surprise, as John Revere concluded his story
with an account of the violence offered to several others of the king's
officers.

"By no means. He was among those who gave public expressions of regret
that such deeds should have been done."

Then young Revere told of the town-meeting which was held immediately
following the scenes of violence, and by the time he had concluded, the
boys were on North Square again, where Master Revere was ready to deliver
the message Walter was to take back to Portsmouth. "I have seen Master
George Messerve," he said, "and believe he fully sympathizes with us. He
has already publicly resigned the office of stamp distributor, and I doubt
not will be found on our side when the decisive moment comes."

Walter understood that with the message given was an intimation for him to
depart, and although he could have done full justice to a dinner, he took
his leave without delay.

There is no question but that Master Revere would have been more than
willing to both feed the young messenger and provide him with sufficient
funds to pay his passage across to Charlestown in the ferry-boat had he
any idea that Walter was penniless. The boy made no explanations, and his