was the news. He returned in half an hour.

"Me tink all de people gone mad, massa. Dey swarming out of deir
houses and filling de streets, all wid guns on deir shoulders, all de
while shouting and halloing 'Down wid de English! Down wid de
redcoats! dey shan't have our guns; dey shan't take de cannon and de
powder.' Dere were ole Massa Bill Emerson, the preacher, wid his gun
in his hands, shouting to de people to stand firm and to fight till
de last; dey all shout, 'We will!' Dey bery desperate; me fear great
fight come on."

"What are you going to do, father?" Harold asked.

"Nothing, my boy. If, as it is only too likely, this is the beginning
of a civil war, I have determined to offer my services to the
government. Great numbers of loyalists have sent in their names
offering to serve if necessary, and from my knowledge of drill I
shall, of course, be useful. To-day I can take no active part in the
fight, but I shall take my horse and ride forward to meet the troops
and warn the commanding officer that resistance will be attempted
here."

"May I go with you, father?"

"Yes, if you like, my boy. Pompey, saddle two horses at once. You are
not afraid of being left alone, Mary?" he said, turning to his wife.
"There is no chance of any disturbance here. Our house lies beyond
the town, and whatever takes place will be in Concord. When the
troops have captured the guns and stores they will return."