Mrs. Wilson said she was not frightened and had no fear whatever of
being left alone. The horses were soon brought round, and Captain
Wilson and his son mounted and rode off at full speed. They made a
_detour_ to avoid the town, and then, gaining the highroad, went
forward at full speed. The alarm had evidently been given all along
the line. At every village the bells were ringing, the people were
assembling in the streets, all carrying arms, while numbers were
flocking in from the farmhouses around. Once or twice Captain Wilson
was stopped and asked where he was going.

"I am going to tell the commander of the British force, now marching
hither, that if he advances there will be bloodshed--that it will be
the beginning of civil war. If he has orders to come at all hazards,
my words will not stop him; if it is left to his discretion, possibly
he may pause before he brings on so dire a calamity."

It was just dawn when Captain Wilson and Harold rode into Lexington,
where the militia, 130 strong, had assembled. Their guns were loaded
and they were ready to defend the place, which numbered about 700
inhabitants.

Just as Captain Wilson rode in a messenger ran up with the news that
the head of the British column was close at hand. Some of the militia
had dispersed to lie down until the English arrived. John Parker, who
commanded them, ordered the drums to beat and the alarm-guns to be
fired, and his men drew up in two ranks across the road.

"It is too late now, Harold," Captain Wilson said. "Let us get out of
the line of fire."