most unjust
tax. If so many of the best citizens had not been abroad that night, I
believe the Governor would have called the guards out; but there were
too many prominent men mingled with the throng to make such a
proceeding safe or possible. On the first day of November the church
bells were tolled, as if for a funeral, and when a large crowd had
gathered near Samuel Leavitt's store, a figure called the Goddess of
Liberty was brought out on a bier, with Thomas Pickering, John Jones,
Jotham Lewis and Nehemiah Yartridge acting as pall-bearers.

"All the people on the streets, myself among the number, followed the
procession to where a grave had been dug, and when the image was about
to be buried, Jotham Lewis called out that he thought he perceived some
signs of life in Liberty. With that the statue was carried back to
Master Leavitt's store, and Master McCleary addressed the assembled
throng, saying that if the Goddess could be restored to health her Sons
were the ones to do it. He was greeted with mighty cheers, such as must
have been heard even at the Governor's house; and when the tumult had
died away, Master George Messerve declared that he did not intend to
accept the office the king had bestowed upon him. He then delivered his
commission and instructions to the Sons of Liberty, and next morning
all who are known as belonging to that association marched around the
town, carrying the parchments like a banner, on the point of a sword.

"Master Messerve then took his oath before Justice Claget that he would
not attempt to issue stamps, and the commission was given to the
captain of the 'Saucy Mary,' who is sworn to deliver it up to the
Commissioners of the Stamp Office in London immediately upon his
arrival in England. You see, matters have changed considerably since
the day you started out to deliver a message to Master Revere."

"If I had only been there!" Walter exclaimed, when Stephen ceased
speaking from sheer lack of breath.

"You would not have seen much of the bravery, I fear. The Sons of
Liberty could not attempt to prevent your being made a prisoner on the
charge of stealing, however well they understand the case; or that
would, as Master McCleary says, be too much like trying to overthrow
all law and order, whereas they profess only to battle against
injustice."

"What is injustice, if not imprisoning me on such a charge?"

"You understand what I mean, Walter. Haines does not think for a moment
that