ch consul at Boston was far from satisfied, and he took
care to let his suspicions become generally known. "That
innocent-looking merchantman is a British privateer," quoth he; "and
it's a shame to harbor her in the good port of Boston, amid
French-loving people." The consul's words spread like wildfire; and
his suspicions soon passed for facts, without any supporting proof. No
one knows who was the writer, or who the printer; but in a few hours
the people upon the streets had thrust into their hands the following
handbill:--

THIS NIGHT

Will be performed at the steps bottom of
Long Wharf

A COMEDY

of stripping the

BERMUDIAN PRIVATEER.

CITIZENS. Remember there have been
near three hundred of our American vessels
taken by these Bermudians, and have received
the most barbarous treatment from those
Damn'd PIRATES!!!

Now, Americans, if you feel the spirit of
resentment or revenge kindling in your hearts,
let us be united in the cause.

This was enough to rouse the turbulent people of Boston to action.
They well remembered the winter's night, twenty-two years before, when
their harbor was the scene of the first protest against the oppression
of Great Britain. Then they threw overboard the tea, and spared the
ships; this time ship and cargo alike should be destroyed. When night
fell, small bodies of men could be seen marching down to the wharfs,
through the narrow, crooked streets of the old town. Before eight
o'clock Long Wharf was crowded with an angry mob. On the deck of the
threatened vessel stood the captain, arguing and pleading with the
crowd, and at times pointing to the scarlet flag above his head, and
threatening his assailants with the wrath of mighty England. Argument,
entreaty, and threats proved unavailing; and the crowd, gaining
courage with numbers, rushed upon the vessel, and ordered captain and
crew ashore. Leaving the scene, the captain rushed wildly into the
city in search of the British consul; and, in his absence, the mob
began to search his ship. An active and careful search soon brought to
light in an out-of-the-way corner of the hold two swivel-guns, two
three-pounders, forty charges of shot, fifteen pounds of powder, and
eight muskets. All was piled upon the deck, and pointed out to the
captain on his return, amid frantic yells from the enraged populace.
He solemnly protested that the ordnance