n! Come
in!

WINWOOD
(to Richard).
Are we on time? What have you planned for us, Dick? My hands and heart
are ready for a night's work! (Offering his portion of cider in loving-
cup fashion.) Some cider?

RICHARD.
No. I've supped on revolution!

WINWOOD.
Would there were something stirring!

RICHARD
(throughout with growing excitement).
Are folk still in the Old South Meeting-house?

WINWOOD
(impatiently).
Aye, still talking of what's to be done. Hancock and Paul Revere are at
a coffee-house.

COREY
(as the lads gather about table).
Come, Dick, you've heard the governor's reply. How would _you_ deal
with the taxers?

RICHARD
(at table, center, one foot on table and one on chair).
I'd set their tea to brew!

ALL
(amazed).
What!

RICHARD.
In a monstrous teapot!

PEABODY
(jesting).
As big as Rigby's bowl.

RICHARD
(flaming with excitement).
Oh, larger! Larger!

AMESBURY
(indicating large cockade).
Or as Frank Wharton's hat.

RICHARD
(inspired).
Larger by far!

AMESBURY.
You mean----

RICHARD
(impassioned).
I'd take the ocean!

ALL.
The ocean!
Zounds!
The harbor!
Does he mean it?

RICHARD.
Overboard--all of it! Listen. The ships are deserted: the sailors on
shore drinking at different taverns. If we can go disguised, we can
slip to the water front unnoticed. You know how many Indians roam our
streets, and no one ever heeds them. We'll all be braves and
chieftains.

AMESBURY.
But where are our disguises?

RIGBY
(opening his chests, tossing out his treasures, wild with delight).
Here! Here and here!

RICHARD.
Wait. We must have other followers. Followers, said I? _Leaders_--with
sagacity. Run, Winwood! Speak to John Hancock, Paul Revere, and Dr.
Warren. You know the coffee-house they sup at. Tell them there are
disguises for us all. But let no red-coat hear you. Quick! The time is
passing.

[Exit Winwood, on the run.

RIGBY
(half-overcome with his emotion).
Richard!

RICHARD
(helping him and the rest to dress, assisting first one and then
another).
Be quick. Let me help you. Here are feathers. Beads. A knife. Hatchets.
A Frenchman's sash-belt. A head-dress.

AMESBURY
(hurriedly fastening on his disguise).
Where are yours, Dick?

RICHARD.
Hush! (Touches his knee.) I cannot scale a ladder. Listen! Here's
Winwood.

WINWOOD
(bursting in).
Paul Revere, John Hancock, Dr. Warren--all come with us. I've run ahead
to tell you they'll meet us on the way. Give