es, therefore, made up their minds to go.
Some few, indeed, remained behind, counting upon their humble station,
or inoffensiveness. No harsh treatment of them is recorded. The one
prominent Tory who remained, Mather Byles the minister, soon weathered
the storm that rose against him. The remaining loyalists, who planned to
depart, were some eleven hundred in number. It was necessary that they
should be accommodated in the ships, necessary also that they should
take with them such of their valuables as were easily portable. Howe
gave orders that room be made for them, and the orders were unselfishly
obeyed by the army and navy.

But the haste, the disorder, even the tumult, in the days immediately
following the order to depart, were extreme. Each regiment had to be
assigned its transports, each Tory to find space for himself and his
family, and if possible his goods. There was sorting of effects,
bundling up of valuables, and strenuous efforts to get all in safety
before Washington should bombard. Diarists agree in the concise terms
with which they describe the town. Says Newell for the 8th: "The town
all hurry and commotion, the troops with the Refugees and Tories all
embarking." For the 9th he adds: "D^o. D^o. D^o." And for the 10th
writes Lieutenant Barker: "Nothing but hurry and confusion."

In the meantime the Americans at Dorchester strengthened their works,
and fortified one more eminence, which commanded the channel. Washington
did not wish to cannonade the British, for if not attacked he saw no
advantage in attacking, lest the town should be set on fire and burned.
He therefore bided his time. All his action until now, he wrote Hancock,
was but preparatory to taking post on Nook's Hill, a low promontory
which ran so far out upon Dorchester flats that from its top cannon
could enfilade the British lines at the Neck, and could command almost
any part of Boston. An attempt to fortify it upon the night of the 9th
was betrayed by the folly of the men, who kindled a fire and were
dispersed by British cannon. But by this Washington was not disturbed.
He was willing that Howe should delay for a while, if the delay were not
too long. He himself had reasons for waiting, since he reasoned that
the British would, on departing, attempt to seize New York, and he
wanted time to prepare and despatch a force to hold that place. So he
watched the British army, sent a regiment of riflemen to strengthen New
York, and made ready fi