and even of their intention,
to avenge the wrongs under which the colonists were suffering,
believing from past experience that the troops would not dare proceed
to extremities with the citizens, more especially since
Lieutenant-Governor Hutchinson "doubted his authority to order the
soldiers to fire upon the populace."[A]

These boys had shown several times in the vicinity of this same
so-called Liberty Hall of what acts they were capable, and there was not
one of them but that looked forward to the time when it should be
possible to do something more than simply vent his displeasure in words.

They had been among the throng who, in open defiance of the law, had
made prisoner of Giles Hendricks; tarred and feathered, and then
carried him in a cart through the principal streets of the city to the
Liberty Tree, because he had given evidence regarding the smuggling of
wine from Rhode Island. Here under the old elm he had been forced to
swear he would never be guilty of a like crime in the future, and only
then was allowed to go free, wearing his closely fitting and decidedly
uncomfortable garment of tar.

The gathering on this particular night at Liberty Hall was, in the
opinion of those participating, of great importance.

Several shopkeepers had failed to keep the promise not to import
British goods, made in January, and on the afternoon of this day,
Hardy Baker, who was apprenticed to Master Piemont, the barber, had
learned that Theophilus Lillie, whose shop was on Hanover Street, near
the New Brick Church, had not only broken his agreement, but openly
declared it was his intention to sell whatsoever he pleased.

"He boasts he will sell even tea, if it so be his customers wish to
buy," Master Baker said, in concluding his story of the shopkeeper's
iniquities.

"How did you learn this?" Amos Richardson asked, quite sharply, for
the barber's apprentice was noted rather for his imaginative powers
than a strict adherence to the truth.

[Illustration]

"I heard it when I went to the Custom House this morning."

"But what were you doing there? How long is it since you have been
hobnobbing in that quarter?"

"Am I accused of being friendly with the 'bloody backs'?" Hardy asked,
indignantly. "Can't I go anywhere in the town but that suspicions are
aroused?"

"It will be well for you to show anger only after you have explained
why you were at the Custom House."

"There is no reason why I should be forced to do s