e once more, several hundred
people were there, eager to learn the latest intelligence regarding
Chris; but he could only make the same reply he had made so often
during the day, and when it was learned that he really had no other
information than this to impart, the sympathetic or the curious ones
fell back, gathering in little groups to discuss the terrible events
of the day, as they had been discussing them since early morning.

When he was thus left comparatively alone, Amos observed, for the
first time, that Jim Gray was present at this open-air meeting; that
Jim's eyes were red, as with much weeping, and that he paced to and
fro, speaking to no one, even refusing to reply when accosted.

Amos understood what was in his friend's mind, and he hastened to
apply the same balm with which Master Revere had cheered him.

"That's the way I have tried to figure it," Jim replied, after
listening patiently to a repetition of the goldsmith's remarks on the
subject. "Yet, at the same time, Amos, it is a fact that poor little
Chris would not be dying this evening if we hadn't taken it into our
heads to give Master Lillie a warning; and whether or no it be that
there is more in this than we can see now, as Master Revere proposes,
we shall be forced to remember that through us, and no one else, was
Chris drawn into the matter."

"But think of this, Jim: he did not receive the wound while we were
putting the pole into position, but afterwards, when he was only a
spectator, and he might have been there, even though knowing nothing
of what was done last night."

"Yet if the pole hadn't been put up he would not have been there, even
as a spectator," Jim persisted.

"That is true, and I wish from the bottom of my heart that we had had
no hand in it; but it has been done now, and repentance is of no
avail, so far as poor little Chris is concerned. The whole city is
aroused, and I have heard those say, who should know, that most likely
this will lead to the soldiers being driven out of town."

"Think you that could be done without bloodshed? General Gage, as an
officer in the King's army, has no right to leave this city unless
obliged to by force of arms."

"Whatever may come of it, I know not; but--"

"Well, I can tell you," and Hardy Baker, who had approached
unobserved, stepped in front of his two friends with the air of one
whose shoulders are weighted heavily with burden of state. "Of course
I am in a way to hear a good