re of his sloop. That was the first time he showed himself an
enemy to the Colonies, and father declared he was no longer a brother
of his. Don't talk about him any longer. It's a subject that makes me
sick at heart. Suppose we go down to see Chris Gore? It will be better
than standing here listening to these men, who have but little idea of
the subject they are pretending to discuss.
The wound on Chris's shoulder was healing rapidly; but it was not
deemed safe for him to venture out-of-doors yet, and his comrades felt
it their duty to give him a detailed account of all that had occurred
during the day.
The snow was beginning to fall when Amos and Jim left Mr. Gore's home,
and before the next morning it had covered the earth with a mantle of
dazzling whiteness.
CHAPTER V.
A NIGHT OF TERROR.
Amos and Jim were early astir on Monday morning, the fifth of March,
but before noon came both were convinced that the threatened trouble
would blow over without the slightest semblance of a conflict between
the soldiers and the citizens.
During the forenoon they had not so much as heard of Hardy Baker, or
that faction to which he had allied himself, and Jim said, with a
quiet chuckle of satisfaction:
"I reckon the barber got as much of a lesson as he needed Saturday
afternoon, and has given over trying to set right the wrongs of the
people."
"He must be at work, or we should have heard something regarding him,"
Amos replied, and then ceased even to think of the apprentice.
Shortly after noon those assembled under the Liberty Tree,--and there
were quite as many as had gathered on Friday and Saturday,--were told
that the Council had discussed with Governor Hutchinson the question
of removing the troops from the city, and assured him the people would
be satisfied with nothing else.
It was also said the Governor had refused to do anything regarding the
matter; but that Samuel Adams had publicly declared the troops should
be sent away, and that without loss of time.
At about three o'clock in the afternoon, Amos and Jim heard once more
from Master Piemont's assistant.
It was told under the Liberty Tree that he had been seen in company
with Attucks, the mulatto, and half a dozen others, near Wentworth's
Wharf, and that Hardy had distinguished himself by taunting with
cowardice, a squad of soldiers, until the redcoats avenged the insults
with blows; but nothing more serious than a street brawl was the res
|