he whole
story from that on.

While Hiram and I gave him an account of our doings from the time of
that unfortunate stumbling upon the watch, he fed us royally, his mother
even dressing herself that she might be certain we had food in plenty,
and before we were done with eating and talking we had discussed a dozen
impractical plans for freeing our comrade.

It was decided that we would call the Minute Boys together at the
ship-yard, and there lay before them what had been asked of us by our
people at Cambridge, after which we might, if possible, find some means
of aiding Archie.

Not until it was broad day did I venture to go home, for only in the
light might a "rebel" walk the streets of his own town without fear of
being molested by the Britishers, and once there it can well be fancied
how warm was my welcome. My mother had heard from Silas of Archie's
imprisonment, and it was only natural she should feel even more anxious
for me than otherwise would have been the case, knowing that already was
one of our number come to grief through striving to aid the Cause.

But for the fact that my father was in full accord with all I strove to
do as a Minute Boy, and had even mapped out the work for our company, I
believe of a verity the good woman would have insisted then and there
that I give over any attempt to play the soldier.

However, she did no more than urge me to be cautious, never running my
head in danger when there was no real need for it, and seemed to have
the idea that such information as we lads could pick up concerning the
movements of the Britishers in Boston, would be of but little value to
those brave men at Cambridge.

I had left Hiram behind me at Silas's home, for there was no reason why
he should show himself, a stranger in the town, more than might be
necessary; but at about nine of the clock he came to tell me that the
Minute Boys were assembling at the rendezvous, and I set off to meet my
future comrades.

CHAPTER V

SUSPICIOUS INFORMATION

When Hiram and I came out at Lyn street, where it was possible to have a
view of the ship-yard, we saw only two lads, one well over toward the
point, and the other south of the pier, who were loitering about
aimlessly as if they had nothing of importance with which to occupy
themselves.

It was on the tip of my tongue to ask Hiram if he had made a mistake in
regard to the gathering of the Minute Boys, and then I realized that
Silas had taken th