coming of
the lobster backs," he said, much as though sorrowing because we had not
been able to do that which an equal number of men would have failed at.
"There is a chance that we might take aboard a bit more of meat and
grain, with the Westons to help us, even if the second farm does stand
two miles from the shore."

Fancying that I read on his face a half-formed determination to return
to Hog island that very moment, I cried indignantly:

"The Minute Boys shall not have a hand in anything whatsoever save the
running of this sloop, until those who have been wounded are cared for
by a surgeon. Go whither you will so they can be set ashore where kindly
hands may minister to their hurts; but more than that is not to be done
this day."

I truly believe Hiram, glutton though he was in behalf of the Cause,
felt more than a little bit ashamed of having suggested that we might
accomplish more, for he made no reply to my angry outburst; but
continued on with me to look after the injured lads, bathing this wound
or giving that sufferer the water which he craved, without heed to his
own injury, which was indeed slight.

As a matter of course the schooner, having more canvas than we spread to
the breeze, speedily drew away from us; but when she was come to the
passage between Charlestown and Noddle island it was a case of standing
down against the wind, and as we ran past I had a good view of her deck.

Only five men could I count on their feet, although there might have
been sound ones below; but surely it was that they had suffered more
than we.

We had no argument as to where it might be best to make a landing, for
with the wind due south it would have been little less than folly had we
attempted to gain the mouth of the Cambridge river. The Britishers could
have sent out guard-boats in sufficient number to board us past all hope
of successful resistance on our part, and once that schooner arrived at
Boston town with the news of what we Minute Boys had done, our rejoicing
must speedily have been changed to wailing.

Venturesome though Hiram Griffin was, he did not even suggest that we do
other than take such course as was indicated by the direction of the
wind, and we went on past Morton's point, counting to bring the voyage
to an end at near about the Penny ferry, where we surely would find
housing for our wounded, while those who were sound in body might make
their way to the American encampment.

The laden sloop