ses in the town, and, bursting open, set fire in all
directions until it seemed to me that every building on the main street
was in flames, while the smoke drifted over our fortification until it
shut out from view even the enemy.

"Stand by your muskets, lads; this is but a trick to prevent us from
seeing what the troops are doing!" some one shouted, and just then, as
if God himself was aiding us of the colonies, the first breeze of wind I
had felt that day came up from the west, sweeping away the smoke until
we could see line after line of the Britishers marching steadily up the
hill, but not coming in such close formation, being forced to turn aside
here and there lest they trample upon the bodies of those who were left
behind during the first retreat.

I heard some one near me say that General Howe was marching in advance
of his men; but I failed to single him out. It seemed impossible to
center my attention upon any one place; I could see only the blaze of
red with the sunlight tipping the steel bayonets until one's eyes ached
from the glare.

Again we were cautioned not to fire until the word had been given, and
this time, having had somewhat of experience, we obeyed, standing with
beating hearts, parched throats, and joints aching from the labor of
the night, to cut down once more that apparently resistless wave.

Then came the command, and as before, the red-coats fell to the earth in
dozens and twenties until it seemed to me, who was the same as looking
through a veil of red, that those who were upon the ground lay there in
sufficient numbers to form a breastwork for the advancing men.

I could see here and there officers beating men onward with the flat of
their swords, forcing them toward our intrenchments from which came such
a deadly fire.

"Keep it up, lads! Don't waste any time, for they are making ready to
turn tail again!" I shouted, and then Archie leaped up on the platform
by my side, screaming as if suddenly bereft of his senses, while he
discharged his musket again and again.

The lines of red wavered, were broken, or moved back here and there,
until it was impossible to make out amid the smoke any definite action,
and once more I lost my head, knowing nothing save that I was struggling
with all my might to check those who would have over-run us.

And we did check them! For the second time the pride of the king's army
ran in utter rout down the hill, despite all their officers could do to
c