saw yet more barges put out from Boston, and afterward learned that
General Clinton was joining Howe as a volunteer, bringing with him
additional reinforcements.

All this time we were struggling to make such preparations as lay in our
power, and as the moments passed without any further movement on the
part of the enemy, some of our people began to believe General Howe had
had enough of it--that we would be allowed to remain on the field
victorious.

Hiram speedily put an end to any such hope, saying to one man who had
declared that the lobster backs would not come upon us again:

"Don't count your chickens before they have begun to hatch. If fresh
troops are coming across from Boston, think you they will be allowed to
remain on the shore idle? Do you believe General Howe is going to take a
flogging from the rag-tag and lay down quietly under it? Instead of
predicting what you fancy, make ready for the next assault."

"When a man has only three charges for his musket he hasn't much to do
in the way of getting ready," the fellow replied as he shook his powder
horn to show how nearly empty it was.

"If so be you will, it is possible to bring down three lobster backs
with that number of charges, and unless we waste our ammunition by
shooting at random, there is yet a chance that you will see the back of
the red-coats again as they go scurrying down the hill."

I looked Hiram full in the face, striving to make out if he really meant
all he said; but I might as well have stared at the earth, so far as
gaining any information was concerned. I have seen many a man who could
put on a bold front when he knew mortal danger menaced, but never one
who was able to stand up with a smile on his lips and a quip on his
tongue when he knew he had been much the same as been driven into a
corner, as did Hiram Griffin that day.

I believe we were left a full half-hour waiting for the third assault.
Certain it was that the time seemed long to me, and I whispered once to
Archie, saying:

"I would they might set upon us without delay, for then I shall be able
to forget how sorely I am needing so much of water as will moisten my
tongue."

"Don't wish the time away, lad," my comrade said gravely. "It may be
that you and I have not overly many minutes of life left."

Hiram heard this dismal speech, and quickly stepping a pace nearer to
Archie he said with somewhat of irritation in his tone:

"Are you counting on being the first Min