My idea is that, instead of speaking loudly of
what we would do, it is best first to finish the business upon which we
are embarked."

Then it was that Archie laughed heartily, and with great good humor, as
he said cheerily, but without intending to throw anything of irony into
his tone:

"There are times, Luke Wright, when you speak with much of good sense.
Silas is at fault, and I also, because of raising our voices when it
would have been better our tongues had remained quiet; but that which he
proposed was at the same time so surprising and so satisfying that I
forgot we were bound to carry out Master Warren's work before doing, or
even thinking of, anything else."

"I will say no more about it," Silas added with a laugh; "but at the
same time am bound to maintain that we can do as I have stated, if so be
the matter is gone about in proper fashion, and when we are at the
ship-yard once more I will lay before you lads the plan in something
approaching due order."

It was then we ceased speaking and gave all our attention to the task in
hand, as indeed we had need to, for no one could say how soon we might
come upon those who, mistrusting somewhat of our purpose and being
enemies to the Cause, would put an end to our share of the night's work.

My comrades, as well as I, understood that we had need to gain the
landing place as quickly as might be, for once on shore there remained a
dozen or fourteen miles to be traveled before we were come to Lexington.

It is not needed that I should make a very long story of what ought to
be told in few words, and therefore it is that instead of setting down
all which we said and did from the time of beginning the journey afoot
until we were come to our destination, I will content myself with saying
that Doctor Warren's message was delivered before sunrise, and we lads,
leg-weary and hungry, threw ourselves down upon the straw in Master
Hadley's barn to wait until Colonel Barrett should say we were at
liberty to depart.

Now all this had been plain sailing, and we should have found no reason
to plume ourselves upon having done anything deserving of credit, for
from the time we screened ourselves when the guard boat appeared, until
having come to Master Hadley's house, no man had placed aught in our
way. Yet I did feel somewhat of pride, thinking that we had done our
first work in behalf of the Cause, all of which was folly as you may
see, for surely three hulking lads need n