ot carry their heads very high
because of simply having sailed a skiff two or three miles and then
walked a dozen more over a smooth highway.

I venture to say that Colonel Barrett did not hold us very high in his
esteem because we had succeeded in delivering the message. He acted, as
most like he felt, as if it was nothing of consequence which we had
done, save for the fact that he had received the information, and a
single lad a dozen years of age might have accomplished the same end.

I would have been well content to remain stretched out at full length on
the straw in Master Hadley's barn until another night had come, so weary
was I from walking and worn with lack of sleep; but when Colonel Barrett
summoned us to the house, evidently for the purpose of sending us back,
we could not well make protest.

He had prepared a written reply to Doctor Warren's message, and this he
handed to me as he said:

"You may return as soon as is your pleasure; it matters little whether
Master Warren receives my reply early or late."

"It will not be safe for us to make a try at getting into Boston until
after nightfall, therefore we may go our way leisurely," I said to the
gentleman, addressing him as I believed it was proper a soldier should
address his superior officer, which shows that Silas's idea of enrolling
a company of Minute Boys had found speedy lodgment in my mind.

"Set off when you will, and see to it that the paper is delivered
safely, although that which it contains is so worded as to convey little
of importance to an enemy," he added carelessly, and turned from us as
if to say that he was done with speaking, therefore we might go when it
pleased us best.

Now I had had in mind when we left Boston, that having once arrived at
this house of Master Hadley's as messengers from Doctor Warren, we would
be received with open arms and greatly praised because of the valuable
service rendered; but we were not even asked to stay our hunger, and at
that time I believe of a verity I could have eaten anything less hard
than a flint.

However, not for all the food in Massachusetts colony would I have
admitted that we stood in need of refreshments after so long a delay had
been made in offering us any, and without further words I led the way
down the lane to the road, Archie and Silas following close at my heels.

It was not until we had traveled a full mile that either of us ventured
to speak, and then Archie said as if the