you were saying to yourself that all his words
were true, all his beliefs noble, and all that he would do exactly
right.

It was one thing to call ourselves Minute Boys; to write to Governor
Henry and to be praised by him, and quite another matter to be able to
do anything whatsoever in aid of the Cause.

It is true that we did not go far afield in search of opportunities, and
for the very good reason that we knew not where to go. Between our town
of James and the village of York we knew our way as well as we did
through the pantry to that jar of cake which Aunt Dinah always kept so
well filled; but beyond that it was all a strange world to us, so
strange that we doubted whether we might make our way even so far as
Baltimore without writing ourselves down as the veriest country louts.

Then came that day when my Lord Cornwallis led his red-coated men into
James Town itself, and we found ourselves not only surrounded by these
soldiers of the king, but literally over-run by them. So high and mighty
was his majesty's officer that he quartered his soldiers here, there, or
in the other place, at whatsoever house pleased his fancy, insisting
that we Virginians who claimed we had the right to break off from the
mother country, should take care of those who had come to shoot us
down.

Then of a verity did it seem to me the time had come when we Minute Boys
might do something, and I said as much to Saul and Pierre.

My cousin held his peace, looking around eagerly as if striving to see
here or there some opportunity, while little Frenchie shrugged his
shoulders as if the matter was of little consequence to him, and I,
irritated by his movements, taunted him with being a coward, saying it
was all very well for him, while the British soldiers were at a
distance, to talk loudly about forming a company of Minute Boys, but
instantly the enemy were come within reach he was well content to lie
down at their feet.

I was ashamed of myself even as I spoke, and looked to see Pierre fly
into a rage; but, instead, he shrugged his little shoulders yet higher,
advising that I go back into the stable yard where Uncle 'Rasmus, with
the hounds around him, was sunning himself, and there take advice from
the old negro who claimed that where "chillun an' women were mixed" no
good could come.

"And to what end should I take advice from Uncle 'Rasmus?" I cried in a
rage, whereupon Pierre, waving his hands with the palms uppermost, said
in a