lighted to meet Roger Stanley.

"I didn't hear of the meeting till last evening," said Roger, "and I
have come in to see what is going on."

The rain had drenched his clothes.

"See here, Roger, you are wet to the skin; you must have some toddy.
Come along, I'll stand treat," said Tom.

They entered the Cromwell's Head, and each took a glass of flip, then
made their way to the Long Room in Queen Street. Climbing the stairs,
Tom rapped on a door. A moment later a panel opened, and a nose,
mouth, and eyes appeared. Tom gave another rap which the nose, mouth,
and eyes seemed to understand, for the door opened, and they passed in
and it closed behind them.

Several of the Sons of Liberty were already there. Some were smoking
pipes, others sipping mugs of hot punch. Edward Preston was sitting at
a table writing.

"The sachem has just finished his proclamation, and is going to read
it," said Henry Purkett.

The room became still, and Preston read what he had written.

ABRANT KAN-AK-AR-A-TOPH-QUA, CHIEF SACHEM OF THE MOHAWKS,
KING OF THE SIX NATIONS AND LORD OF ALL THEIR CASTLES, ETC.,
ETC., TO ALL LIEGE SUBJECTS. HEALTH.

WHEREAS, tea is an Indian Plant and of right belongs to the
Indians of every land and tribe; and whereas, our good
allies, the English, have in lieu of it given us that
pernicious liquor, Rum, which they have poured down our
throats to steal away our brains; and whereas, the English
have learned the most expeditious way or method of drawing
an infusion of said _Tea_, without the expense of wood or
trouble of fire, to the benefit and emolument of the East
India trade, and, as vastly greater quantities may be used
by that method than by that heretofore practiced in this
country, and therefore help to support the East India
Company under the present melancholy circumstances:

THEREFORE, we of our certain knowledge, special grace, and
mere motion will permit or allow any of our liege subjects
to barter, buy, or procure of any of our English allies,
_Teas_ of any kind: _provided_ always each man can purchase
not less than ten nor more than one hundred and fourteen
boxes at a time and those the property of the East India
Company; and _provided_ also that they pour the same into
the lakes, rivers, and ponds, that, while our subjects in
their hunting, instead of slaking their thirst w