g, but she is soon to be married to the bookseller, Mr. Knox,
greatly against the wishes of the family; not because he is not worthy
of her, but because he opposes the king and his ministers," said
Berinthia.

"Are you and Miss Newville still friends?"

"Yes, just as good friends as ever. Her father, of course, is a Tory,
and her mother is a red-hot one, but Ruth keeps her own counsel. You
can have no idea what a noble girl she is, gracious to everybody, but
true to herself. She had an offer of marriage from Lord Upperton, a
little while ago, and refused him, to the astonishment of all her
friends, and especially her mother. Just why she rejected his suit no
one knows. Intimate as we are, she never has let me into the secret."

"From what little I have seen of Miss Newville, she seems to be a lady
of sterling character," Robert replied.

"She has many admirers, especially among his majesty's officers. She
receives them with charming courtesy, listens to their flattering
words, but is very chary of her favors. I do not wonder that half a
dozen colonels, majors, and captains are dead in love with her. I hope
you will see her while here. She often inquires about you and Rachel,
and wishes she could have another ride in a pung. I'll tell you what
I'll do,--invite her to take supper with us, and then you'll see what
a glorious girl she is."

"I can believe all you say of her."

Once more, the following morning, Robert had the pleasure of shaking
hands with Doctor Warren and Samuel Adams, and receiving the thanks of
the committee of supply for the contribution from Rumford.

Mr. Adams said the Colonies must prepare to enter upon a struggle to
maintain their liberties. Governor Gage was carrying things with a
high hand. A few nights before, a body of troops had seized the powder
in the magazines out towards Medford, and taken it to the Castle.[52]
General Gage was seizing muskets. He had purchased cannon and cohorn
mortars, and chain-shot of Mr. Scott, and had paid him five hundred
pounds for them. He hoped the people of Rumford would put themselves
in a condition to be ready at a minute's warning to resist any
aggressions on the part of the troops. It was evident that the king
was determined to carry out his plans by force of arms.

[Footnote 52: The powder belonging to the Province was stored in a
magazine on Quarry Hill, in Charlestown. During the month of August,
1774, several of the towns removed their proportion