the New Hampshire province to take
their places. I must say the provincials, thus far, have shown
commendable zeal and persistence in maintaining the rebellion. They
have constructed formidable earthworks on Cobble Hill, so near my
lines that they have compelled the warships to drop down the river to
a safer anchorage."

"If by any chance the town should be evacuated, what think you, your
excellency, those of us who are loyal to the king ought to do?" Mr.
Newville asked.

"That is really a very difficult question to answer. Your loyalty and
that of all ladies and gentlemen who stand by the king undoubtedly
will make you obnoxious to the rebels. The bitterness is increasing. I
fear you will not be shown much leniency."

"Would you think it strange, your excellency, if they were not
lenient?" Ruth inquired.

"Why should they not be, Miss Newville?"

"Would they not be likely to regard those who support the king as
their enemies?"

"Why should they? You have not taken up arms. Of course, General
Ruggles and Captain Coffin might be regarded as obnoxious, and would
have to take care of themselves."

"But will they not say we have given moral support to their enemies,
and is not moral support likely to be as heinous in their sight as the
taking of arms? If we ask them to be lenient, will they not inquire if
the king's troops were merciful when they set Charlestown on fire?"
Ruth asked.

A flush came upon the face of General Howe. Although he commanded the
troops at Bunker Hill, he had not ordered the burning of the town.
General Gage was responsible for that act. He felt a little
uncomfortable over the question, for the latest newspapers from London
told him the people of England condemned the destruction of the homes
of so many inhabitants.

"I am free to say it was rather hard on them thus to have their homes
destroyed without a moment's notice," he replied.

"Will not," Ruth inquired, "the provincials think his majesty's forces
were wanting in leniency when they recall what was done at Falmouth a
few days ago, where the inhabitants were given only two hours to
remove from the town? Not one minute over that would Captain Mowatt
grant them, though women went down on their knees before him. Was it
not inhuman for him to fire bombs among the panic-stricken multitude,
setting the buildings on fire, destroying the homes of five hundred
people? If his majesty's officers do these things, what may we not
expect from