rly bursting with brotherly pride, for a direct order from the
King seemed to the little boy a great honor.

"That will mean another pound for Harvard," replied practical Tom as he
bent again to the rake.

Harvard College, the only institution of learning in the country at that
time, was the ambition of many a growing lad in the remote districts.

When the call actually came for Tom to work on the fort, Peter announced,
"I'll do the home work while Tom's away. I'll weed the gardens and drive
the cows to pasture."

"You'll be my right-hand man," declared his father with a gentle slap on
the little fellow's back.

For six days Tom had taken the early start, rowing down the river to
Great Island and then at a brisk pace crossing it to the ocean side,
where fortifications were being erected for protection from attack by
sea. On the last morning his father, whose week was just beginning,
accompanied him.

Peter in consequence felt himself doubly important as the only man at
home. In the forenoon as he was passing the boat-landing, he chanced to
see the basket containing the dinners which had been forgotten.

"They must have it," thought Peter and stepped into the one remaining
boat, which he pushed into the stream.

Peter had had little experience alone on the water. So interested was he
in watching the boat swing into the current of the outgoing tide, that he
did not notice the darkening clouds above. Soon there came a flash
followed by the deep roll of thunder. The swift Piscataqua tide held the
boat amid stream, and the small arms could turn it neither to the right
nor the left. Flash and roar repeatedly followed each other. The boat
swung past the usual landing on Great Island and on down the river. As
the wind tossed the water into white-caps, Peter, who had long before
pulled in the oars, clung frightened to the sides. On sped the small
craft until it had rounded the curve to the great ocean beyond.

Dinner time had come for the men at the fort, but Tom and his father,
with nothing to eat, stood on the rocks, watching the ocean toss in this
yet rainless storm.

Suddenly a little boat swept into sight from the river. Above its side
was seen a small head too far away to be recognized. Instantly the two
watchers, with the same thought, dashed for a boat drawn up on the shore.
Pushing it off, they jumped in and grasped the oars. With strong, even
strokes they made steady headway, while the stray boat plunged on