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"But that devil Stark has taken Simpson under his wing," said another of the company, "and it might be dangerous to meddle with any of his property."

difficult than he at first supposed. He had been stationed at Medford, where he had collected a small band of volunteers; but when the resolution was made to attack the

"The foul fiend take Stark and all he British from Bunker's hill, he was sent for favors!" said Morton.

"You may consign him to his infernal majesty and all his troop, if you please, but that will not avail while the ringleaders of this revolt are alive and active. The head of the serpent must be crushed, and that speedily. Come, come, Morton, no more speechifying, but be up and doing. The letter says that the rebels are to move toward Charlestown heights; there we must meet them. Let him who wishes for promotion be prepared to deserve it."

In the mean time the party in Boston were separating to join their several companies. The elder Palmer had been appointed Brigadier General, and his son Major.

"That was a dreadful night," says the wife of the latter, in a journal kept until her death, which occurred in 1838. "My father, my husband, and six brothers, all leaving me at once, perhaps never to return. That day Mr. Warren, who had been made General, dined with us, and while at dinner said to me, 'Come, my little girl, drink a glass of wine with me for the last time, for I am going upon the hill to-morrow, and I shall never come off! My family were removed to Medford. The next day I rose very early, and could hear the cannon from Bunker's hill, and see the smoke of burning Charlestown. I hastened to Watertown to hear the news. General Warren's servant met me in front of our house, and seizing my horse's head, (for I was in a light chaise,) he exclaimed, 'Oh, missee, missee! the debils hab killed my master!' and the tears streamed down his swarthy face." Thus was his presentiment true.

But we anticipate, and trust our readers will make allowances for this disconnected narrative, as it is rather a collection of facts han an imaginative tale.

Major Stark had found his task more

in haste, and in a short time was on his way, endeavoring to increase his numbers as he went. But the people in general were too much terrified at the idea of opposing the immense armies of England, which had so long tyrannized over them with impunity.

But we are leaving our young hero in rather a disagreeable situation-cursing his folly, and maddened at the thought of being made a prisoner at such a moment. Night was drawing near, and a heavy cloud rested on the hills, which he could plainly see from the windows of his solitary apartment. All the company he had left below had dispersed, and the calls for lights in different parts of the house were the only sounds that reached his ears. Too much excited to remain quiet, he paced the floor back and forth. The window was too high to attempt an escape in that direction. At the door stood the armed sentinel. There was no hope of release save through means mentioned in the letter he had received so mysteriously. It was now eight o'clock in the evening. "Oh, sister!" he wrote, (in a letter from which, as well as several others, the author has been favored with extracts,) "the agony of those few hours cannot be described! What was to be the result of

my imprudence? To think that my first act on joining the patriots should have been so rash and imprudent! Why did I not inquire more about my companions before I trusted them? And what could there have been in the letter to have caused such severity toward me? From that time to this I have never been able to ascertain."

"What are you about there, youngster?" asked the sentinel, as he watched the movements of master Dick, and saw him at work hammering a nail into one of the window sills.

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will be pursued. Mr. Simpson has fed your horse. Turn to the right. There's a terrible muster in the village. Take keer you're not shot down without warning. I don't see what on airth possesses everybody, but they're all running about like mad. John Brown has been working in his shop three days and nights, too, fixing the guns. There's going to be some rumpus kicked up soon."

off at full speed, he encountered a body of men moving along the road, and headed by the man he most wished, yet feared, to encounter-Major, now Colonel Stark. No time was allowed for explanation. It was now nine o'clock. Lights blazed from every window, men were running to and fro, some armed; others, uncertain what to do, yet dreading the destruction of their property if they took any active part, contented themselves with watching the motions of the more daring, willing to reap the benefits of a struggle in which they were too cowardly to take a part. On sped Douglas, heeding nothing, caring for nothing, but to reach Boston, and join the band of desperate spirits among whom he had enrolled himself. If challenged on the way, he replied not but still spurred on, heedless of a stray shot which was now and then fired upon him. His horse, covered with foam, at length stopped before the door of Mr. Palmer's house. The old housekeeper, who was bustling about in the hall, fretting at every thing and every body, was almost overthrown by the impetuous youth, so eager was he to obtain an audience with those he expected to meet.

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Why, bless me, sir, what is the matter?" exclaimed Prudence. "You come in as if you were skeered out of your sinses. The men folks are gone long ago, and Mrs. Palmer and the girls are crying dreadful bad, for they don't know nothing at all what is to become of them; and Miss Paine and Miss Mary are making shot bags, and the

"Shoot them down!" exclaimed a voice house is all topsy turvy." from the window above.

"O Lor! O Lor! Gallop away, sir; you aint got a minute to lose. Never mind me; I'll sneak ahind the bar'l. They'll never know who helped ye to get clear."

Is General Putnam gone?" asked Douglas, stopping, and in hopes to put an end to the old lady's chat.

"Gone! yes, indeed, I guess he has, and the old gentleman and Mr. Joseph, too, and Douglas waited until the firing ceased; the Mr. Hunts, and the dear good Dr. for, although the assailants aimed their shot Warren, and mercy knows if they'll ever in the dark, and knew not whether it took come back again; and this very day the effect, he thought that prudence was the dear soul asked arter my rheumatiz, and gin better part of valor, and remained under me a plaster. If you want to see Mrs. shelter of the house until a favorable mo- Palmer or Miss Mary, sir, I'll call 'em, ment offered itself for escape, when, dashing | though they be takin' on so."

“No, no,” said Douglas, "I will not intrude upon them at such a moment. Give my respects, and tell them I will do all in my power to defend those so dear to them. Good-bye, Mrs. Chase. I hope we shall all meet again alive and well to taste your brown bread and gooseberry wine."

"Well, he is a nice young feller," said Prudence, gazing after him as he rode off; "and I shouldn't wonder if he was to come a-courting Miss Mary, that is, if he isn't killed, which would be dreadful, as he is so handsome."

CHAPTER VII.

ERE the hour of ten had struck, dark forms were seen gathering together silently, and they gradually increased in number, moving on in one direction, and, as if by simultaneous agreement, forming a dense body at the foot of Breed's hill. There was no noise of approaching battle, no trumpet sounded to call them to the fight, no glittering armor gave brilliancy to that array. Called from the plough, the forge, the workshop, without preparation-scarcely allowing themselves a morsel of food to strengthen them in the approaching conflict-ill provided with ammunition-what encouragement was there for them to press on with such daring recklessness in the face of a British ship of war, with its dazzling phalanx of disciplined soldiers, well armed and equipped, crowded upon deck, ready at any moment to pour forth their heavy fire upon that little band?

At midnight the summit of the hill was reached, and officers and men united in preparing it for defense. Their simple fort was soon erected, to the astonishment of the enemy, who could scarcely believe that such daring defiance would be flung in their very teeth.

And now thousands were collecting on the roofs of houses, and along the shore, watching with breathless interest the rising of that dark redoubt. Meantime the enemy's ships of war, the floating batteries,

and the whole artillery of the city, were pointed against that feeble structure. Still the work went on. A meadow lay beneath the hill, and to prevent the enemy from crossing it, Putnam ordered his men to build a rough fence of sticks and hay, which was done with incredible rapidity.

"The break of day presented a scene which, for daring and firmness, could never be surpassed-one thousand inexperienced militia, in the attire of their various avocations, without discipline, almost without artillery and bayonets, scantily supplied with ammunition, and wholly destitute of provisions, defying the power of the formidable British fleet and army, determined to achieve the liberty of their soil, or moisten that soil with their blood."

Douglas stood upon that hill with feelings difficult to describe. Far as the eye could. reach extended the veteran troops of England, men with whom his ancestors had served, subjects of the King whom his father reverenced, advancing in one solid column to the destruction of a handful of

men with whom he had cast his own fortunes, and in whose breasts he knew and felt there burned a spirit that all the united forces of England could not subdue.

Yet there was not a single wish or thought rising in his soul to exchange his hazardous situation, even if the proudest station in that brilliant array had been offered him in exchange. Brigadier General Palmer and his brave band were stationed to the left of the inclosure, Prescott in the centre, and Putnam and his division on the right. All the preparations for the encounter were made without noise, the men acting not as mere machines in their leaders' hands, but as if the whole responsibility of the coming battle was to rest upon them individually. A sign was sufficient to remind them of their duty; and so eager were they for the conflict that the officers could hardly restrain their impetuosity. The first fire drove back the dense column with dreadful slaughter; the second was equally successful. Putnam, encouraged

by this success, shouted aloud, as he rushed forward. "Now, my men," said he, "look well to your priming, powder is scarce. John Brown, you are too lavish of your ammunition. Ha! what's this?" as they stumbled over a dead body in a gaudy scarlet uniform; and as the General stooped to examine it, he exclaimed, while a smile passed over his features, "I should know that face and figure! So this is the end of the gay ruffled popinjay who strutted about Boston in his borrowed feathers, devouring others' substance, and living at the expense of honest men. But a few nights ago he disputed my right to seat myself at table with royal officers of noble blood, and sneered at the rough old farmer, whose hands, embrowned with toil, were not considered worthy to touch the same dish which his snowy digits had appropriated; and while he drank his unpaid-for wine, called upon the despised farmer for a toast from his glass of water."

“And did you give it to him?" asked Douglas, while many voices repeated the words.

"Did I? Yes, boys, I did."

advancing column, and yet again did the dense phalanx press forward. Meantime, Major Stark lay with his few men behind the fence of rails and hay. General Gage, as he approached the spot, was asked if he thought the rebels behind there would stand fire. "Yes," said he, “if one John Stark is there, they will." And John Stark was there, and well did he justify the appellation of "brave," which he had received. None dare approach that barrier while John Stark and his men lay behind it. Yet on pressed the dense column of British, undismayed by the fire they met, and at last the Americans had exhausted their supply of powder, and were obliged to rest when the victory seemed certain. A supply of ammunition at that critical moment would have enabled them to drive off their enemy with immense slaughter; but no such assist· ance was rendered, and at last the brave leaders of that band of patriots were obliged to issue their orders for retreat.

Captain Knowlton and his men, who had been exposed to the hottest of the fire, were the first to retreat. Nature never formed a braver man than this same Captain

"And what was it?" inquired a hundred Knowlton; but his ammunition had failed, voices.

"I did, and it was this: Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.'"*

The shouts that rent the air were unheeded by the blunt old General. "My boys," said he, "Jack Stark is below there, defending himself behind that frail breastwork of hay. He cannot hold out long in such a situation. Look well at the swordbelts of the enemy; you have one chance against fifty; now, fire away!" And the loud report of a thousand muskets was heard, while the dense column advancing toward that feeble structure retreated, leaving heaps of dead upon the side of the hill; but receiving reinforcements, they again returned to the scene of action. Again did that destructive fire level the front ranks of the

* Proverbs xix. 1.

and left as he was to the mercy of the enemy, he had no alternative. His frail defense was fast giving way. The hay had already kindied in more than one place, and a few moments might witness the conflagration of the whole, and leave them to the mercy of the enemy. Douglas and his little band were stationed between the top of the hill and the meadow. Theirs was a perilous position. The advancing column swept down their ranks with their destructive fire, while above their heads the dense volumes of smoke prevented their seeing the real danger to which they were exposed. But the roaring cannon, "the death-shots flying thick and fast," the groans of the dying, the loud shouts of pursuer and pursued, were not the only horrors of that day. In the midst the heavy sound of a bell rang through the heated atmosphere, and soon another and another followed in

succession, until it seemed as if the vindictive spirit of man had roused all the elements into strife! A moment after, and massive columns of black smoke surged up to the clouds, enveloping every object in a death-like shroud, creeping up the tall spires that the night before had smiled in the departing sunbeams, and deadening the sound of the iron tongues, whose sudden peal had sent a thrill of horror through every heart.

"The British have fired Charlestown!" exclaimed Putnam, rushing up to where Douglas stood, almost worn out with unusual exertions.

If it were possible to change the form and face of man to that of a demon, such should I describe the appearance of this naturally peaceful and good man, as he uttered these words. And then how he looked! Clothes, hands, face, were covered with dust and blood. His eyes seemed like burning coals as they glared upon Douglas, and then back upon the burning town. His shirt-sleeves were rolled up to the elbow, and his hand grasped the sword he held with such maddened desperation, that it seemed as if the hilt were imbedded in the solid flesh.

""Tis well!" he exclaimed, as again his bloodshot eyes roved over the scene of conflagration. "For every building levelled to the dust this day, shall the life of a Briton be sacrificed! On, Douglas, to the relief of Palmer; he is hard beset. I must down to the Neck, and muster more of the tardy militia to our assistance. For if they and Major Brooks and his men do not come soon to help us, all is lost!"

As he rode down the hill, two men, closely pursued by the foe, rushed past our hero. One of them, overcome with ex

haustion, fell breathless on the ground. His companion took a biscuit from his pocket and threw it to him, exclaiming, "Jump up, Hunt, jump up and run; the British are just at your heels!"

The famished man seized the biscuit, and it revived him so far that he started up

while

again and pursued his course, Douglas, evading the party in pursuit, made good his escape; and seeing that he was too late to be of service to General Palmer, who was already retreating, Douglas found himself hurried along in the crowd, scarcely knowing whether he was with friend or foe, until he was in the midst of the burning ruins of Charlestown.

The breeze, which had at first wafted the vast columns of smoke toward Bunker's hill, and had prevented the aim of the Americans from taking effect among the dense mass of advancing Britons, had now changed its direction, and blew toward the water. Douglas was enabled to see his way clear through the falling rafters, until he came in front of a large handsome building, two stories in height, which was already a mass of flame. Piles of splendid furniture lay tossing about on the ashes-strewn streets, soiled and broken, and scattered about in every direction by the brutal soldiery. Women, clasping their half-famished infants to their breast, sat weeping by the roadside, left alone in their utmost need, for their protectors were on that distant hill fighting for them and freedom. Prevented by the rapacious marauders from saving a single article of their property, they could only sit and weep over the devastation of their homes, while they gazed with anguished hearts upon armed battalions pressing forward, thousands upon thousands, to the destruction of fathers, sons, and brothers.

CHAPTER VIII.

"WELL, I never, in all my born days, seed or heard tell of such a horrid day as this is, never!" exclaimed Prudence Chase, holding up both her hands. "If the day of judgment is goin' to be worse than this, I hope I'll die afore it comes. I'm a'most deaf with the noise of that 'ere cannon. The whole house is turned topsy turvy. There

* A fact. This man afterwards became a Colonel, and fought in the last war.

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