"You know, Reginald, I would not willingly do anything to disturb or to anger my sire, but I feel it my solemn duty to do all that one young man can to put down tyranny and unjust rule, which is oppression.
"How can my father allow himself to be so mistaken? Or how can he fail to see that Governor Dunmore has insulted us, and treated us like children in taking away our gunpowder, leaving us as he did with no way of defending ourselves in case of an attack?
"I reckon he found out his mistake when he was obliged to pay us for it, for he could not stand before the fury of the people when they found out what had been done."
Poor Sally had felt a twinge that hurt when Lionel Grandison said, "Now here we can talk without danger of being overheard." The nicer part of her nature asked if she ought not at once to go away from the rocks. But she could hardly have done that without herself being overheard, and sooner than risk that, she made up her mind that this time she must stay, but that in the future she must sit no more between the wall and the hedge at Ingleside.
She knew the companion of her Prince to be Reginald Bromfeld, who spoke next:
"I have but an hour ago heard from Boston, and the town is red-hot over the unlawful, daring conduct of the soldiers, and the government that has sent them over here. Mark my words!" exclaimed young Bromfeld, "it won't be long before a blow will be struck that meaneth war, and when it is, it will be near Boston town that the first sharp crack of a gun will be heard.
"And also when that blow is struck, I shall be on the ground almost before one could say 'Jack Robinson!'"
"I would I could go too," said Lionel, "running like 'Sam Hill!'"
Both young men laughed a little, then Reginald asked:
"But would that be best? It may be that Virginia's sons will need remain to defend her. You know I hail from Boston, am native there, although business affairs of my mother's have brought me here."