“Powder, powder, ye gods, send us powder!” cried General Putnam at [the battle of Bunker Hill].

[The battle of Bunker Hill.]

There was a powder famine. The whole army needed powder.

One day the Governor sat before his door on the green, waiting the return of Dennis. The latter came back from a commission which he had executed quickly, and dropped from his horse on the green.

“You have made short time, Dennis.”

“Yes, Governor; I never think of myself, but only of the cause.”

“You may well say that, and I know it to be true. Such a spirit as that in these testing times is invaluable. I have a new commission for you.”

“Let me have it. I will die for it; I am in for liberty now—head, heart, and heels.”

He sunk down on the green.