"Aye, lad; but then we had not opposed ourselves to the king's forces. Now it will be necessary to begin what can be called by no other name than that of treason."
"It alarms you that such should be the case, Master Howell?" I said in a questioning tone.
"Not for myself, lad, not for myself, nor for any of us who are brought to a stand in this house. It is the women and small children of whom I am thinking. We can fight to the bitter end; but they will suffer an hundred deaths while the English soldiers overrun the colony."
"Then would it have been better had we surrendered when we were first besieged."
It was as if this remark stimulated the deputy. His eyes brightened, he straightened himself suddenly, and said as if speaking to a vast assembly, instead of one timorous lad:
"Not so, Clare. I was but considering the sufferings of our own people, and that should not be reckoned as against the grand result. This is indeed open rebellion, and the news of our oppression will flash from province to province until the entire country is aroused. Then, perhaps not until after we are dead, but at some time in the near future, will the rule of the king come to an end in America. We are the instruments selected to begin the way for freedom, and in future ages we will be spoken of as those who brought into existence a free country which shall be as a beacon light to those who are ground beneath the heel of selfish kings!"
From, that instant it was as if Master Howell's entire nature had changed. He appeared to be exulting in the danger which surrounded us, and was eager for the fray.
We stood watch until daylight, and then it was possible to see that Master Payne's dwelling was surrounded by fifteen or twenty men, some wearing uniforms, and others clad only in the garb of planters.
The fact of there being soldiers among our besiegers told plainly that Tryon himself planned the outrage, and when such was apparent I heard Master Hunter say in a low tone to Master Howell:
"From this day the Regulation will remain under arms until all the colonies are prepared to take up the struggle against the king's minions! Instead of 'Regulators' we should call ourselves 'Sons of Liberty.'"