"There'll soon be ample work near here, and I see no reason why you lads should be so venturesome when there is little call for anything of the kind."
It is needless to say that I abandoned the idea of going immediately among the lobster backs, for Doctor Warren's opinion had great weight with me, and he had spoken so positively against it that I set about trying to make myself content with the idle life we were leading.
It was soon proven that I was to get my fill of right down hard work, together with more of danger than the most gluttonous swashbuckler could have mapped out.
I think it was the second, or it might have been the third, day after my conversation with Doctor Warren, when Hiram Griffin sought me out where Silas and I lay on our backs in the college yard, sunning ourselves as do chickens. There was an expression of wisdom on his face, as if he knew more than he intended to impart, when he said to me:
"Lad, do you know Colonel Prescott of the Pepperell Minute Men?"
"You yourself pointed him out to me not long ago," I replied lazily.
"Do you know where his headquarters are?"
"With his men, I reckon. One of them acted as sailor aboard the sloop that carried the live stock and grain from Hog island, and you can get from him what information you need concerning the colonel."
"It's not information I'm after, lad. You, as captain of the Minute Boys of Boston, are ordered to report to Colonel Prescott."
"For duty?" I cried excitedly.