The Governor attempted once more to speak, but the cries of the more ignorant ones drowned his voice, and he disappeared from view.
Shortly after, while the citizens remained in an attitude of defiance, it was reported that Governor Hutchinson had ordered Captain Preston to be brought before him, and that an investigation of the officer's conduct would be made.
Then a portion of the people returned to their homes; but yet more remained to make certain the report regarding the investigation was not a falsehood, devised for the purpose of inducing them to disperse.
Of all these things Amos knew nothing. His thoughts were confined entirely to his grief-stricken friend, and as he assisted in carrying Sam to his brother's house on Royal Exchange Lane, he moved and acted like one in a dream, for the terror of the scene was still upon him.
He left Jim by the side of the lifeless body, while kindly friends hastened to break the sad news with some degree of gentleness to the parents of the murdered man, and then went to his own home; but not to sleep.
It was not yet daylight, on the following morning, when Christopher Gore, his arm bandaged and in a sling, appeared at Amos's home.
"I was afraid you might have come to some harm when I heard that Sam Gray was killed, for I knew you and Jim were most likely near him," he said, as if apologising for his early visit. "How did you escape?"
"I don't know, Chris. It doesn't seem to me that I can remember anything of that awful moment, except that I saw Sam Gray fall dead, and heard Jim weeping over him."
"Do you know what became of Hardy Baker?"
"I didn't see him after the shots were fired. I only know it was he who called attention to the sentinel, and but for him it is almost certain no disturbance would have taken place at the Custom House. Have you heard from him?"