“You see,” said Dr. Warren, laughing; “Revere will make you out a hero whether you will or no. But,” and his face grew graver, “I think you would be of good service here in Boston if you could but stay.”
“If there is need of me,” said Nat, “I can stay.”
The doctor’s eyes shone with pleasure.
“Excellent!” ejaculated he. “There is a promptness and decision about that which I like. And,” he proceeded, bending toward Nat, “there is much need of you. We have things to do which require courage and adaptability—qualities which I’m inclined to think you possess.”
“I am ready to undertake anything that you think I can do,” said the lad.
“Gage and his officers are to be watched. The British must make no move that shall not at once be reported to us. Revere has organized a body of mechanics to patrol the streets night and day; but we must have some one for a venturesome task—to learn what the governor’s intentions are before he gives the command.”
“How is that to be done?” asked Nat, puzzled.
“I will explain some ways in which I think it might be done, later,” said Dr. Warren. “Ezra Prentiss was to have taken up this task; but his being selected by the Adamses to help in their work at Philadelphia prevented it. I know that he would have been successful; and I feel sure that you will.”
Nat had, after careful deliberation, made up his mind that before this meeting with Warren came to an end, he would unburden himself of all his knowledge of Ezra and lay his suspicions and the cause of them out for the judgment of that calm-minded patriot.
As he could imagine no better opportunity for doing this than the one which now presented itself, he addressed his host nervously, across the table.