“There can be no doubt of that,” replied Nat, drily.
But the other paid no heed to the sarcasm.
“I, too, desire to see the colonies dealt justly by,” he went on. “I also can see very plainly the wrongs that have been done them. But I do not believe in seeking to right them by any method that will end in bloodshed. An appeal to the liberal minded English nation will set everything right.”
“Has that not been tried?”
“In a way—yes. But not in the right way. The British mean kindly by us; and if the Whigs would cease threatening, we’d quickly get our rights.”
“It is not we who threaten,” said Nat; “it is they. You say you do not believe in methods that might end in bloodshed—then what do you think of this present expedition?”
“It is a peaceable one—a demonstration only.”
The boy said this eagerly, with the manner of one who is anxious to defend a thing which he strongly desires to be true—but of which he is not altogether convinced.
“Peaceable!” Nat laughed, mockingly. “Why, there are above a thousand men in this column, each with musket and bayonet, powder and ball.”
“Nevertheless, their errand is peaceful,” argued the New England lad. “We but seek to take the leaders of this sedition that they may not tempt the people; we mean to seize the magazines that no madness may be committed that would bring on a war.”