THEY CAME WITHIN SIGHT OF LEXINGTON
“Upon the side of the Provincial Congress,” returned the other without the slightest hesitation.
As they marched along the wheel-cut road toward Lexington, Nat now and then stole a look at the boy at his side. The pale dawn made things visible in a dim sort of way, and the young mountaineer noted that the other’s head was bent and that he seemed deep in bitter reflection. There was something in his manner that drew Nat powerfully; but in spite of this, he did not believe in him.
“He deceived me before,” thought Nat; “and he deceived others to whom he owed every allegiance. How am I to know but that this is another attempt to do the same thing.”
But he had not a great deal of time to revolve the situation, for, still in the gray dawn, they came within sight of the town of Lexington.
Directly ahead was the village green, with the town meeting-house facing it. Two thin lines of men, with rifles in their hands, were gathered here, and as the British came in sight, a drum rolled warningly from their midst. This sound Pitcairn instantly accepted as a challenge; and at once the battalion halted.
“Load with ball—prime—fix bayonets!” came the curt commands. Then forward went the six companies at double quick.
Nat saw Captain Parker of the militia, whom he knew by sight, and also Sergeant William Monroe, walking up and down before the two lines of minutemen; and from their gestures he knew that they were speaking encouragingly.
Then, unconsciously, his eyes traveled beyond the militia; three figures stole from the shadow cast by an inn near the meeting-house; two of them bore a square, heavy looking box between them, and Nat gave a start of wonder as he recognized them.
“Mr. Revere!” he cried, “and Ben Cooper!”