“I suppose this is a more or less dangerous undertaking, but do you know, I have never been so glad to do anything in my life.”
“We are all glad to get a chance to back up our words, I suppose,” answered Nat.
“It’s not that altogether,” said Ezra.
And Nat saw the look which the speaker gave the unconscious George, who was trudging determinedly forward, his cartridge box pulled round ready to his hand.
“He’s going to get a chance to prove that he is a patriot at heart like the rest of us,” said Ezra. “And,” contentedly, “I have no fear but that he will.”
“Nor I,” said Nat, assuringly.
The two hundred British were upon the west side of the river; but upon seeing the provincials approach, they retired to the east side and formed for a fight; also a detachment was sent to tear up the planks of the bridge.
Seeing that this must be prevented, Major Buttrick called upon them to stop, but as they paid no heed, he said sharply to his command:
“Forward, lads, at the quick!”
The colonists increased their pace. Instantly a rattle of musketry came from the king’s men. A fifer in the Acton company dropped with a bullet through him; almost immediately Captain Davis and a private of the same company were killed. Seeing the deadly effect of the volley, the American leader cried: