“And he’s sure that it will get proper attention,” grinned the first speaker, “for he won’t let any one put a hand upon it but himself.”
Here Ezra called to his companions and introduced them to the despatch bearer.
“I’m glad to make your acquaintance, young gentlemen,” said he in a bluff, sincere way. “If you’re friends of Ezra, I know you’re friends of the colonies; and I want all such to be friends of mine.” He paused a moment and surveyed them carefully. “Are you Sons of Liberty?” he inquired.
“I am,” replied Ben promptly, “and so is my father.”
“The society has not yet reached the back settlements,” smiled Nat. “So I am not yet a member. But I hope to be before long.”
“Good,” said Paul Revere, clapping him upon the back. “Every true American should be one of us. We are united in hating tyranny and defying our oppressors.”
After the speaker had seen his steed properly cared for and given particular instructions as to how he should be fed, he went with the boys into the inn.
“I gave my papers to Samuel Adams,” said he to Ezra; “and even now the Congress is reading them. And when their contents get out,” rubbing his strong hands together and laughing gleefully, “there will be some excitement, I can tell you, young gentlemen; for Dr. Warren, who offered the resolves to the Suffolk delegates, does not mince his words.”
They sat in the coffee-room talking to Revere while he awaited the return of Samuel Adams from Carpenter’s Hall. He seemed deep in the movement that was then convulsing the colonies; every turn was familiar to him; every New Englander who figured conspicuously he could call readily by name.
“But,” said he at length, “let me show you some little things that have been thought to hit off the situation.”