“That,” answered the boy, “is Mr. Hancock, president of Congress.”
The stranger’s teeth gleamed in a mocking smile.
“Ah, yes, I have heard of him,” he said. “It was he that caused this war with England.”
Walter and Philip looked at each other; the boy at the man’s side nudged him in a manner that said as plainly as words: “Be careful of what you say.”
“It’s news to me,” spoke Walter Stanton, “to hear that Mr. John Hancock was the cause of the war.”
“We had always fancied that it was begun by that old madman, King George,” said Philip Morgan, who was a blunt spoken lad at best; and the man’s manner irritated him. The stranger bent his brows and a glint of anger came into his sharp, black eyes. He seemed upon the point of making a biting retort; but once more the boy at his side warned him to beware.
“Be careful, Danvers,” he whispered. “You’ll get into trouble. They are all Whigs here.”
Danvers hesitated a moment; then he turned to Philip with a cold smile that showed his strong white teeth.
“If it had not been for Major Pitcairn’s being called out that day with his men to seize this Mr. Hancock for treason to the crown, there would have been no fight at Lexington; and had that skirmish not taken place there would have been no rebellion.”
“Revolution is a better word, I think,” said Walter Stanton, quietly.