"How long have you been absent from Boston?" asked the young man.
"Since April," replied Mount.
"Would you care to hear a few facts that have occurred since April, gentlemen?" asked the young man, courteously including me in his invitation. Mount called the tap-boy and commanded cakes and ale for the company, with a harmless swagger; and when the tankards were brought we all drank a silent but significant toast to the dark city outside our windows.
The young man who had acted as spokesman for his company now produced a small leather book, which he said was a diary. Pipes were filled, lips wet in the tankards once more, and then the young man, who said his name was Thomas Newell, opened his little note-book and read rapidly:
1774, May 18.—Man-o'-war Lively arrived with Gen. Gage. Town meeting called. A. sent Paul Revere to York and Philadelphia. H. very anxious.
May 17.—Gage supersedes Hutchinson as Governor. S. A. has no hopes.
June 1.—Three transports here with redcoats. Thirteen Sisters notified.
June 14.—The Fourth Regiment (King's Own) landed at the Long Wharf and marched to the Common. No riot.
June 15, a.m.—Stores on Long Wharf closed. Forty-third Regiment landed. We are already surrounded by a fleet and army, the harbour is shut, all navigation forbidden, not a sail to be seen except war-ships.
July 1.—Admiral Graves arrived with fleet from London, also transports with Fifth and Thirty-eighth Regiments.