"Such were the workings of Enoch Crosby's mind—the work of preparation was going on there—the steam was gradually rising—and though he realized it not—he was fitting to become a zealous and active soldier, in his country's service.
"On the 5th of March, 1770, nearly a year before Enoch's time was out, the 'Boston Massacre' happened."
Henry. "The 'Boston Massacre!' father—pray, what was that?"
Gen. P. "William! you know the story, I trust—can you tell it to your brother?"
William. "I have read about it; but I don't know well how to tell it. Will you tell it, father?"
Gen. P. "Tell it as well as you are able, my son. It is by practice that we learn to do things well."
William. "One evening some British soldiers were near a ropewalk in Boston. A man, who worked in the ropewalk, said something to them which they did not like, and they beat him.
"Three days after, on the 5th of March, while the soldiers were under arms, some of them were insulted by the citizens, and one, it is said, was struck. This soldier was so angry, that he fired. Then, six others fired. Three citizens were killed, and five were wounded.
"All Boston was soon roused. The bells were rung. Many thousand people assembled, and they said that they would tear the soldiers to pieces, and I don't know but that they would have done so, if Gov. Hutchinson had not come out, and told the people, that he would inquire into the matter, and have the guilty punished. This pacified them."
Gen. P. "Well done—quite well done, master William. You now know, Henry, what is meant by the 'Boston Massacre.'"