"Let me see," continued the Captain, meditatively; "I think I can recall some lines by Trumbull, referring to that incident:--
"'Through Salem straight, without delay, The bold battalion took its way: Marched o'er a bridge, in open sight Of several Yankees arm'd for fight; Then, without loss of time or men, Veer'd round for Boston back again, And found so well their prospects thrive, That every soul got back alive.'
"It was some two months after this that the battles of Lexington and Concord took place. On April 18, the patriots learned that the next day British troops were to visit Concord for the purpose of destroying some military stores there, and passing through Lexington seize the persons of John Hancock and Samuel Adams, who were both in that town at the house of the Rev. Jonas Clark.
"Gage had tried to keep all this a profound secret, but somehow the patriots had learned what he was attempting, and were making their preparations accordingly. Warren and his friends had gone, Paul Revere and William Dawes had just rowed across the river to Charlestown, taking a message from Warren to Adams and Hancock. They were very near being captured by the guard at Charlestown, but escaped, and reached Lexington a little after midnight.
"They went at once to Mr. Clark's house, but found a guard of eight minute-men placed about it to protect Adams and Hancock.
"These refused to let Revere and Dawes into the house, as orders had been given not to allow the inmates to be disturbed by noise.
"'Noise!' exclaimed Revere, 'you'll have noise enough before long; the regulars are coming!'
"They were quickly admitted then, roused Hancock and Adams, and knowing how unlikely to escape being taken prisoners they were, should they remain in Lexington, persuaded them to retire to Woburn.
"Then Revere and Dawes pushed on to Concord to give the alarm there.
"By two o'clock in the morning a hundred and thirty of the Lexington militia were collected at the meeting-house upon the green. The roll was called; then, as the early morning air was very chilly, they were dismissed with orders to remain within drum-beat."
"Papa, the British marched very quietly, didn't they?" asked Max.
"Yes, in perfect silence; hoping and believing that none of the Americans were aware of their movements."