“Have you heard from Brewster, Mr. Chairman?” asked the Rev. Mr. Shaw. “I have, sir. Major Elijah Cobb of that town informs me that the people are much divided on the question of offering resistance in case of a demand for tribute. Their artillery company is not in first-class condition and the gallant major is afraid that the two small pieces they have will make a poor showing against the well-armed enemy. There is much capital invested in the salt-making industry there and the proprietors of the works are naturally anxious to avoid a bombardment. They are willing to pay a reasonable sum for immunity.” “They are in the same fix as ourselves,” remarked Captain Heman Smith. “Conditions are practically the same in all the towns from Brewster to Provincetown. The exception, if we may so term it, is Orleans,” said the chairman. “There is a majority in that town in favor of armed resistance. I have discussed the matter with Squire Kingman and Major Henry Knowles and they tell me the die is cast--Orleans will fight to the end.” “Orleans is showing great pluck for a young town,” said Captain Smith. “Only seventeen years ago it was the South Precinct of Eastham; now it outranks the mother town as a military centre.” “Eastham has lost a lot of its former importance, Captain Smith, but the people of Orleans are still our own flesh and blood,” was the chairman’s comment on this. Then Timothy Cole made a suggestion: “I think, Mr. Chairman, we had better postpone a vote until we have an opportunity to judge what the intentions of the schooner are. She will probably work her way eastward tomorrow and we can all take a hand at watching her movements.” “That seems to be the sensible thing to do, Timothy,” assented the chairman. Timothy’s suggestion was received with favor by the meeting and the session was closed. That night Captain Jared Higgins sat up late. The gallant skipper was busy, but any person observing the task he was engaged in would find it hard to reconcile it with his prominence as an advocate of peace. His family had retired for the night before his labors commenced. The man of peace took an old firelock from the hooks where it had rested untouched for many a year and laid it gently on the table. Then he reached for the ancient cutlass which hung beside the chimney and placed it alongside the gun. From the drawer of an immense cupboard he brought forth two large horse pistols and added them to the weapons on the table. After this, he lighted an extra candle and stood back, grimly surveying the array of warlike gear. A knock at the door caused Captain Jared to start. Who could be around at this time of night? A second knock and the sound of a friendly voice asking if he were in, brought him to the door which he opened to admit his adversary of the tavern, Obed Sparrow.