By now most of the troops had assembled, and one regiment already was marching off. The boys hastened to follow along Common Street. “My, but it’s hot! Whew!” cried Jud. “I’m most melted.” “I am too,” Don grinned. “I’m glad I don’t have to carry a pack and a musket. Just listen to the firing now!” Although the sun was high overhead, neither boy thought of being hungry. Down Queen Street they hurried and past the town hall into King Street. People were standing on street corners and watching from doors and windows as the King’s troops swung past over the rough street. Small boys, shouting loudly to one another, were hurrying along beside the splendid, well-disciplined columns; and dogs of all sizes were running here and there, barking shrilly. One little fellow, all black with white spots, ran diagonally through the column and then, turning swiftly, ran back again as if for the sole purpose of showing that he could do it. The boys saw the regiment march out upon Long Wharf, where boats were waiting to carry them north toward Charlestown. Then they saw another and another regiment swing down King Street and move out upon the wharf. “Are they all going to embark here?” asked Jud. “No,” replied a man who was standing near by. “Some of ’em are on the way to North Battery.” “Come on up there then,” said Don. When the boys reached the battery most of the British who were embarking at that point were already in the boats. By now some of the people in the North End had climbed to the roofs of their houses, from which points they would have an unobstructed view of Charlestown across the water and of the men-of-war. As the boys were coming from the North Battery, Jud shouted to a man who was perched astride his gabled roof: “Hey, there, is there room for two more?” “Come right along if you’re not Tories,” replied the man. “I reckon it wouldn’t be safe for a Tory up here beside me to-day.” Jud, impetuous by nature, ran to the ladder that was leaning against the house, and Don, naturally cautious but in the excitement forgetful of everything, followed him. In a minute the boys were beside the man--John Short, a saddle-maker--and were looking eagerly across the water. CHAPTER X FROM A HOUSETOP The two boys and their patriotic friend, the saddle-maker, saw the barges loaded with red-clad soldiers steering for the point northeast of Charlestown and later saw the barges return for more troops. Close in toward the Charlestown shore they could see the men-of-war _Falcon_, _Lively_, _Somerset_ and _Symmetry_, and all were firing at the little redoubt on the hill beyond the town. “Who’s that walking along the top of the fort there?” Don asked suddenly. “Whoever he is, he’d better keep down,” said Jud. “I can’t be sure at this distance,” replied the saddle-maker, “but from the size and appearance of him I’d say he was Colonel Prescott.”