2. The colonists 2. If these colonists were not an organized were a mob they were body, acting legally. justified in their acts. They were a wild mob, It was an insult and and mobs must be worse to quarter troops quelled or lives and upon them and they property cannot be protected. naturally resented it. They had had no time to organize and make laws. They had to act at once. 3. The mob was 3. It is always the composed of wild young men who lead. young men, and most In most great movements of the colonists did not it has been the approve of their acts. young men who were right. 4. The mob called 4. The soldiers forgot the soldiers "lobster-backs," their discipline and "red-coats," and called the colonists "rebel other insulting names rascals" and threatened before the soldiers to use bayonets. spoke. 5. The mob crowded 5. The soldiers the soldiers off the should have kept to their sidewalk, threw snow barracks, but they paraded and lumps of ice at the streets and them. The young men pricked the townspeople dared the soldiers to with their bayonets. fire, threatened to drive them to their barracks and to beat them down. 6. Captain Preston 6. Captain Preston was acting under orders, was unwise, irritating, and he warned the colonists overbearing, and by his that he would preserve attitude provoked the order at any risk. colonists beyond human endurance. 7. The firing was a 7. Captain Preston mistake. It was not by ordered his men to fire Captain Preston's orders. on the colonists. 8. The first shot was 8. A British sympathizer fired by a masked man in a mask fired who appeared on the into the crowd of unarmed balcony of a house and colonists. fired at the soldiers. 9. The British soldiers 9. By withdrawing were soon withdrawn the troops the British and everything confessed that they were done to make the colonists in the wrong. feel right about the affair. This showed that the British were still very friendly to the colonists, and desired their good will.