We had just passed the common, at the Northern end of the town, when we heard a clatter of galloping hoofs in the Bowery lane before us. Looking up the vista of road shaded by trees in fresh leafage, we saw a rider coming toward us at a very severe pace. As he approached, the horse stumbled; and the man on its back, fearing it might sink from exhaustion, drew up and gave it a moment in which to recover itself. He evidently wished to make a decent entrance into the town. He was in a great panting and perspiration, like his trembling steed, which was covered with foam; and his clothes were disturbed and soiled with travel. He took off his cocked felt hat to fan himself. "You ride fast, for Sunday, friend," said Phil pleasantly. "Any trouble?" "Trouble for some folks, I guess," was the reply, spoken with a Yankee drawl and twang. "I'm bringing news from Massachusetts." He slapped the great pocket of his plain coat, calling attention to its well-filled condition as with square papers. "Letters from the Committee of Safety." "Why, has anything happened at Boston?" asked Phil, quickly. "Well, no, not just at Boston. But out Concord way, and at Lexington, and on the road back to Boston, I should reckon a few things _had_ happened." And then, leaving off his exasperating drawl, he very speedily related the terrible occurrence of the nineteenth of April--terrible because 'twas warlike bloodshed in a peaceful land, between the king's soldiers and the king's subjects, between men of the same race and speech, men of the same mother country; and because of what was to follow in its train. I remember how easily and soon the tale was told; how clearly the man's calm voice, though scarce raised above a usual speaking tone, stood out against the Sunday morning stillness, with no sound else but the twittering of birds in the trees near by. "Get up!" said the messenger, not waiting for our thanks or comments; and so galloped into the town, leaving us to stare after him and then at each other. "'Faith, this will make the colonies stand together," said Philip at last. "Ay," said I, "against the rebellious party." "No," quoth he, "when I say the colonies, I mean what you call the rebellious party in them." "Why, 'tis not the majority, and therefore it can't be said to represent the colonies." "I beg your pardon--I think we shall find it is the majority, particularly outside of the large towns. This news will fly to every corner of the land as fast as horses can carry it, and put the country folk in readiness for whatever the Continental Congress may decide upon." "Why, then, 'twill put our people on their guard, too, for whatever the rebels may attempt."