“Well, I never want to feel again as I did that day,” said grandmother. “I was in Boston, visiting cousin Jemima Russel, and we were all out on the roof of the house. The roofs everywhere were all alive with people looking through spy-glasses; and we could hear the firing, but couldn't tell how the day was going. And then they set Charlestown on fire; and the blaze and smoke and flame rose up, and there was such a snapping and crackling, and we could hear roofs and timbers falling, and see people running this way and that with their children--women scared half to death a-flying; and we knew all the time there was cousin Jane Wilkinson in that town sick in bed, with a baby only a few days old. It's a wonder how Jane ever lived through it; but they did get her through alive, and her baby too. That burning Charlestown settled to fight it through: it was so mean and cruel needless.” “Yes,” said my grandfather, “that day settled the question that we would be free and independent, or die; and, though our men had to retreat, yet it was as good as a defeat to the British. They lost ten hundred and fifty-four in point with a good many. They determined then killed and wounded, and we only four hundred and fifty-three; and our men learned that they could fight as well as the British. Congress went right to work to raise an army, and appointed Gen. Washington commander. Your gran'ther Stowe, boys, was orderly of the day when Gen. Washington took the command at Cambridge.” “Wal,” said Sam, “I was in Cambridge that day and saw it all. Ye see, the army was drawn up under the big elm there; and Ike Newel and I, we clim up into a tree, and got a place where we could look down and see. I wa'n't but ten year old then; but, if ever a mortal man looked like the angel of the Lord, the gineral looked like it that day.” “Some said that there was trouble about having Gen. Ward give up the command to a Southern man,” said my grandfather. “Gen. Ward was a brave man and very popular; but everybody was satisfied when they came to know Gen. Washington.” “There couldn't no minister have seemed more godly than he did that day,” said Sam. “He read out of the hymn-book the hundred and first Psalm.” “What is that psalm?” said I. “Laws, boys! I know it by heart,” said Sam, “I was so impressed hearin' on him read it. I can say it to you:-- '”Mercy and judgment are my song, And since they both to thee belong, My gracious God, my righteous King, To thee my songs and vows I bring. If I am raised to bear the sword, I 'll take my counsels from thy word. Thy justice and thy heavenly grace Shall be the pattern of my ways. I 'll search the land, and raise the just To posts of honor, wealth, and trust: The men who work thy righteous will