"Well, I reckon it may be something of the kind, for it don't stand to reason that such a man as Colonel Prescott sends out orders for a lad like you to report, if he simply wants an every-day bit of gossip." "Come on, Silas! If there's a chance for us Minute Boys to have a finger in any pie that is baking, don't let's linger here!" "Silas best stay where he is," Hiram said, and there was a look of disappointment on the lad's face, for he was no less eager than I to be doing something against the lobster backs, and most like burned with impatience to know what Colonel Prescott might have in hand for us. I had but little difficulty in finding the officer who had sent for me, and he did not keep me in suspense many minutes. "How many lads in your company are fit for duty now?" he asked immediately I stepped before him. "Eleven, sir, I believe--twelve if Hiram Griffin calls himself one of us and can use his arm." "Muster your company in front of General Ward's headquarters an hour before sunset, taking care to provide yourselves with blankets and one day's rations." Having given this command he turned to speak with an officer who was standing nearby, and seemingly gave no more heed to me, yet I stood like a simple, rather than one who claimed to be a soldier, awaiting further information, until mayhap five full minutes had passed when I came to realize my stupidity. Then saluting, even though his back was turned toward me, I went out and ran with all speed to where I had left Silas and Hiram. They were awaiting me patiently, evidently counting on my coming directly back, and once I was within speaking distance Hiram asked laughingly: "Well, did the colonel send for you that he might learn whether the Minute Boys had any complaint to make regarding their quarters or their rations?" "We are ordered to assemble in front of General Ward's headquarters an hour before sunset!" I replied breathlessly, giving no heed to his banter. "Then there is some work to be done!" Silas cried joyfully. "It must be so since we are to provide ourselves with blankets and a day's ration." "I'm thinking that Colonel Prescott would have been wiser had he forgotten the blankets and ordered more food," Hiram said with an odd expression on his face, and I taxed him with knowing more regarding the purpose for which we were to assemble than he had told us. "Nay, lad, whatever may be in my head is only suspicion, aroused by a word here and a word there dropped by some of our officers. You know I always hold that a man should gather all the information he can when there is nothing else to be done. I've had my ears opened mighty wide since knowing the Committee of Safety held a secret session not long ago, and from that time out it strikes me there have been many conversations between our commanders." "Tell us what you suspect," Silas demanded, and Hiram shook his head with the air of one who has come to an end of his budget of news.