“Now don’t be foolish,” I cried irritably, for it annoyed me not a little that my companions should expect the word of command from me, who was better fitted to obey than lead. “We are equal as Minute Boys, an’ one may say as well as another what should be done.” “Don’t make a fool of yourself!” Sam cried sharply. “It has been agreed that you are our leader, an’ even though there be but four of us, countin’ Abel as a boy, it is necessary that one shall be at the head, else are we like to come to grief if so be we get into a tight place.” “If you will have it so,” I cried, far from pleased that they believed I must give the word for every trifling movement. “We’ll go back to the sloop where the matter can be discussed without fear our words will be overheard.” On the instant my comrades wheeled about, turning their backs on the scene of riot and confusion which would under any other circumstances have held us chained to the spot, and without giving heed to the revelers on every hand, marched rapidly up town to Oliver Street, never one of us speaking until we were in the cabin of the Swiftsure with the hatch drawn close to shut out eavesdroppers. There, in whispers, we discussed the possible meaning of General Putnam’s order, never once guessing the truth of the matter, nor even dreaming that we were to be employed on matters of the utmost consequence to the American Army. It was in our minds that we were needed for some trifling service; but however slight might be the work required, it was enough to fill us with pride that an officer so high in command as General Putnam had seen fit to send a messenger especially to us as Minute Boys. Finally, after we had turned the matter over and over again, Abel Grant said with a drawl: “I don’t want it to be thought that the admiral of this ’ere military organization is stickin’ his nose in where it don’t belong; but yet I’m minded to interfere so far as to say I think it’s time for full-fledged soldiers who are ordered to watch over the whole American Army, to turn in. Sittin’ up all night waggin’ your tongues, ain’t any fit way of makin’ ready for the work that’s been cut out by the general.” Laughingly we followed this suggestion, knowing it to be a good one, and in a twinkling were stowed as snug as herrings in a box, for the Swiftsure had but two small bunks, and when four were crowded into them there was not overly much room for moving about. Although I turned in so quickly, it was impossible to close my eyes in slumber readily, so excited was I by the words of Lieutenant Winterbottom had spoken. I twisted and turned as best I could while Abel Grant was my bedfellow, and it seemed as if the night must have been well nigh at an end when I lost myself in the unconsciousness of slumber.