“Remember, lad, that you are to be just as perky as if the Minute Boys of Long Island numbered one hundred, instead of three,” Abel Grant called after me when I left my comrades at a point where they could see me as I entered the building, in case of my so doing, and be ready to hear the result of the interview immediately I came out. And these words rang in my ears as I walked leisurely toward the sentinel who was pacing to and fro in front of the building. To my great surprise, even though I had been expecting to see him, Lieutenant Winterbottom came out of the house as I drew near, and with a word to the sentinel on duty, that he might allow me to pass, opened the door. Taking this as an invitation to enter, I stepped inside, feeling more like a culprit than a lad who had been summoned, perhaps, to do the work of a man, and almost unconsciously I followed the lieutenant as he led the way to the rear room, where I saw seated before a table which did service also as desk, a soldierly-looking and not unkindly appearing man. There was no need to tell me who he was, for I had seen General Putnam before, and it was evident he remembered me, although the lieutenant appeared to think an introduction necessary, for he made it by saying: “General, this is the lad whom you wanted.” “Ay, lieutenant, he and I have met before. You may close the door as you go out, sir.” This was evidently an intimation that even Lieutenant Winterbottom was not to know what passed between us, and although such fact should have filled me with pride, yet did it cause alarm, for it seemed much as though I was about to be charged with some misdemeanor; but this nervous fear passed away very quickly when the general said after we were alone: “Well, lad, are you Minute Boys still holding together, or has the fear of what may be done by the friends of those Tories whom you sent to me, induced you to disband?” “We are yet holding together, sir, though our number is not increasing, unless it so be that we take Abel Grant on as admiral, according to his own suggestion.” At this the general smiled, as if I had said something comical, and asked humorously: “So you believe a naval officer necessary, eh?” “Well, sir, you see we have the sloop, and some one must handle her. Besides, I am thinkin’ that Abel would join us as a Minute Boy were it not for his being so much older, an’, wantin’ to remain with us, he makes as excuse the proposition that we are needin’ a sailor.” “I can fancy that he may be very useful, if you are yet inclined to labor in behalf of the Cause.” “That we are, sir, an’ shall feel proud if there be anythin’ whatsoever we may do. Don’t think I am boastin’ when I say that we should be able to perform the work of men, for we lads are of considerable age already.”