“It’s a good deal more’n some of ’em will want within an hour after the battle has been opened,” he said grimly, and, strange though it may seem, this remark of his caused me to realize more keenly than I had done since we banded ourselves together as Minute Boys, that we were about to know the meaning of the word “war.” Even here at Peck’s Slip were other boats being laden with heavy, living cargoes, and as each craft started the men on board cheered lustily as if bound on some pleasure excursion, while I asked myself with an inward shudder how many might be alive or dead when the sun had set. General Putnam and his staff arrived very shortly after we were ready to receive them. Once they had been taken across we found ourselves with ample work to do, for no sooner had we ferried one load than another was ready to be taken on board, and all the while we expected each instant to hear the booming of cannon which would tell that the battle had begun. Not until night had fully come were we done with our task as ferrymen, and then was the sloop tied up at Peck’s Slip, for we had no further word as to what might be expected of us. Lieutenant Winterbottom had gone over with General Putnam, and all the order he gave was such as has already been set down here, therefore we were in no little bewilderment as to our proper course of action. “Accordin’ to my reckonin’ we’re bound to lay here till mornin’, an’ then if so be there are left any soldiers to go across, we’ll continue the work,” Abel Grant said by way of ending the discussion which had arisen among us. “If the lieutenant wants us, failin’ to find the sloop on the other side, he’s got sense enough to understand she would be here, therefore can he get us word whenever it pleases him.” We were standing on deck while speculating as to what should be done, and I called the attention of my comrades to the number of people on the street, saying: “After so many have crossed, it would seem as if there could not be a man left in the town.” “I’m allowin’ that pretty nigh all here are them as hope the red-coats will swallow us up as completely as the whale did Jonah, for it stands to reason that every able-bodied man who wanted to, an’ could, get away, would be on yonder shore, knowin’ as all our people must that every arm is needed,” Abel Grant said, and I fancied for an instant that he was reproving us Minute Boys for thus playing the part of ferrymen when we should be carrying muskets. “No, no, I don’t mean that, lad,” he said quickly when I put into words my thoughts. “You are already in the service, an’ actin’ under orders, consequently, as I look at the matter, have no right to leave this ’ere sloop until word has been given. It makes an honest man’s blood boil to see so many who should be defendin’ their homes, walkin’ to and fro with the hope that the enemy can do as he pleases.”