By this time I had come to understand that we were playing the part of simples by remaining inside the stockade, wholly ignorant of what might be going on around us, and I said sharply, as if doubting the sincerity of my comrades: “You have agreed that matters shall go to my liking while I hold command of what we call the Minute Boys.” To this Giles assented emphatically, whereupon I said decidedly: “You are to remain here with no less than four lads on the watch all the time. I am going out to learn whether there be any danger of an attack.” “It is for one of us to do that,” Giles said, quickly, and then I understood how brave the lad was, for he was jealous that I should incur greater danger than himself. “You shall remain, Giles, until six hours have passed, and if I have not returned, come in search of me, leaving whosoever you will in charge of the company. Remember, lads, that we are to hold this stockade so long as life shall last, for only by fighting until the final moment can we aid those who are depending upon our loyalty to them.” Giles would have spoken again, but, as if he remembered the pledge just made, held his peace, and I went into the stockade for as much of corn bread as would serve for my breakfast. There was no need of taking more than that amount, for, if I returned not by noon, I would never again need food. Having made ready, I went toward the small gate, and there stopped to take Giles by the hand, as I said: “The greatest danger which threatens lies between here and Wintermoot’s in as straight a line as the crow flies. I am counting only on going there before I return, therefore, if it becomes necessary to search for me, you need not spend very much time in the hunt.” My hand was on the bar of the gate to raise it from its place, when the lad who was stationed on the west side of the stockade discharged his musket, and a sharp cry from the thicket directly in front of him told that the missile had found its target. The lad who had fired leaped down in order that he might reload his weapon without giving an opportunity for a shot to those who were on the outside, and, running up to him, I asked, hurriedly: “Was it red man or white?” “Red,” he replied, “and, unless I mistake, there were three others near by.” Beckoning to four of the lads who stood nearest, I bade them mount the wall, but urged that they take care before shooting, lest Elias be making an effort to gain the stockade, and then I stationed the rest of the company on the different sides of the fortification, knowing that, if an attack by the Indians was about to be made, they were more like to come from all quarters at the same moment. Giles was the only member of the company whom I had not stationed, and he stood moodily near the main entrance, as if disgruntled because I had seemingly overlooked him. The frown left his face very quickly, however, when I said, clapping him on the shoulder: