"Boston!" repeated Mr. Jewett. "Why, lads, before morning, probably within an hour, you will see that river out yonder covered with boat loads of redcoats. The British are about to make a raid out into the country, Lexington first, Concord next. Look out for yourselves, fight if you can, but don't think of going to Boston. Roberts, take them up to my house till I get our men in trim for the coming fight, and keep a lookout for the man I thought I saw keeping track of me back yonder near the old mill." The man who had grasped Andy now released him. The boys did not pay much further attention to him. Each of the trio felt that a critical moment impended, and that the situation was serious. Phil looked up and down the dark river, and then across at the city, where a good many lights showed, and which he had no doubt, was now in a state of considerable commotion. "I'll go up to the house with you soon," said the man, turning to attend to something in the barn. "We called there on our way here, and know where it is," explained Phil. "We hardly know what is best to do." "As you like," said the man. "Only, you had better follow Jewett's advice. We have been waiting for a week for what you saw happen a few minutes since, and it means a good deal, all hands around, I can tell you." "What shall we do, boys?" inquired Phil anxiously of his companions, as Andy's recent captor disappeared into the barn. "Mr. Jewett said Lexington and Concord," observed Andy, in a reflective tone. "I don't believe that the Tories will ever get that far out, but I'd like to be in the thick of the excitement." "Phil is pretty anxious about his folks," remarked Ralph. "We can't do much this side of the river except hang around. We have no muskets. We could learn a lot in Boston." "Well, anyhow, we'll see how it looks along the river," said Phil, with an irresolute sigh. "If we find a boat, I have a good mind to try and get across the river, even if we came right back again." "All right. Let's see what turns up," said Andy, and they started down the stream and past the old mill. The revelations of the past hour had stirred them up greatly. Andy talked of the boys training club at Concord, Phil of the Musket Boys of Boston, Ralph wished the provincial congress would establish a navy, and give him a chance to show what he had learned as a sailor boy. They proceeded along the river for over a mile before they made any discovery affecting their plans. Andy had remembered what Mr. Jewett had said about being followed by some one, and had strenuously asserted that he had caught sight twice of a lurking figure in their rear since passing the old mill. Now Ralph, who was a little ahead of Phil, halted. "Fellows, the very thing," he cried. "Here's a yawl."