Boom! A great log was dropped in its length and started on a roll down hill. Boom! Boom! number two and number three followed. The advance guard of the British, with dismayed yells, sprang aside or ran back. The bottom of the road was piled up with the logs, presenting a formidable barrier to the enemy. "More logs, rocks,--anything!" was the next stentorian command. All kinds of debris went scurrying down the hill. The redcoats retreated down the road, but a special deploy was at work trying to move the massed logs out of the way. The word passed along the hill among the loyal contingent as to what was planned. They had formed a stout barricade. If they could defend this and divert the British troops from the road route, they might save the town. The redcoats however, despite missiles and bullets, kept at work trying to clear the road. Material to continue the barricade was now lacking. The proposed rush down the hill was deferred while two or three of the patriot leaders counselled together. "Phil, there's Andy again!" spoke up Ralph quickly. Phil glanced in the direction indicated. Andy, impetuous, heroic Andy, was the centre of a group of men and boys. They were rolling a keg, Andy directing its progress. With a series of forceful yells, in which Andy led, they halted at the crest of the hill. Ready hands drew out the plug in the head of the cask, and a long fuse was inserted and lighted. The British below saw what threatened, as Andy balanced the keg so as to allow it to slide lengthwise down into the barricade. Sharp orders rang out from the British ranks. With sudden regularity and discipline the British regiment wheeled, not daring to face the impending explosion. The keg of powder descended. A giant puff shot upward, a great detonating report rang out. The barricade was lifted and scattered about, all ablaze. When the smoke cleared the boys knew that Lexington was saved. The enemy had deployed, and were passing the town on a detour, but still marching onward among the defenceless towns, carrying death and destruction in their track. Powder-grimed, a veritable wounded warrior, Andy Sabine ran up to Phil and Ralph, his eyes aflame with the excitement and glamour of the battle. "Get the horses," he said quickly, "and get ahead of those redcoats. This is just a skirmish. Concord is what they're after, strong, Captain Parker says." Ten minutes later the three chums were mounted on their horses, on their way to the scene of the first real battle of the War of the Revolution. CHAPTER XXIV BROUGHT TO BOOK "Something wrong, Andy!" said Phil Warrington seriously. "Hello, is that so? Glad to see you back with the company, Phil."