The dazzled sentinels allowed the boat to pursue its course. The swaying victim of circumstances in the bow was comically dignified, as he imagined he was "inspecting" something, in the "line of duty." He slipped in his seat and his head fell upon his breast. "Past the Rubicon," uttered Phil fervently, as they crossed the central current of the river. "Yes, and what a prize prisoner!" chuckled Andy gleefully. And the young volunteers knew, as they saw the distant lights of the camp of the Continental army at Cambridge, that they had done a big thing. CHAPTER XXX BUNKER HILL The proudest moment in the life of Phil Warrington had arrived. As for Andy Sabine, as he described it later to his friends, he felt that he could keep on fighting for his country till he was an old man under the generous and appreciative commander who welcomed the two chums at headquarters the morning after the rescue of the prisoners in the old city warehouse. They had been summoned to headquarters by the general who had given Phil the message to deliver to Burt Noble, to be welcomed heartily by that official, but as well to receive a greater honor. A fine-looking gentleman, a visitor in the camp, sat at a little distance, but noting the boys attentively while the general was speaking to them. "I cannot find words to express my approbation of your prompt and brave action, my loyal young friends," said the camp official to Phil and Andy. "It was a right royal rescue, an important capture, and the packet you brought from another splendid young man of the colonies cause, has given us information so vital that it may lead us to change the entire progress of the war. This gentleman has requested that I afford him an opportunity to thank you in the name of the continental army." The grand-looking man who had sat silent until now, arose and extended a hand to each of the boys in turn. "Philip Warrington and Andrew Sabine," he said--"I shall not readily forget those names. Young men, your country may well be proud of you." And then he bowed them from the room with a friendly, fatherly smile that thrilled each lad with delight, and Andy did not know whether he was on his head or his feet as the orderly who accompanied them whispered: "That was Colonel William Prescott!" How important the word was that Phil had brought from Boston, the camp began to surmise as the day wore on. Phil later heard from Burt Noble's own lips that the latter, as a hanger on of the British army, had managed to gain access to a secret conclave of the Tory officers, and had learned of an important military move they were about to make. He had communicated this to the patriot general, intelligence that led indirectly to that famous conflict of history--the Battle of Bunker Hill.