In explanation of the plan of this work, it may be stated, that such an occasion as that upon which the outline events happened seemed to us most proper for the object in view. A Fourth of July festival in the old rendezvous of the Boston Tea-party is surely well calculated to excite patriotic feeling; and when to those who participated in the festival are added a number of the veterans of the War of Independence, filled with glorious recollections, the effect is to turn the mind to the admiration and veneration of the men and deeds of the "trying time." No event excites more interest among Americans than the destruction of the tea in Boston harbour. Then and there, the unconquerable resolution of freemen was first made apparent to the obstinate oppressors of our infant country. Yet, until of late years, the history of the affair was very imperfectly known, and the names of the men who participated in it scarcely mentioned. In these pages will be found a faithful account of this glorious exploit, and, in connection with the other narratives, it is hoped it will kindle in the breasts of young readers an enthusiasm for liberty and a love of heroic excellence. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION THE LEBANON CLUB THE SKIRMISH AT LEXINGTON THE FIGHT AT CONCORD THE FIFER'S STORY ARNOLD'S EXPEDITION EXPEDITION AGAINST TICONDEROGA PUTNAM'S ESCAPE THE BATTLE OF BENNINGTON CAPTURE OF GENERAL SULLIVAN PATRIOTISM OF MRS. BORDEN ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN PLUNKETT TREASON OF RUGSDALE CRUELTY OF TARLTON LEE'S LEGION ATTACK ON GENERAL WAYNE THE MUTINY AT MORRISTOWN THE TREASON OF BETTYS THE BATTLE OF BUNKER'S HILL EXPLOITS OF PETER FRANCISCO EXPLOIT OF COLONEL ALLAN M'LEAN THE ADVENTURE OF MAJOR LEE GENERAL DANIEL MORGAN BATTLE OF ORISKANY CONCLUSION INTRODUCTION.