The  morning  was  chilly,  the  way  unfrequented,  and  not  a
sound  came  out  of  the  gloom  in  which  the  cohort  was  en-
shrouded, save,  perhaps,  the  rattling  of  scabbards  in  unison
with  the  measured  tramp,  or  where  some  amphibious  batrachian
sent  up  a  dismal  croak  from  the  stagnant  pools.  The  gallant
Welsh,  the  gay  marines,  and  the  gracious,  well-bred  officers  of
the  light  companies  must  have  felt  their  spirits  not  a  little  in-
fetited  by  their  inglorious  undertaking.  Smith  unconsciously
held  in  his  hand  the  wedge  which  was  to  split  the  British
Empire  in  twain.
The  column  moves  on  in  silence  past  the  old  Davenport
tavern,  still  standing  at  the  corner  of  l!^orth  Avenue  and  Beech
Streets.  Afar  off  the  note  of  alarm  had  begun  to  sound  with
the  awakening  day.  Eevere  had  roused  the  Medford  bands.
Bells  W' ere  beginning  to  ring  out,  and  gunshots  to  explode  on
the  morning  air,  as  we  have  heard  them  many  a  time  since  in
some  country  village  at  the  return  of  this  day.  Smith  halts  ;
the  surprise  has  ended,  and  certes,  we  should  say  the  soldiers'
faces  might  brighten  at  the  prospect.  Pitcairn  moves  off  with
his  six  companies.  An  express  goes  back  to  the  General  for
help.  Then  the  word  is  "  Forward  !  "  and  the  column  presses
on.  It  passes  the  last  rendezvous  of  the  Eevolutionary  Com-
mittee at  the  Black  Horse  in  Menotomy,  now  Arlington,  and
Elbridge  Gerry,  Orne,  and  Lee,  escaping  half  dressed  into  the
fields,  throw  themselves  flat  on  their  faces  among  the  stubble.
