The First Capture; or, Hauling Down the Flag of England

nto the face of every man who was following him. "We don't want to talk too loud for fear that everything we say will go straigh

chooner, but every one, too, if we may except Zeke and O'Brien and perhaps Joseph Wheaton, who was the first man to conceive of the thing, could not help thinking what their fate would be if they failed. The act they

self fairly in the middle of the group, "and I guess we can talk here as well as anywhere el

ize the schooner?"

y," sai

out from under that flag whet

eorge does not stay above her a

l we do if th

that they are going to keep compan

shouted one of

will send them to keep company with the three hundred and more who fought our fellows at Lexington," continued Zeke, turning to O'Brien, "and those of us who have guns

be coming off to church t

far," said Zeke. "We can just go in after them and seize them in thei

ve in any kill

imed Zeke turning

mes to killing folks that were put there by the king to

he stepped forward and seized the man by both wrists. He did not attempt to throw him down, but he crossed his hands on his c

h with what I was going to say. I don't believe in killing folks that are standing

all we want. I did not mean to hurt you, Zeb, but you don't want to talk that way in this crowd. Old Zeke has

t her?" said Mr. O'Brien, who wanted to know just

o sloops now loading up with lumber the first thing we do; then we will go t

ted that enthusias

the time comes; but I would a little rather you would keep still now. All you

es, and when he turned about he f

e blue," said Zeke, str

said Zeb, who stepped over as promptly as the others did. "We must get

lies, and bring along everybody that you think will aid in capturing her; but mind you, don't say a word to any of the Tories. Bring with you everything that you can put your hands on that will do to kn

, as he stood looking after him as he moved down the road. O'Brien and

yet got through rubbing the place where Zeke's sinewy hands had clasped. "I felt as if I had let a forty-f

said another. "He has got something in him. It may be th

rs and crew composing the company of the schooner, and he knew that they would never surrender their vessel without making a de

ome to a clash of arms, Caleb wanted somebody on hand who knew what he was about to take command of him. He was bound to go for he had been one of the firs

nt his steps toward his friend's house. "He is a good boy, and I know he will fi

got started on the subject of seizing the schooner when the two young Tories, which were the objects of especial hatred to them, came in sight. They would rather have seen almost any one else than James Howard and Emerson Miller. The sober look on the la

fellows think of th

you express an opinion," said

mes. "Every one of those men who had guns in

h them first,

in their hands and calling for the men who were engaged in that massacre, everybody will be w

were there?" asked

ptly. "But I would have been

were in the fight, but it is not our way," said Enoch, quietly. "This thing

n a little while, and then you fellows will want to keep dark. What were those fellows talking

ot go over," said Caleb. "You woul

the top of his voice," said Emerson. "I gu

now that they do not talk when Tories are ar

d Enoch, in disgust. "If I could not keep still in regard

a laugh. "Don't you worry about that. I will be

occupied by his heels. He fell like a tree struck by a whirlwind, and his head came in violent contact with the ground. He lay there for a second or two as

m ready to receive

of your head and I will pu

ot done anything to you, and I want you to let

t to the magistrate as soon as y

d seizing Caleb around the waist fairly lifted him from the ground and

," said he. "Pick up your comr

haul Enoch up with a rope," said Caleb, trying hard to get o

ining his hold upon him, was carrying him along the walk toward the entrance of

ward to see if he was still alive. To his joy the prostrate

ne now," said Emerson. "Enoch t

ames, sitting up on the ground. "The young rebel strikes an awful whack, does he

id Emerson, brushing it off as well as

night, and I will have revenge for all that boy's actions. Help me up. Now we will go and see father about it the fi

ng about the battle of Lexington. There was one thing about it he said to his wife: Those rebels had got to be whipped into submission, or he and his family must go back to England. How he wished he possessed the power to wipe all those who were in rebellion from the face of the earth! Would not he make a scattering among th