The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-17
Chapter VII.
DORCHESTER HEIGHTS.

..
Captain Manly, first officer Of the American
navy commander OF little fieet whose men
were all commissioned in the army, lest,
captured, they should be shot as pirates
Captain Manly took heavy toll Of the ships
that were sent to the relief of Boston. Sup
plies and stores, food and drink, powder,
guns. flints, balls, bullets-these no took and
sent to the camp at Cambridge But Howe
never felt the loss. The rebel fleet was tiny,
| the opening OF Massachusetts bay was wide,
the vessels sent from England were very
numerous. So many came safe to port that
there was comfort in Boston at the opening
Of spring.
As the mall on Common street cleared OF
snow, society turned out and enjoyed its
last promenade on the parade ground Of
fashion. Lady Harriet was there. still out
shining Mistress Oliver: and there were the
beaux Of the garrison-Harriman. Tudor,
Ormsby. Alice was there, with Sotheran
watching her; but while she was contented
he was not, for each saw Pete lounging at
| distance vet keeping Alice in sight wherever
she moved. By day or by night the rope
makers were near her now She Gid not fear
| him; and he, tantalized and fruitlessly schem-
ing, knew that she could defy him continu-
ally. He could not bear the sight Of her;
and, disengaging himself from the throng,
went to his room in the barracks. Tebb was
| there.
"Tabb,"' the captain said, II want the
room"
The man hestated. ''If you please, sir"
t'Christine is very miserable, SIR
''Why did she leave her mistress, then?"
t'Sir, could she dare to stay?'
"'Twas her own choice" returned his mas
ter.
"Well, is there more?''
s'She says you promised should marry ner,
SIR" said Tabb.
sotheran sneered: "And you would be will
ing?"
Taob moved uneasily. 'shes kind Of pitt
full
'Fool," said his master. 1.-The woman's
worthless now. Would you lower yourself
give up your freedom? Come come, Tabb.
no more nonsense cannot have a married
servant. Here is guinea to stop the Wom-
ans mouth
That day was the I'd of March. That night
few people slept in Boston, for in the middle
evening, from Lechmere's Point a mortar
spoke, and the ball, rising to tower mo-
ment at its height, fell within the town.
From Cobble Hill the signal was answered,
and ball was sent against the British works
in Charlestown. Then from Roxbury can
| non flashed, and upon the Neck guardhouse
flew to kindling. Washingtons gunners were
| practicing.
The British batteries heard the challenge,
and from Bunker's Hill, Barton's Point and
through the night the cannon thuudered, and
In that noise was little chance for sleep.
There was small danger, but since ladies look
not we'll from lack Of sleep, there was no
promenade the following day, although the
sun was bright. The American batteries were
silent; they were bedding their mortars bet
ter; and, besides, they had a reason for
| firing in the night AS darkness came they
| opened again, and the full moon, sailing over
uncomfortable Boston, saw splinters falling
| into the streets, with here and there a broken
window. But no one was hurt; there were
| few bombs, and the garrison laughed at the
colonial general who supposed his fire effec-
tive. Yet Washington, new commander
| though he was, knew and had attained his
purpose. As on the third night his batteries
commenced to fire, sentries in Boston paced
their beats with contempt, and watchers at
| the British post were loftily inattentive.-
That was the night Of the 4th Of March.
The morrow was the 5th, the anniversary
Of the massacre. A proper day for that
| to nerve the colonists to the spirit for q
battle.
For the preparations were all finished All
| the teamsters from the country round-300
drivers with their carts and horses-had come
| to Roxbury. The moon was bright. From
| the American lines at Roxbury the cannon
| we're firing at the town. The British scarce
| ly answered. from the Neck. None noticed
| the dark column of men which, off to the left,
in full view crossed Dorchester Neck and