The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-18
Chapter VII-Continued.
BOOK WI

Chapter V1I-COnfinued.
The Americans In Dorchester saw the Brit
ash boats convey to the castle many hundred
men. The ships closed in; an assault was
evidently intended: and messages went hurry.
Ing from Washington in Dorchester to Put
nam in Cambridge to be ready for the signal.
In the redoubt nearest the castle, which
would bear the first attack. Frank Ellery
leaned upon a and patted its cold
muzzle. The eyes Of his men were eager but
their mouths were firm The rincmen were
ready: and he knew that Washington, who
had Just inspected the defenses, was satisfied.
'Remember,' the general had said the
eth OF March," and the mems response was
resolute. The regiments that forced their way
through the entangling trees would have to
meet Franks charges Of grape before the
barrels were rolled, and must be disciplined
indeed If they could attain the forty yards
for which the ri1emen reserved their fire.
And there was another combat impending.
When the British should land on Dorchester.
rockets were to signal Putnam in Cambridge.
Within the river were boats and barges;
yeady on the shore were 1000 men-the best
drilled Of the troops-burning with desire to
cross the Back bay and storm the town.
That was to be indeed a day Of fighting worse
than the carnage planned for February. The
town might be destroyed; the flower OF both
armies would certainly perish. Frank could
not be easy as he thought of Alice.
ahe British seemed ready to embark again.
the wind which had been blowing all the day
"a high east wind, driving across the dull
heaven wisps and rags of Clouds the fore
runners of a tempest-grew into gale. The
boats had Wallowed their way from Boston to
the castle drenching the soldiers with spray.
At noon the strait between Dorchester and
Castle island was mass of whitecaps, and
by the middle Of the afternoon the waves
were high on the beach. Washington came
again to the redoubt, and. standing by
Franks side, gazed down at the water A
powerful surf was running. No boat could
live upon that shore.
away 'Mr. Elery," said Washington, "our
visitors cannot come. I know not which will
mourn the most, you or l"
The British remained at the castle. Even
1ng fell. Through the night blew the furious
wind; louder grew the pounding OF the surf.
The rain came about dark, and when 1t came
It fell in torrents. Men were still busy; in
spite OF the rain and darkness the works were
growing stronger; and when day came the
British, could they have landed, would have
to climb slippery hill against fortress.
There would be fight.
Washington's end was gained. He saw, and
Howe saw, too. All through the 9Th the gale
continued, but the rebels worked constantly.
and when at night the wind lessened the
works were SO strong that it would have been
madness to attack
In Boston it was known that the generals
were in council at the Province House. Peo-
ple gathered in the streets-whigs with faces
grfnly anticipatfve, Tories pale and anxious
The door of the Province House opened at
last: the officers came out. The admiral first,
with head bent down, hurried to his boat;
the generals, refusing to answer questions,
went to their quarters. But the decision was
not long withheld. 1t was whispered first;
then it was spoken; then, with voice OF
despair, it was cried through the streets Men
rushed headlong to their homes, to shut them
selves from the light Of day. Their heaven
was shattered its fragments were falling
upon their heads; they saw themselves
ruined. their families destitute, their homes
DESTROYED. That news carried CONSERVATION
IN hundreds of hearts, for Howe had deter
mined to eyacuate the town.