The rebel garrison
of three or four men only, having made no resistance, had been
disarmed and let go. Perez turned on his heel and went home. That same
afternoon about three o'clock, as he was sitting in the house, his
brother Reuben, who had been on the watch, came in and said that a
party of militia were approaching.
"I've saddled your horse, Perez, and hitched him to the fence. You've
got a good start, but it won't do to wait a minute." Then Perez rose
up, bade his father and mother and brother good-bye, and went out and
mounted his horse. The militia were visible descending the hill at the
north of the village, several furlongs off. Perez turned his horse in
the opposite direction, and galloped down to the green. He rode up in
front of the store, flung himself from his horse, ran up the steps and
went in. Dr. Partridge was in the store talking to Edwards, and
Jonathan was also there. As Perez burst in, pale, excited, yet
determined, the two gentlemen sprang to their feet and Jonathan edged
toward a gun that stood in the corner. Edwards, as if apprehending his
visitor's purpose, stepped between him and the door of the living-
rooms. But Perez' air was beseeching, not threatening, almost abject,
indeed.
Pages:
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395