“I suppose Lord Percy went to Gage and told him what he had heard,” remarked Kinnison.  “It must have galled him a little to find they were so closely watched.  Well, Captain Williams was first, aroused by the sound of the bells ringing and cannons firing on the Lexington road, and he ordered us out to march and join our friends near that place.  It was a moonlight night, and we marched rapidly.  When we got about half-way to Lexington, we met a man who told us that the minute-men of Lexington were out, but he didn’t think there would be much of a fight.  Captain Williams then thought it would be better for the company to march to Concord and help defend the stores, but said that a few of us might go to Lexington, and see now things went on.  Accordingly, my brother Sam—­a ripe fellow Sam was—­and three others, and myself, were allowed to go to Lexington.  We arrived there about half-past three in the morning, and found the bells ringing, cannons firing, and about a hundred minute-men drawn up in front of the meeting-house, waiting the approach of the enemy.  We joined them, and placed ourselves under the orders of Captain Parker.  Between four and five o’clock, we caught sight of the red-coats coming along the road, with Pitcorn at their head.  I saw at once that we couldn’t make much show against so many regulars, and I believe all our men thought the same; but we stood firm, with our loaded muskets in our hands.  The red-coated troops were drawn up near the meeting-house, just opposite to us, and loaded their muskets.  For a little while, it seemed as if neither party wanted to begin, and that we both knew a long war hung on the first fire.  At last, Major Pitcorn and his officers rode forward, waving their swords and shouting, ’disperse, you villains—­you rebels! why don’t you disperse?’ As we didn’t stir, Pitcorn turned and ordered his troops to press forward and surround us.—­Just then, a few scattering shots were fired at us, and we Lebanon men returned ’em at once.  Then Pitcorn fired his pistol and gave the word ‘fire,’ and they did fire.  Four of our men fell dead, and our Sam was wounded in the leg.  We had to retreat, although I felt savage enough to fight ’em all myself; and so I fired my musket, and took hold of Sam, and helped him to get away with us.  The red-coats continued to fire at us as we retreated, and some of our men paid ’em in the same coin.  Two or three of the men were killed as they were getting over a stone fence, and Captain Parker, who wouldn’t run, was killed with the bayonet.  I hurried Sam into a house near by, saw him safe in the cellar, where the owner of the house said he would attend to him, and then joined the other Lebanon men, who were running towards Concord.”

FIGHT AT CONCORD.

“You must tell us what took place at Concord, also,” said young Hand.