Away they went again, with thunder of hoofs and rattle of harness, while as they left the streets of Lexington behind them a hasty stir succeeded the late silence of that quiet village.  From every house men rushed to learn the news; from every window women’s heads were thrust; some armed minute-men began to gather, and by two o’clock a hundred and thirty of these were gathered upon the meeting-house green.  But no foe appeared, and the air was chilly at this hour of the night, so that, after the roll had been called, they were dismissed, with orders to be ready to assemble at beat of drum.

Meanwhile, Revere and his companion had pushed on towards Concord, six miles beyond.  On the road they met Dr. Samuel Prescott, a resident of that town, on his way home from a visit to Lexington.  The three rode on together, the messengers telling their startling story to their new companion.

It was a fortunate meeting, as events fell out, for, as they pushed onward, Paul Revere somewhat in advance, the group of British officers of whom he had been told suddenly appeared in the road before him.  Before he could make a movement to escape they were around him, and strong hands were upon his shoulders.  The gallant scout was a prisoner in British hands.

Dawes, who had been closely behind him, suffered the same fate.  Not so Prescott, who had been left a short distance behind by the ardent messengers.  He sprang over the road-side wall before the officers could reach him, and hastened away through the fields towards Concord, bearing thither the story he had so opportunely learned.

The officers had already in their custody three Lexington men, who, in order to convey the news, had taken to the road while Revere and Dawes were closeted with the patriot leaders at Mr Clarke’s.  Riding back with their prisoners to a house near by, they questioned them at point of pistol as to their purpose.

Revere at first gave evasive answers to their questions.  But at length, with a show of exultation, he said,—­

“Gentlemen, you have missed your aim.”

“What aim?” they asked.

“I came from Boston an hour after your troops left it,” answered Revere.  “And if I had not known that messengers were out in time enough to carry the news for fifty miles, you would not have stopped me without a shot.”

The officers, startled by this confident assertion, continued their questions; but now, from a distance, the clang of a bell was heard.  The Lexington men cried out at this,—­

“The bells are ringing!  The towns are alarmed!  You are all dead men!”

This assertion, which the sound of the bells appeared to confirm, alarmed the officers.  If the people should rise, their position would be a dangerous one.  They must make their way back.  But, as a measure of precaution, they took Revere’s horse and cut the girths and bridles of the others.  This done, they rode away at full speed, leaving their late captives on foot in the road.  But this the two messengers little heeded, as they knew that their tidings had gone on in safe hands.