"Ha, ha, how mistaken they were!" laughed Max.
"Yes," his father said, "there were vigilant eyes upon them. As they passed through West Cambridge they were seen by Lee, Gerry, and Orne,--members of the Provincial Congress,--and as I have told you, others learned the secret also.
"As the British neared Lexington their ears were greeted by the sound of bells and guns, warning them that their expedition was known."
"I s'pose they didn't like that," observed Gracie, "but what did they do about it, Papa?"
"Colonel Smith dispatched six companies of troops under Major Pitcairn, with orders to press on to Concord and secure the two bridges. He also sent a messenger to Boston for reinforcements.
"Pitcairn hastened on toward Lexington, capturing several persons on his way. One of them--a man named Bowman--escaped, hurried into Lexington on horseback, and notified Captain Parker, commander of the minute-men, that the enemy was approaching."
"And did they make a great fuss and wake up all the people, Papa?" asked Gracie.
"They rang the bells, fired guns, and beat the drum, so that doubtless everybody was soon aroused.
"It was between four and five in the morning. About one hundred of the militia were quickly collected on the green; but being raw troops, and uncertain how large a force was coming against them, they were in some confusion.
"And indeed it was an overwhelming force they presently saw marching toward them, their scarlet uniforms gleaming out through the early morning mist.
"The British halted within a few rods of the meeting-house and loaded their pieces. But the Americans stood firm and undismayed.
"Their orders were not to pull a trigger till fired upon by the enemy, and for a moment there was silence and hesitation on both sides; neither Americans nor British seemed willing to become the aggressors.
"But it was only for a moment; Pitcairn and other officers galloped forward, waving their swords over their heads, and followed by their troops in double-quick time.
"'Disperse you villains!' they shouted, 'lay down your arms and disperse. Why don't you disperse, you rebels? Disperse!' And as the patriots did not instantly obey the command, Pitcairn wheeled his horse, waved his sword, and gave orders to press forward and surround the militia.
