Part 29 (1/2)

”It is from his excellency, the governor,” said the sheriff, bowing to the moderator.

”We don't want to hear it,” shouted the people.

”We are a.s.sembled in orderly town meeting. I think we had better hear what the governor has to communicate,” said Samuel Adams, and the great audience became silent. Tom's blood began to boil as the sheriff read:--

”You are openly violating, defying, and setting at nought the good and wholesome laws of the Province under which you live. I warn you, exhort, and require each of you, thus unlawfully a.s.sembled, forthwith to disperse, and to surcease all further unlawful proceedings at your utmost peril.”

Tom, and all around him hissed.

”We won't disperse till we've done our business,” shouted a man in the centre of the house.

”We will attend to our affairs, and Tommy Hutchinson may mind his own business,” cried another.

”Let us hear from Mr. Rotch,” the shout.

Mr. Rotch, a young merchant, wearing a broad-brimmed hat, and who owned the Dartmouth, rose.

”I am willing the tea should go back without being landed,” he said.

The people clapped their hands.

”Hall! Hall! Let us hear from Captain Hall,” they cried.

The captain of the Dartmouth, sunburned by exposure, said it made no difference to him. He would just as soon carry the tea back as anything else. Once more the people decided the tea should not be brought on sh.o.r.e. To prevent its being landed it was voted that the watch should be maintained; that if the attempt was made by day, the meetinghouse bells would ring, if by night, they were to toll.

A few days later, the Beaver, commanded by Captain Coffin, and the Elenor, commanded by Captain Bruce, arrived. Tom, once more looking down the harbor, saw the wars.h.i.+p Kingfisher drop down below the Castle and anchor in the channel; also the Active. He understood the meaning of the movement--that the governor did not intend the s.h.i.+ps should depart with the tea on board. He knew things would soon come to a head, for under the law, unless a vessel discharged its cargo within twenty days after arriving in port, the s.h.i.+p and cargo would be confiscated. Once more the people a.s.sembled, electing Thomas Savage moderator, and pa.s.sing a vote directing Mr. Rotch to ask the collector to clear the Dartmouth for London.

Rain was falling, and the wind east, rolling the waves into the harbor, on the morning of December 16. Unmindful of the storm, people from Boston and all the surrounding towns were gathering in the Old South Meetinghouse. Little did the farthest sighted among them comprehend that the fullness of time had come for the opening of a mighty drama; that the bell up in the tower was heralding the beginning of a new era in human government.

Tom and Abraham found seats in the gallery. After prayer, Samuel Adams said the committee appointed at a previous meeting had called upon the collector, with Mr. Rotch, asking him to clear the Dartmouth, but the request was not granted.

”We all know,” he continued, ”that the twenty days will expire at twelve o'clock to-night. After that hour the Dartmouth will be moored under the guns of Admiral Montague's wars.h.i.+ps, and will be taken possession of by a party of marines. I therefore move that Mr. Rotch be directed to enter his protest at the Custom House, and that he be further directed by this meeting to apply to Governor Hutchinson for a permit that shall allow the Dartmouth to pa.s.s the Castle and sail for London.”

”All in favor of that motion will say aye,” said the moderator.

”Aye!” thundered the floor, galleries, aisles, and pulpit stairs.

”All opposed will say no.”

The silence was so profound that Tom could hear his heart beat.

”This meeting stands adjourned to three o'clock,” said the moderator, and the great crowd thereupon surged into the streets. Some went to the Cromwell's Head; others to the Bunch of Grapes, White Lamb, Tun and Bacchus, drank mugs of flip, and warmed themselves by the bright wood-fires blazing on the hearths. The meeting had adjourned to give Mr. Rotch time to jump into his chaise and ride out to Milton to see Governor Hutchinson.

Tom and Abraham walked towards the Cromwell's Head. They were surprised and delighted to meet Roger Stanley.

”I didn't hear of the meeting till last evening,” said Roger, ”and I have come in to see what is going on.”

The rain had drenched his clothes.

”See here, Roger, you are wet to the skin; you must have some toddy.