Under the Liberty Tree: A Story of The 'Boston Massacre'

"If you are wise, you'll keep your distance. Hardy Baker brought you here to insult honest people who would scorn to have dealings with informers, even though they do chance to be of the same family. He lied to you, and you should let him attend to his own affairs. It is an even-handed battle, and both shall have fair play so far as I am concerned."

"That is all any fellow could ask for," one of the party cried, forgetting, in his desire to witness the encounter, that he had come on an alleged public mission. "If you'll agree not to touch our man, we will see to it that yours has his rights."

"That's all I want," Jim replied, grimly, and added to Amos, who, still holding Hardy firmly by the collar, had stopped to learn what part the barber's followers proposed to take: "Now is your time; the rest of these fellows agree to fair play, and I reckon no one will disturb you."

Hardy Baker was terrified, as could be told by the expression on his face, and he cried, shrilly:

"Why don't some of you cowards do as you agreed, and stand by me?"

"That's what we're going to do," the boy who had spoken with Jim replied. "No one shall interfere, and you said it wouldn't take you five minutes to disable Amos Richardson for life. Now go ahead and do it. If any one attempts to help him, we'll pitch in."

There was no further opportunity for the barber's apprentice to appeal to his followers.

Shaking him vigorously, as if with the idea that after such treatment he could better understand the words, Amos said, in a tone sufficiently loud for all to hear:

"I came out here simply to give you a flogging, Hardy Baker, and did not intend to waste any time about it; but so long as your friends are willing to stand by honestly, you shall have a chance to prove you can do what you boasted of being able to do."

Then Amos released his hold of the barber's collar, in order that the latter might be in a position to defend himself.

Hardy could do no less than strike out in his own defence, for it was not possible to beat a retreat; but his efforts were as feeble as they were vain. Before five minutes had passed Master Piemont's assistant was the most thoroughly whipped boy in the Colony of Massachusetts, and perfectly willing to acknowledge himself such, if by so doing he could prevent a continuation of the punishment.

"I can't strike a fellow when he will no longer defend himself," Amos said, as if in apology, after Hardy was so cowed as to remain passive under the blows. "I don't reckon you other fellows really knew what you were about when you came here to raise a row, so we'll let the matter end here. Until last night this barber and I were good friends, and would have been this moment, but for the fact that I refused to make a street brawler of myself, as he demanded. It is true Ebenezer Richardson is my uncle; but neither my father nor myself are of his way of thinking, as this whipped cur knows thoroughly well. I have been as ready to cry down an informer as any of you, therefore why should my father's house be attacked?"

"He told us you were hand in glove with the 'bloody backs,'" one of the party said, as he motioned toward the prostrate barber.

"And he was lying. Ask any of the boys who know me whether that is true. You can believe Chris Gore, who was wounded the same day Chris Snyder was killed; ask him!"

"And why not ask me?" Jim Gray cried. "It was Amos Richardson who had charge of putting the warning in front of Master Lillie's store."

"Hardy Baker said he and Chris Snyder did that alone," one of the barber's followers shouted, and Jim replied:

"All the part he took was to help carry the pole from my house over to Hanover Street. Amos had charge of the whole matter, and yet you believe he is friendly with the 'bloody backs,' just because he happens to have an uncle who is no honour to the family."

"We shouldn't have known anything about it, but for the barber, and if you think he hasn't had enough, we'll finish flogging him."

Hardy, who had not dared to move from the moment Amos ceased punishing him, now looked even more terrified than before, until the latter replied:

"No good will come of abusing him. Let him alone, and in the future I reckon he'll tell the truth."

"He will never tell us anything again that we shall believe," one of the attacking party said. "I'm sorry we let a liar like him lead us on to what we've done against you, and I'll agree we won't make such a mistake again, if you'll call it settled. Come down to the Liberty Tree with us, you two fellows, and let's see what's going on there."

Amos, eager to get the throng away from his father's house, accepted the invitation at once, and he and Jim marched in the midst of their late enemies, while Master Piemont's assistant was left alone to nurse, at the same time, his wounds and his anger.

The throng at Liberty Hall was as great as Amos had ever seen it at any time; but decidedly more quiet and orderly than on the previous evening.

It was as if, having decided upon a definite plan, the people were willing to wait quietly until the hour set for action should arrive.

It was rumoured that the Sons of Liberty, as an organisation, had agreed to head the populace in a peremptory demand for the removal of the troops, which was to be made on the following Monday; but Amos failed to learn that there was any good foundation for this rumour. It was known positively that the Sons of Liberty had laid the grievances of the people before the Governor and Council, but there were many at Liberty Hall who doubted if the members of the Society would countenance the actions of the mob.

"It seems as if poor little Chris was forgotten already," Jim Gray said, after he and Amos had listened to several hot-headed speakers urging the people to rise in their might. "Now they talk only of the attack upon the rope-makers, and hardly mention his name."

"That is because the trouble at your father's ropewalk was brought about by the soldiers, while Chris was murdered by one of our own people, if we are willing to acknowledge that Ebenezer Richardson was one of us."

"Does he never visit at your house?"

"He hasn't since the day Master John Hancock was arrested in regard to the seizure of his sloop. That was the first time he showed himself an enemy to the Colonies, and father declared he was no longer a brother of his. Don't talk about him any longer. It's a subject that makes me sick at heart. Suppose we go down to see Chris Gore? It will be better than standing here listening to these men, who have but little idea of the subject they are pretending to discuss.

The wound on Chris's shoulder was healing rapidly; but it was not deemed safe for him to venture out-of-doors yet, and his comrades felt it their duty to give him a detailed account of all that had occurred during the day.

The snow was beginning to fall when Amos and Jim left Mr. Gore's home, and before the next morning it had covered the earth with a mantle of dazzling whiteness.

CHAPTER V.

A NIGHT OF TERROR

Amos and Jim were early astir on Monday morning, the fifth of March, but before noon came both were convinced that the threatened trouble would blow over without the slightest semblance of a conflict between the soldiers and the citizens.

During the forenoon they had not so much as heard of Hardy Baker, or that faction to which he had allied himself, and Jim said, with a quiet chuckle of satisfaction:

"I reckon the barber got as much of a lesson as he needed Saturday afternoon, and has given over trying to set right the wrongs of the people."

"He must be at work, or we should have heard something regarding him," Amos replied, and then ceased even to think of the apprentice.

Shortly after noon those assembled under the Liberty Tree, – and there were quite as many as had gathered on Friday and Saturday, – were told that the Council had discussed with Governor Hutchinson the question of removing the troops from the city, and assured him the people would be satisfied with nothing else.

It was also said the Governor had refused to do anything regarding the matter; but that Samuel Adams had publicly declared the troops should be sent away, and that without loss of time.

At about three o'clock in the afternoon, Amos and Jim heard once more from Master Piemont's assistant.

It was told under the Liberty Tree that he had been seen in company with Attucks, the mulatto, and half a dozen others, near Wentworth's Wharf, and that Hardy had distinguished himself by taunting with cowardice, a squad of soldiers, until the redcoats avenged the insults with blows; but nothing more serious than a street brawl was the result.

"Perhaps I made a mistake, and Hardy didn't get as severe a lesson as he needed," Jim whispered to his friend.

"If he didn't, he's likely to receive it before this day is ended, in case he continues as they claim he has begun. It seems evident that the citizens do not intend to carry this matter any further, and the only trouble may be from such as Hardy. Let us go home and stay there quietly. If the Sons of Liberty were to make any demonstration, we would want to be with them; but if there is to be nothing more than street brawls, we had better keep out of sight."

Jim was perfectly willing to act upon this suggestion, and particularly because his father had warned him not to go in the vicinity of the ropewalk, fearing lest the trouble, having originated there, it would be a favourite rendezvous for those ripe for mischief.

The boys had hardly reached Amos's home, thoroughly confident there would be no serious disturbance, when the alarm-bells began to ring, and, as in the twinkling of an eye, the city, which had apparently been so peaceful, was the scene of tumult and confusion.

Men and boys rushed from their homes into the streets. Those who were already there ran to and fro in the wildest excitement, not understanding the cause of the alarm, and prudent housewives barred windows and doors as if each thought her home was about to be attacked.

As a matter of course, Amos and Jim went directly to the Liberty Tree; but failed to find there the throng which had occupied Liberty Hall almost constantly, with the exception of the Sabbath hours, since Friday morning.

"The soldiers have attacked the citizens!" a man cried, as he ran up Newbury Street at full speed.

"Where? Where?" Amos shouted.

"At the head of King Street."

The few who were waiting at Liberty Hall started immediately for the scene of the supposed conflict, and Amos and Jim followed their example.

The boys had no idea of mingling in street brawls; but if unoffending citizens were attacked by the soldiers, it was their intention to aid the former to the best of their abilities.

Before they could traverse the distance between Essex and King Streets, the alarm-bells had ceased ringing, and they met a throng of citizens returning from the supposed scene of violence with information that no outrage had been committed.

Samuel Gray, Jim's elder brother, was standing at the corner of Summer and Marlborough Streets when the two boys arrived at that point, and he explained the cause of the commotion by saying:

"A party of citizens, not over-gentle in their ways, attempted to pass the sentinel near the barracks, and were received by him at the point of his bayonet. One of our people was scratched slightly on the arm, and at the sight of the blood some one more timid than wise alarmed the city. You can go back, boys, for your services are not needed. Take my advice, Jim, and keep off the streets."

"But I intend to be on hand if there is any serious trouble."

"I should hope so, for you are old enough, if not large enough, to do your full share. What I meant was, don't get mixed up in street fights between the soldiers and disreputable citizens whose proper place is in the watch-house."

"I don't count on doing anything of that kind. Where are you going?"

"Up to Liberty Hall."

Amos and Jim followed, and, arriving at this common rendezvous, they found that the people were once more assembled; but this time in not as placid a humour as before.

The news of the encounter, and the needless alarm, had so excited the people that the more impetuous ones were in such a frame of mind that prudence would not be their first counsellor.

The city, which had been in an apparent state of quietude an hour previous, was now in a tumult, and when a squad of eight soldiers marched past the Liberty Tree, as if defying the people, they were received with epithets of derision and a shower of missiles thrown by the angry members of the party.

The cooler-headed men and boys did their best to restrain their companions, and the result was that the soldiers passed on, after indulging in a few threats.

"One can see how easily a fight may be brought about just now," Samuel Gray said to Amos. "The people are ripe for almost any kind of trouble, and if the authorities were wise the soldiers would not be allowed to show themselves on the streets."

"It seems as if those fellows passed this way simply to provoke us."

"Very likely they did; but it isn't because of such provocation that we should resort to bloodshed. Our part is to preserve the peace, if possible, while men like Master Samuel Adams redress our wrongs in a proper fashion. I doubt not but that through his influence the soldiers will be forced to leave the city; but nothing of the kind can be brought about by street brawls and foolish threats.

The excitement among those gathered at Liberty Hall, – and there were now very many reputable citizens present, – was most intense, and continued to increase each instant.

Word was brought of collisions between soldiers and citizens at different points, and although very much of the information was afterwards ascertained to be untrue, no one questioned it at the moment.

It seemed apparent to all that the time had arrived when the question as to whether the soldiery should be allowed to occupy Boston must be settled by force of arms, despite the odds which must necessarily be against the inhabitants in such an encounter.

Before sunset on this day the situation seemed to have changed greatly, for the brawlers of Hardy Baker's class were now in the minority, and it was sober, well-meaning citizens who occupied the space under the Liberty Tree.

Rumours came thick and fast. Some claimed that the Sons of Liberty, as an association, had that afternoon demanded of Governor Hutchinson that the troops be withdrawn; others declared the demand had been made and positively rejected, while the more timid insisted that the soldiers were making ready to awe the citizens by such a display of power, regardless as to whether bloodshed might ensue, and that within the next twenty-four hours there would be found no one bold enough to demand that they be sent away.

Amos and Jim, believing themselves in good company so long as they remained with Samuel Gray, kept close at his heels, and he was not loth to have them, for, like many another in the city of Boston on this night, he was firmly convinced that the strength of boys, as well as men, would be necessary before morning to preserve the slight semblance of freedom which was left to the Colonies.

John Gray's fears that there would be trouble in the vicinity of the rope-walk had been proven by this time to be groundless, for soldiers as well as citizens had, as if by common impulse, avoided the scene of the first serious outbreak, and at seven o'clock in the evening, when the city was more nearly in a state of repose than it had been since the alarm-bells summoned the inhabitants, Samuel Gray proposed to his brother and Amos that they go to the factory.

"I promised father I would look around there now and then, and if you boys are not counting on going home to supper, I can give you something in the way of a lunch from the store of provisions I carried there this morning."

"We are certainly not going home while there seems to be so much afoot," Amos replied.

"Then come with me, and we'll hope that the intentions of those who are abroad this night are as peaceable as ours."

It was destined, however, that they should not partake of the provisions which Jim's brother had stored for such an occasion as this.

On arriving at John Gray's place of business, a party numbering twenty or thirty, led by Attucks, with Master Piemont's assistant by his side, was seen marching toward the Custom House, shouting and hooting, as if to prove their courage by much noise.

"It is by such as them that mischief may be done," Amos said, in a low tone. "Hardy Baker cares not what statements he makes, so long as he appears to be considered a leader," and he concluded by telling Sam the story of the attack made the previous Saturday afternoon.

"I grant you the barber's apprentice is a dangerous sort of a lad to be loose at a time like this. Nevertheless, there are reputable citizens who believe the moment has come when we should stand for our rights, and what such as Hardy Baker may succeed in bringing about, through their folly, will perchance aid the righteous cause. We will follow them."

"To what purpose?"

"In order to learn if there is any preconcerted action among them. It was whispered at Liberty Hall late this afternoon that arrangements had been made for a demonstration in front of the barracks, and I would be there if such is made."

"But do you believe in anything of that kind?" Amos asked, in surprise.

"Certainly I do, my lad. If Governor Hutchinson insists it is not the desire of reputable citizens that the soldiers be sent away, it seems necessary he should be convinced of his mistake, and – "

"Surely Hardy Baker and Attucks, and their following, would not be taken for reputable citizens?"

"True, lad, but at the same time they echo the sentiments of even such men as Master Samuel Adams. Do you observe that in all this excitement no one in authority among us has advised that we remain quiet? It appears to me they are willing matters should take their course, and will not attempt to prevent the hotheads, hoping that through unreasoning violence good shall come."

Amos, remembering all he had heard since the murder of little Chris, began to believe Jim's brother was correct in his statement. He knew full well that if Master Samuel Adams or Master John Hancock requested the citizens to desist from gathering on the street, or from making any demonstration against the soldiers, their wishes would have been respected, and such brawlers as Hardy Baker been forced to remain quiet.

It was a revelation to him that a noble purpose might be attained through ignoble means, and immediately he ceased to regard the barber's apprentice as a menace to the public peace.

The party, headed by Attucks, continued straight on toward Dock Square, and at nearly the same time a like party came down from King Street, while yet another could be seen at the head of Union Street.

No less than six hundred men were now approaching a common centre with cries of:

"Let us drive out these rascals! They have no business here! Drive them out!"

"It is as was rumoured," Sam Gray said, quietly. "There is concerted action here, and before morning Governor Hutchinson will understand that it is the citizens of Boston, not a rabble, who demand the removal of the troops. If the better class of people wish the redcoats to remain, why do not some of them stand here to prevent mischief?"

Jim made no reply. He already realised that this was a movement of the populace, and not an ordinary street brawl.

Each moment the crowd that had assembled in the square increased in numbers; but it remained as orderly a gathering as ever assembled at Liberty Hall until a squad of soldiers, evidently for no other purpose than to show their contempt of the people, strode into the square, forcing a passage through the crowd in an offensive and insolent manner.

Then came that cry which aroused those who heard it more quickly than had the pealing of the alarm-bell.

"Town-born, turn out! Down with the 'bloody backs'!"

The soldiers lost their air of security and defiance as these words were passed from one side of the square to the other like the waves of the sea, and caught up in every direction by those on the adjacent streets, until it seemed as if the very air was tremulous with the cry:

"Town-born, turn out!"

The soldiers disappeared; but the summons for those who would defend their city's rights had so excited even the cooler-headed ones that action was an absolute necessity, and yet no leader had at that moment arisen to map out a course of action.

If their movements were concerted up to the time of meeting in Dock Square, it was evident the plan of operations had not been carried further than that, and the excited ones looked about eagerly for the enemy, but, seeing none, began to vent their fury on inanimate objects.

The market stalls were torn down that the timbers might be used as weapons; the fire-bells rang out their brazen peals; here and there men excited almost to the verge of frenzy discharged a musket or pistol in the air, and constantly were the numbers of the throng increased, until Amos and Jim thought it was as if all the male inhabitants of the city had gathered in one place to defend the town.

The pealing of the bells brought to the tumultuous scene those who did not sympathise with the movement, as well as those that approved of it, and among the former class were several well-known citizens, who, believing the greatest danger was to be apprehended from such an uprising, endeavoured, by all their powers of persuasion, to induce the people to return to their homes, leaving to such as Adams and Hancock the task of ridding the city of the redcoats.

So earnestly did these peacemakers labour that the respectful attention of the greater portion of the gathering was soon secured, and even those who brandished weapons, calling frantically to their comrades to follow them to the barracks, listened, half persuaded, to the words of these temperate men.

In half an hour the shouting, yelling throng had so far been reduced to silence that Amos believed all danger of violence was over, when suddenly there sprang up, as

if from the very ground beneath them, a tall man dressed in a scarlet cloak, his head covered with a white, flowing wig, and, mounting the wreck of the market stalls, he stood, a commanding figure, illumined by the rays of the moon.

"You have come here as men determined to obtain your rights," he cried, in a ringing voice, which could be heard distinctly by all, "and will you depart as children? Will you listen to those who counsel soft words when you are confronted by the muskets of your enemies? Will you, town-born, be thrust aside by the Britishers at every corner of the streets? Have you come here simply to shriek for your rights, and then to disperse quietly, lest you displease the hirelings of the King? Are you afraid of punishment which may follow, that you would slink away now? It is the town-born who must defend the town. It is the town-born who shall relieve the town from the burden under which it groans, and it is the town-born who this night should appear before the main guard as their masters, not as their servants."

"To the main guard! To the main guard!"

The multitude caught up the cry, and as if in a twinkling the throng was in motion, each pressing forward by the nearest way toward the barracks.

The streets were choked with people, and as the vast throng spread itself out toward the nearest approach to the quarters of the guard, they were, by force of circumstances, divided into three divisions.

Samuel Gray and his two companions were carried, without effort on their part, with one of these bodies, and, by a singular chance, pressed into close companionship with the barber's apprentice and his comrades.

The direction taken by this last division led them directly past the Custom House, and as they approached it Amos heard the shrill voice of Hardy, high above the cries and shouts of his companions:

"There's the scoundrel who knocked me down! That sentinel in the doorway blackened my eye because I dared ask to see Lieutenant Draper!"

The attention of the throng was thus directed to the single soldier who stood on duty at the Custom House.

"Knock him down as well! Give him a dose of his own medicine!"