Identifier: historyofourcountr00rich (find matches)
Title: The history of our country from its discovery by Columbus to the celebration of the centennial anniversary of its declaration of independence ..
Year: 1881 (1880s)
Authors: Richardson, Abby Sage, 1837-1900
Subjects: United States -- History
Publisher: Boston, Houghton, Mifflin and Company
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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,But mostly he watched with eager searchThe belfry tower of the old Noi-th ChurchAs it rose above the graves on the hill,Lonely and spectral and sombre and still.And lo ! as he looks, on the belfrys heightA glimmer, and then a gleam of light!He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns,But lingers and gazes, till full on his sightA second lamp in the belfry burns — A hurry of hoofs in a village street, A shape in the moonlight, a bulk in the dark, And beneath, from the pebbles, in passing a spark Struck out by a steed flying fearless and fleet: That was all! And yet, through the gloom and the light The fate of a nation was riding that night ; And the spark, struck out by that steed in his flight, Kindled the land into flame with its heat. In the mean time the troops had crossed Charles River, andmarched in dead silence down to Lexington, six miles from Con-cord. Not a man was allowed to speak. The officers uttered theircommands in whispers as they rode along the lines, and only the
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BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 203 thud ! thud ! of their footsteps was heard, on the quiet country road.They passed many a farm-house where the inmates lay dreaming•of Hberty, — so silently that they were not wakened from their•dreams. When they reached Lexington, the sun was just rising, and threwthe long shadow of Lexington meeting-house over the grass. Closeby the meeting-house, talking earnestly, were a group of less than ahundred men. These were minute-men, ^vitli muskets in hand.When they saw the red coats of the soldiers glittering in the morn-ing sun, they began to disperse. Up rode Major Pitcairn, who wasat the head of the troops, shouting fiercely, Disperse, you rebels !Throw down your arms, and disperse ! The troops hurrahed; an ofiicer discharged his pistol, and thenthe soldiery fired among the proyincials. The minute-men hadbeen instructed not to fire unless they were first fired upon by theBritish. They now promptly returned fire, wounding three of thesoldiers. This was ans

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