“Liberty, that must be them, just up ahead,” I said, leaning over Liberty’s neck. “Hurry, let’s catch up!”
As we got closer, we saw that Paul Revere and Brown Beauty had come to a stop and were waiting under the cover of a tree. “Rush, we have to go north, a different route than we intended,” Paul said, pointing in the opposite direction. “We will lose a little time but rumor is there are Redcoats up ahead patrolling the roadway.”
I pulled out a map to find out where we were. “Will we go up this way through Mystic?” I asked, pointing to the area on the map. It was hard to see the route in the light but Paul confirmed, “Yes, we will go through Mystic, over the wooden bridge.”
Just then I heard the sound of horse hooves getting closer. I turned back to see Little Liberty still in the distance but running as fast as his little legs could take him. It was quite the sight to see the boys’ heads bouncing up and down, trying to hold on.
“Oh great, the runt returns,” sighed Liberty, grunting under his breath.
“Let’s carry on! Onward, north towards Lexington,” Paul said, starting to ride off ahead.
“We will be right behind you!” I said.
We rode through village after village and heard shouts of “Redcoats coming!” and “Hurry up!” Bells were ringing all the way until we galloped over a small rising hill into the outskirts of Lexington.
“We’re almost there,” Paul Revere said. “The Hancock-Clarke House is just up ahead and we can warn Hancock and Adams.”
Liberty slowed to a trot as we approached a local tavern on the right with a bright red door. The sign overhead read BUCKMAN TAVERN. “Let’s wait here for the boys. They will be here soon,” I said, my heart racing from the excitement. A small lantern glowed in the window and a few voices could be heard inside talking and laughing. To the left was a large field about the size of a small city park. Ah, this must be Lexington Green, I thought. Several houses surrounded the field.
It seemed like years, but it was only a matter of minutes until Little Liberty trotted along to the tavern. I was glad to see the boys were still on his back. It didn’t take us long to catch up to them and take the lead again. “Follow us, boys, we are very close now,” I said.
“You do realize this is completely ruining my horse mojo, right? I mean, the runt is rather embarrassing. Tell me you disagree?” Liberty said in a huff. I ignored him to focus on the task at hand.
We rounded another bend and saw Paul Revere and Brown Beauty stopped in front of a two-story wooden house lined with big trees. The house was dark except for the flicker of a lamplight. A guard stood outside with a rifle on his chest.
“Just stop right there,” the guard said in a loud whisper. “Don’t move a step closer if ya know what’s good for ya.” He stood right in front of the door like it was the entrance to a treasure room.
“But I need to alarm Hancock and Adams,” Paul Revere urged, spreading his chest wide. He looked about ready to explode.
“Quiet down immediately, sir, I warn you, so help me,” the guard said menacingly. “Quiet down. You are about to wake the house with all this noise!” Brown Beauty, sweaty from head to hoof, sidestepped nervously, nostrils flaring.
This is Buckman Tavern, which overlooks Lexington Green. American Patriots gathered here before the Battle of Lexington Green.
“Noise?” Paul responded in his loudest voice. “Noise? You’ll have noise enough before long! The Regulars are coming out!”
At that the guard’s eyes widened, then he turned and immediately knocked loudly on the door, again and again.
A bedroom curtain jerked open. Then another and another. Several shadowed faces peered out into the darkness. Within a matter of seconds a man came to the door. He was dressed like he was going to a grand ball or an eighteenth-century Academy Awards show.
The man said, “Paul Revere, what is going on?” His eyes were half closed and his hair was disheveled. But he had a way about him, a surprising casualness. This wasn’t Samuel Adams. The last time we saw Adams he was throwing tea into the water at Boston Harbor. Oh, of course, this must be John Hancock!
After asking Liberty to keep a lookout outside, we all pushed inside to the narrow hallway, where a candle flickered. Paul responded, “You are in grave danger, sir. The Redcoats have crossed the Charles River and are coming to get you and Sam Adams.” John Hancock turned and looked at me in the eyes. He appeared surprised but quickly recovered, nodded to me, and led us farther into the house.
Samuel Adams was standing in the middle of the room with his hands on his hips. He looked grumpy.
Paul Revere introduced us to the others and said, “This is fellow Patriot Rush Revere and his two students, Tommy and Cam.”
“Well, speak, Paul, we don’t have all night. What is this? Something about the Redcoats coming tonight? You’re joking! This is madness,” said Samuel.
Cam jumped up with boldness and said, “He’s not joking . . . Paul Revere is telling the truth!”
Samuel grabbed Cam by the shoulders and said, “Now this is a brave young man; finally someone answered my blessed question!” Samuel actually smiled looking at Cam, who looked at me confused.
John Hancock was casually leaning against a book cabinet. He laughed and raised a hand gently to say, “Well, we must be very, very special indeed, for all those soldiers to come after the two of us on this fine evening.”
Samuel shouted, “It’s no laughing matter, Hancock, the Revolution is beginning! We have to get moving right away!”
Paul looked at the others and said, “Dr. Warren thinks they plan to capture you, then move on to Concord and take the gunpowder and ammunition stores. Gunpowder is something we need, and can’t produce here. Without it, we are doomed to fail. General Gage knows this; he is sending the King’s soldiers to take the ammunition or worse.”
“Yes, it makes sense. They are marching to Concord to snuff out any remaining freedom we still have,” said John Hancock.
“Then we must warn Concord right away!” exclaimed Samuel.
John sighed. “And I suppose we will need to leave in the middle of the night. Gentlemen,” he said, “I am a Patriot through and through, but I am also a man who needs a cup of tea before rising and leaving at this hour.”
Tommy whispered, “Hey, Cam, what is up with this guy?”
“I know, right? He’s not exactly racing to get going. C’mon, dude, they are going to hang you,” Cam responded.
I pulled the boys aside while the others talked. “Don’t underestimate John Hancock,” I told them. “He is an incredible businessman and one of the wealthiest men in Boston. He is risking all he has for the cause. His way may be a little different, but he is a Patriot and would share that fact with King George himself.”
Samuel Adams continued arguing for us to leave immediately, until John held up a relaxed finger and silenced him. “Gentlemen! Patience is a virtue. Now, if you will excuse me.”
As John Hancock exited the room, Samuel Adams rolled his eyes and huffed, “Mr. Hancock is brilliant and a true Patriot, but there are times like this that I am ready to dump him in the Charles River!”
Paul Revere glanced out one of the windows and said, “It is time to go, but I don’t see Dawes. I am afraid he was captured. We knew the risks of this mission, that there is a real chance we wouldn’t complete it. At any point we could be captured, and God knows what the Regulars would do to us. But it is a sacrifice we are willing to make. Still, I worry about him.”
“What about your family,” Cam asked. “Do you have any children?”
“I can tell you this,” Paul said softly, putting his hand on Cam’s shoulder, “I do what I do because of my family. I want my children to live in a free country. I want them to have a choice to become anything they want to become and believe in God. I do not want a king or a government to control them.”
Cam furrowed his brow and said, “You know there’s a chance your kids don’t understand why you’re not around, ri
ght?”
“I do, but I am doing this for them. They may not understand, but I am fighting for their futures, for their freedom.”
Cam looked up at Paul with soft eyes.
“Something’s happening outside,” Tommy said.
“It’s Dawes!” Paul said, relieved. “He made it across Boston Neck!”
We all rushed outside to meet William Dawes and prepare for our next journey—to warn Concord.
As we walked down the steps I saw Liberty looking deep into Brown Beauty’s eyes. Liberty seemed very happy and completely in his own world! Now I understood why he didn’t give me a usual sarcastic comment when I asked him to wait outside. He was eager to make a friend!
“We need someone to stay here and be a lookout while Hancock and Adams get ready.” Paul said looking at the group.
“I’ll do it! I’m on it!” Tommy exclaimed.
I was torn. I didn’t want to leave him alone but knew this could be a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience for him. Reluctantly I said, “Tommy, you can stay here so long as you don’t leave the Hancock-Clarke House. British soldiers are patrolling the roads tonight. It is too dangerous to be out and about. I am very serious,” I said nervously.
“Yep, got it. One hundred percent. I will stay right here. I’ll be the lookout commando from the window! I’m good at this. I play it all the time in my backyard fort.” Tommy was pumped up like he was about to start in a football game.
“What am I going to do, Mr. Revere?” Cam asked.
“I want you to come to Concord with Paul Revere and me,” I replied.
“Am I riding on Little Liberty?” Cam eagerly continued. Liberty looked away from his conversation with Brown Beauty for a second to glare my way and shake his head.
“No, this time you can ride on Liberty with me,” I said.
“Whew,” Cam said, “I’m moving up from coach to first class!” I am sure Liberty was desperate to say something but he restrained himself.
“Okay, Cam, let’s go say goodbye to Samuel Adams and John Hancock,” I said.
Paul Revere and Brown Beauty, Dawes and his sturdy mare, and Cam, Liberty, and I left Lexington and headed west to Concord. We were on the road only for a couple of miles when we were overtaken by another man on a horse. He was a handsome young gentleman, richly dressed, and mounted on an impressive stallion.
The man rode up between us and said, “Good evening, sirs.” He glanced at his pocket watch. “Or, I guess I should say good morning since it’s nearly one o’clock. My name is Dr. Samuel Prescott. I heard from some people down the road that you are headed to Concord, to warn them to hide the town’s gunpowder and weapons.”
“And what are you doing out at one o’clock in the morning?” Paul asked, suspicious.
He went on to interrogate Dr. Prescott for a bit and found him to be a true Patriot. We also found out he was visiting his fiancée and was originally from Concord. Dr. Prescott’s knowledge of the town would likely come in handy.
We rode into the early morning. Despite the late hour, Cam was wide awake and full of energy.
Suddenly, we heard Paul Revere shout, “Regulars!”
“Where?” shouted Dawes, pulling hard on his horse. Prescott turned his horse sideways skillfully.
Paul warned, “There are Regular soldiers on horses lurking up ahead, under that tree. It’s an ambush!”
“What should we do?” I asked.
“I propose we attack,” urged Paul boldly. “Are you with me?”
The other men instantly agreed and without further discussion we raced forward.
The moonlight shone brightly and the tall trees near the road created ghostly moon shadows. The road curved up ahead, and beyond the bend there were even more British soldiers on horseback.
One of the British soldiers shouted, “Stop! If you go an inch farther you are dead!”
We had no chance to fight them. We were outnumbered.
A rifle similar to this was used during the American Revolution. Careful, Rush Revere!
Chapter 5
The British soldiers completely blocked the road now, and there was no way through. “You there, stop! Any further and you are a dead man!” shouted a tall British Redcoat pointing his pistol in our direction. The British soldiers wore full dress uniforms with swords and pistols in their hands. They had positioned their horses to block, but Brown Beauty and Paul Revere raced forward into them. The road narrowed where the Redcoats waited. It was the perfect spot to prevent us from passing.
Liberty slowed and asked, “What’s our plan, Captain?”
I replied, “I’m not exactly sure what happens next, but—”
“Wait, what?” interrupted Liberty. “You’re supposed to be the history expert. What do you mean you’re not sure?”
“I’m thinking I should’ve stayed back with Tommy,” Cam said.
The British soldiers were all around us.
Liberty and Brown Beauty whinnied and whirled as if they were standing in a pit of vipers.
“I don’t think we are going to get out of this one, Mr. Revere,” Cam said in a panic, searching desperately for a way out.
Suddenly, Dr. Prescott shouted, “Put on!”
I guess that is Yankee language for “get going” because the next second, Dr. Prescott and his stallion sprinted left toward a low stone wall. Paul Revere and Brown Beauty sprinted right toward a grove of trees at the far end of the pasture. And William Dawes and his horse darted in a third direction, toward a nearby farm.
“Hang on, Cam!” I yelled, urging Liberty forward.
Liberty joined Brown Beauty as both horses shot off across the moonlit pasture like cats running from firecrackers.
“Do you see Dr. Prescott or William Dawes? Did they escape?” I yelled to Cam, who was holding on tight.
“I think so,” Cam replied, breathing heavy. “That doctor dude and his horse jumped superhigh over that huge stone wall and the British couldn’t do it.”
Paul Revere rode a few feet in front of us. We made it through the undergrowth and lunged into the tree line of the nearby woods. Wet ice and mud flew up under Liberty’s hooves. Suddenly he slowed.
“It’s a trap,” warned Liberty, breathing hard.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I’m not sure,” Liberty panted. “This doesn’t feel right.”
In a flash, six Redcoats appeared from among the trees. Their horses prodded the ground and snorted as if they were revving their engines. Ten of them now surrounded us.
Paul Revere and Brown Beauty came to a halt and we stopped right beside them.
“Get off your horses, or we’ll blow your brains out!” yelled an officer. He scowled and pointed his pistol at Paul’s head and grabbed Brown Beauty. Another pointed his gun at my head. It was so close I could see down the barrel.
Cam slipped off the back of Liberty and I dismounted, too. The Redcoats didn’t wait for Paul to dismount. Instead, they yanked him from his saddle and pulled him to the ground. A Redcoat kicked him in the ribs. Paul grunted as another boot kicked him from the other side.
Cam started forward to help, but I held him back. “Let me go, Mr. Revere, we need to stop this, they are hurting Paul!”
I didn’t know what to do. Luckily I didn’t have to intervene. The British commanding officer quickly shouted, “Leave him! We are not savages. Put this gentleman with the others.”
Two Redcoats lifted Paul by his arms. Everything was dark around us. Paul cringed as they touched him. His face and clothes were drenched with mud and ice. The Redcoats pulled and dragged him over to where Cam and I stood with . . .
I searched left and right. “Where’s Liberty?” I softly asked Cam.
He looked just as surprised as I was. “He must have held his breath and disappeared when we were watching the Redcoats grab Paul Revere,” said Cam.
The commanding British officer approached Paul and asked in a gruff voice, “What is your name?”
Paul Rever
e stood tall and squared his shoulders to the officer. With a penetrating stare he replied with authority, “My name is Revere!”
“What?” asked the officer, taking a step backward. “Paul Revere! The Paul Revere?” His look of surprise turned into jubilation, as if he had just caught the most wanted man in New England.
“Yes,” replied Paul. For a split second I thought I saw a slight grin on Paul’s face.
The Redcoats heaped abuse on him. “Rebel, rabble-rouser, scoundrel, traitor!” they yelled and moved closer as if to strike him.
Cam shook his head and said, “These guys really hate him, don’t they?”
I nodded.
The British commander drilled Paul with questions just inches from his face. One after the other. “Are you an express rider? What message do you carry? Where were you headed?”
“I am happy to answer your questions,” said Paul. “Yes, I am an express rider.”
“And what message do you bring?” the British commander asked.
“One that is no secret to you,” said Paul Revere. He raised his voice and with boldness and energy replied, “Gentlemen, Hancock and Adams have already been warned. They are long gone. You’ve missed your aim.”
“What of our aim?” the officer said. “We are simply looking for deserters.”
Paul gave a knowing smile. “And I’m just a silversmith selling my spoons and teapots in the middle of the night.”
“What’s Paul doing?” whispered Cam.
“He’s being very clever, turning the interrogation around,” I said. “He’s telling them that the cat is out of the bag. He’s trying to let them know that the surprise is lost.”
“Oh, that is genius!” exclaimed Cam.
This is the site of Paul Revere’s capture by the King’s soldiers on his famous Midnight Ride. Scary!
Paul stared at each of them and said, “I know better. I know what you are after and have alarmed the country all the way up from Boston.”
Rush Revere and the American Revolution Page 7
