thern confederacy," said Tom to
himself, philosophically, when he saw the catastrophe in the distance.
"Well, it served you right, old Secesh; and I'll bet there ain't many
folks in Pinchbrook Harbor that will be willing to comfort the mourners."

With this consoling assurance, Tom continued on his way home. At dinner,
he gave the family a faithful account of the transaction.

"You didn't do right, Thomas," said his mother.

"He hit me first."

"You called him a traitor."

"He is a traitor, and so is his father."

"I declare, the boys are as full of fight as an egg is of meat," added
gran'ther Greene.

"You haven't seen the last of it yet, Thomas," said the prudent mother.

"No matter, Tom; I'll stand by you," added John.

After dinner, the two boys walked down to the Harbor together.




CHAPTER II.

THE SOMERS FAMILY.


The town of Pinchbrook is not a great distance from Boston, with which it
is connected by railroad. If any of our young readers are of a
geographical turn of mind, and are disposed to ascertain the exact
locality of the place, we will save them any unnecessary trouble, for it
is not laid down on any map with which we are familiar. We live in times
of war, and probably our young friends have already learned the meaning of
"military necessity." Our story is essentially a military story, and there
are certain military secrets connected with it which might be traced out
if we should inform our inquisitive readers exactly where Pinchbrook is
situated.

Squire Pemberton, we doubt not, is very anxious to find out certain
persons connected with some irregular proceedings in and around his house
on the evening of Monday, April 16th. Fidelity to the truth of history
compels us to narrate these proceedings in our humble volume; but we
should exceedingly regret thereby to get any of our friends into a scrape
by informing the squire that they were active participants in the scenes
of that eventful night, or to say any thing which would enable him, a
lawyer,