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Show 4/ My Billy, the Patriot "I'm to let Sam Adams and John Hancock know that General Gage has issued warrants for their arrest and they'll be shot if caught. They're in Lexington. As 1 ride I'm to spread the alarm the Regulars are coming. Nobody knows yet whether they'll cross the river or go through the neck on foot but Warren wants me to be galloping for Lexington before they move out. Where's that old smock your father left here?" I dug the farmer's smock out of a box in our storeroom. Billy put it on and an old floppy hat full of holes. When he < w I was watching him, his mouth dropped open, his eyes crossed, and he staggered around the room hiccupping. Although Billy would be in deadly peril, both of us were laughing at his gefe-up and acting like silly fools, trying to pretend it was all a lark. We kissed and I followed him out of the door, ghe moon had risen and I could see a miserable looking nag standing at the hitching post. "How far can you go on that skinny bag of bones?" I asked. "Don't let his looks fool you. He's one of the fastest horses in Boston. I've ridden him before." Billy mounted, then leaned toward me. "Warren gave me money to bribe my way through the gates if this disguise and my great acting don't work. A lobsterback is always glad of a few shillings. Don't worry, LOve, I'll be back sometime tomorrow and you know Billy Dawes is as good as his word." Sobbing, I watched him disappear down Ann Street, then walked to the Common. Streets were crowded with people all as curious as I to know what the British intended doing. |