every town—especially in New England—the young men were enrolled; that is, were formed into companies, and were daily exercised, in order to make them good soldiers. These were called 'minute men'."

Henry. "Why were they called 'minute men,' father?"

Gen. P. "Because they stood ready to march at a minutes warning, should occasion require."

John. "Was Enoch Crosby a minute man?"

Gen. P. "No; he was not; but he stood ready to enlist, at any time when his services were needed.

"We will now pass on to the year 1775. In April of that year occurred the famous battle of Lexington. A party of British troops had been sent from Boston, to destroy some military stores, belonging to the Americans, at Concord, north of Boston. On their way thither, they came to Lexington; and here they fired upon a small company of Americans, and killed several.

"It was a cruel act—worthy only of savages. But it roused the Americans in that part of the country; and they immediately sent expresses—that is, men on horseback—to carry the tidings abroad.

"One of these expresses was directed to take his course for Danbury, and to speed his flight. On his arrival, he told the story.

"It produced alarm—and well it might; but it also produced resolution. The bells were rung—cannon were fired—drums beat to arms. Within a few hours, many people had assembled—the young and the old—all eager to do something for their country. One hundred and fifty young men came forward, and entered their names as soldiers— chose a captain Benedict to lead them—and begged that they might go forth to the war. Enoch Crosby was the first man that entered his name on this occasion.

"Not long after, the regiment to which Crosby belonged marched to the city of New-York. Here they were joined by other companies, and sailed up Hudson's river to assist in taking Canada from the British.

"A short time before this, Ticonderoga, a fortress on lake Champlain, had been surprised by Col. Ethan Allen and his troops, and to them it had surrendered. This was an important post. Great rejoicings took place among the Americans, when it was known that this fort had fallen into their hands.

"The troop to which Crosby was attached, passed this fort, and proceeded to St. Johns, a British fort 115 miles north of Ticonderoga.

"This fort it was determined to attack. The troops were therefore landed, and preparations were made. Their number was one thousand—all young men,—brave—ardent—resolute.

"Being formed in order of battle, the intrepid officers led them to the attack. As they advanced, the guns of the fort poured in upon them a tremendous fire. This they met manfully, and, though some fell, the others seemed the more determined. But, just as they were beginning the attack in good earnest, a concealed body of Indians rose upon them, and the appalling war whoop broke upon their ears."

"This savage yell they had never before heard—such a sight they had never before witnessed. For a moment, alarm spread through the ranks. But courage—action was now necessary. Death or victory was before them. The officers called them to rally—to stand their ground—and they did so. They opened a well directed fire upon their savage foes, and only a short time passed before the latter were glad to retreat.

"The savages having retired, the men were ordered to throw up a breast work, near the place, to shelter themselves from the guns of the fort. This was done expeditiously. Trees were felled, and drawn to the spot by some; while others were employed in throwing up earth.

"During these labours of the Americans, the enemy continued to annoy them, by throwing shells from the fort."

William. "Pray, father, what are shells? I have read of them; but I do not know more than that they are a kind of shot."

Gen. P. "Shells are often called bombs, a word which signifies great noise; because, when they burst, they make a great noise. They consist of a large shell of cast iron, which is round and hollow. A hole is made through the shell to receive a fusee, as it is called; this is a small pipe, or hollow piece of wood, which is filled with some combustible matter. When a bomb is about to be fired, it is filled with powder, after which the fusee is driven into the vent, or hole of the shell."

William. "How are bombs fired, father?"

Gen. P. "They are thrown from a kind of cannon called a mortar. It has its name from its resemblance to a common mortar. The lower part of the mortar is called the chamber, which contains the powder. When fired, the powder in the chamber not only sends the bomb, but at the same time, sets fire to the fusee, which continues to burn slowly, as it passes through the air, and the calculation always is, to have the fire from the fusee reach the powder in the shell, at the moment the latter reaches the ground. It then bursts, and the scattering fragments of iron often do horrible execution."

William. "Did you say, father, that mortars Were short guns?"

Gen. P. "Land mortars are quite short; sea mortars, or such as are used on board vessels, are longer and heavier, because they are usually fired at greater distances. A land mortar, which will throw a shell thirteen inches in diameter, weighs thirteen hundred weight; the weight of the shell is about one hundred and seventy-five pounds; it contains between nine and ten pounds of powder; and is fired by means of about the same quantity of powder."

William. "Pray, father, who invented bombs?"

Gen. P. "The inventor is not known; they have been in use since the year 1634.

"Some years after the above affair, Crosby himself related the manner in which the soldiers contrived to escape unhurt. When a shell rose in the air, every one would stop working, and watch its course, to ascertain whether it would fall near him. If it appeared to approach so near, as to endanger any one, he would dodge behind something, till it had burst, or passed by."

John. "Father, could a soldier dodge a cannon ball?"

Henry. "Why, John! I should think you knew enough, not to ask so foolish a question."

Gen. P. "Not so bad a question neither, master Henry; under some circumstances, a cannon ball might he avoided."

William. "Not when it is first fired, father."

Gen. P. "True; but when it has nearly spent its force, a person might easily get out of its way. But even when a ball only rolls along the ground, apparently slow, it would be dangerous to attempt to stop it: especially if large. I recollect to have read of a soldier, who saw a ball rolling towards him, which he thought to stop with his foot; but, poor fellow! it broke his leg in an instant.

"Some of the American soldiers at St. Johns, were too intent upon their labour, to pay much attention to the shells. Crosby was one. All on a sudden, a fellow-soldier near by called out in a tone of thunder, 'Crosby! look out! take care! take care!' Crosby looked up, and directly over him, a shell was descending."

"He had but a minute to think—he dropped flat upon the ground, and the shell just passed over him. 'A miss,' thought he, 'is as good as a mile;' but he said, after such a warning, he kept one eye upon the enemy.

"The rude fortification was soon completed, and served as a shelter till night, when the American troops silently departed. Taking to their boats, the next day they reached the Isle Aux Noix?"

William. "Is not that a French name?"

Gen. P. "Yes;