Page 361 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

360 THIRD BOOK OF LESSON vm.
ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST HOSTILE ATTACK UPON THE AMERICAN COLONISTS, · BY THE BRITISH TROOPS, IN . THE WAR OF THE REVOLUTION, AT LEXINGTON AND CONCORD, MASS., 19TH APRIL, 1775.
GAR1RISON, n., a body of troops stationed in a rt, or rti ed town, to de nd it against an enemy. F. arnison. S. guarnicon.
FoR1MIDABLE, a., adapted to excite ar, and deter om approach, encounter, or undertaking. L.formidabilis.
BLOCKADE', v., to shut up a town or rtress by posting troops at all its avenues. From L. bloccato, blocked up.
Hos1TAGE, n., one given in pledge r security of per rmance of con­ ditions. F. otage, or ostage.
REIMBURSE', v., to repay; to repair loss.or expense by an equivalent. F. rembourser.
CHIMER1ICAL (ch like k), a., imaginary; nci l From L. chimmra. G. chimr,ira.
CoNFLAGRA1TioN, n., a great re, or the burning of any great mass. L.1 co agratio.
MER CENARY, a., venal; that may be hired. F. mercenaire. L. mer­ cenarius.
Au1GURY, n., omen; prediction; prognostication. L. augurium. EMA1CIATE, v., to lose esh; to become lean; to waste away. L.
emacio, om maceo or macer, lean. G. mikkos, mikros. MAN U1VRE, n., management; dexterous movement,.particularly in an army or navy. F. om main, the hand, and uvre, work. L.
rnanus and opera.
EvoLU1TION, n., in military tactics, the doubling of ranks· or les,
wheeling, counter-marching, &c. L. evolutio.
1. WAR being every moment expected, the partic­ ular te of the inhabitants of Boston had become the object of general solicitude. The garrison was r­ midable; the rti cations were carried ,to per ction, and little hope remained, that this city would be wrested om British domination. Nor could the citizens atter themselves more with the hope o
escaping by sea ; as the port was blockaded by a squadron.
2. Thus con ned, amidst an irritated soldiery, the Bostonians und themselves exposed to end e all