Page 367 - Third Book of Reading Lessons

866 THIRD BOOK OF
RINE' (-reen), n., a soldier that serves on board of a ship, and ghts in naval engagements. F. From marinus, L.
A r NI1TION, n., powder, balls, bombs, &c. L. ad and munitio, from munio, to rtify.
Rov'ALIST, n., an adherent o a king, or one attached to a kingly gov­ ernment. From F. royal, om L. regalis, om rex, kin, kingly.
1. THE troops were under the command of Lieu­ tenan Colonel Smith, and ajor Pitcairn, ·who led the van ard. The militia of Lexington, as the in­ telligence of the movement of this detachment was uncertain, bad separated in the course of the night. Finally, at ve in the morning of the 19th, advice was received of the near approach of the royal troops.
2. The provincials that happened to be near, as­ sembled, to the number of about seventy, certainly too few to have had an intention to engage in com­ bat. The English appeared, and ajor Pitcairn cried in a loud voice, "Disperse, rebels! lay down your arms, and disperse!". The provincials did not obey; upon which he sprung om the ranks, dis­ charged a pistol, and, brandishing his sword, ordered his soldiers to re. The provincials retreated; the English continuing their re, the rmer ced about to return it.
3. eanwhile, Hancock and Adams retired from danger; and it is related, that, while on the march, the latter, enraptured with joy, exclaimed, "Oh! what an ever-glorious morning is this!" considering this rst e usion of blood as the prelude of events, which must secure the happiness of his country.
4. The soldiers advanced towards Concord. The inhabita ts assembled, and appeared disposed to act upon the de nsive; but, seeing the numbers of the enemy, they foll back, and posted themselves on the
bridge, north of the town, intending to wait r re-