146 JUSTIN MORGAN 



CHAPTER XX. 



THE NAVAL BATTLE. 



From Montpelier other messengers were sent in all 

 directions to warn the farmers, and Lieut. Van Sicklen 

 pushed on to Randolph, Morgan's old home. His 

 former friends along the way would never have believed 

 it, had they not known his age. Full twenty-five years 

 old, he was yet eager, and, hard as the riding had been, 

 not once had he faltered. 



Whilst he waited in Randolph, Lieut. Van Sicklen, 

 amidst roars of applause, roused the people to rally 

 round the flag, and made such a patriotic speech from 

 the porch of Dr. Timothy Baylies' Tavern, that the as- 

 sembled crowd was carried away by his enthusiasm and 

 shouted, wildly : 



"Down with the British !" 



It was a fire of patriotism burning high and clear, 

 lighting the state from North to South. 



Presently, on foot, on horseback, in wagons and in 

 "shays," they swept out into the winding highways and 

 headed toward Montpelier, where the Government arms 

 were stored, with a great cracking of whips and cheer- 



Eighty-five volunteers went from Randolph, with Cap- 

 tain Egerton Lebbins in command. In a fine fever of 

 enthusiasm they were as splendid a set of men as Mor- 

 gan had come across in his journey, showing much hero- 

 ism and ardor, but their clothes were odd to see, good- 

 ness knows ! One thing and another thrown on at ran- 



