108 



spread Avitli electric rapidity. All Avas now hurry and confusion. 

 Everyone gazed, with an anxious eye, into the face of his neigh- 

 bor as if to read his thoughts. Bells were rung and drums 

 were beat to spread the alarm as far and wide as possible. Col. 

 Mason mounted his horse and rode Avith all speed to the place 

 of deposit to secure his treasure, — he, and the inhabitants 

 generally, suspecting the design of this visit to be the seizure 

 of the cannon in North Salem. A desire to do everything that 

 could be done, and that instantly, to defeat this purpose, infused 

 itself into the soul of every lover of his country; and the 

 inhabitants impetuously rushed towards what they believed 

 Avould be the important place of action. To remove as many 

 of the guns as the time would permit beyond the reach of the 

 troops, and to a place of safety, appeared the universal deter- 

 mination of the people. Mr. David Boyce, ayIio lived in a house 

 adjoining the North Church, is remembered to have been seen 

 hurrying away with his team, and all the truckmen of the tOAvn 

 were upon the spot without delay. 



Some of the guns were conveyed to the neighborhood of Buf- 

 fum's Hill, so called at that time, which is situated westward of 

 the main road leading to Danvers, near the present residence of 

 General Devereaux, where there Avas a thick AYOod, and the dried 

 leaves (there beingno snoAv) covered the ground to a considerable 

 depth. Beneath these leaves a portion of the guns were hur- 

 ried, and the carriages otherAvise disposed of. Other portions 

 Avere removed at the time, or a fcAV hours after, to Ncav Mills, 

 in Danvers, assisted by teams from that place, and buried in a 

 gravel pit on the left of the road; Avhile again, others were 

 sent in the direction of " Cole's Spring,"' or " Orne Point," 

 in North Salem.* A gentleman Avho assisted to remove them 

 to Danvei'S, used to relate, that Avhile sitting at his (?/'e c«w- 

 not say tea) table, he saAV a man Avith head uncovered,! although 

 the day Avas severely cold, running with all speed toAvards his 

 house. He immediately rose and met him at the door ; — found 

 him to be one of his acquaintances, living upAvards of a mile 

 distant, who immediately exclaimed on seeing him, as Avell as 

 his Avant of breath AA'ould permit, "the reg'lars are in Salem 



* The late Judge Holton, of DanA'ers, used to state that some of these 

 guns Avere carried to Barley's AVood, formerly " Lindall's," beyond Dan- 

 vers Plains, and there secreted. 



f The late Mr. Aaron ChccYcr, who was 5u]j£ec|uently in the lattle of 

 Lexini>;t(jn. 



