On the twentieth day
girl
of March, 1775, Tabitha Tarbell, a slender
of fourteen, was walking along a country roud an
Massachusetts, She had a banket of
egge on her arm. She w
in a great hurry and looked anxiously about her e
were dangerous times
Tahitha, or Tabby, was full of vigour (
and patriotism She was agitated and angered by the rumour that the British were coming to Concord They were coming to destroy the supplies stored there! In nearly every house something valuable
was hidden-gunpowder, axes,
tents, guns and cartridges. The
cannons were hidden in the
she went for the mady for what they felt mucome
There were Tories intuch cauti who gave the memy all the infirmation they old Therefore, Moshen e bocessary in making plana Pan ls were used. Mossage bent from house to house in all its of
Such a e eggs in Tabby's basket. The girl was carrying message now lay hidden under the secret message from her uncle to Deacon Cyrus Hosmer, who lived at the other ente town. She had been employed several times before in the same way and had done hd well.
कार्यारित अनेक
Suddenly, Tabby's cheeks turned pale. Her heart gave a thump as two men came in sight wal and stopped suddenly on seeing her. They were strangers. Although nothing in theit dress indicated it, the girl quickly knew that they were British soldiers. They exchanged a few whispered words. Then they came forward.
My pretty lass, can you tell me where Mr Daniel Bliss lives?" asked the younger man, with a smile.
Tabby was sure now that they were British-Bliss wan a well-known Tory. But she showed no sign of alarm. She answered politely, "Yes sir, a little further down."
They went on, never even dreaming that the innocent girl was soon going to get the better of them. She hurried away to Deacon Hosmer's home and handed over the message. Then she added the news that two
strangers were in town,
"We must know more about them," said the Deacon. He turned to his wife and said, "Send her with some eggs to Mrs Bliss. Tabby can look around while she rests and gossips over there. We must keep track of Bliss' activities, for he is a Tory and will do us harm."** Coming to the Tory's house about noun, Tabby could smell roasting most and Stepping softly to the back door, she preped in and aww Mrs Bliss and her maid o in the big kitchen Fakin
They were los busy to motion the little spy, who slipped round to the front of the house What the saw hade her suspicione, with the best china and a five long tablecloth. Still another peup through the living A Unfortunately, they
low a tone for a word to reach even her sharp ears. "I must know what they are planning. I'm sure it's bad, and I won't go home till I find out," thought Tabby.
Marching into the kitchen, she presented her eggs, with a message from Madam Ho They are mighty welcome, child-we've unexpected company to dinner," said Mrs B "Can I help, ma'am? I'm quite good at beating eggs. Besides, I'm tired, and wouldn't n sitting a bit if I'm not in the way," said Tabby.
"But you be in the way," said the old maid. "We don't want any help. So you'd betterb steppin' along home."
Picking up her hasket, Tabby marched out of the kitchen with her nose in the air. But as she passed the front of the house, she could not resist another look through the open window. As she leaned in, something moved under the long tablecloth that swey the floor. Suddenly, out popped a grey eat's head. Then the cat came up purring, to meet the newcomer.
"Where one tabby hides, another can. Do I dare to do it? What will happen to me if they find me? But, how wonderful it would be if 1 could hear what these men are plotting!" Tabby thought to herself.
Hiding the basket among the bushes, she leapt lightly in. And while the cat sat on the windowsill, calmly washing its face, she vanished under the table.
Tabby's heart began to flutter. It was too late to retreat. The poor girl could only make herself as small as possible, quite hidden under the long folds of the tablecloth. But by the time the guests were called in. fabby was calm again.
For time, business. They drew closure too busy enting to talk much. But son, they were souly for bigh to prove that she war together and spoke in low with Hoon they beard enoughy officer of the Britids right. The newcomers were Captal Brever, h another juniord how well the roish Army. They had come to find out where the supplies sere stored and how well the town was defended.
These people won't fight, will they?" asked Captain Brown. Of course they will-they will fight you to the death." answered Mr Blisa
The Captain swore. He gave a stamp that brought his heavy heel down on Tabby's hand she leaned forward. The blow nearly forced a cry from her. Though faint with pain. she bit her lips and never stirred. When she could listen again, Mr Bliss was telling the visitors all he knew about the hiding places of the gunpowder, the cannons, and other
things the enemy wished to sieze and destroy. Just as they were preparing to leave the table, Tabby was overcome by a sudden sneeze She thought she was lost. She hid her face, expecting to be dragged out any moment. What's that?" exclaimed the
officer. It came from under the table," added Captain Brown. A hand lifted a corner of the cloth
A shiver went through Tabby. She held her breath, with her eye upon that big, brown hand. But the next moment she could have laughed with joy, for the cat saved her. The cat had come to doze on her warm skirts. Now, when the cloth was raised, thinking
she was to be fed, the cat rose and walked out purring loudly, tail straight up, with its white tip waving like a flag of truce. It's only the old cat, gentlemen. A good beast, and luckily for us, unable to report our talk," said Mr Bliss with a sigh of relief.
Soon after this they left the room, and the three men-the two visitors and the local Tory- set off for Boston. Then, the spy crept out softly, jumped over the windowsill and ran away as fast as her stiff legs would carry her.
By the time she told her tale, however, the British soldiers were well on their way to Boston, so they managed to escape. But the warning was given and Tabby received great her hour under the table.The people had time to move the valuable supplies to other towns nearby. They got thes
cannons ready and their minutemen had them trained on the enemy. Those brave
farmers meant to fight, and the world knows how well they did it when the hour came Much later when the fighting was over the dead buried, the wounded cared for and the A Tories punished. Daniel Bliss' property was taken over by the government. Many of ha things were sold at an auction. Tabby's uncle bought the tablecloth and gave it to her saying, "There, my girl, this rightly belongs to you. Thanks to your quick eyes and ear we were not taken by surprise, but sent the redcoats back faster than they came".