He walked up and down the river bank, leading his horse behind him. Still, he kept his eyes turned always toward the dim, dark spot which he knew was the old North Church.
All at once a light flashed out from the tower -- the signal! "Ah! there it is!" he cried. The soldiers had started their march.
He spoke to his horse and put his foot in the stirrup. He was ready to mount when another light flashed clear and bright by the side of the first one. It was the sign that the soldiers would come not by land, but by the river, instead.
Paul Revere sprang into the saddle and, like a bird let loose, his horse leaped forward and thundered down the road.
Away they went through the village street and out upon the country road. "Up, up!" shouted Paul Revere to the people in their beds. "The soldiers are coming! Up, up, and defend yourselves!"
