From the hills that looked over the city, they could watch and see what the king's soldiers were doing and make plans of their own.
They wished to be ready to defend themselves if the soldiers used force or tried to do them harm. For this reason they had bought some gunpowder and stored it at @Concord, nearly twenty miles outside of the city.
When the king's soldiers heard about this powder, they decided to go out to Concord and get it before the colonists could use it. The powder would also mean the soldiers would have more supplies for themselves if they should need to fight.
Among those camping at Charlestown was a young man named Paul Revere. He wanted to serve his country in any way that he could.
One day a friend of his who lived in Boston came to see him. He had to sneak into the camp very quietly and secretly so the soldiers wouldn't notice him.
"I have something to tell you," he said to young Paul. "Some of the king's soldiers are going to Concord to get the powder we stored there, and they are getting ready to start this very night."
"Indeed!" said Paul Revere. "They shall get no powder, if I can help it. I will stir up all the farmers between here and Concord, and those soldiers will have a difficult time getting anything at all. But I can't do it alone; you must help me stop them."
"I will do all that I can," said his friend.
"Well, then," said Paul Revere, "you must go back to Boston and watch the soldiers. Watch, and as soon as they are ready to start their march, hang a lantern in the tower of the old North Church. If they are going to cross into Concord by the river, hang two lanterns in the tower. I will be here, waiting and ready. As soon as I see the lantern, I will mount my horse and ride out to give the alarm.
