nearly noon
`` I fear a boy like me will be of but little service . '' `` The boys may be men before the time for stirring deeds shall come , '' Master Revere said , much as if speaking to himself ; and then he added , quickly , `` You will break your fast with me . '' Walter was not accustomed to such a meal as was speedily placed before him ; but the novelty of his surroundings did not prevent him from doing full justice to the food . When the master of the house set out to perform the duty expected of him by his friends in Portsmouth , young John took charge of the guest , and from that time until nearly noon Walter feasted his eyes upon such wonders as he had never even dreamed about . His first visit was to the magnificent building presented to the city by Peter Faneuil , and then to that elm at the head of Essex Street beneath the branches of which the association known as the Sons of Liberty had sprung into existence . Here young Revere told him what had occurred during the month of August , when on the tree he was then gazing at had been found hanging an effigy of Andrew Oliver , his majesty 's distributor of stamps for the Province of Massachusetts , and a boot , symbolical of Lord Bute , with Satan peeping out of it as he displayed a copy of the Stamp Act . John also described the scenes when the more lawless members of the community destroyed the building which had been erected as the office for the sale of stamps , and the dwelling of the Lieutenant Governor was sacked .