noon
King George has begun the war ; no longer is he his subject , but a rebel , never more to owe him allegiance . * * * * * The forenoon wore away . The British were returning from Colonel Barrett 's , having destroyed the cannon carriages , thrown some bullets into a well , and broken open several barrels of flour . It was past noon when they formed in line once more to return to Boston . `` We will head them off at Merriam 's Corner , '' said Colonel Barrett . The planks which the British had removed from the bridge were quickly replaced . The minute-men crossed the stream , turned into a field to the left , and hastened over the meadow to the road leading to Bedford .