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Chapter XXIII.

Let us leave the siege of Boston to view another move in this game of war so briskly opened.

But first it should be said that immediately on the publication of the news of the skirmish of Lexington, the governor-general of Aristopia announced the purpose of the fund which Charles Morton had provided for a great crisis in the history of Aristopia—the war of independence for the commonwealth. The crisis had come, the hour had struck. The fund, originally three million dollars, which had accumulated by interest to about seven millions, was to be used by the commonwealth. It was urged, however, that this fund alone must not be depended on. Aristopia must freely pour out treasure as well as blood, for the struggle would be desperate. England was a stubborn as well as a powerful foe.

At the very beginning of the struggle, the government of Aristopia decided that Canada