He had refused to believe that he was shut up in Boston.

It suited his convenience to stay there until a plan of campaign should be evolved by his superiors in London, but he was certain that when he liked he could, with his disciplined battalions, brush away the besieging army.

Now he saw the American force on Breed's Hill throwing up a defiant and menacing redoubt and entrenchments.

Gage did not hesitate.

The bold aggressors must be driven away at once.