in, directly before the muzzles of their guns.
(See Mr. Palmes's depositions, Nos. 53 and 112.)
But the people continued to insult and defy this
party of soldiers in the same manner as they had
done the single centinel, pelting them with
sticks
and balls of ice, and calling out to them,
"Damn you, you rascals; fire. You dare not
"fire. Fire, and be damned." These expres-
sions were frequently repeated; during which
time Captain Preston spoke often to the mob,
desiring them to be quiet and disperse; for that,
if they continued their attack upon him and his
party, he should be obliged to fire upon them.
But his humane endeavours were to no purpose.
The people continued their attack upon the sol-
diers, till they were provoked beyond all pa-
tience. A large stick, or, as Mr. Palmes says, a
piece of ice, that was thrown at the grenadier on
the right of the party, struck him with violence
and made him stagger, upon which both he and
the soldier next him fired their pieces without
any order from Captain Preston for that purpose,
(See John Hickling's deposition, No.73, and
Thomas Greenwood's depositions, Nos. 96 and
111, and Richard Palmes's depositions, Nos. 53
and 112.) and soon after the rest of the party did
the same; by which three men were killed on
the spot, and eight wounded, of whom two
have since died of their wounds. Presently after
the last gun was fired off, Captain Preston sprung
before the soldiers, and waving his sword or
stick, said,
"Damn ye, rascals, what did ye fire