He got his riding-boots and surtout from his house in North Square, was ferried across the river, landing on the Charlestown side about eleven o'clock, where he was told the signal-lights had already been displayed in the belfry.

The moon was rising as he put spurs to his horse and started for Lexington.
The troops were ahead of him by an hour.
He rode up what is now Main Street as far as the "Neck," then took the old Cambridge road for Somerville.
To escape two British officers who barred his way, he dashed across lots to the main road again and took what is now Broadway.
On he went over the hill to Medford, where he aroused the Medford minute-men.

Then through West Medford and over the Mystic Bridge to Menotomy,--now Arlington,--where he struck the highway,--now Massachusetts Avenue,--to Lexington.

Galloping up to the old Clarke house where Hancock and Adams were sleeping, the patriot on guard cautioned him not to make so much noise.
"Noise! you'll have enough of it here before long.

The Regulars are coming." Awakened by the voice, Hancock put his head out of the window and said,-- "Come in, Revere; we're not afraid of you." Soon the old house was alight.