The kid in this story is looking for his kinsman. A kinsman is like a protector, a father figure, and a mentor. It takes place before the American Revolution.
Robin: He is the main dude of the story. He is a young kid (18), all alone in Boston, looking for his kinsman, Major Molineaux.
Some Gentleman: He is nice to Robin and talks to him while he waits for the Major.
Maor Molineaux: The guy Robin is looking for. He is British.
Robin is this kid whose father got an offer from Major Molineaux. The Major told him to send his son over to Boston and he would give him work. So Robin takes the ferry and is now in Boston. He goes around asking people who and where the Major is but nobody wants to help. Robin is poor and can't afford to eat anything. People laugh at him because he is poor and lost. Then he gets frustrated and sits down on the church steps. Some old guy starts talking to him and finds out why he is so sad. Robin tells him. Then they hear some noise and some festivity. The boy wants to go check it out but the man tells him to stay out. Then a big procession comes out of the church and at the center of attention is Major Molineaux, tar and feathered (because he is British and the revolution has started). The boy sees this and asks the man how to get to the ferry to get home. The old man offers Robin shelter and direction in life. He tells him he doesn't need the Major to help him.