The words could be heard in the yard, where the daughters of Mistress Neale were still waiting. The eldest, a fair girl of sixteen or seventeen years, turned and gazed at the young officer, who was mounting his horse, with a look of admiration, and as he rode away said to her younger sister:
“I don’t care if he is a rebel, he is handsomer than any British officer I ever saw.”
Joe, who was nearer her than either of his comrades, heard the confession, and it was a long time before he ceased teasing his chief about the “Tory sweetheart.”
Four or five miles up the trail Philip opened the letter he had taken from the wig of the courier. It read:
“New York, October, 1777.
“To General John Burgoyne,
“Commanding His Majesty’s Army in Northern New York,
“Honored Sir:—Your message, and also that of Lord Germain, reached me two weeks since by the hand of Master George Preston. He had been apprehended and held by the rebels for months, yet succeeded in keeping and at length delivering to me the messages entrusted to his care, an unusual exploit, for which he deserves the highest commendation. On receipt of them I immediately undertook to comply with your request and with the order of the war secretary, but, after reaching and capturing the forts known as Clinton and Montgomery a few miles up the river, I was compelled to abandon the enterprise. I regret greatly, therefore, to inform you there is no hope of my forcing the passage of the Hudson this season. I would suggest that you entrench yourself in some suitable place where you can maintain a defense during the winter, and doubtless in the spring I shall be able to come to your aid.
“I remain your obedient servant,
“Henry Clinton,
“Commanding His Majesty’s Army in Southern New York.”
Handing the missive to his companions in turn, Philip said:
“It would have done no great harm if we had not captured Preston.”
“It looks to me as though it would have discouraged Burgoyne a little more,” Dan added.
“I guess he is blue enough now,” Late suggested.
“He is if matters have worked after the style they were goin’ when we came away,” Joe added.