After doing full justice to the frugal meal, Barclugh started to prepare for departure. He found his horse, well groomed, standing hitched in the dooryard.
Going up to Mrs. Andrews, Barclugh thanked her for such a fine bed and such wholesome meals. He then took the little boy in his arms and kissed him while he congratulated the mother upon her well-behaved children.
As Barclugh stepped into the dooryard, he drew a guinea from his pocket and placed it in the hand of Benjamin Andrews, remarking while he did so:
“Mr. Andrews, you have been so kind and considerate of me, I wish to leave you my name and give you a small token of my appreciation of your generous and hearty hospitality. My name is Roderick Barclugh; I am on my way to General Washington’s headquarters, and I hope that I may see you again. If I can be of any service to you, I shall gladly be at your command.”
“Wal, Mr. Barclugh, I thought mebbee you had some desire to not give your name, and I couldn’t be rude enough to ask you. But you have mistaken Benjamin Andrews, when you offer him gold for his simple services to a friend of General Washington. I could not and I would not be guilty of this kind er hospitality. You may need this money before the war is over. I can git along fust-rate without it,” were the words of Andrews, as he looked straight into Barclugh’s eyes and held out the coin for its return.
Barclugh reluctantly took the piece of gold and being completely nonplussed at the sterling qualities of his backwoods host, he grasped him by the hand, and said with much earnestness:
“Sir, I honor your courtesy and your sentiments. May we meet again so that I can return your kindness. I thank you.” At that the rider turned and rode toward the gate.
But before Barclugh could reach the gate, little Sammy Andrews was on foot before him, and as the horse passed through the gate, already opened by Sammy, Barclugh beckoned the boy to come near him and pressed into his hand a small buckskin wallet containing two guineas, telling the boy at the same time:
“Sammy, take this to your mother with the best wishes of Mr. Barclugh.”
The boy flew toward the house, as Barclugh rode up the road, and soon disappeared over the hill, among the timber.