An old gentleman jumped out of bed, all astonished and excited.
“Thieves! help!” cried the terrified man; but the sentry was in charge of Dennis.
Colonel Barton laid his hand on General Prescott’s shoulder.
“General Prescott, you are my prisoner, and you must go immediately to my boats.”
“The dragon I am! Give me time to dress.”
“No, you can have no time to dress. I will take your clothes with you; march right on, just as you are.”
The proud General was pushed down-stairs, greatly to the amazement of the good Quaker, Mr. Overton, and was led out into fields which were full of briers, partly naked as he was. He was so filled with terror that he did not greatly mind the briers. He was hurried over the rough ways, gasping and trembling, and found himself on a whale-boat, with two other boats near him. The three boats moved away.
“All is well!” said the sentinels on the ships.
The noon of night passed, the clouds scudding over the moon; and the silent boats, amid the British assurances that all was well, landed near Providence, and horses with couriers ran hither and thither to carry the news that Colonel Barton had captured General Prescott.
It was decided to send Prescott to Washington’s headquarters, and he would pass through Lebanon.