Dennis rode swiftly toward Lebanon to tell the people the great news. He raised the signal at Plainfield, and Peter ran to the Governor’s office.
“Raree show! raree show!” shouted Dennis as he entered the town, and met the open-mouthed people on the green. “Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, and all good people shout now. Colonel Barton has captured General Prescott, and they are bringing him here!”
General Prescott, with his spirit unbroken, was brought to Lebanon. The carriage in which he was held as a prisoner rolled up to the door of the old Alden Tavern, and Prescott was led into the office.
“I must have something to eat,” said Prescott.
The good woman of the tavern bustled about, and brought out her bean-pot and set it down on the dining-table. She had stewed corn, too, and of the two one might make the old-time luxury called succotash.
The beans and corn steamed, and the good woman, loyal as she was, was glad that she could present so fine a supper to such a notable man.
But General Prescott had been used to the dining-halls of castles.
“Do you call that a supper?” said he angrily. “It is not fit for hogs to eat. Take it away!”
Dennis had come upon the scene.