“We may find it hard to raise another regiment,” said a third member.
“One,” said the Governor, “one regiment? We must raise NINE! We can do it.”
“Will the men descend from the sky?” questioned one. “We can not create men.”
“He can who thinks he can,” said the Governor. “Nine regiments he needs, and nine regiments he shall have. Shall he not?”
“Yes,” said all, “if you can find the men.”
“I can find the men. Dennis?”
There was no response.
The shell was blown. The latch-string bobbed.
“Dennis, Washington must have NINE regiments for the defense of New York. That means work for you. Go to the towns—fly! Tell the selectmen that Washington wants men. He has sent his appeal to me; he has put confidence in my heart, notwithstanding my weak hands. He shall not appeal in vain. Go, Dennis; these days are to live again. I feel the divinity of the times; I must act, though I myself am nothing. Go to Norwich, Hartford, New Haven—fly, Dennis, fly!”