At the corner of the Trumbull house, overlooking the hills and roads in the country of the cedars, was a passageway that connected with the high roof. From this passageway the approach of an enemy could be signaled by a guard, and there was no point in the movements of the army more important than this.
Governor Trumbull became recognized as a power that stood behind the American armies. Lebanon of the cedars was the secret capital of the colonies. Here gathered the reserves of the war.
The common enemy everywhere began to plot against the iron Governor. Spies continued to come to Lebanon in many disguises and went away.
The people of Lebanon warned the Governor against these plots and spies, but he believed in Providence; that some good angel of protection attended him. When they told him that his life was in constant peril, he would say, like one who commanded hosts invisible, that “the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him.”
Dennis was in terror when he came to see the Governor’s danger. He had a bed in the garret, or “cockloft,” overlooking the cedars. From his room he watched the roads that led up to the hill.
One day some men of mystery came to the war office on horseback. Dennis saw them coming, from the garret or upper room. He hastened to the Governor at the war office, and gave the alarm. The men had their story, but Dennis saw that they were spies, and thought that they intended to return again.
Dennis had gained the confidence of the Governor and of the good man’s family perfectly now. He had become a shadow of the Governor, as it were.
After these mysterious men went away, the Governor called Dennis into his war office, and said:
“Dennis, you know a tremendous secret, and you warned me against these men. Why do you suspect them?”
“Because a conniving man carries an air of suspicion about him, your Honor. I can see it; I have second sight; some folks have, your Honor.”