"It were Slops that saved me," he whispered.
He fell into a deep and troubled sleep and when he awoke in the middle of the night he was not strong enough to lift his head. Then these faithful friends of his began to know that this big, brawny, redoubtable soldier was having his last fight. He seemed to be aware of it himself for he whispered to Jack:
"Take keer o' Mirandy an' the Little Cricket."
Late the next day he called for his Great Father. Feebly and brokenly he had managed to say:
"Jes' want--to--feel--his hand."
Margaret had sat beside him all day helping the nurse.
A dozen times Jack had left his work and run over for a look at Solomon. On one of these hurried visits the young man had learned of the wish of his friend. He went immediately to General Washington, who had just returned from a tour of the forts. The latter saw the look of sorrow and anxiety in the face of his officer.
"How is the Colonel?" he asked.
"I think that he is near his end," Jack answered. "He has expressed a wish to feel your hand again."
"Let us go to him at once," said the other. "There has been no greater man in the army."