"It doesn't seem possible! I cannot realize that the general really meant it! I mess with his aids!"
"But it is not only messing, lad; you are attached to his staff—perhaps not in a very important position; but when it is known that because of personal services you have rendered, the commander-in-chief allows you to consider yourself one of the 'members of his family,' as the staff is termed, you will be treated with greater respect than if Congress had given you a colonel's commission."
"I know the honor is great," Enoch said slowly; "but I am almost afraid—"
"Of what?"
"That in such a position I shall do something wrong—make a fool of myself, or so behave that the general will be sorry he praised me."
"Never you fear for that, lad. A boy who can have such fears won't go far astray. Attached to the staff of General Washington, the commander-in-chief of the Continental army! Well, if that isn't an honor for a boy hardly more than sixteen years old I don't know what is! And it all came through a Tory Quaker, and the bungling of a spy in his work! Talk about chance!"
"That's just it," Enoch added hurriedly. "It was all a chance, therefore I don't deserve it."
"But I allow you do, my boy, so we won't discuss the matter. We're heading straight now for my regiment, and I intend that your friends shall hear this wonderful piece of news, even if I am forced to awaken them for the purpose of telling it."
"Why not wait until daylight?"
"Because I particularly want to see the expression on Master Ludwick's face when he learns that you have earned more than a commission."