"And I have been allowed to sleep while my command has gone over! This promises to be serious, my boy!"
"Serious, sir? I should say it was! After all that has happened I would rather a good bit of ill-fortune came to me than that you should be taken prisoner."
"I should die of mortification if it was known that I, a British officer, lay in bed while my troops marched out of town and left me to be captured. Lad, you believe I did you a service once?"
"Indeed you did, sir, and one I can never repay."
"You can repay it now, and with interest," Lord Gordon said as he began hurriedly to dress. "I must cross the river at once, and depend upon you to get me a boat."
"That is more easily said than done, sir. Your army has taken possession of every craft on this side; but I'll get one if I have to swim for it. What troubles me is that I may not succeed in time."
"The American forces are near the city?"
"Greene said General Arnold would arrive before noon."
"I'll go with you. We'll both search for a boat. Where is my servant?"
"I don't know, sir, unless he's with the army."