General Dickinson's force was on the march when he rode up, and his interview with that officer was brief.
"There is nothing I wish to add to General Maxwell's report, and you may turn back at once."
Enoch obeyed, riding directly past Jacob and Seth, but not daring to draw rein.
"Where are you bound for?" Jacob shouted, and he replied with a single word:
"Kingston."
"Is General Washington there?" some one in the ranks cried, and Enoch replied:
"He will be to-morrow."
Then a hearty cheer went up from the men, for they now knew the commander-in-chief was moving nearer the enemy, and all understood this as indicating that a general engagement would follow.
There was little need for such a precaution as reading General Maxwell's message.
The young aid was not molested on his journey, and on the night of the 24th applied for lodgings at a dwelling in Kingston, believing it would be wiser to remain there until General Washington should come up, than push on with the chances of missing the command on the road.