Jacob spoke in an important tone, much as though the sword he dreamed of was already hanging by his side, and had even now assumed a swagger such as he thought essential in an officer of the army.
"We have just come from the general's headquarters, bound for New Jersey; but if your information is of importance it may be to our advantage to turn back. Are the enemy informed of General Lafayette's movements?"
"General Howe knows all about it; the Quaker at whose house the marquis quartered himself sent in the full particulars. From all we could learn, two forces, one of five thousand and the other of two thousand men, have been sent against you."
"Have been sent?" one of the officers repeated. "Do you mean they have already started?"
"I saw more than a thousand in the ranks ready for marching before we came away, and they must have left town about the same time we did."
"But how are you so certain as to the exact number?"
"Enoch heard General Grant talking with one of his staff, and the Britisher said General Howe was so sure of capturing the marquis that he had invited his friends to meet the prisoner at supper to-morrow night."
The two men spoke together in whispers a few seconds, and then he who had acted the part of spokesman asked:
"Are you the boys who were imprisoned on the charge of having aided young Graydon to escape?"
"We are."