"What, then, was your object?"
"I live to serve my country; I hope to see her free and independent."
Saying which, he left the hall, and his Mountain Boys were downhearted at the treatment he had received.
"Shall we return to our mountains?" asked Baker.
"No; at least I shall not. I shall journey to Philadelphia and see what the Continental Congress is doing."
"We will go with you."
"I shall be glad of your company, though maybe you have more urgent matters at home to attend to."
"That was unkind, colonel," Seth Warner murmured.
"I meant it not so, believe me. I know that all of you are ready to serve your country."
Albany was left behind and the party started south for Philadelphia.