“He has lost three times as many as we,” returned Prescott; “and we need have no fear of his attacking us again, just yet.”
Then some one else broke in, and the conversation in a moment became almost general. Plans were suggested and debated; the raising of men, money and ammunition engrossed every one.
When Colonel Prescott was leaving, General Ward arose, shook his hand warmly and thanked him for his services in the name of the colonies. Coming with him to the door of the anteroom his eyes fell upon Ezra and Nat, and his face lighted up.
“Here are the very lads,” said he. “I had all but forgotten that I required the service of some ready riders, and at once.”
The two boys stood forward and saluted.
“There is a dispatch, all ready,” said General Ward to Prescott, “for the Congress at Philadelphia, giving a brief account of to-day’s engagement. If you can spare these lads, and if they are not too weary with their work of to-day,” with a smile at the two, “there are none that I would rather send upon the mission.”
Prescott turned and looked at Ezra and Nat; their eager looks caused a smile to appear upon his stern face.
“They will carry the dispatch,” he said, briefly.
“I shall require it to go to-night,” said the general to the lads.
He was a thoughtful man; knowing that they had been in the thick of the fight, he hesitated about burdening them with this long journey without their having had a chance to rest.