General Lord Howe had demonstrated on many occasions since he had taken command of the king’s army that he was a man of small enterprise; more than once had his failure to follow up an advantage permitted Washington’s force to recuperate after receiving a staggering blow. After Brandywine the same thing occurred. Howe, instead of pursuing the flying Americans as a commander of proper spirit would have done, camped upon the field of battle, remaining there two days.
Washington retreated through Darby, and crossed the Schuylkill to Germantown, where his army had a brief rest. Then, with the idea that Philadelphia must not fall even though Congress had deserted it, he made up his mind to advance once more and offer battle to the British.
Ben Cooper and Paddy Burk had rejoined the army before it crossed the river; and now, when it began to move once more, were among the light horse which had been sent on in advance. During the stop at Germantown, Ben had gathered his friends in their tent and told them in detail of the conversation which he had heard at Clark’s Inn between Tobias Hawkins and his companion. They all listened with great attention and interest, and when he had finished Ezra Prentiss said:
“So this is the explanation of it. I knew there was envy of Washington among some of the other officers, and I heard that there was jealousy of him, in a certain faction of Congress. But the reason for these coming together and making a common cause against him, I had not known until now.”
“They would risk ruining the country in order to further their own ends,” ejaculated George Prentiss, indignantly. “With the same breath that they vote starvation to a faithful army, they declare themselves patriots.”
“What a change a few years can make in men,” bemoaned Ben. “The first Congress was made up of giants who had nothing but freedom from tyranny in their minds, while this present one is composed, so it would seem, of some of the smallest spirits in the land.”
Nat Brewster, always the most thoughtful of the four, had not said a great deal; but that night he sought out General Greene and to him imparted Ben’s story. The grave-faced Rhode Islander listened with every evidence of interest.
“Whom did you say overheard this talk?” he inquired when Nat had finished.
“Cooper.”
“Ah! Then we can rely upon the report.” There was a short silence; then the general said: “I will bring the matter to the attention of the commander-in-chief. In the meantime, do you keep silent regarding it and warn your friends to do likewise.”