The conversation continued, but in so low a key as to escape Ben’s ear. However, in a short time the other guests began to arrive, and when Lafayette, bubbling over with boyish good nature, finally put in an appearance, they entered the supper room and were soon doing the most complete justice to Mr. Claflin’s supper.
“A better cook,” declared General Conway, “none could find in all Pennsylvania.”
“There is a scarcity of cooks in your country, to be sure,” said Lafayette, smilingly to General Gates. “But our good host,” bowing to that gentleman, “seems to have found one, at least.”
“After the camp, gentlemen,” said Mr. Claflin, “the food has an unaccustomed relish, that is all.”
An hour passed in laughter, toasting, jest and feasting. Young Lafayette seemed vastly delighted with everything; and more than once Ben, through the transom curtains, saw Conway and Gates exchange meaning smiles. Then by degrees the conversation assumed a more sober hue; the army, its condition and prospects became the subject.
“Gentlemen,” said General Gates, at length, “since Congress saw fit to appoint me the head of the Board of War, I have conceived, as you all know, a project which, if it can be carried out successfully, will strike terror to the hearts of our enemies and at one blow put them at the defense. I refer to the conquest of Canada.”
A storm of approval greeted this.
“Gates! Gates!” was the cry. “A toast! A toast!”
But the general stayed them.
“We required a commander for this enterprise,” said he; “a commander of spirit, of dash and judgment. We looked about for such a one, and we had not far to look.”