“What a virago!” Ben heard a voice say some little distance in his rear, and turning swiftly in his saddle he recognized Tobias Hawkins.
“I wish there were more like her,” spoke the officer to whom the remark had been addressed. “And now, sir, let me again request you to go to the rear.”
“I am sorry to have intruded,” said Tobias Hawkins, as he turned his horse’s head. “The fact is that I have a message of an important and private nature for an officer whom I expected to see here.”
Here the British fell back before the deadly fire of Knox’s guns; and Ben Cooper as he turned away had a last vision of Molly Hayes, her mass of red hair tossing in the wind, wildly cheering with the men; then the boy rode after Tobias Hawkins.
As it chanced the man had taken a direction across a stretch which had been only a short time ago swept by the fire of General Wayne’s command which lay concealed in an orchard not far away. Before it was a command of British being drawn up as though preparing to make an attack. Ben glanced here and there, but there was no sign of the Americans.
“They must have retreated,” thought the boy.
Hearing the hoof-beats in his rear, Hawkins turned; and an evil smile overspread his face at sight of Ben.
“Once more,” said he, “it is you.”
“It is,” smiled Ben. “I saw you back there by Knox’s battery, and heard what you said regarding a private message for a friend.”
“Ah,” said Tobias Hawkins, “you did?”