“Is a man foolish who elects to stick to the winning side? For you are beaten, Sir William, and none know it better than you."
“Damn thy tongue!” roared Howe, springing up.
“Don’t blame him for it, William,” cried Mrs. Loring. “How can he be other than a lad of spirit?”
Howe fell back into his seat. “There ’t is again. Ah, gentlemen, the sex beat us in the end! Well, Jane, since thou ’t commander-in-chief, please issue thy orders.”
“Set him free at once."
“We can scarce do that, though we’ll not hang him as a spy, lest all the caps go into mourning. Commissary Loring, he is yours; we will hold him as a prisoner of war.”
“Do that and you must answer for it,” said Jack. “You can hang me as a spy, if you choose, but yesterday I rode into Germantown under a flag of truce, and on your own pass, as one of the commissioners of exchange. What word will you send to General Washington if you attempt to hold me prisoner?”
“Well done!” exclaimed Howe. “One would almost think it had been prearranged. Release his arms, sergeant. Loring, let the boy have a horse and a pass to Germantown. I rely on your honour, sir, that you take no advantage of what you have seen or heard within our lines.”
Jack bowed assent without a word.
“And now, sir, that you are free,” went on Sir William, “have you no thanks for us?”