“And who are you?” demanded one; and another, emboldened by distance, recommended, “Pull him off his horse.”
Twenty hands seized hold of Brereton; but as they did so, the aide, realising his mistake, retrieved it by a sudden change of manner. “I am an aide of General Washington,” he shouted, “and I bring news of a great battle.”
An uproar of questions broke out, drowning every other sound, till, by raising his hand, the aide procured silence.
“I must carry the despatches to Congress; but come with me, and I’ll give you the tale the moment they are safe delivered.”
With a rush the crowd followed him, as he moved forward, deserting the cart and its occupants, who hastily descended, and hurried after the throng. But Jack was not so forgetful, and turning in his saddle, he called back, “I’ll return as soon as I can.”
XLIX
PLATO vs. CUPID
The patience of the two homeless women was heavily taxed before Brereton returned, but finally, after nearly two hours’ waiting, he came, almost running along the street.
“Neither the Congress nor the populace were to be put off,” he began to explain, ere he was within the gate, “and I have had to retail again and again the story of the fight, and tell ‘how our army swore in Flanders.’ But I dared not break away from them through fear they would follow me back and force me to play hare to their hounds once more. ’T is a great relief to know that you are safe,” Jack declared, as he shook their hands warmly.
“Thanks to you,” replied Mrs. Meredith “’T was indeed a mercy of God that thou cam’st when thou didst.”
Pray give my mare, who has done her seventy miles since daylight, some share,” laughed the officer, heartily.