At that the Continentals jumped up very lively, I warrant you, being troops of some little discipline already; and I spoke civilly to their sergeant and went over to the girl, Penelope, who had risen, bowl in one hand, spoon in t'other, and looking upon me very hard out of her brown eyes.
"Come," said I pleasantly, "you have kept your word to me and I mean to keep mine to you. My mare is saddled for you."
"You take me to Caughnawaga, sir!" she exclaimed, setting bowl and spoon aside.
"Tomorrow. Tonight you shall ride with us to the Summer House, where I promise you a bed."
I held out my hand. She placed hers within it, looked shyly at the Continentals where they stood, dropped a curtsey to all, and went out beside me.
"Is there news?" she asked as I lifted her to the saddle.
"Sir John is gone."
"I meant news from Caughnawaga."
"Why, yes. All is safe there. A regiment of Continentals passed through Caughnawaga today with their waggons. So, for the time at least, all is quite secure along the Mohawk."
"Thank you," she said in a low voice.