“And how is mother?� pursued the boy. “Oh! I have been so sorry for dear mother. I tell you, father, not a night have I camped down to sleep but I have thought of mother; and every time I thought of her the tears came. I thought perhaps she might die and I should never see her again.�
“Your mother is well,� was the father’s answer. “And she has never for one moment lost faith in your being well and happy, and finally restored to us.�
“Yes, I shall return, father,� said John. “But I want this war ended first.�
After the boy had inquired for all the family, he said:
“But why didn’t you bring Zip along, too?�
“Poor Zip!� was the reply. “He mourned himself to death before you had been gone a week. He never touched another mouthful of food, and would only lie on your bed and moan.�
General Knox soon returned with orders from the Commander-in-chief to conduct Mr. Holden and John to his headquarters—a summons that must be obeyed at once.
General Washington received Mr. Holden very kindly and said smilingly:
“I hear a story that sounds like a romance in the midst of war. Tell me, my little fifer, how you came to leave your parents without their knowledge, and to join my army at such a tender age?�
John was somewhat abashed by this direct question from so dignified and august a personage; but the General added kindly: