"I would shake hands with thee, but I should drop my load." The broad face smiled.
"Come, place him upon my horse," said William, dismounting.
As they were placing the pink body across the saddle, and William was marvelling at the man's great strength, there was a hail from a clump of alders to the left.
"Ah, Brother Whitehead," was the exclamation, "what have we here?"
A tall, black-bearded man came through the bushes. Behind him followed three or four stalwart youths, with long-barrelled rifles over their shoulders. But before another word was spoken the first man leaped across a ditch and came toward William, saluting as he did so. Then it was seen that he wore a ragged Continental uniform.
"Well met indeed, and God bless you, Lieutenant Frothingham! Methinks you are in time to aid us." The youths who were with him also came to an awkward salute. "We have the green-coated women-slayers cornered," he continued. "Not one of them will escape. There were some 'Lobster Backs' with them. They will suffer for the doings at Lyons Farms, I'll warrant you."
"Are the English near us?" inquired William, his heart beating fast.
"Ay, and the Hessians too! They were driven back in their efforts to reach Elizabethtown, and we have been gathering our forces for an attack this afternoon. You rank me, sir," he continued. "I am but Sergeant Ralston, and my elbow touched yours at Princeton and Harlem, you may remember. Come now, sir, will you take command? We have some brave hearts with us."
William half faltered. Here, indeed, was a predicament.