"What is it, Tommy?" said one of the men, as the boy pulled off his coon-skin cap.
"Are we going to fight, sir?" asked the youth.
"Ay, you'll get your chance," was the answer.
The boy shouldered his musket and walked away.
"Did you mark the lad, Mr. Frothingham?" said Ralston, glancing up from his plan. "The Hessians two days ago killed his old grandfather and burnt his sick mother's house down about her head."
This recital started another of the group, and William listened in horror and amazement. In common with many other officers in the English service, he had deprecated the use of the German hirelings. His anger at their outrages overcame every other feeling in his breast.
"You say the Hessians are here," he said, pointing with his finger at a bunch of corn-cobs, "and that the hill is off here to the right?"
"Yes," answered Ralston, "and the swamp guards their retreat to the eastward."
Before he knew it, William found himself offering a plan of attack. The others listened with great attention.