Hadley Morris might have sought far before finding a more able friend to introduce him into the presence of the Commander-in-Chief of the American forces. So close were the relations between Cadwalader and Washington that later, after the battle of Monmouth, the former took up the commander’s personal quarrel and fought and wounded the notorious Conway in a duel near Philadelphia.
As the heavy coach hurried on, they were stopped half a dozen times, but at no point was there any difficulty. There was always somebody who knew Colonel John Cadwalader. The magic of his name opened the way to the very presence of the Commander-in-Chief, into whose hands Hadley had been told to deliver the packet in his possession. The boy was finally aroused from his uneasy sleep when the traveling coach stopped before the door of a large residence beyond Germantown, which happened, for the nonce, to be the headquarters of General Washington.
“General Washington is exceedingly busy this morning, Colonel,” said one of the officers, doubtfully, as the two alighted from the coach. “Unless this be an important matter—”
John Cadwalader’s head came up and his keen eyes flashed. “Tell the General that Mr. Cadwalader awaits his pleasure,” he said, briefly, “and that he brings a lad with him whom it would be well for his honor to see.”
He turned his back upon the group and waited with marked impatience until a servant came with a request from the Commander-in-Chief for Colonel Cadwalader and his charge to come into the house at once.
“Follow me, lad,” the gentleman said. “You have risked much and traveled far to do the cause a service, and you shall have fair play!”
CHAPTER VI
A GREAT MAN’S COUNSEL
OFFICERS stood about in the hall of the house, as they did outside, and many spoke to Colonel Cadwalader as he led his protégé in; but he answered them but briefly. Evidently his pride had been touched by the incident of the moment before, and he was struggling to keep his temper in check. He was kindness itself to Hadley Morris, however.
“Have no fear of your reception by General Washington,” he whispered. “The dispatches you bear will be sufficient introduction.”
But Hadley was afraid. Not, perhaps, that he feared any unkind treatment; but in kind with most youth of his bringing up and station in life, he looked in actual awe upon such a great man as the Commander-in-Chief of the American forces. Nor did his fear lessen as they entered the room.