r side, while the shot and
grape from the English on the hill tore across the whole surface of
the water.

Dick was badly wounded, but, with the soldier's assistance, I swam
with him across the creek and bore him safely out of the range of the
fire.

Ah, it was but a shadow of our former line when we formed once more,
but the great General himself came to thank us, and that shadow of a
line was worth a thousand men.

Thereafter we claimed as our own the post of honour in advance or in
retreat; during the famous march on the night after the battle, and
in the retreat to White Plains, we formed the rear guard, and the army
felt secure.

There came a breathing time one day during the retreat, and the
General rode up to our lines. We greeted him with the yell he loved to
hear, for it brought back to him the Southland and the hunting fields
of Old Virginia.

Then he told our officers that he wanted us to pick out the youngest
of our line to carry a special despatch to the Committee of Public
Safety, sitting at Annapolis, announcing the battle and the famous
part we had taken therein. The choice fell on me, as poor Dick was
groaning in the hospital, but luckily out of danger from his wound.

"Well, my boy, how old are you?" said the General, smiling down upon
me, as I saluted.

"Eighteen, General."

"Do you think you can carry this safely?"

"I was in the charge at Gowanus Ford, General," said I modestly.

"I see," laughed the General, "you are a true Marylander. I wish I had
more of you in the army."

CHAPTER X

THE HARRYING OF THE TORY

I was soon riding southward, the bearer of the message from General
Washington to the Council of Safety, sitting at Annapolis; and as I
rode, the people hailed me for my news, and gave me food and drink, so
I could hurry on.

At last I reached the borders of Maryland, and again rode under the
old oak from which I had torn the proclamation. It was only a few
weeks before, and I wondered what had been the fate of Charles Gordon.

So, as I rode through the Head of Elk late that afternoon and came to
the ferry there, I asked the boatman what they had done with him.

"Forfeiture has been decreed," he answered, "and the new High Sheriff
and James Rodolph have gone to-day with a posse and many men to root
the traitor out."

"How long ago did they start?"

"About an hour."

"What road did they take?"

"The river road. They expect to reach there about nine o'clock