"And--you--rowed--him--across! You--my--poor--lame lad! God have mercy
upon me, and forgive me for my doubts!"

"I can help a little, mother." Andy drew near the quivering figure. "I
know, mother, and I do not wonder, but there is a place for every one
in these days, and I'm going to be ready."

Janie drew herself up, and put a trembling hand on the young shoulder.
"Son!" she said, with a sudden but intense pride, "son, get ready, we go
to Sam White's burying, you and I. God be praised! blind as I was, He
has opened my eyes to see my son at last!" This was a great deal for
Janie McNeal to say, but it did its work.

CHAPTER III

THE CROWNING OF ANDY MCNEAL

Sam White's burial was a very simple affair. In that time of need and
anxiety men were off upon their country's business. Few could stay to
mourn. The pastor himself read the simple service in a voice of pride,
broken by a father's grief. He said that God would not let the sacrifice
pass unheeded. Since Sam had heard the call, and then had been so
suddenly taken away, another would be raised up to do his work; another
who, through Sam, might be touched more than in any other way.

Andy, standing in the little group about the open grave, at this raised
his eyes, and he found Ruth's wide, tearless gaze fixed upon him. Andy
smiled bravely back at her, for his heart was strong within him.

After it was over and the few neighbors gone, Andy and Ruth remained to
scatter flowers upon the young hero's bed, and cover up the bareness of
the place.

"Ruth," said Andy in a whisper, "I think my chance has come!"

"Your chance, Andy?"

"Aye. I have been thinking that Sam's being taken has aroused me, and
given me courage, just as your father said, and--and last night the
chance began!" Then he told her of much that had occurred. Ruth knelt
among the flowers, her young face glowing.

"Oh! I shall have some one to watch," she panted, "some one to help
while he works. Oh! Andy, you do not know how I long to help, and be
part of this great time. I go on long walks, and I hear and see so much.
Down on the Bowery I heard a group say the other day that General
Washington was going to burn the town and order the people to flee. One
man said, did he order such a thing, he, for one, would go over to the
British; and, Andy, there was a great shout from the other men! I felt
my heart burn, for did our General order _me_ to go, then would I go
whither and where he order