distinct as the day wore on. There was great excitement in the town; men
and women gathered together in little groups in the streets to wonder
what it was all about, and neighbours came dropping into Mrs. Tracy's
parlour, all day long, one after the other, to say what they thought of
the firing. In the evening there came a body of Hessians flying into the
town, to say that General Washington had surprised the British at
Trenton, early that morning, and completely routed them, which so
frightened the Hessians in Bordentown that they left without the
slightest ceremony. It was a joyful hour to the good town people when
the red-jackets turned their backs on them, thinking every moment that
the patriot army would be after them. Indeed, it seemed as if wonders
would never cease that day, for while rejoicings were still loud, over
the departure of the enemy, there came a knock at Mrs. Tracy's door, and
while she was wondering whether she dared open it, it was pushed ajar,
and a tall soldier entered. What a scream of delight greeted that
soldier, and how Kitty and Harry danced about him and clung to his
knees, while Mrs. Tracy drew him toward the warm blaze, and helped him
off with his damp cloak! Cold and tired Captain Tracy was, after a
night's march in the streets and a day's fighting; but he was not too
weary to smile at the dear faces around him, or to pat Kitty's head when
she brought his warm stockings and would put them on the tired feet,
herself.

Suddenly there was a sharp, quick bark outside the door. "What's that?"
cried Harry.

"Oh, I forgot. Open the door. Here, Fido, Fido!"

Into the room there sprang a beautiful little King Charles spaniel,
white, with tan spots, and ears of the longest, softest, and silkiest.

"What a little dear!" exclaimed Kitty; "where did it come from?"

"From the battle of Trenton," said her father. "His poor master was
shot. After the red-coats had turned their backs, and I was hurrying
along one of the streets where the fight had been the fiercest, I heard
a low groan, and, turning, saw a British officer lying among a number of
slain. I raised his head; he begged for some water, which I brought him,
and bending down my ear I heard him whisper, 'Dying--last battle--say a
prayer.' He tried to follow me in the words of a prayer, and then,
taking my hand, laid it on something soft and warm, nestling close up to
his breast--it was this little dog. The gentleman--for he was a real
gentl