Army of the United States of America,'
does it not?"

"Yes, Col. Allen, the whole thing means that you are exchanged. We
have got our man, and we pay for his liberty by giving you yours.
Good-day, and may I never see you again--at least under recent
conditions."

Allen entered a small boat with Eben, and two stout seamen pulled the
boat to the dock, where a carriage was in waiting.

Eben almost pushed the astonished and half-dazed Green Mountain hero
into the carriage, and soon the waterside was left far behind and the
carriage rolled along the roads to the place where Gen. Washington had
made his headquarters.

By that time Allen had begun to realize that he was really free.

Washington met him at the door and grasped his hand warmly.

"For over a year we have been trying to secure your release, but could
not get the English to consent. You have to thank Lieut. Eben Pike for
your release. He is a real hero."

"General, I only did my duty."

"I wish every soldier did his duty as well. I must tell Col. Allen; I
am sure he will be prouder than ever."

"No, general, it was a mere nothing."

"I am the best judge of that. You must understand, colonel, that Pike
enlisted in the cavalry and did excellent service as a private soldier;
he was speedily promoted, for he deserved it. But it was at the battle
of White Plains that he distinguished himself. Almost single-handed he
fought a company of cavalry when most of our men had retreated. He was
surrounded and refused to surrender. 'I have been a prisoner of
England once,' he said, and that was enough for him. He cut his way
through the enemy, and even that enemy has borne testimony to his great
bravery. I am proud of him."

"I am sure that a braver man than my young friend, Pike, never drew
sword," added Allen, proudly.

"After he had gallantly cut his way through the enemy, he says he
thought he could have done better, so he turned his horse and rode
after the British. They evidently thought that he was the advance
guard of a regiment, for they stuck their rowels into the horses and
rode for life. Pike followed up closely and overtook Col. Jameson; he
demanded his surrender, and Jameson had to submit, for Pike had the
advantage."

"Yes, he could not help himself and live," Eben said, with a smile.

"Pike took his captive into camp, and the affair was reported to me.
Sergt. Pike became lieutenant, but he was not satisfied. He knew that
Jameson w