spy, should be protected from all
harm and annoyances. This is no protection to Honeyman himself." Is that
satisfactory?

HONEYMAN

I cal'ate that covers it, sir.

WASHINGTON

Very well, I'll sign it--(_signing_) There you are, sir.

HONEYMAN

I'm much obleeged to ye, sir.

WASHINGTON

No, Honeyman, I'm the one who is your debtor. Good day, sir.

HONEYMAN

Good day, General Washington. Next time ye see me I'll be yer prisoner.

ANNOUNCER

And John Honeyman left Washington's camp to set about making his
position secure with the British. He became one of the regular meat
contractors for Cornwallis's army, which pursued Washington across the
state of New Jersey during the next month.

Washington did not hurry his retreat, but he always got away. Finally
about the first of December, he came to Trenton, where he halted for a
week and sent men up and down the river to collect all the boats on the
Delaware. He knew that he would be forced to retreat into Pennsylvania;
and he proposed to leave no means for the enemy to follow him. On
December 8, 1776, the British advance, which consisted of a brigade of
Hessians under Colonel Rall, entered Trenton; but as usual, Washington
was half a day ahead of his pursuers, and as the Hessians entered the
village, the rear guard of the Americans was just entering the last of
the boats, and safely pulled away to the Pennsylvania shore! Lord Howe,
who had joined Cornwallis, sent out men to look for boats, but none
could be found. The weather turned cold. Lord Howe was uncomfortable; so
he decided to put his troops into winter quarters and let the pursuit
go. He had done enough for one season!

He and Cornwallis arranged to scatter the troops about New Jersey to
hold that territory, while they went back to New York to enjoy the
winter.

Trenton was left in charge of Colonel Rall and his brigade of Hessians.
On December 22, John Honeyman drove a small herd of cattle into Trenton,
left them standing in front of headquarters, as he went up and knocked
on the door. (_knocks_)

RALL (_off_)

Come in! Come in!

HONEYMAN

Mornin', Colonel Rall!

RALL

Oh, it's you, Honeyman!

HONEYMAN

Aye, it's me--an' I got some cattle out front here fer yer
Quartermaster.

RALL

Well, that's good news--my men will be glad to see that beef! Now we can
give 'em a Christmas dinner that'll _be_ a Christmas dinner!

HONEYMAN

All ye need now, Colonel, is a mite o' wine, eh?