n occasional visit in which she never failed to bring some
choice morsel for the table.

"How's the dad?" asked Jim.

"Extremely well, thank you. He has been talking all day on the failure
of the French to take Newport."

"What's that?" asked Jim, thoroughly excited. "Has there been news in
town?"

"Haven't you heard? The fleet made an attack."

"Where? What about it?"

"They tried to enter New York to destroy the British, but it was found,
I think, that they were too large for the harbor. So they sailed to
Newport to attack the garrison there."

"Yeh?"

"General Sullivan operated on the land, and the French troops were about
to disembark to assist him. But then Lord Howe arrived with his fleet
and Count d'Estaing straightway put out to sea to engage him."

"And thrashed 'm----"

"No," replied Marjorie. "A great storm came up and each had to save
himself. From the reports Father gave, General Sullivan has been left
alone on the island and may be fortunate if he is enabled to withdraw in
safety."

"What ails that Count!" exclaimed Jim thoroughly aroused. "I don't think
he's much good."

"Now don't git excited," interrupted Nancy. "That's you all th' time.
Just wait a bit."

"Just when we want 'im he leaves us. That's no good."

"Any more news, girl?"

"No. Everything is quiet except for the news we received about the
regiment of Catholic volunteers that is being recruited in New York."

"In New York? Clinton is there."

"I know it. This is a British regiment."

"I see. Tryin' t' imitate 'The Congress' Own?"

"So it seems."

"And do they think they will git many Cath'lics, or that there 're
enough o' them here?"

"I do not know," answered Marjorie. "But some handbills have appeared
in the city which came from New York."

"And they want the Cath'lics? What pay are they goin' t' give?"

"Four pounds."

"That's a lot o' money nowadays."

"That is all I know about it. I can't think what success they will have.
We are sure of some loyalists, however."

"I guess I'll hev to git down town t' see what's goin' on. Things were
quiet fur so long that I stayed pretty well t' home here. What does yur
father think?"

"He is angry, of course. But he has said little."

"I never saw anything like it. What'll come next?"

He folded his arms and crossed his knee.

An hour later she stood at the gate taking her leave of Jim and Nancy at
the termination of a short but pleasant visit.

"Keep a stout