d by much coughing, made itself manifest. This was followed by
a great rumble as the entire congregation rose to its feet to await the
intonation of the Te Deum.

Pleasant and sweet rose Father Bandol's voice above the rustling in the
opening notes of that most majestic of all hymns of praise:

"Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur."

And immediately the vast throng took up the melody and there
reverberated throughout the church, escaping through the open doors and
windows, across the streets and over the roof-tops, up to the topmost
regions of the heavens, to the very gates of heaven itself, the strains
of the Ambrosian hymn of thanksgiving and praise which the members of
the American Congress sang to the God of Nations and of Battles in the
little chapel of St. Mary's on the anniversary day of the signing of the
greatest exposition of a freeman's rights ever penned by the hand of
man.

CHAPTER V

I

The wayfarer on this July afternoon in the fifth year of American
Independence might have passed on the main thoroughfare leading into the
city of Philadelphia from the townships of Bristol and Trenton, a young
and powerfully built officer astride a spirited chestnut mare. The
countryside, through which he was journeying, stretched for miles around
in peaceful solitude, teeming and delightful with that leafy and rich
green livery which we are accustomed to associate with the idea of
abundance. Overhead the sky was clear, from which the sun blazed down
great billows of heat that hovered over the landscape, giving vigor and
enthusiasm to the various forms of vegetable life, but at the same time
causing the animal world to drowse and languish in discomfort.

It was plain to be seen that the horseman was an officer of the
Continental Army. His mount, young and well groomed, gave every
indication of a long ride, its nostrils dilated, its mouth moist with
foam, its sides streaky with strings of sweat. Haste was desired, it was
apparent, although in the more exposed portions of the roadway the mare
was allowed to walk, her rider affectionately patting her neck or
coaxing her along with an encouraging remark.

"Look, Dolly! There is some soft, tender grass to cool your lips. We
shall take some."

And he turned the mare to the side of the road and allowed her to
nibble at the greensward.

Soon they were again on their way, she munching the while on the last
mouthful, now walking, now impatiently breaking int