rick, where I had the fortune to make your
acquaintance and, I trust, your friendship.

"Mrs. Schuyler joins me in kindest remembrance to you, and to
Sir Lupus, whose courtesy and hospitality I have to-day had
the honor to acknowledge by letter. Through your good office
we take advantage of this opportunity to send our love to
Miss Dorothy, who has won our hearts.

"I am, sir, your most obedient,
PHILIP SCHUYLER,
Major-General.

"P.S.--I had almost forgotten to congratulate you on your
merited advancement in military rank, for which you may thank
our wise and good Governor Clinton.

"I shall not pretend to offer you unasked advice upon this
happy occasion, though it is an old man's temptation to do
so, perhaps even his prerogative. However, there are younger
colonels than you, sir, in our service--ay, and brigadiers,
too. So be humble, and lay not this honor with too much
unction to your heart. Your friend,

"PH. SCHUYLER."

I sat for a while staring at this good man's letter, then opened the
next missive.

"HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE NORTH, STILLWATER, August
12, 1777.

"Colonel George Ormond, on Scout:

"SIR,--By order of Major-General Gates, commanding this
department, you will, upon reception of this order, instantly
repair to Varick Manor and report your arrival by express or
a native runner to be trusted, preferably an Oneida. At nine
o'clock, the day following your arrival at Varicks', you will
leave on your journey to Stillwater, where you will report to
General Gates for further orders.

"Your small experience in military matters of organization
renders it most necessary that you should be aided in the
formation of your regiment of rangers by a detail from
Colonel Morgan's Rifles, as well as by the advice of
General Gates.

"You will, therefore, retain the riflemen composing your
scout, but attempt nothing towards enlisting your companies
until you receive your instructions personally and in full
from headquarters.

"I am, sir,

"Your very obedient servant,

"WILKINSON,
Adjutant-General.
"For Major-General Gates, commanding."

"Why, in Heaven's name, should I lose time by journeying to
headquarters?" I said, aloud, looking up from my letter. Ah! There was
the differen