on by the people of the United States,
to show that they loved and would always remember the Father of his
Country.

FOOTNOTES:

[25] From "The Story Hour" by Kate Douglas Wiggin and Nora A. Smith.
Houghton, Mifflin & Co., publishers.

* * * * *

HEADQUARTERS IN 1776[26]

BY PAUL LEICESTER FORD

On September 15, a group of horsemen, occupying a slight eminence of
ground on the island of Manhattan, were gazing eastward. Below and
nearer the water were spread lines of soldiers behind intrenchments,
while from three men-of-war lying in the river came a heavy cannonade
that swept the shore line and spread over the water a pall of smoke
which, as it drifted to leeward, obscured the Long Island shore from
view.

"'Tis evidently a feint, your Excellency," presently asserted one of the
observers, "to cover a genuine attack elsewhere--most likely above the
Haarlem."

The person addressed--a man with an anxious, care-worn face that made
him look fifty at least--lowered his glass, but did not reply for some
moments. "You may be right, sir," he remarked, "though to me it has the
air of an intended attack. What think you, Reed?"

"I agree with Mifflin. The attack will be higher up. Hah! Look there!"

A rift had come in the smoke, and a column of boats, moving with
well-timed oars, could for a moment be seen as it came forward.

"They intend a landing at Kip's Bay, as I surmised," exclaimed the
general. "Gentlemen, we shall be needed below." He turned to Reed and
gave him an order concerning reinforcements, then wheeled, and, followed
by the rest, trotted over the plowed field. Once on the highway, he
spurred his horse, putting him to a sharp canter.

"What troops hold the works on the bay, Mifflin?" asked one of the
riders.

"Fellows' and Parsons' brigades, Brereton."

"If they are as good at fighting as at thieving, they'll distinguish
themselves."

"Ay," laughed Mifflin. "If the red coats were but chickens or cattle,
the New England militia would have had them all captured ere now."

"They'll be heard from to-day," said a third officer. "They've
earthworks to git behind, and they'll give the British anuther Bunker
Hill."

"Then you ought to be quick, General Putnam," said Brereton, "for that's
the fighting you like."

The road lay in the hollow of the land, and not till the party reached a
slight rise were they able once more to get a glimpse of the shores of
the bay. Then i