properly understood hitherto, by the very
people who revere his name, though the excellent books of Messrs. Ford,
Wilson, Lodge, Fiske, and others are doing much to destroy the popular
canonization which made of the man a saint; in defence of my
characterization of him I am able to say that the incidents and
anecdotes and most of the conversations in which he appears are
absolutely historical.

If I have dwelt too long and too circumstantially upon the Trenton and
Princeton campaigns for a book so light in character as is this one, it
may be set down to an ardent admiration for Washington as man and
soldier, and a design again to exhibit him as he was at one of the most
critical and brilliant points of his career. Furthermore, I find that
the school and other histories commonly accessible to ordinary people
are not sufficiently awake to the importance and brilliancy of the
campaign, and I cherish the hope that this book may serve, in some
measure, to establish its value.

I have freely used all the histories and narratives to which I had
access, without hesitation; and if I have anticipated a distinguished
arrival, or hastened the departure of a ship, or altered the date of a
naval battle, or changed its scene, I plead the example of the
distinguished masters of fiction, to warrant me.

In closing I cannot refrain from thanking those who have so kindly
assisted me with advice and correction during the writing of this story
and the reading of the proof, especially the Rev. A. J. P. McClure.

C. T. B.

PHILADELPHIA, PENNA.,
_November_, 1897.

Contents

Book I

THE EVENTS OF A NIGHT

CHAPTER

I KATHARINE YIELDS HER INDEPENDENCE
II THE COUNTRY FIRST OF ALL
III COLONEL WILTON
IV LORD DUNMORE'S MEN PAY AN EVENING CALL
V A TIMELY INTERFERENCE
VI A FAITHFUL SUBJECT OF HIS MAJESTY
VII THE LOYAL TALBOTS
VIII AN UNTOLD STORY
IX BENTLEY'S PRAYER
X A SOLDIER'S EPITAPH

Book II

KNIGHTS ERRANT OF THE SEA

XI CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES
XII AN IMPORTANT COMMISSION
XIII A CLEVER STRATAGEM
XIV A SURPRISE FOR THE JUNO
XV CHASED BY A FRIGATE
XVI 'TWIXT LOVE AND DUTY
XVII AN INCIDENTAL PASSAGE AT ARMS
XVIII DUTY WINS THE GAME

Book III

THE LION AT BAY

XIX THE PORT OF PHILADELPHIA
XX A WINTER CAMP
XXI THE BOATSWAIN TELLS THE STORY
XXII WASHINGTON--A MAN WI