ed
ashore, and, having tied his boat, hastened up to where the general sat
on his horse. He stopped.

"I have been across, general," he said, saluting.

"So I perceive, sir. How did you get across?"

"When I left you, sir, this afternoon," went on the young man, gravely,
"I was in such a hurry that I did not wait for anything. I swam it,
sir, with my horse."

"Swam it!"

"Yes, sir."

"Very well done, indeed! Was it cold?"

"Not very, sir. At least I was too excited to feel it, and a good hard
gallop on the other side soon warmed me up."

"Where did your ride take you?"

"Almost to Trenton, sir."

"And what is the situation there?"

"Very confident, the guard very negligent, the men carousing in the
houses. I examined both roads, and neither of them is well picketed.
I should think a surprise would not be very difficult, sir."

"Humph! Where's your horse?"

"He fell dead on the other side just as I got back. I found that leaky
skiff, and came over to report, sir."

"You have done well, Mr. Martin, very well indeed! I think you must
have found that man I sent you for!" continued the general, smiling
grimly, while the young soldier blushed with pleasure. "Meanwhile we
must get you another horse. Who has a spare one?"

"May it please your honor," spoke out Bentley, who had attached himself
to Seymour, "he can have mine. I am as much at sea on him as you would
be on the royal yard, begging your honor's pardon, and I 'll feel
better carrying a gun or pulling an oar with the men there than here."

The general laughed.

"There 's your horse, Mr. Martin. Where do you belong, sir?"

"To Colonel Stark's regiment, sir."

"Good! Keep at it as you have begun and you will meet with a better
reception when you call upon me again. Now God grant that fortune may
favor us. Gentlemen, if the brigades are all up, we will undertake the
crossing. It looks dangerous, but it can be done--it must be done.
Who will lead us?"

"I will, sir, with your permission, with my Marblehead fishermen," said
Colonel Glover, stepping out.

"Ah, gentlemen, this is our marine regiment. Go on, sir! You shall
have the right of way across the river. I think none will dispute it
with you. Mr. Seymour, as a seaman, perhaps you can render efficient
service, and your boatswain will find here more opportunities for his
peculiar talents than in carrying a musket. General Greene, will you
and your staff go over with the