be among the first
to obey the order hereafter."

"Then, sir, come tell us of the battle, and what brought you hither so
fast that the mud is still upon your boots?"

Now, telling the account of the battle to two charming young ladies,
whose bright eyes and eager faces told of the interest they took in my
narrative, was a far different thing from telling the same tale before
the powerful Council of Safety, and I am free to confess that I
enjoyed the last far more than the first.

Their exclamations and excited questions spurred me on, and I drew the
picture of the battle with a stronger hand and painted myself a hero,
which I am afraid I was far from being.

But Mistress Betsy suddenly sat up straight, exclaiming:

"Bless me, Polly, Mr. Frisby has not had his breakfast, and here it is
near ten o'clock"--an outrageous late hour in those days.

At this both Mistress Polly and Mistress Betsy sprang to their feet,
and I was duly conducted to the dining-room, where a delightful
breakfast awaited me, which I endeavoured to eat amid their sallies
and their questioning.

We were having a very gay time of it, when there came a heavy step
through the hall into the room, and a cheery voice asked: "How is the
soldier to-day? In good hands, I see." It was Thomas Johnson.

"That he is, sir," I replied, rising, "and he thoroughly enjoys it
too."

"Spoken like a soldier," replied our future Governor, "and like a
soldier you must leave at once, for the Council desire you to carry
these despatches posthaste to General Washington."

"No; he shall not," cried Mistress Polly, with a stamp of her foot.
"He has promised to drive our four-in-hand to the races this
afternoon, and I am not going to let that Council of old fogies rob us
of the only soldier in town who has seen service for at least one
day."

"So that is the way the wind blows," said her father, pinching her
cheek and laughing. "I will tell the great Council of Public Safety
that they have been overruled by a maid."

"It will not be the first time," she retorted. "Their wives overrule
them every day."

"I will ride all night to make it up," I suggested.

"Never mind, my boy," he replied, "you deserve a little holiday; you
need not leave Annapolis until nightfall, and Kent the following
night, which will give you a chance to see your mother again. There, I
hope this little minx will give me some peace now."

The treaty was quickly sealed by a kiss, and Mistress