were more peaceful pastures for employment; but he had his
doubts. Dangers pursued Hans, and he was sore distressed. It was
necessary for him to sell the products of the little farm, and, really,
the danger of the parson's daughter going along to straighten matters
out, was no great matter. Peddlers, unless suspected, were allowed to
pass the lines, and their wares paid for with more or less honesty.

CHAPTER VIII

AT HEADQUARTERS

"Your excellency, dar am a lame girl, an a fool Dutchman outside. De
girl done say, she's got to delibber de eggs to yourself, sah!"

"Eggs!" The tall, anxious man at the table turned sharply. He was
writing to Congress, and the interruption annoyed him.

"Yas, sah." The colored man bowed humbly. "I'se been tellin' dem we has
eggs nouf, but the Dutchman he deaf as a stun wall, an' de girl am dat
sot, dat your own self couldn't be sotter, sah. She done say her folks
'prived demselfs of food an' drink, sah, to save dese eggs fur your
excellency, an' she goes on tu say, sah, dat she done been habbin' de
debbil's own time gettin' past de lines wid de eggs. She's been 'sulted
by de British and odder hard things. She won't go, sah, till I done tell
you all dis rubbish."

"Bring her in," quietly said the listener.

Washington never slighted the humble, and, besides, messages were sent
in odd ways. It was always better to be willing to listen. The black man
departed, muttering, and presently returned, showing the lame girl in
with no very good grace.

"Dat am de General!" he explained, shutting the heavy door after the
limping figure.

There was no need of explanation. The eyes under the drooping frill grew
joyous at the sight of the honored face. The heart under the coarse
cotton frock beat high with pride, and--yes, shame, for how was the boy
to make himself known?

"Pray be seated," the deep voice was saying. "You are weary and you have
taken chances of danger to reach me with your gift."

Andy sank into the nearest chair.

"I appreciate your devotion and unselfishness, but I would advise no
future attempts to pass the British lines for such a thing."

"There were other reasons, sir," said Andy. Washington came nearer.

"I fancied so," he said, "and they are?"

Andy drew the basket of eggs to him, and unwrapped several, handing the
papers to Washington. The General took them, crossed to the window, and
for a few moments pieced the bits together carefully. Then he read. An