the war, but swiftly with regard to the
growth of the country. Notwithstanding Continental money was becoming
almost worthless, bountiful crops were raised and the greater part of
the population were engaged in work.

The surrender of Burgoyne had proved the success necessary to enable
that wise old man, Benjamin Franklin, to secure recognition of the
United States by France. A French fleet hovered along the coast and
annoyed the British without accomplishing anything decisive. The
American people seemed less inclined to make great effort, relying on
French aid to secure independence for them. Corruption,--depriving the
army of supplies and money,--the weakness of Congress,--unable to do
more than suggest and leave to the several states to respond or not as
they chose,--all served to delay the war. But for Washington, patient
and wise, standing as a tower of strength about which the patriotic
people might rally, the end of it all might well have been in doubt.
The people of the country, however, did not doubt. The great majority
of them believed their cause invincible.

Washington's army had chased Clinton's British troops from Philadelphia
back to New York, and would have inflicted serious punishment upon them
but for the treachery of General Charles Lee. As it was, Washington saw
the hand of Providence in the fact that, after two years, his and the
British army were back in their old positions with the British less
confident and powerful. General Howe on returning to England had
remarked: "Things go ill and will not go better."

The Wyoming massacre, perpetrated by Indians and Tories, sent a thrill
of horror over the land, and the man who had been thinking the war
would be ended without further assistance from him burned to fight the
foe. The successes of Clark in capturing British posts west of the
Alleghanies, and so laying the foundation of our claim to that vast
territory, increased Rodney's restlessness.

"Zeb," he said to his friend on hearing the report, "I'm beginning to
long to go West again."

"You ought to know what is thought of a man as fools with fire after
havin' his fingers burned once."

"I can't help it. I know that is a wonderful country. Great work will
be done there in the next few years and I want a share in it."

"I reckon I'd wait till the war is over an' the redskins are tamed."

"Well, I suppose I'll have to. But it'll be either the West or the war
for me before long."

Zeb looked