near by.

"This was going in those revolutionary days," said the old lady, who was
still with them, "and soon after the battle of Brandywine, before the
encampment in this valley, the Americans had a large quantity of stores
here in this mill. Washington heard that the British General Howe had
sent troops to destroy them, and he sent some of his men, under Alexander
Hamilton and Captain Henry Lee, to get ahead of the British; which they
did. Knowing there was danger of a surprise, they had a flat-bottomed
boat ready to cross the river in, and two videttes out on the hill to the
south yonder"--pointing with her finger. "Well, the soldiers had crossed
the river and were just going to begin the work they had come to do, when
the guns of the videttes were heard, and they were seen running down the
hill with the British close after them. Lee, the videttes, and four of
the other men ran across the bridge--the enemy sending a shower of
bullets after them--while the others, with Hamilton, took to the boat.
They were fired upon too, but got away safely. The two parties had got
separated, and neither one knew just how the other had fared. Lee sent a
note to Washington telling his fears for Hamilton and his men; and while
Washington was reading it Hamilton rode up with a face full of distress,
and began telling the general his fears for Lee; then Washington relieved
him by handing him Lee's note to read."

Our party thanked the old lady for her story, and Mr. Dinsmore asked what
more there was to see.

"There's an observatory over yonder on that south hill," she said,
pointing to it. "It was there a large part of the American army was
quartered--on the hill, I mean. If you go up to the top of the building
you can see a good deal of the camping ground from it."

"Thank you," he returned, slipping a silver dollar into her hand. "We
are all greatly obliged for your kindness in showing us about this
interesting place and refreshing our memories in regard to its history."

The others thanked her also; then taking a carriage they drove to the
observatory she had pointed out.

They were told that it stood on the spot where Washington's marquee was
placed on his arrival at Valley Forge. It was a neat octagonal structure
about forty feet high, with a spiral staircase in the centre leading up
to an open gallery on the top. They went up, and found it gave them a
fine view of the greater part of what had been the camping ground. "Our
t