as gone. But 'fore then, they's goin' to be great trouble. The
white settlers has got to give up their land an' move, 'er turn Tory,
'er be tommy-hawked."

With a sense of failure, they slowly made their way back to Albany,
riding the last half of it on the sled of a settler who was going to
the river city with a grist and a load of furs.

CHAPTER XIV

ADVENTURES IN THE SERVICE OF THE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF

Soon after they reached home Jack received a letter from Doctor
Franklin who had given up his fruitless work in London and returned to
Philadelphia.

It said: 'My work in England has been fruitless and I am done with it.
I bring you much love from the fair lady of your choice. That, my
young friend, is a better possession than houses and lands, for even
the flames of war can not destroy it. I have not seen, in all this
life of mine, a dearer creature or a nobler passion. And I will tell
you why it is dear to me, as well as to you. She is like the good
people of England whose heart is with the colonies, but whose will is
being baffled and oppressed. Let us hope it may not be for long. My
good wishes for you involve the whole race whose blood is in my veins.
That race has ever been like the patient ox, treading out the corn,
whose leading trait is endurance.

"There is little light in the present outlook. You and Binkus will do
well to come here. This, for a time, will be the center of our
activities and you may be needed any moment."

Jack and Solomon went to Philadelphia soon after news of the battle of
Lexington had reached Albany in the last days of April. They were
among the cheering crowds that welcomed the delegates to the Second
Congress.

Colonel Washington, the only delegate in uniform, was the most
impressive figure in the Congress. He had come up with a coach and six
horses from Virginia. The Colonel used to say that even with six
horses, one had a slow and rough journey in the mud and sand. His
dignity and noble stature, the fame he had won in the Indian wars and
his wisdom and modesty in council, had silenced opposition and opened
his way. He was a man highly favored of Heaven. The people of
Philadelphia felt the power of his personality. They seemed to regard
him with affectionate awe. All eyes were on him when he walked around.
Not even the magnificent Hancock or the eloquent Patrick Henry
attracted so much attention. Yet he would stop in the street to speak
to a child o