raid. I rode post to headquarters and luckily
found the General in his tent. On the way I arrived at a definite
conviction regarding the plans of Howe. I was eager to give it air,
having no doubt of its soundness. The General gave me respectful
attention while I laid the facts before him. Then I took my courage in
my hands and asked:

"'General, may I venture to express an opinion?'

"'Certainly,' he answered.

"'It is the plan of Howe to cross the Delaware in his boats so as to make
us believe that he is going to New York. He will recross the river above
Bristol and suddenly descend upon our rear.'

"Washington sat, with his arms folded, looking very grave but made no
answer.

"In other words, again I presented my conviction.

"Still he was silent and I a little embarrassed. In half a moment I
ventured to ask:

"'General, what is your opinion?'

"He answered in a kindly tone: 'Colonel Irons, the enemy has no business
in our rear. The boats are only for our scouts and spies to look at.
The British hope to fool us with them. To-morrow morning about daylight
they will be coming down the Edgely Bye Road on our left.'

"He called an aid and ordered that our front be made ready for an attack
in the early morning.

"I left headquarters with my conceit upon me and half convinced that our
Chief was out in his judgment of that matter. No like notion will enter
my mind again. Solomon and I have quarters on the Edgely Bye Road. A
little after three next morning the British were reported coming down the
road. A large number of them were killed and captured and the rest
roughly handled.

"A smart Yankee soldier in his trial for playing cards yesterday, set up
a defense which is the talk of the camp. For a little time it changed
the tilt of the wrinkles on the grim visage of war. His claim was that
he had no Bible and that the cards aided him in his devotions.

"The ace reminded him of the one God; the deuce of the Father and Son;
the tray of the Trinity; the four spot of the four evangelists--Matthew,
Luke, Mark and John; the five spot of the five wise and the five foolish
virgins; the six spot of the six days of creation; the seven of the
Sabbath; the eight of Noah and his family; the nine of the nine
ungrateful lepers; the ten of the Ten Commandments; the knave of Judas;
the queen was to him the Queen of Sheba and the king was the one great
King of Heaven and the Universe.

"'You will go to the guar