"'This mare is no stranger to oats an' the curry comb."

"He looked her over carefully before he led her to the stable.

"Next morning as he stood by her noble head, Smith said to me:

"'She's a knowin' beast. She'd be smart enough to laugh at my jokes
an' I wouldn't wonder.'

"He was immensely pleased with this idea of his. Then, turning
serious, he asked if I would sell her.

"'You couldn't afford to own that mare,' I said.

"I had touched his vanity. In fact I did not realize how much he had
made by his overcharging. He was better able to own her than I and
that he proposed to show me.

"He offered for her another horse and a sum which caused me to take
account of my situation. The money would be a help to me. However, I
shook my head. He increased his offer.

"'What do you want of her?" I asked.

"'I've always wanted to own a hoss like that,' he answered.

"'I intended to keep the mare,' said I. 'But if you will treat her
well and give her a good home I shall let you have her.'

"'A man who likes a good joke will never drive a spavined hoss,' he
answered merrily.

"So it happened that the mare Nancy fell into the hands of Reuben
Smith."

CHAPTER XXIX

LOVE AND TREASON

When Jack and Solomon returned to headquarters, Arnold and his wife
were settled in a comfortable house overlooking the river. Colonel
Irons made his report. The Commander-in-Chief complimented him and
invited the young man to make a tour of the camp in his company. They
mounted their horses and rode away together.

"I learn that General Arnold is to be in command here," Jack remarked
soon after the ride began.

"I have not yet announced my intention," said Washington. "Who told
you?"

"A man of the name of Henry Thornhill."

"I do not know him but he is curiously well informed. Arnold is an
able officer. We have not many like him. He is needed here for I have
to go on a long trip to eastern Connecticut to confer with Rochambeau.
In the event of some unforeseen crisis Arnold would know what to do."

Then Jack spoke out: "General, I ought to have reported to you the
exact words of Governor Reed. They were severe, perhaps, even, unjust.
I have not repeated them to any one. But now I think you should know
their full content and Judge of them in your own way. The Governor
insists that Arnold is bad at heart--that he would sell his master for
thirty pieces of silver."

Washington made no reply, for a mom