ack and Solomon exercised unusual care in guarding the camp and
organizing for defense in case of attack. It was soon after
Washington's departure that Arnold went away on the road to the south.
Solomon followed keeping out of his field of vision. The General
returned two days later. Solomon came into Jack's hut about midnight
of the day of Arnold's return with important news.

Jack was at his desk studying a map of the Highlands. The camp was at
rest. The candle in Jack's hut was the only sign of life around
headquarters when Solomon, having put out his horse, came to talk with
his young friend. He stepped close to the desk, swallowed nervously
and began his whispered report.

"Suthin' neevarious be goin' on," he began. "A British ship were lyin'
nigh the mouth o' the Croton River. Arnold went aboard. An' officer
got into his boat with him an' they pulled over to the west shore and
went into the bush. Stayed thar till mos' night. If 'twere honest
business, why did they go off in the bush alone fer a talk?"

Jack shook his head.

"Soon as I seen that I went to one o' our batteries an' tol' the Cap'n
what were on my mind.

"'Damn the ol' British tub. We'll make 'er back up a little,' sez he.
'She's too clus anyhow.'

"Then he let go a shot that ripped the water front o' her bow. Say,
Jack, they were some hoppin' eround on the deck o' the big British war
sloop. They h'isted her sails an' she fell away down the river a mile
'er so. The sun were set when Arnold an' the officer come out o' the
bush. I were in a boat with a fish rod an' could jes' see 'em with my
spy-glass, the light were so dim. They stood thar lookin' fer the
ship. They couldn't see her. They went back into the bush. It come
to me what they was goin' to do. Arnold were a-goin' to take the
Britisher over to the house o' that ol' Tory, Reub Smith. I got thar
fust an' hid in the bushes front o' the house. Sure 'nough!--that's
what were done. Arnold an' t' other feller come erlong an' went into
the house. 'Twere so dark I couldn't see 'em but I knowed 'twere them."

"How?" the young man asked.

"'Cause they didn't light no candle. They sot in the dark an' they
didn't talk out loud like honest men would. I come erway. I couldn't
do no more."

"I think you've done well," said Jack. "Now go and get some rest.
To-morrow may be a hard day."

2

Jack spent a bad night in the effort to be as great as his problem. In
the