get later
information from the mouth of her own child. If you are an hungered we
can give you food."

I was hungry; but after having failed of receiving the reception
accorded a hero, and being treated as if I had done nothing of moment,
my folly got the best of me once more, and instead of saying that it
would refresh me to have food, I declared there was nothing to prevent
my setting out on the return journey at once.

If I had counted that this might remind my father of his neglect to
bestow praise, then did I make a grievous mistake, for he took me at my
word without parley, saying:

"Very well, my son, perhaps it is as well that you should not linger
here, lest there be spies in camp who would recognize you when you
re-enter the town of York. I will go with you as far as the outposts so
you may have no difficulty in leaving the lines. It needs not that I
should remind you of your duty to Virginia, and urge that you continue
as you have begun. It would have pleased me far better were you in the
ranks, even though you served as a private, rather than playing the part
of spy; but since it has been brought upon you by the force of
circumstances, we must accept the situation as it is, and pray to the
good God that you come to no harm."

This last served better than any other words could have done, to show me
how foolish I had been to give way to irritation and disappointment
because I had not been received as a hero, when I had done nothing as
yet to win a hero's crown, and, thoroughly ashamed of myself, I clasped
my father around the neck, kissing him again and again, mentally asking
his pardon for having been such a simple, yet not daring to put the
prayer into words lest he should come to learn that his son was so great
a fool.

The good man talked with me as he led the way toward the outposts which
I must pass, telling me of the great hopes in the breasts of the
Americans that Cornwallis would speedily be overcome, and otherwise
discussing the affairs of the colonies, rather than private matters.

I now believe he did so because of not daring to give words to his
affection for me, lest he weaken my heart when he would have it stout.
At the time, however, it surprised me, because he had ever been a most
loving father, who took pleasure in showing his love; but I laid it all
to the door of a soldier's anxiety at this time when there was so much
of vital importance to the colonies at stake.

Within an hour fro