old lord having married a
young wife, 'tis said. The lad sent word that he would come over, but
nothing hath been heard, and now there are such troublous times upon the
ocean."

"Nay, England is mistress of the seas. And a new recruit of troops is
being sent over. Some think Virginia will be the point of attack."

There was but little news except that by private hands. No telegram
could warn of an approaching foe. In July Washington, leaving a body of
troops on the Hudson, pushed forward to Philadelphia, where he met, for
the first time, the young Marquis Lafayette, who had been so fired with
admiration at an account of the daring and intrepidity of the Americans
in confronting a foe like England, and declaring for freedom, that he
crossed the ocean to offer his services to the Continental Congress.

The British fleet under Sir William Howe did not ascend the Delaware, as
was anticipated, but landed at the Chesapeake Bay and were met by
Washington on their march up, and after a day's hard fighting, at Chad's
Ford, Washington was compelled to retreat with many killed and wounded,
among the latter the brave young Frenchman. And then the city had its
first bitter taste of war, and all was consternation. Many packed up
their valuables and fled, others shut up their country houses and came
into town. General Howe crossed the Schuylkill, intending to winter at
Germantown, but, after the battle there, in which he was victorious,
resolved to place his army in winter quarters at Philadelphia.

Promise was given that all neutrals should be respected in property and
person. The advent of the English was regarded with conflicting
emotions. There were stately Tories, who held out a hand of welcome;
there was a large and influential body of Friends who had resolutely
kept to business, having, perhaps, little faith in the ultimate triumph
of the colonists.

And now the aspect of the town was changed, in a night, it seemed.
Officers were sent to the wealthier households, and General Howe finally
established himself in the house of Richard Penn. Barracks were hastily
thrown up for the soldiers who could not find refuge elsewhere.

Madam Wetherill was summoned to her parlor one morning, though, thus
far, she had not been molested.

"There are two redcoats, full of gold lace and frippery," said Janice
Kent severely. "In God's mercy they have let us alone, but such fortune
cannot last forever. Still they are more mannerly than those