Hamilton and the Marquis de La Fayette,
a volunteer from France, who comes to serve our country without money
or without price, for love of liberty. This is Major Harrison, this
Captain Laurens, this Captain Morris of the Philadelphia troop, our
only cavalry; they serve like the marquis, for love of liberty. I know
not how I could dispense with them." The gentlemen mentioned bowed
ceremoniously, and some of them shook hands with the new-comers.

"Billy," continued Washington, turning to his black servant, "I wish
you to get something to eat for these gentlemen. It's only bread and
meat that we can offer you, I am sorry to say; we are not living in a
very luxurious style at present,--on rather short rations, on the
contrary. But meanwhile you will take a glass of this excellent punch
with us, and we will drink to a merry Christmas. Fill your glasses,
gentlemen all. Your news is the first good news we have had for so
long that we have almost forgot what good news is. It is certainly
very pleasant for us, eh, gentlemen? Now give us some of the details
of the capture of the transport. How was it? You, Mr. Seymour, are
the sailor of the party; do you tell us about it."

Then, in that rude farmhouse among the hills on that bitter winter day,
Seymour told the story of the sighting of the convoy, and the ruse by
which the capture of the two ships had been effected, at which General
Washington laughed heartily. Then he described in a graphic seamanlike
way the wonderful night action; the capture of the Juno by the heroic
captain of the Ranger, the successful escape of that ship from the
frigate, and the sinking of the Juno. He was interrupted from time to
time by exclamations and deep gasps of excitement from the officers
crowding about him; even Billy bringing the dinner put it down
unheeded, and listened with his eyes glistening. And then Seymour
delivered Jones's message to General Washington.

"Wonderful man! wonderful man!" he said. "We shall hear of him, I
think, in the English Channel; and the English also, which is more to
the point. But your own ship--had you an eventless passage, Mr.
Seymour? And, gentlemen, you look as solemn as if you were the bearers
of bad news instead of good tidings, or had been retreating with us for
the past six months. Thank goodness, that's about over tonight. Fill
your glasses, gentlemen. 'T is Christmas day. Now for your own story.
Did you meet an enemy's ship?"

"