"But ye must not be found here by the Tories!" she panted. "Poor Miranda's bravery must not go thus unrewarded, Your Excellency!"
The officers gathered in a close circle around their general.
"'Tis twenty against five, sir!" one of them protested earnestly. "Surely ye will decide to flee?"
General Washington glanced at him impatiently.
"Of course," he said. He strode forward.
But at the kitchen door he was met by Mehitable, wrapped in her mother's cardinal, the hood of which was drawn tightly around her determined young face.
"I know the way!" she said. "I will go with you and guide you over ye mountain pass! I know almost every inch of this country in that direction!"
"Nay, child!" General Washington started back in quick denial. "I cannot let you put yourself in such danger! 'Tis most brave of you; but I cannot permit it!"
Mistress Condit attracted by the brief argument, raising her head and seeing that her guests were about to depart, hurried across the kitchen to them.
"Your Excellency, Mehitable would be most proud an you let her guide you!" she said earnestly.
"But, madam!" The general turned to her. "Even now 'tis growing dusk"
He was interrupted by Mehitable.
"They come!" she exclaimed. "Ye Tories come!"
The little party of Americans wasted no more time, then. With hastily spoken farewells to the hostess, they were down the path and upon their horses' backs
