In the Days of Poor Richard

  2

  Next day Jack and Solomon set out with a force of twelve hundred menfor Washington's camp at White Marsh near Philadelphia. There Jackfound a letter from Margaret. It had been sent first to BenjaminFranklin in Paris through the latter's friend Mr. David Hartley, adistinguished Englishman who was now and then sounding the Doctor onthe subject of peace.

  "I am sure that you will be glad to know that my love for you is notgrowing feeble on account of its age," she wrote. "The thought hascome to me that I am England and that you are America. It will be awonderful and beautiful thing if through all this bitterness andbloodshed we can keep our love for each other. My dear, I would haveyou know that in spite of this alien King and his followers, I hold tomy love for you and am waiting with that patience which God has put inthe soul of your race and mine, for the end of our troubles. If youcould come to France I would try to meet you in Doctor Franklin's homeat Passy. So I have the hope in me that you may be sent to France."

  This is as much of the letter as can claim admission to our history.It gave the young man a supply of happiness sufficient to fill the manydays of hardship and peril in the winter at Valley Forge. It was readto Solomon.

  "Say, this 'ere letter kind o' teches my feelin's--does sart'in," saidSolomon. "I'm goin' to see what kin be done."

  Unknown to Jack, within three days Solomon had a private talk with theCommander-in-Chief at his headquarters. The latter had a high regardfor the old scout. He maintained a dignified silence while Solomonmade his little speech and then arose and offered his hand saying in akindly tone:

  "Colonel Binkus, I must bid you good night."