CHAPTER XXI
AT HOME
Lafayette had received the startling news and acted upon it without aquestion. He marched his men rapidly toward Matson's Ford, on the lowerroad, and when the British generals came up to Barren Hill they wereastonished to find that they had only each other to fight. They decidednot to cross the river, but returned to Philadelphia, much disappointedthat the Marquis de Lafayette was not their prisoner.
Lafayette likewise marched back to Valley Forge, where he was receivedwith great joy.
The soldier who had taken Ruth's message found an opportunity to tellLafayette that the news that had saved his army had been brought by alittle girl.
"She came running up the hill calling your name, sir. A little girl withyellow hair and blue eyes," said the soldier.
"Would you know her if you saw her again?" questioned the youngFrenchman.
"I should indeed, sir," was the quick reply.
Aunt Deborah had not questioned Ruth when, flushed and tired, she camerunning back to the house on the morning when the Americans had soeasily made their escape, thanks to Ruth's message, from theoverwhelming armies of the English. For a number of days Ruth did notventure beyond the garden, and when, a week later, her father opened thegate and called "Ruth!" she ran to meet him, feeling sure that noweverything was sure to come right, and that she and her father couldsoon return to Philadelphia.
But Mr. Pennell was not alone; there was a tall smiling soldier justbehind him, and near the gate a graceful figure on horseback that Ruthrecognized as Lafayette.
Aunt Deborah came hurrying to welcome Mr. Pennell; the soldier hadturned back, and was standing beside the mounted officer, who soondismounted and came slowly up the path.
"Lieutenant Pennell, I have to thank your little maid for a very greatservice," he said, as he took Ruth's hand, and smiled down on thelittle girl; and then he told first of Ruth's warning that his capturewas planned by General Howe, and then of her warning of an advancingarmy against his troops.
"I came this morning that I might thank her for her loyal service toAmerica and to me," he said, bending low to kiss the warm little handthat rested in his own.
It was indeed a wonderful day for Ruth Pennell.
After Lafayette rode away she told the story to her surprised andastonished father, while Aunt Deborah listened as if she could hardlybelieve her own ears.
Lieutenant Pennell had been given a week's furlough, and was quite surethat it would be possible for him to visit his home in Philadelphia,taking Ruth with him, for the English were leaving the city as rapidlyas possible.
Later in the day Aunt Deborah told Ruth's father of his littledaughter's visit to General Howe, and Ruth told of Gilbert's play, andof the boys' arrest by the English, of Betty's capture on account of theborrowed coat, and of her escape from the house by the river.
"The children of Philadelphia will indeed remember the year of 1778,and surely my little daughter can never forget it," responded herfather.
Ruth was eager to start for home as soon as possible, especially as AuntDeborah said that she must return in midsummer with her mother for alonger visit. "And thy friend Winifred must come also," she had added.
Winifred and Gilbert had heard the story of Ruth's warning to theAmerican army, for Aunt Deborah had sent a letter to Mrs. Pennell at thefirst opportunity, and Gilbert had at once declared that he would "makeup a play" about it.
"And we will have it the very day Ruth comes home," he said. "I will beLafayette, and Ruth can be herself."
"And let's ask Betty and all the girls who went to the May party,"suggested Winifred.
"And Ned, too, and Mother and Mrs. Pennell," agreed Gilbert. "I tellyou, it is lucky Ruth went to Barren Hill, and I guess it's lucky yougirls went to Southwark that day. You see, it put Ruth on the lookout towarn Lafayette," he added.
Gilbert's second play proved even a greater success than his first. Thegirls listened admiringly to Winifred's account of Lafayette's thankingRuth, and when the guests had all gone the two little friends went totheir favorite seat in Ruth's garden under the big maple tree. Hero keptvery close to his little mistress, as if afraid that she might againsuddenly disappear.
"Do you remember that day when we began the chair for Cecilia, Ruthie?"asked Winifred, "and when you said you wished you could do some greatservice for Lafayette because he had come to help America?"
Ruth nodded, not quite sure of the exact day, but very sure that she hadalways wanted to help the young Frenchman, and wondering what Winifredwould say next.
"And now you have done him a great service," Winifred continued soberly."And Betty and Annette, and all the girls say that you are a realheroine."
"I guess they don't know much about heroines," responded Ruth, but therewas a pleased smile about her mouth. Of course any little girl whosehand had been kissed by Lafayette was a heroine, she thought happily.
The Stories in this Series are:
A LITTLE MAID OF PROVINCE TOWNA LITTLE MAID OF MASSACHUSETTS COLONYA LITTLE MAID OF NARRAGANSETT BAYA LITTLE MAID OF BUNKER HILLA LITTLE MAID OF TICONDEROGAA LITTLE MAID OF OLD CONNECTICUTA LITTLE MAID OF OLD PHILADELPHIAA LITTLE MAID OF OLD MAINE
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