"As soon as they were fairly lodged in the prison, Lee prevailed on the
jailor to carry a note to Gen. Lincoln, informing him of his condition.
The general received it as he was dressing in the morning, and
immediately sent one of his aids to the jail. That officer could not
believe his eyes that he saw Capt. Lee. His uniform, worn-out when he
assumed it, was now hanging in rags about him; and he had not been
shaved for a fortnight. He wished, very naturally, to improve his
appearance before presenting himself before the secretary of war; but
the orders were peremptory to bring him as he was. The general loved a
joke full well: his laughter was hardly exceeded by the report of his
own cannon; and long and loud did he laugh that day.

"When Capt. Lee returned to Lancaster, he immediately attempted to
retrace the ground; and so accurate, under all the unfavourable
circumstances, had been his investigation, that he brought to justice
fifteen persons who had aided the escape of British prisoners. It is
hardly necessary to say, to you who know the fate of revolutionary
officers, that he received, for his hazardous and effectual service, no
reward whatever."

"A perilous adventure," observed Warner, as Kinnison concluded his
narrative.

"It was," replied Davenport. "It seems rather strange how Capt. Lee
could so disguise himself and impose upon the enemy. But he knew a thing
or two more than common men, and I shouldn't wonder."

"The British had many useful friends in every part of the country,
during the war, and were enabled to do many such deeds," remarked
Colson.