from Christian Street on the south, to Callowhill on the north, being
widest between Arch and Walnut, where it expanded from Delaware to Ninth.
However, I visited a number of these encampments, finding in each merely
a small guard retained for the day, the majority of the troops being off
on liberty. Soon after noon these began to throng the water front, eager
to view the coming spectacle. I was, myself, in the Yager's camp,
finishing a late lunch, with a few officers, when the announcement came
that the water procession had started.




CHAPTER III

THE FÊTE OF THE AFTERNOON


I confess that up to this time I had experienced little interest in the
affair. After Valley Forge it was hard for an American soldier to admire
such boy's play, or to enter into the spirit of British fun making.
Besides the danger of my position, the fear of some slip of tongue
betraying me, the knowledge that I was in the very heart of the enemy's
camp, with grim, stern duties to perform and a return journey to
accomplish, kept me nerved to a point where I thought of little else than
my task. But now I dared not remain indifferent, and, indeed, the
enthusiasm of my companions became contagious, and I joined with them
eagerly, as they hurried forth to the best point of view. Once there the
sight revealed aroused me to an enthusiasm scarcely less than that of
those crowding about. Few, indeed, have ever witnessed so gorgeous a
spectacle as that river presented, and I have found many since who have