consider: I, who was a girl for timidity, was sure to have my turn next,
and here were we two little fellows, who had heard every First-day, and
ever and ever at home, that all things were to be suffered of all men (and
of boys too, I presume). I was troubled for Hugh, but I noticed that while
he said he would not fight he was buttoning up his jacket and turning back
the cuff of one sleeve. Also he smiled as he said, 'No, I cannot;' and many
times since I have seen him merry, in danger.

"For, of a truth, never later did he or I feel the sense of a great peril
as we did that day, with the bigger boys hustling us, and Alloway crying,
'Coward!' I looked about for some man who would help us, but there was no
one; only a cow hobbled near by. She looked up, and then went on chewing
her cud. I, standing behind Hugh, said, 'Run! run!'

"The counsel seemed good to me who gave it. As I think on it now, I was in
great perplexity of soul, and had a horrible fear as to bodily hurt. I
turned, followed by Hugh, and ran fleetly across the open ground and
through the bushes. About midway I looked back. Two lads were near upon us,
when I saw Hugh drop upon his hands and knees. Both fellows rolled over
him, and he called out, as they fell to beating him, 'Run, Jack!'

"But I was no longer so minded. I kicked one boy, and struck another, and
even now recall how a strange joy captured me when I struck the first
blow."

There was a fine scrimmage, for no quarter was asked or given, and I saw my
poor Jack's girl face bloody. This was the last I remember clearly, for the
lust of battle was on me, and I can recall no more of what chanced for a
little, than I could in later years of the wild melley on the main street
of Germantown, or of the struggle in the redoubt at Yorktown.