quite warmly clothed, and have not far to go."

One often receives certain impressions without in the least knowing by
what means they are conveyed--some peculiar trick of tone or manner
teaching a lesson the lips refrain from expressing. Some such influence
now, unconsciously exerted possibly, made me feel that my companion
preferred to remain silent; that I could best prove my respect for her
by quietly accepting her guidance without attempting converse. We
walked slowly so as not to attract attention, as it was impossible to
say that we were unobserved. Once she slipped upon a stone and I caught
her, but neither spoke. Then there came the sudden clatter of hoofs on
the rocky road behind us. I drew her swiftly aside within the
protecting shadow of a tree, while a mounted officer rode by us at a
slashing gait, his cavalry cape pulled high over his head, and the iron
shoes of his horse striking fire from the flinty rocks. I could feel
the heart of the girl beating wildly against my arm, but without
exchanging so much as a word we crept back into the dark road and
pressed on.

A few hundred yards farther a fire burned redly against a pile of logs.
The forms of several men lay outstretched beside it, while a sentry
paced back and forth, in and out of the range of light. We were almost
upon him before he noted our approach, and in his haste he swung his
musket down from his shoulder until the point of its bayonet nearly
touched my breast.

"Halt!" he cried sternly, peering at us in evident surprise. "Halt!
this road is closed."

"Valley Forge," whispered the girl, and I noticed how white her face