poise of the youth, he gave a slight start and eyed him keenly and
somewhat searchingly, with considerable interest.

"You are Richard Dare?" the commander-in-chief remarked.

"Yes, your excellency," saluting.

"Very good, Mr. Dare. Now if you will be so kind as to state your
business as briefly as possible, I will hear you. I am quite busy, as
you may well suppose."

"Pardon me for taking up your time, sir," said Dick, "but I wished to
see you in person, as I have come to make you an offer."

"Ah, indeed? What kind of an offer, my young friend?"

"I will tell you, sir: I and two friends of about my own age have come
to New York from our homes in the western part of New Jersey. We
arrived here only this morning, and I, as their spokesman, have come to
offer our services to you, sir. We are ardent patriots and desirous of
fighting in our country, for the freedom and independence of our
people."

"Well, well," said Washington, looking at the youth with renewed
interest. "Bravely spoken! Your desire is a commendable one, and
certainly I shall be glad to accept of your offer, if your parents are
willing that you shall enter the army. You are mere youths, as it
were, and I would not want to take advantage of your offer unless it
were satisfactory to your parents. They have knowledge of you
project?"