“‘And now, my little maid,’ he said, ‘you may tell your mother that you did see General Washington and gave him the best breakfast he has had in a month. And you see, his eyes are neither brown nor blue, but gray.’ “And I looked into his kind face and saw that the red book was not even half right. Then Mammy Dilsie came in and courtesied to the floor when I told her who it was. “The gentlemen patted me on the head, General Washington kissed me again, and they rode away.” FAMOUS WORDS AT GREAT MOMENTS PATRICK HENRY Ten years and more before the Declaration of Independence there was great excitement in the Colonies over the new Stamp Act. Patrick Henry, a young member of the General Assembly of Virginia, had the temerity to offer a resolution which declared that in the General Assembly lay the sole right and power to lay taxes upon the Colony. An excited debate followed this resolution, in the course of which Patrick Henry arose and addressed the assembly. His speech closed with the words which have made him famous: _Cæsar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and George the Third_--The hall rang with cries of _Treason! Treason!_ The patriot orator paused for an impressive moment, and then continued calmly;--_may profit by their example. If this be treason make the most of it!_ (His resolution was carried.) A decade passed before the actual outbreak of the War in New England inspired Patrick Henry to the oration which concluded thus: _It is in vain, Sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry peace, peace--but there is no peace. The war has actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the North will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms. Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains or slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!_ BATTLE OF LEXINGTON Very early on the morning of April 19, 1775, Paul Revere, by his famous ride, had warned the men of Lexington of the coming of the redcoats. About half-past four the patriots’ drum beat to arms and the minute-men came hurrying from all directions, to receive the instructions of their stalwart Captain, John Parker. His orders were: _Stand your ground, don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here._ Then came Major Pitcairn’s insolent order, _Disperse, ye rebels, disperse!_ Actually, the first trigger was pulled by a hot-headed young American. His gun, however, failed to go off. A British soldier then discharged his piece--and the War began. BUNKER HILL