"About one hundred," he said; "but there are about twice as many good lads gathering to the southward who will be up in time to assist us. The English have taken possession of a brick house with a stone wall, and are afraid to leave it. They are waiting for re-enforcements." To his astonishment, William saw that the company was composed, with the exception of the men who had met him in the road, of few whom he would consider fit to fight in the ranks--boys of fourteen and old gray-headed men that had been left at home, for the flower of New Jersey manhood was in the army. Ralston had called a score or so about him. "Friends," he said, "this is an old comrade, now a Lieutenant in the army. Let us hold counsel. It is right that he should take command. We are quite well drilled but not equipped, sir," he said, turning to William. The latter looked about. Some of the farmers were armed only with pitch-forks or rough pikes made from scythes. The Quaker with the pig had been greeted with the cry of "Fresh pork! Fresh pork!" and a rail fence was soon converted into fuel. "I am on special duty," William said, after a thought. "I should not tarry long." If he refused to accede to their wishes he would place himself in a dangerous position, and not only that, but would probably hurt most seriously the brother whom he was supposed to be. What would he not give for some news about George's condition? He had only gathered, from what Cato had told him, that his younger brother was not seriously wounded. "Let's adjourn to the barn," suggested the sergeant, "and talk matters over." All followed him, and seated themselves on the edge of a large bin. With ears of corn Ralston marked out the position that the English and Hessians held in the valley below. To save himself, William could not help but be interested. "Keep them talking," he thought. "That's it; but propose great caution. It may give the others time to get away." A freckle-faced red-eyed boy with a narrow-stocked rifle much taller than himself looked into the door. "What is it, Tommy?" said one of the men, as the boy pulled off his coon-skin cap. "Are we going to fight, sir?" asked the youth. "Ay, you'll get your chance," was the answer. The boy shouldered his musket and walked away. "Did you mark the lad, Mr. Frothingham?" said Ralston, glancing up from his plan. "The Hessians two days ago killed his old grandfather and burnt his sick mother's house down about her head." This recital started another of the group, and William listened in horror and amazement. In common with many other officers in the English service, he had deprecated the use of the German hirelings. His anger at their outrages overcame every other feeling in his breast. "You say the Hessians are here," he said, pointing with his finger at a bunch of corn-cobs, "and that the hill is off here to the right?" "Yes," answered Ralston, "and the swamp guards their retreat to the eastward."