"Good-morning, Waters," I said. "Can you tell us what interests the people of this city so much, the news that we have been seeking in vain to learn? Here are gentlemen who have something that they would cherish and keep to themselves like a lady's favor." "It would scarce be proper for me, who am but an orderly, to announce weighty matters to your honors," said the man, with a most aggravating look of humility. The loungers who had come to the door laughed. "We will overlook that," said Marcel, who kept his temper marvellously well. "But tell us, is not the town really in a stir as it seems to be?" "It is, your honors," said Waters, "and it has cause for it." The loungers laughed again; but I did not mind it now, as I was eager to hear what Waters had to say. "Let us have this mighty secret," I said. "I fear your honors will not like it," replied Waters. "Never mind about that," I said, impatiently. "I do not believe that it amounts to anything at all." "It is only that the King of France has joined the Americans and declared war on the English," said Waters. For a moment I could scarce restrain a shout of joy. There had been talk for some time about a French alliance, but we had been disappointed so often that we had given up hope of it. Now the news had come with the suddenness of a thunder-clap. I believe that Marcel felt as I did, but it was of high importance that we should keep our countenances. "Whence did you get such a report as that?" I asked, affecting to treat it with contempt and unbelief. "From the people of the city," replied Waters. "Where did they get it?" asked Marcel. "I think it was brought in from the American army," replied the man, "and if your honor will pardon me for saying it, there is no doubt whatever about its truth." "King George will now have two enemies to fight instead of one, and he has not whipped the first," said one of the loungers. "Fear not that his armies will not be equal to the emergency," said I, thinking it needful to preserve my character as a British officer. "Then they will have to do something more than feast and dance in this city," said the bold fellow. The others murmured their approval and applause, and Marcel and I, bidding them to beware how they talked treason, strolled on. "I'm sorry to be the bearer of such bad news," said Waters, humbly. "King Louis and the Americans are responsible for the news, not you," said Marcel. "Still, we thank you for narrating it to us." His tone was that of curt dismissal, and Waters, accepting it, left us. Marcel and I looked at each other, and Marcel said:-- "If we were able, half-armed, untrained, and unaided, to take one British army at Saratoga, what ought we not to do now with King Louis's regulars to help us, and King Louis's arsenals to arm us?" "The alliance suggests many things," I said, "and one in particular to you and me." "What is that?" asked Marcel.