We followed him through the stockade gate and into the great house, so perfectly familiar to me in happier days. Excepting for the noise and confusion of officers coming and going, there was no disorder within; the beautiful furniture stood ranged in stately symmetry; the pictures hung on the walls; but I saw no silver anywhere, and all the candlesticks were pewter. As we came to the library, an officer in the uniform of a colonel of the Continental Line turned from a group of men crowded around the centre table, on which lay a map. Nick Stoner and I saluted his epaulettes. He came close to us and searched our faces coolly enough, as a farmer inspects an offered horse. "This is young Nick Stoner, of Fonda's Bush, sir," said the Palatine officer. "Oh," said the Colonel drily, "I have heard of the Stoner boys. And what may be your name?" he inquired, fastening his piercing eyes on mine. "John Drogue, sir." "I have heard of you, also," he remarked, more drily still. For a full minute, it seemed to me, he scrutinized me from head to foot with a sort of curiosity almost brutal. Then, on his features a fine smile softened what had seemed insolence. With a glance he dismissed the Palatine, motioned us to follow him, and we three entered the drawing-room across the hall, which was lighted but empty. "Mr. Drogue," said he, "I am Colonel Dayton; and I have in my personal baggage a lieutenant's commission for you from our good Governor, procured, I believe, through the solicitation of our mutual and most excellent friend, Lord Stirling." I stood astonished to learn of my preferment, never dreaming nor even wishing for military rank, but perfectly content to carry the sack of a private soldier in this most just of all wars. And as for Billy Alexander remembering to so serve me, I was still more amazed. For Lord Stirling was already a general officer in His Excellency's new army, and I never expected him to remember me amid the desperate anxieties of his new position. "Mr. Drogue," said Dayton, "you, I believe, are the only example among the gentry of Tryon County who has openly embraced the cause of our thirteen colonies. I do not include the Albany Patroon; I speak only of the nobility and gentry of this county.... And it took courage to turn your back upon your own caste." "It would have taken more to turn against my own countrymen, sir." He smiled. "Come, sir, were you not sometime Brent-Meester to Sir William?" "Yes, sir." "Then you should know the forest, Mr. Drogue." "I do know it." "So General Schuyler has informed me." He clasped his gloved hands behind his back and began to pace to and fro, his absent glances on the window candles. Presently he halted: "Sir John is fled. Did you know it?" he said abruptly. I felt the hot shame burn my face to the roots of my hair. "Broke his parole of honour and gone off," added Dayton. "Where do you suppose he is making for with his Tories and Highlanders?"