"It is either Westminster Abbey for me or the gallows," he remarked to his wife that evening when they were quite alone. "You have no apprehensions, I hope." "There's many a slip----" he quoted. "Come! Be an optimist. You have set your heart on it. So be brave." "I have never lacked courage. At Saratoga while that scapegoat Gates sulked in his tent, I burst from the camp on my big brown horse and rode like a madman to the head of Larned's brigade, my old command, and we took the hill. Fear? I never knew what the word meant. Dashing back to the center, I galloped up and down before the line. We charged twice, and the enemy broke and fled. Then I turned to the left and ordered West and Livingston with Morgan's corps to make a general assault along the line. Here we took the key to the enemy's position and there was nothing for them to do but to retreat. At the same instant one bullet killed my good brown horse under me and another entered my leg. But the battle had been won." "Never mind, my dear, the world yet lies before you." "I won the war for them, damn 'em, in a single battle, and single-handed. Lord North knew it. The Rockingham Whigs, with Burke as their leader, knew it and were ready to concede independence, having been convinced that conciliation was no longer practicable or possible. Richmond urged the impossibility of final conquest, and even Gibbon agreed that the American colonies had been lost. I accomplished all that, I tell you, and I received--what?--a dead horse and a wounded leg." There was a flash of the old-time general, but only a flash. It was evident that he was tiring easily. His old-time stamina had abandoned him. "Why do you so excite yourself?" Peggy cautioned him. "The veins are bulging out on your forehead." "When I think of it, it galls me. But I shall have my revenge," he gloated maliciously. "Clinton is going to attack Washington as soon as I have taken over my command. I shall outrival Albemarle yet." "We may as well prepare to leave, then." "There is no need of your immediate departure. You are not supposed to be acquainted with my designs. You must remain here. Later you can join me." "But you are going at once?" "Yes, I shall leave very soon now. Let me see." He paused to think. "It is over a week now since I was appointed. The appointment was to take effect immediately. I should report for duty at once." "And I shall meet you----" "In New York, very probably. It is too early yet to arrange for that. You will know where I am stationed and can remain here until I send for you." While they were still engaged in conversation, a sound became very audible as of a horseman ascending the driveway. A summons at the door announced a courier from the Commander-in-chief to Major General Arnold. The latter presented himself and received a packet on which had been stamped the seal of official business. He took the document and withdrew.