How grand the General looked to the boy, as, with stately step, he trod slowly the church aisle accompanied by his officers. Now he was come to the vestibule. It was Blue-Eyed Boy's chance at last. The great, dancing, gleeful eyes, that have outlived in fame the very name of the lad, were fixed on Washington, as he stepped forward to accost him. "Out of the way!" exclaimed a guard, and thrust him aside. "I _will_ speak! General Washington!" screamed Blue-Eyed Boy, in sudden excitement. The idea of anybody who had seen, even through a key-hole, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, being thrust aside thus! General Washington stayed his steps and ordered, "Let the lad come to me." "I've good news for you," said the youth. "What news?" Officers stood around--even the congregation paused, having heard the cry. "It's for you alone, General Washington." The lad's eyes were ablaze now. All the light of Philadelphia's late illuminations burned in them. General Washington bade the youth follow him. "But my pony is tied yonder," said he, "and he's hungry and tired too. I can't leave him." "Come hither, then," and the Commander-in-chief withdrew with the lad within the sacred edifice. "General Washington," said Blue-Eyed Boy, "on Thursday Congress declared _us_ free and independent." "Where are your dispatches?" leaped from the General's lips, his face shining. "Why--why, I haven't any, but it's all true, sir," faltered the boy. "How did you find it out?" "I was right there, sir. Don't you remember me? I help Bellman Grey take care of the State House at Philadelphia, and I run on errands for the Congress folks, too, sometimes." "Did Congress send you on this errand?" "No, General Washington; I can't tell a lie, I came myself." "How did you know me?" Blue-Eyed Boy was ready to cry now. To be sure he was sturdy and strong, and nearly fourteen, too; but to be doubted, after all his long, tiresome journey, was hard. However, he winked once or twice violently, and then he looked his very soul into the General's face, and said: "Why, I saw you every day you went to Congress, only a month ago, I did." "I believe you, my lad. Get your horse and follow me." Blue-Eyed Boy followed on, and waited in camp until the tardy despatches came in on Tuesday morning, confirming every word that he had spoken. The same evening all the brigades in and around New York were ordered to their respective parade-grounds. Blue-Eyed Boy was admitted within the hollow square formed by the brigades on the spot where stands the City Hall. Within the same square was General Washington, sitting on horseback, and the great Declaration was read by one of his aids. It is needless to tell how it was received by the eager men who listened to the mighty truths with reverent, uncovered heads. Henceforth every man felt that he had a banner under which to fight, as broad as the sky above him, as sheltering as the homely roof of home.