"Save yourselves, lads," he replied; "you have done everything that men can do, but it remains for me either to die or surrender." "My lord," I cried; but at this moment Dick reeled. "Struck, by George!" he exclaimed, and I caught him as he fell. "See to your comrade," said Lord Stirling; "you have yet time to escape." So, throwing Dick's arms around my neck, for there was no time to parley under that rain of lead, I bore him quickly down the hill. But our work had not been in vain, for as a soldier came to my assistance I saw that the last of the fugitives had reached the other side, and the army for the moment was saved. And so, when we reached the banks of Gowanus Creek, we formed in line once more and gave a parting yell of defiance; then, turning, we plunged into the creek and swam to the other side, while the shot and grape from the English on the hill tore across the whole surface of the water. Dick was badly wounded, but, with the soldier's assistance, I swam with him across the creek and bore him safely out of the range of the fire. Ah, it was but a shadow of our former line when we formed once more, but the great General himself came to thank us, and that shadow of a line was worth a thousand men. Thereafter we claimed as our own the post of honour in advance or in retreat; during the famous march on the night after the battle, and in the retreat to White Plains, we formed the rear guard, and the army felt secure. There came a breathing time one day during the retreat, and the General rode up to our lines. We greeted him with the yell he loved to hear, for it brought back to him the Southland and the hunting fields of Old Virginia. Then he told our officers that he wanted us to pick out the youngest of our line to carry a special despatch to the Committee of Public Safety, sitting at Annapolis, announcing the battle and the famous part we had taken therein. The choice fell on me, as poor Dick was groaning in the hospital, but luckily out of danger from his wound. "Well, my boy, how old are you?" said the General, smiling down upon me, as I saluted. "Eighteen, General." "Do you think you can carry this safely?" "I was in the charge at Gowanus Ford, General," said I modestly. "I see," laughed the General, "you are a true Marylander. I wish I had more of you in the army." CHAPTER X THE HARRYING OF THE TORY I was soon riding southward, the bearer of the message from General Washington to the Council of Safety, sitting at Annapolis; and as I rode, the people hailed me for my news, and gave me food and drink, so I could hurry on. At last I reached the borders of Maryland, and again rode under the old oak from which I had torn the proclamation. It was only a few weeks before, and I wondered what had been the fate of Charles Gordon. So, as I rode through the Head of Elk late that afternoon and came to the ferry there, I asked the boatman what they had done with him.