It was a rich plum—in its way one of the richest at the disposal of the Emperor. The smuggler of the Alsatian village was a man who knew how to adapt himself to circumstances. In his new post he displayed great executive ability, and if he added to his fortune—well, those were the times when it was declared unblushingly that “to the victors belong the spoils.” VIII LYDIA DARRAH, THE BRAVE QUAKERESS WHO SAVED WASHINGTON’S ARMY FROM DESTRUCTION While the British occupied Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War most of their time was given to the pleasures of life. It was this fact that caused Franklin to observe with characteristic shrewdness that “Howe had not taken Philadelphia but Philadelphia had taken Howe.” There was, however, one serious attempt made to destroy Washington’s army during the period and, curiously enough, it was frustrated by the courage, the wit and the promptness of a brave Quakeress. When the British took possession of the city the officers appropriated the most desirable dwellings for their headquarters. Thus General Harris practically confiscated the home of General Cadwallader, on Second Street, four doors below Spruce. Directly opposite this, on the corner of Little Dock Street, was the quaint home of William and Lydia Darrah, who were members of the Society of Friends, whose members, it need scarcely be said, have a profound repugnance to war. By one of those little ironies which constantly mock our lives, the Adjutant-General of the British army decided to make his home with the Darrahs. By the polite fiction which sometimes prevails in time of war as well as of peace, both pretended to be delighted with the arrangement. It is certain that the Englishman found a desirable and well kept colonial home for his temporary habitation, while the Darrahs soon discovered that whatever else he might be, their war guest was a gentleman. Lydia Darrah had the reputation of being a Whig, and she gloried in it. She made no secret of her feelings to her lodger, and one day when he reproached her with her want of loyalty to the mother country, she exclaimed with spirit: “I hope thee is beaten—thee deserve to be for coming across the ocean to subdue a liberty-loving people.” He laughed at this outburst and remarked: “I was beginning to flatter myself that you and your husband looked upon me as a friend.” “And so we do. We detest the sin while pitying the sinner. Though we consider thee as a public enemy, we regard thee as a private friend. While we detest the cause thee fights for, we wish well to thy personal interest and safety.” “Oh!” he cried, jovially. “That sounds better. You are really a friend of the King.”