The story opens in the year of 1777, during one of the most critical periods of the Revolution. Hadley Morris, our hero, is in the employ of Jonas Benson, the host of the Three Oaks, a well-known inn on the road between Philadelphia and New York. Like most of his neighbors, Hadley is an ardent sympathizer with the patriot cause. When, therefore, a dispatch bearer is captured on the way to Philadelphia, he gives Hadley the all-important packet to be forwarded to General Washington. The boy immediately escapes with it, and, after many perilous experiences, finally makes his way across the river to the Pennsylvania side. On the road, Hadley, failing to give the countersign, is stopped by a foraging party of Americans; but by his honest bearing he wins the attention of John Cadwalader, a personal friend of Washington, just then journeying to the American headquarters. Under his protection, our hero speedily arrives at his destination, and there, in an interview with General Washington himself, he tells his story and delivers the dispatches, which, because of the impending crisis, are received eagerly by the head of the patriot cause. The collie rattled his chain at the corner of the sheep pen, and from a low growl changed his welcome to a bark of delight and frisked about Hadley’s legs as the boy stopped to pat him. The house door across the paved yard opened and the innkeeper’s voice cried: “Be still, Bose! Who’s out there?” Hadley went nearer and laughed. “What’s the matter, Master Benson?” he asked. “Are the dragoons still about the place?” At once the innkeeper plunged down the steps, and, reaching the boy, seized him tightly in his arms. “Had! Had!” he cried, “why did you come back to the Three Oaks? We thought you’d join the army for sure this time.” “Is the colonel still here?” asked Hadley, in haste, and drawing back from the inn. “Yes, he’s here,” grunted Jonas, “but he can’t do anything to you. The dragoons are no longer at the Mills. Malcolm’s troop started for York this morning. There’s something going to happen ’fore long, for the British are stirring, and they say Lord Howe has sailed with his fleet.” “I know,” said the boy, with some pride. “There’s going to be a big battle, or something. Those papers I ran away with told all about Lord Howe’s plans, and now our generals will be able to meet him.” “Who told you?” Jonas asked, open-mouthed in astonishment. “I heard General Washington himself say so,” declared the boy, and then, having entered the wide inn kitchen, and, finding it empty, he had to sit down and relate the particulars of his ride to Germantown, and his brief interview with the Commander-in-Chief of the American forces.