AT HOME
Lafayette had received the startling news and acted upon it without a
question. He marched his men rapidly toward Matson's Ford, on the lower
road, and when the British generals came up to Barren Hill they were
astonished to find that they had only each other to fight. They decided
not to cross the river, but returned to Philadelphia, much disappointed
that the Marquis de Lafayette was not their prisoner.
Lafayette likewise marched back to Valley Forge, where he was received
with great joy.
The soldier who had taken Ruth's message found an opportunity to tell
Lafayette that the news that had saved his army had been brought by a
little girl.
"She came running up the hill calling your name, sir. A little girl with
yellow hair and blue eyes," said the soldier.
"Would you know her if you saw her again?" questioned the young
Frenchman.
"I should indeed, sir," was the quick reply.
Aunt Deborah had not questioned Ruth when, flushed and tired, she came
running back to the house on the morning when the Americans had so
easily made their escape, thanks to Ruth's message, from the
overwhelming armies of the English. For a number of days Ruth did not
venture beyond the garden, and when, a week later, her father opened the
gate and called "Ruth!" she ran to meet him, feeling sure that now
everything was sure to come right, and that she and her father could
soon return to Philadelphia.
But Mr. Pennell was not alone; there was a tall smiling soldier just
behind him, and near the gate a graceful figure on horseback that Ruth
recognized as Lafayette.
Aunt Deborah came hurrying to welcome Mr. Pennell; the soldier had
turned back, and was standing beside the mounted officer, who soon
dismounted and came slowly up the path.
"Lieutenant Pennell, I have to thank your little maid for a very great
service," he said, as he took Ruth's hand, and smiled down on the
little girl; and then he told first of Ruth's warning that his capture
was planned by General Howe, and then of her warning of an advancing
army against his troops.
"I came this morning that I might thank her for her loyal service to
America and to me," he said, bending low to kiss the warm little hand
that rested in his own.
It was indeed a wonderful day for Ruth Pennell.
After Lafayette rode away she told the story to her surprised and
astonished father, while Aunt Deborah listened as if she could hardly
believe her own ears.
Lieutenant Pennell had been given a week's furlough, and was quite sure
that it would be possible for him to visit his home in Philadelphia,
taking Ruth with him, for the English were leaving the city as rapidly
as possible.
Later in the day Aunt Deborah told Ruth's father of his little
daughter's visit to General Howe, and Ruth told of Gilbert's play, and
of the boys' arrest by the English, of Betty's capture on account of the
borrowed coat, and of her escape from the house by the river.
"The children of Philadelphia will indeed remember the year of 1778,
and surely my little daughter can never forget it," responded her
father.
Ruth was eager to start for home as soon as possible, especially as Aunt
Deborah said that she must return in midsummer with her mother for a
longer visit. "And thy friend Winifred must come also," she had added.
Winifred and Gilbert had heard the story of Ruth's warning to the
American army, for Aunt Deborah had sent a letter to Mrs. Pennell at the
first opportunity, and Gilbert had at once declared that he would "make
up a play" about it.
"And we will have it the very day Ruth comes home," he said. "I will be
Lafayette, and Ruth can be herself."
"And let's ask Betty and all the girls who went to the May party,"
suggested Winifred.
"And Ned, too, and Mother and Mrs. Pennell," agreed Gilbert. "I tell
you, it is lucky Ruth went to Barren Hill, and I guess it's lucky you
girls went to Southwark that day. You see, it put Ruth on the lookout to
warn Lafayette," he added.
Gilbert's second play proved even a greater success than his first. The
girls listened admiringly to Winifred's account of Lafayette's thanking
Ruth, and when the guests had all gone the two little friends went to
their favorite seat in Ruth's garden under the big maple tree. Hero kept
very close to his little mistress, as if afraid that she might again
suddenly disappear.
"Do you remember that day when we began the chair for Cecilia, Ruthie?"
asked Winifred, "and when you said you wished you could do some great
service for Lafayette because he had come to help America?"
Ruth nodded, not quite sure of the exact day, but very sure that she had
always wanted to help the young Frenchman, and wondering what Winifred
would say next.
"And now you have done him a great service," Winifred continued soberly.
"And Betty and Annette, and all the girls say that you are a real
heroine."
"I guess they don't know much about heroines," responded Ruth, but there
was a pleased smile about her mouth. Of course any little girl whose
hand had been kissed by Lafayette was a heroine, she thought happily.
The Stories in this Series are:
A LITTLE MAID OF PROVINCE TOWN
A LITTLE MAID OF MASSACHUSETTS COLONY
A LITTLE MAID OF NARRAGANSETT BAY
A LITTLE MAID OF BUNKER HILL
A LITTLE MAID OF TICONDEROGA
A LITTLE MAID OF OLD CONNECTICUT
A LITTLE MAID OF OLD PHILADELPHIA
A LITTLE MAID OF OLD MAINE