Then Marched the Brave | Page 7

much of that
sort of thing going on." Janie shook her head dolefully, not heeding
Andy's smile.
"How do we know," she went on, "but that the gentleman was on the
great Washington's business? He was an overgrand body himself, and

had excellent manners."
"Mother!" the old hesitating tone crept back unconsciously into Andy's
voice as he faced his mother; "mother, I rowed the stranger across the
river, he is--safely landed. It--was--it--was--Washington himself!"
"Andy!" Janie flung up her hands, and nearly fell from the step; "think,
lad, of your words. You look and talk clean daft."
"It--was--Washington!" The boy drew the words out with a delicious
memory.
"And--you--rowed--him--across! You--my--poor--lame lad! God have
mercy upon me, and forgive me for my doubts!"
"I can help a little, mother." Andy drew near the quivering figure. "I
know, mother, and I do not wonder, but there is a place for every one in
these days, and I'm going to be ready."
Janie drew herself up, and put a trembling hand on the young shoulder.
"Son!" she said, with a sudden but intense pride, "son, get ready, we go
to Sam White's burying, you and I. God be praised! blind as I was, He
has opened my eyes to see my son at last!" This was a great deal for
Janie McNeal to say, but it did its work.
CHAPTER III
THE CROWNING OF ANDY MCNEAL
Sam White's burial was a very simple affair. In that time of need and
anxiety men were off upon their country's business. Few could stay to
mourn. The pastor himself read the simple service in a voice of pride,
broken by a father's grief. He said that God would not let the sacrifice
pass unheeded. Since Sam had heard the call, and then had been so
suddenly taken away, another would be raised up to do his work;
another who, through Sam, might be touched more than in any other
way.

Andy, standing in the little group about the open grave, at this raised
his eyes, and he found Ruth's wide, tearless gaze fixed upon him. Andy
smiled bravely back at her, for his heart was strong within him.
After it was over and the few neighbors gone, Andy and Ruth remained
to scatter flowers upon the young hero's bed, and cover up the bareness
of the place.
"Ruth," said Andy in a whisper, "I think my chance has come!"
"Your chance, Andy?"
"Aye. I have been thinking that Sam's being taken has aroused me, and
given me courage, just as your father said, and--and last night the
chance began!" Then he told her of much that had occurred. Ruth knelt
among the flowers, her young face glowing.
"Oh! I shall have some one to watch," she panted, "some one to help
while he works. Oh! Andy, you do not know how I long to help, and be
part of this great time. I go on long walks, and I hear and see so much.
Down on the Bowery I heard a group say the other day that General
Washington was going to burn the town and order the people to flee.
One man said, did he order such a thing, he, for one, would go over to
the British; and, Andy, there was a great shout from the other men! I
felt my heart burn, for did our General order me to go, then would I go
whither and where he ordered; nor would I question, so great is my
trust in him. And did he burn all, even my home, yet would I gladly
obey, for I would know he was doing wisely. So greatly do I honor him
that I think, next to God, I trust our General!"
The young face glowed and quivered, and Andy, with the spirit of
hero-worship growing upon his recent experiences, panted in
excitement as she spoke.
"I, too, would follow, and never question," he said. "Never fear, Ruth;
what the General expects of me, that will I do. Not even death do I
fear--it comes but once!" The boyish voice rang clear.

Suddenly, Ruth started toward the house. "Wait," she said, "I have
something for you." She was back in a moment, bearing Sam's cap.
"The time has come," she faltered, and there were tears in her eyes.
"I--I want to crown you, Andy McNeal." She removed Andy's rough
cap and replaced it with Sam's.
"I'll keep the old one," she said, "and--and if you should fail to do
bravely, you can have your own!" Then she dashed away the tears.
"Forgive me, Andy McNeal!" she sobbed; "you will never fail. There is
hero blood in your body, I know, and it may be that your lameness will
aid you in accomplishing tasks that a lusty lad could never attempt."
Andy raised