One began to groan and sob, then another and another.

“Ain’t that like the bawlin’ o’ the damned?” Solomon asked.  “Some on ’em is sick; some is wore out.  They’re all half starved!”

“It is dreadful!” said she, as she covered her eyes with her handkerchief.  “I can not help thinking that any day he may have to come here.  I shall go to see General Howe to-night.”

“To-morrer I’ll git this ’ere boy to write out all he knows ’bout Jack, but if ye see it, ye’ll have to come ‘ere an’ let me put it straight into yer hands,” Solomon assured her.

“I’ll be here at ten o’clock,” she said, and went away.

Pinhorn stepped into the corridor as Solomon called to Jack: 

“Things be goin’ to improve, ol’ man.  Hang on to yer hosses.  The English people is to have a talk with General Howe to-night an’ suthin’ ‘ll be said, now you hear to me.  That damn German King ain’t a-goin’ to have his way much longer here in Boston jail.”

Early next morning shells began to fall in the city.  Suddenly the firing ceased.  At nine o’clock all prisoners in the jail were sent for, to be exchanged.  Preston came with the order from General Howe and news of a truce.

“This means yer army is lightin’ out,” Solomon said to him.

“The city will be evacuated,” was Preston’s answer.

“Could I send a message to Gin’ral Hare’s house?”

“The General and his brigade and family sailed for another port at eight.  If you wish, I’ll take your message.”

Solomon delivered to Preston a letter written by Jack to Margaret.  It told of his capture and imprisonment.

“Better than I, you will know if there is good ground for these dark suspicions which have come to us,” he wrote.  “As well as I, you will know what a trial I underwent last evening.  That I had the strength to hold my peace, I am glad, knowing that you are the happier to-day because of it.”

The third of March had come.  The sun was shining.  The wind was in the south.  They were not strong enough to walk, so Preston had brought horses for them to ride.  There were long patches of snow on the Dorchester Heights.  A little beyond they met the brigade of Putnam.  It was moving toward the city and had stopped for its noon mess.  The odor of fresh beef and onions was in the air.

“Cat’s blood an’ gunpowder!” said Solomon.  “Tie me to a tree.”

“What for?” Preston asked.

“I’ll kill myself eatin’,” the scout declared.  “I’m so got durn hungry I kin’t be trusted.”

“I guess we’ll have to put the brakes on each other,” Jack remarked.

“An’ it’ll be steep goin’,” said Solomon.

Washington rode up to the camp with a squad of cavalry while they were eating.  He had a kind word for every liberated man.  To Jack he said: 

“I am glad to address you as Colonel Irons.  You have suffered much, but it will be a comfort for you to know that the information you brought enabled me to hasten the departure of the British.”