“No fear of that,” said Mr. Gurney, smiling.  “Try and see if you cannot beat them at their own game.”

Dexie looked up quickly, and caught his meaning, and as she crossed the room her thoughts were flying through her brain, trying to bring to mind some song that would answer those “red-coated braggarts.”  A smile came to her lips, as memory served her.  Yes, she could sing something that was quite as musical as “Rule Britannia,” anyway, and echo the praise of her own land as well.  So when she passed her father she whispered: 

“Give me the help of your best bass in the chorus;” and bending over Gussie, who was listening to the remarks of a many-striped officer, who was standing near her chair, she said in a low tone:  “Give me your help this once, Gussie, and let your alto be heard clear to the citadel.”

Seating herself at the piano, she struck a few chords, and then her rich, ringing voice, with every word clear and distinct, sounded through the room: 

  “Of all the mighty nations in the east or in the west,
  Our glorious Yankee nation is the brightest and the best;
  We have room for all creation, and our banner is unfurled
  With a cordial invitation to the people of the world. 
  So, come along, come along; make no delay;
  Come from every nation; come from every way. 
  The land it is broad enough; you need not be alarmed,
  For Uncle Sam has land enough to give you all a farm.”

An amused look passed over the faces of those present as the sentiments of the singer reached their ears, and Plaisted said, half aloud: 

“Good for you, Miss Dexie; I back you there!” and when the chorus was reached, his fine tenor was equal to any that had been heard during the evening, his “Come along” ringing out like a bold challenge.

“Hurrah for the Stars and Stripes!” cried Lieutenant Layton, as he joined in the applause that arose as soon as the song had ended.  “Your nationality is quite apparent, Miss Sherwood.  That’s right; don’t let your own broad country be sung down.”

Dexie found herself immediately surrounded, and was overwhelmed with entreaties to sing again, for the “back slap” had been as diverting as it was unexpected, and she found it impossible to leave the piano without singing again.  But she thought that one song in that strain was enough, though Mr. Gurney came over to her side, saying: 

“Give us another like the last, Miss Dexie.  It is good for these red-coated fellows to remember that they have not conquered all the people on the face of the earth.”

“I am afraid it will offend someone,” said Dexie, softly.  “I couldn’t resist the temptation of letting them know that I don’t think England is supreme.  I am a loyal American, even if I do reside in Halifax.”

“Oh! there is no danger of offending,” Mr. Gurney replied.  “The lion has roared quite enough for one evening, so let the starry flag play awhile in the breeze.”