“The Hessians’ drums were beating to arms, and a company rushed out of the barracks to protect the patrol.  Washington’s troops had begun the fight with an attack upon the outermost picket on the Pennington road, and Stark, with the van of Sullivan’s party, gave three cheers and rushed upon the enemy’s pickets near the river with their bayonets, and they, astonished at the suddenness and fury of the charge, were seized with a panic and fled in confusion across the Assanpink.

“Both divisions—­the one commanded by Washington, the other under Sullivan—­now pressed forward so rapidly, and with such zeal and determination, that the Hessians were not allowed to form.  Nor could they get possession of the two cannon in front of Rall’s quarters.

“The Americans themselves were forming in line of battle when Rall made his appearance, reeling in his saddle as if drunk,—­as I presume he was,—­received a report, then rode up in front of his regiment and called out, ‘Forward, march; advance, advance!’

“But before his order could be obeyed a party of Americans hurried forward and dismounted his two cannon, accomplishing the feat without injury to themselves except that Captains William Washington and James Monroe were slightly wounded.”

“And where was General Washington just then, mamma?” asked Walter.

“He was there in the midst of the fighting, and exposed to the same dangers as his troops.  It was under his personal direction that a battery of six guns was opened upon two regiments of Hessians less than three hundred yards distant.  Washington was then near the front, a little to the right, where he could be easily seen by the enemy, and made a target for their balls.  But though his horse was wounded, he remained unhurt.”

“Oh,” cried Evelyn with enthusiasm, “surely God protected him and turned aside the balls, that America might not lose the one on whom so much depended! the father of his country, the ardent patriot, the best of men and greatest of generals, as I do certainly believe he was.”

“I am proud that Washington was a countryman of mine,” exclaimed Rosie, her eyes sparkling.

“Yes, we are all proud of our Washington,” said Lulu.  “But what more can you tell us about the battle of Trenton, Grandma Elsie?”

“Rall drew back his two regiments as if intending to reach the road to Princeton by turning Washington’s left,” continued Mrs. Travilla in reply.  “To prevent that, an American regiment was thrown in front of him.  It seemed likely that he might have forced a passage through it, but his troops, having collected much plunder in Trenton and wishing to hold on to it, persuaded him to try to recover the town.

“He made the attempt, but was charged impetuously by the Americans and driven back further than before; and in that movement he himself was mortally wounded by a musket ball.  His men were thrown into confusion, and presently surrendered.