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 "Nay!" answered Doctor Condit reassuringly. "Who would want to poison ye, sir?"

"I have been given the poison, nevertheless!" insisted the Frenchman bitterly.

General Washington's attention now attracted, he turned and rode back to the others, while the rest of his aides immediately drew rein. He also, when informed by Doctor Condit what had happened, shook his head in disbelief at the sick man's conclusion.

"But let us stop here at this house and rest," he suggested kindly.

Mehitable, glancing up, was delighted to find that they had reached her own home. She slipped off from John's horse and flew up the snowy garden path.

"Mother! Cherry! Here be His Excellency!" She burst into the kitchen, startling the quiet family group around the supper table into smiling confusion.

Doctor Condit, supporting La Fayette upon his arm, entered at that moment, followed closely by General Washington.

"Rest here, sir!" commanded Mistress Condit, spreading a blanket upon the settle for the sufferer and "blazing" the fire in her capable way. "I will ha' a cup o' hot water for him, John, as soon as e'er it boils!"

In a moment or so, then, the young Frenchman