“Such an offer shows that your proud nation has no flattering opinion of us,” Franklin answered.  “We, who are the injured parties, have not the baseness to entertain it.  You will forgive me for reminding you that the King’s paternal solicitude has been rather trying.  It has burned our defenseless towns in mid-winter; if has incited the savages to massacre our farmers’ in the back country; it has driven us to a declaration of independence.  Britain and America are now distinct states.  Peace can be considered only on that basis.  You wish to prevent our trade from passing into foreign channels.  Let me remind you, also, that the profit of no trade can ever be equal to the expense of holding it with fleets and armies.”

“On such a basis I am not empowered to treat with you,” Howe answered.  “We shall immediately move against your army.”

The conference ended.  The ambassadors and their secretary shook hands with the British Admiral.

“Mr. Irons, I have heard much of you,” said the latter as he held Jack’s hand.  “You are deeply attached to a young lady whom I admire and whose father is my friend.  I offer you a chance to leave this troubled land and go to London and marry and lead a peaceable, Christian life.  You may keep your principles, if you wish, as I have no use for them.  You will find sympathizers in England.”

“Lord Howe, your kindness touches me,” the young man answered.  “What you propose is a great temptation.  It is like Calypso’s offer of immortal happiness to Ulysses.  I love England.  I love peace, and more than either, I love the young lady, but I couldn’t go and keep my principles.”

“Why not, sir?”

“Because we are all of a mind with our Mr. Patrick Henry.  We put Liberty above happiness and even above life.  So I must stay and help fight her battles, and when I say it I am grinding my own heart under my heel.  Don’t think harshly of me.  I can not help it.  The feeling is bred in my bones.”

His Lordship smiled politely and bowed as the three men withdrew.

Franklin took the hand of the young man and pressed it silently as they were leaving the small house in which Howe had established himself.

Jack, who had been taking notes of the fruitless talk of these great men, was sorely disappointed.  He could see no prospect now of peace.

“My hopes are burned to the ground,” he said to Doctor Franklin.

“It is a time of sacrifice,” the good man answered.  “You have the invincible spirit that looks into the future and gives all it has.  You are America.”

“I have been thinking too much of myself,” Jack answered.  “Now I am ready to lay down my life in this great cause of ours.”

“Boy, I like you,” said Mr. Adams.  “I have arranged to have you safely conveyed to New York.  There an orderly will meet and conduct you to our headquarters.”

“Thank you, sir,” Jack replied.  Turning to Doctor Franklin, he added: