But events cannot be driven by wishes:  many things had to be settled before a movement forward could be made.  Joris had his store to let, and the stock and good-will to dispose of.  Horses and accoutrements must be bought, uniforms made; and every day this charge increased:  for, as soon as Van Heemskirk’s intention to go to the front was known, a large number of young men from the best Dutch families were eager to enlist under him.

Hyde’s time was spent as a recruiting-officer.  His old quarters, the “King’s Arms,” were of course closed to him; but there was a famous tavern on Water Street, shaded by a great horse-chestnut tree, and there the patriots were always welcome.  There, also, the news of all political events was in some mysterious way sure to be first received.  In company with Willet, Sears, and McDougall, Hyde might be seen under the chestnut-tree every day, enlisting men, or organizing the “Liberty Regiment” then raising.

From the first, his valorous temper, his singleness of purpose, his military skill in handling troops, and his fine appearance and manners, had given him influence and authority.  He soon, also, gained a wonderful power over Bram; and even the temperate wisdom and fine patience of Joris gradually kindled, until the man was at white heat all through.  Every day’s events fanned the temper of the city, although it was soon evident that the first fighting would be done in the vicinity of Boston.

For, three weeks after that memorable April Sunday, Congress, in session at Philadelphia, had recognized the men in camp there as a Continental army, the nucleus of the troops that were to be raised for the defence of the country, and had commissioned Colonel Washington as commander-in-chief to direct their operations.  Then every heart was in a state of the greatest expectation and excitement.  No one remembered at that hour that the little army was without organization or discipline, most of its officers incompetent to command, its troops altogether unused to obey, and in the field without enlistment.  Their few pieces of cannon were old and of various sizes, and scarce any one understood their service.  There was no siege-train and no ordnance stores.  There was no military chest, and nothing worthy the name of a commissariat.  Yet every one was sure that some bold stroke would be struck, and the war speedily terminated in victory and independence.

So New York was in the buoyant spirits of a young man rejoicing to run a race.  The armourers, the saddlers, and the smiths were busy day and night; weapons were in every hand, the look of apprehended triumph on every face.  In June the Van Heemskirk troops were ready to leave for Boston—­nearly six hundred young men, full of pure purpose and brave thoughts, and with all their illusions and enthusiasms undimmed.