THE FETE OF THE AFTERNOON I confess that up to this time I had experienced little interest in the affair.

After Valley Forge it was hard for an American soldier to admire such boy's play, or to enter into the spirit of British fun making.
Besides the danger of my position, the fear of some slip of tongue betraying me, the knowledge that I was in the very heart of the enemy's camp, with grim, stern duties to perform and a return journey to accomplish, kept me nerved to a point where I thought of little else than my task.

But now I dared not remain indifferent, and, indeed, the enthusiasm of my companions became contagious, and I joined with them eagerly, as they hurried forth to the best point of view.

Once there the sight revealed aroused me to an enthusiasm scarcely less than that of those crowding about.

Few, indeed, have ever witnessed so gorgeous a spectacle as that river presented, and I have found many since who have questioned my description.