ON THE BANKS OF THE DELAWARE 15 
top from whose watchtower gleamed the Dela- 
ware. 
How my heart answered to the river yet un- 
reached, and stretched out arms as to someone 
I loved! The Delaware, full of song and story 
and history! The Delaware—and where beside 
have I read the name?—and we proceed. It is 
ascertained that chariots did proceed, therefore 
are we now on plainly classical footing, and 
adventure forth fearlessly. 
And we come down from the hill into the croft; 
and all the ravines come down with us in a fine 
fit of good manners, and each ravine contributes 
its modicum to the Delaware, so sealing itself 
as tributary forever after the manner of the 
ancient subordinates who gave tribute. And my 
friend who directs the vaticinations of our nag 
draws lines suddenly and withal fearlessly and 
says in voice a little military, if I mistake not, 
“Washington’s Crossing.” 
Whereupon I become attent as becometh a 
mannerly guest, and he discourses in fine enthusi- 
asm on the night ride which General Washington 
and his hungry and thin-clad soldier followers 
took among the floating ice and, ferried over, 
fight the Hessians out, and fight the republic in. 
The crossing to the Battle of Trenton and to 
the soldier renown of sedate George Washington, 
the crossing to the Declaration of Independence 
and the Constitution and the Monroe Doctrine, 
the crossing to the settled faith that this New 
