Ben and Me: Chapters 13–15

“All is in readiness, Amos,” he said. “The sewers are in a turmoil! Revolution and Liberty fill the air! Vengeance is on every tongue! I can scarce restrain their ardor!”

“All is in readiness, Amos,” he said. “The sewers are in a turmoil! Revolution and Liberty fill the air! Vengeance is on every tongue! I can scarce restrain their ardor!”

Red glanced grimly at the cudgel with which he had armed himself.

Red glanced grimly at the cudgel with which he had armed himself.

In the afternoon I visited Sophia for last-minute instructions. Although trembling slightly with excitement, she retained the poise of the true aristocrat.

The peasant mice reported to me early in the evening. They were rather a motley crew, armed with scythes, clubs and other crude weapons.

The peasant mice reported to me early in the evening. They were rather a motley crew, armed with scythes, clubs and other crude weapons.

Twelve of us occupied the fur cap, I being stationed at the peephole in front. The rest I secreted in various pockets.

The lights, the opulent costumes, the sounds and splendors of the Court, brought a great chattering from my country-bred cohort, which I sternly suppressed.

The lights, the opulent costumes, the sounds and splendors of the Court, brought a great chattering from my country-bred cohort, which I sternly suppressed.

The lights, the opulent costumes, the sounds and splendors of the Court, brought a great chattering from my country-bred cohort, which I sternly suppressed.

From the slight quivering of her towering headdress I knew that Sophia’s contingent was present.

The King, pale and trembling, rose from his throne and rushed toward the window, only to be met by Red and his shrieking rabble of slum mice and sewer rats.

The white mice of the Palace Guard, although taken by surprise, soon rallied, driving back the first charge of my undisciplined peasants. But now the Swedes and Russians joined the fray and the battle raged fiercely about the ankles of the Queen.

Alas for Red’s faith in the proletariat!

At the first sight of the lavish refreshments spread out in the adjoining rooms his fickle Revolutionists dropped their weapons and rushed for the food.

At the first sight of the lavish refreshments spread out in the adjoining rooms his fickle Revolutionists dropped their weapons and rushed for the food.

At the first sight of the lavish refreshments spread out in the adjoining rooms his fickle Revolutionists dropped their weapons and rushed for the food.

The Swedes and Russians, led by the intrepid Red, battled doggedly, but the tide was turning against them.

The Swedes and Russians, led by the intrepid Red, battled doggedly, but the tide was turning against them.

A grizzled old bosun pulled his forelock.
“Cap’n Jones’s compliments,” he said.

With Sophia’s assistance I managed to get the half-conscious Red into the fur cap; then Sophia and her happy brood climbed aboard.

As we passed the refreshment room Sophia and the children waved happily to their rescuers, who were boisterously celebrating the victory.

Ben, however, was quite downcast. He had gone to the Palace of Versailles the day after the great battle and had been severely snubbed.

Ben, however, was quite downcast. He had gone to the Palace of Versailles the day after the great battle and had been severely snubbed.

There were salutes of cannon and firearms, there were delegations from Congress and a message from General Washington.

As usual, he wore the old fur cap, now so ancient and threadbare that there were plenty of peepholes for Sophia and me and all the seven children.

“I must be getting old,” I thought sleepily, as Ben’s voice boomed and meandered on, describing his brilliant triumphs in France; “I can even stand these dinners.”

Many of the Court customs that they had brought from France, especially their fondness for dancing all night, were considered somewhat frivolous by the more staid Philadelphia mice, but their gaiety and lively ways made them most popular among the younger set.

Many of the Court customs that they had brought from France, especially their fondness for dancing all night, were considered somewhat frivolous by the more staid Philadelphia mice, but their gaiety and lively ways made them most popular among the younger set.

The older people, in turn, soon succumbed to the wit and charm of Sophia and her husband.

My mother and father were also present, both now quite gray, but hale and hearty as ever.

Ben, at first overwhelmed by surprise and pleasure, soon recovered, joining in the spirit of the occasion with the greatest gusto.

Sophia’s was an exquisite piece of fancywork, while her husband’s was a thimbleful of rare brandy, brought with him in his flight from France.

Then there was more singing and dancing. Sophia’s eyes sparkled as she went through the graceful figures of the Minuet. I even essayed a few steps myself—with fair success.