"They hung him as a spy, did they, sir?" asked Max.
"As a spy and murderer. He was both; and," pointing out the precise spot, "after his execution he was buried here in a standing posture."
"And his bones are lying right under here are they, sir?" asked Lulu, shuddering as she glanced down at the spot the gentleman had indicated.
"No," was the reply; "his bones, and even his teeth, have been carried off as relics."
"Ugh! to want such things as those for relics!" Lulu exclaimed in a tone of emphatic disgust.
"They are certainly not such relics as I would care to have," returned the gentleman, with a smile. Then he told the Captain he had shown them everything he had which could be called a souvenir of the Revolutionary War, and with hearty thanks they took their leave.
It was dinner-time when Captain Raymond and his children reached their hotel, and at the conclusion of the meal they went immediately to the station of the Mount McGregor road. There was just time for the buying of the tickets and seating themselves comfortably in the cars before the train started.
"Papa, how long will it take us to go there?" asked Lulu.
"Thirty-five minutes," he answered. "It is about ten miles to the mountain; then we go up about eleven hundred feet above Saratoga Springs."
"Yes, sir," said Max; "and here on this time-table it says that in some places the grade is as high as two hundred and forty-six feet to the mile."
"Set that down in your memory," returned his father, with a smile. "Now look out of the windows, Max and Lulu; the country is well worth seeing."
The ride seemed very short,--it was so enjoyable,--and Lulu was quite surprised when the car stopped and all the passengers hurried out.
Every one went into the Drexel Cottage, which was close at hand. A man showed them about, pointing out the objects of special interest,--the bed where General Grant died, the candle he had extinguished but a few minutes before breathing his last, and so on.
They spent some time in the cottage, going quietly about, looking with a sad interest at everything which had any connection with the dear departed great man, then went on up to the mountain top, where stood a large hotel. They passed it, and went on to the edge of the mountain, which overlooks the Hudson River valley.