Part 26 (1/2)

Captain Simmons' thanks were as brief and dry as his report, but Robert saw his eyes glisten, and knew that he was not lacking in grat.i.tude. After the business was settled and the rewards adjusted they adjourned to a coffee house near Hanover Square where very good Madeira was brought and served to the men, Robert and Tayoga declining. Then Benjamin, David and Jonathan drank to the health of Eliphalet, while the two lads, the white and the red, devoted their attention to the others in the coffee house, of whom there were at least a dozen.

One who sat at a table very near was already examining Tayoga with the greatest curiosity. He wore the uniform of an English second lieutenant, very trim, and very red, he had an exceeding ruddiness of countenance, he was tall and well built, and he was only a year or two older than Robert. His curiosity obviously had been aroused by the appearance of Tayoga in the full costume of an Iroquois. It was equally evident to Robert that he was an Englishman, a member of the royal forces then in New York. Americans still called themselves Englishmen and Robert instantly had a feeling of kins.h.i.+p for the young officer who had a frank and good face.

The English youth's hat was lying upon the table beside him, and a gust of wind blowing it upon the floor, rolled it toward Robert, who picked it up and tendered it to its owner.

”Thanks,” said the officer. ”'Twas careless of me.”

”By no means,” said Robert. ”The wind blows when it pleases, and you were taken by surprise.”

The Englishman smiled, showing very white and even teeth.

”I haven't been very long in New York,” he said, ”but I find it a polite and vastly interesting town. My name is Grosvenor, Alfred Grosvenor, and I'm a second lieutenant in the regiment of Colonel Brandon, that arrived but recently from England.”

Master Hardy looked up and pa.s.sed an investigating eye over the young Englishman.

”You're related to one of the ducal families of England,” he said, ”but your own immediate branch of it has no overplus of wealth. Still, your blood is reckoned highly n.o.ble in England, and you have an excellent standing in your regiment, both as an officer and a man.”

Young Grosvenor's ruddy face became ruddier.

”How do you happen to know so much about me?” he asked. But there was no offense in his tone.

Hardy smiled, and Pillsbury, pursing his thin lips, measured Grosvenor with his eyes.

”I make it my business,” replied Hardy, ”to discover who the people are who come to New York. I'm a seafaring man and a merchant and I find profit in it. It's true, in especial, since the war has begun, and New York begins to fill with the military. Many of these sprightly young officers will be wis.h.i.+ng to borrow money from me before long, and it will be well for me to know their prospects of repayment.”

The twinkle in his eye belied the irony of his words, and the lieutenant laughed.

”And since you're alone,” continued the merchant, ”we ask you to join us, and will be happy if you accept. This is Mr. Robert Lennox, of very good blood too, and this is Tayoga, of the Clan of the Bear, of the nation Onondaga, of the great League of the Hodenosaunee, who, among his own people has a rank corresponding to a prince of the blood among yours, and who, if you value such things, is ent.i.tled therefore to precedence over all of us, including yourself. Mr. David Willet, Mr. Jonathan Pillsbury and Mr. Benjamin Hardy, who is myself, complete the catalogue.”

He spoke in a tone half whimsical, half earnest, but the young Englishman, who evidently had a friendly and inquiring mind, received it in the best spirit and gladly joined them. He was soon deep in the conversation, but his greatest interest was for Tayoga, from whom he could seldom take his eyes. It was evident to Robert that he had expected to find only a savage in an Indian, and the delicate manners and perfect English of the Onondaga filled him with surprise.

”I would fain confess,” he said at length, ”that America is not what I expected to find. I did not know that it contained princes who could put some of our own to shame.”

He bowed to Tayoga, who smiled and replied:

”What small merit I may possess is due to the training of my people.”

”Do you expect early service, Lieutenant Grosvenor?” Mr. Hardy asked.

”Not immediate--I think I may say so much,” replied the Englishman, ”but I understand that our regiment will be with the first force that takes the field, that of General Braddock. 'Tis well known that we intend to march against Fort Duquesne, an expedition that should be easy. A powerful army like General Braddock's can brush aside any number of forest rovers.”

Robert and Willet exchanged glances, but the face of Tayoga remained a mask.

”It's not well to take the French and Indians too lightly,” said Mr. Hardy with gravity.

”But wandering bands can't face cannon and the bayonet.”

”They don't have to face 'em. They lie hid on your flank and cut you down, while your fire and steel waste themselves on the uncomplaining forest.”