Part 34 (1/2)
But one glance was sufficient to show me that John had spoken truly. From the lodges I could see troops of savages pouring forth with every token of excitement, like a swarm of hornets, and that something unusual was afoot might be told by the fact that no effort was made to keep beyond range of our guns, as the befeathered and painted horde went swiftly toward St.
Leger's quarters.
I was determined that my company should remain at its post, no matter what might happen, until we got the word that it was no longer needed, there fore neither Jacob nor I could hear the speculations of the men as to what had happened in the enemy's encampment; but after a time Sergeant Corney came along as if looking for us, and, on seeing the Minute Boys standing in rank while all the remainder of the garrison were flitting here and there like flies on the scent of mola.s.ses, he said, grimly:
”Here's a sight I never expected to see in this blessed country where private soldiers have the habit of commandin' their superiors! Why ain't you lads huntin' 'round to find out what's goin' on?”
”We were ordered here, an' to be ready for action,” I replied, not a little pleased to hear the old soldier's tone of approval. ”This company will stay where it is until I have permission to break ranks.”
”It don't seem to be the military fas.h.i.+on for Americans to obey a command so strictly, an' I'm afraid you're settin' a bad example to them who demand that a list of the supplies be read to 'em whenever they're feelin'
a bit out of sorts. There's a chance I'll grow proud of havin' licked you into shape if you don't change your ways mighty quick.”
”I don't fancy you came here just to see why we stayed on duty,” Jacob said, with a laugh, which told me he was well pleased with what the old man had said.
”I'm free to admit that I didn't expect to see anythin' quite so soldierly in this 'ere fort, an' that's the fact. I had been detailed to hang 'round headquarters till the scrimmage began, but was given liberty to do as I pleased five minutes ago, consequently I came here to find out why the fight ain't on.”
”We're expectin' you to answer that question, sergeant. You've never been backward in findin' fault with the ways of American soldiers, an' now perhaps you can tell what's gone wrong with the Britishers?”
”I wish I knew, lad, an' that's the fact! It looks as if they'd clean forgot we're waitin' for 'em, an' as for them precious babies of Thayendanega's, they've gone out of their heads completely. It's a puzzle all 'round, an' I reckon the commandant is as much in the dark as are the rest of us.”
”Can't you make a guess?” Jacob asked, impatiently.
”Not a bit of it, lad; but it's certain there's trouble of some kind at Barry St. Leger's quarters, an' I'm of the mind to find out, if you an'
Jacob want to stir yourselves a bit.”
”How do you count on doin' it?” I asked in surprise, half-inclined to believe the old man was joking.
”Look at the Indian encampment; do you think there's anybody nearabout that place who's keepin' an eye on this 'ere fort?”
”Even the squaws have gone over to the British quarters; they've been paddlin' across the river for the last half-hour,” Jacob replied, and as a matter of fact I failed to see a living being outside the lodges, search with my eyes as I might.
”An' it's much the same over yonder,” Sergeant Corney said, as he pointed to the other encampments. ”Every blessed one of us might sneak out an' not attract any attention from them as are supposed to be besiegin' us.”
”Well?” I asked, as the old man paused.
”Well, if you an' Jacob feel like havin' a look around, I'll ask the commandant's permission to do a little scoutin' on our own account, agreein', in case we're laid by the heels, not to expect any help from this 'ere garrison.”
”Do you mean to go outside the fort?” John Sammons asked, his eyes opening wide in surprise.
”You've guessed it the first time,” Sergeant Corney replied, with a laugh, and I said, in a tone of conviction:
”The commandant never will give you permission. I heard him refuse Reuben c.o.x most emphatically.”
”But that was when everythin' seemed to be runnin' smooth, an' c.o.x only wanted to get himself killed. Now I'll go bail that Colonel Gansevoort is more eager than we to know the meanin' of this queer business, an' will jump at the plan.”
”You'll know better after you've asked him,” I suggested. ”If he gives permission, Jacob an' I are with you.”
The old man sauntered away as if he had nothing of importance to do, and with a look on his face which told that he was certain of getting the desired permission without very much difficulty.
The thought was in my mind that he would receive a very decided answer from the commandant without delay, and after a fas.h.i.+on that would not be pleasing to him, for it seemed to me that no sane officer could sanction an attempt to send out scouts across the open plain in the clear light of day, therefore one can imagine somewhat of my surprise when word came for Jacob and me to report at headquarters without delay.