Part 9 (2/2)
”Well done, field-marshal!” cried Barnstable, with a glee that seldom regarded time or place; ”you should never let salt-water mould your b.u.t.tons; but in Was.h.i.+ngton's camp, ay! and in Was.h.i.+ngton's tent, you should swing your hammock in future. Why, sir, do you think we are about to invade England?”
”I know that every military movement should be executed with precision, Captain Barnstable,” returned the marine. ”I am too much accustomed to hear the sneers of the sea-officers, to regard what I know proceeds from ignorance. If Captain Munson is disposed to employ me and my command in this expedition, I trust he will discover that marines are good for something more than to mount guard and pay salutes.” Then, turning haughtily from his antagonist, he continued to address himself to their common superior, as if disdaining further intercourse with one who, from the nature of the case, must be unable to comprehend the force of what he said. ”It will be prudent, Captain Munson, to send out a party to reconnoitre, before we march; and as it may be necessary to defend ourselves in case of a repulse, I would beg leave to recommend that a corps be provided with entrenching tools, to accompany the expedition.
They would be extremely useful, sir, in a.s.sisting to throw up field- works; though, I doubt not, tools might be found in abundance in this country, and laborers impressed for the service, on an emergency.”
This was too much for the risibility of Barnstable, who broke forth in a fit of scornful laughter, which no one saw proper to interrupt; though Griffith, on turning his head to conceal the smile that was gathering on his own face, perceived the fierce glance which the pilot threw at the merry seaman, and wondered at its significance and impatience. When Captain Munson thought that the mirth of the lieutenant was concluded, he mildly desired his reasons for amusing himself so exceedingly with the plans of the marine.
”'Tis a chart for a campaign!” cried Barnstable, ”and should be sent off express to Congress, before the Frenchmen are brought into the field!”
”Have you any better plan to propose, Mr. Barnstable?” inquired the patient commander.
”Better! ay, one that will take no time, and cause no trouble, to execute it,” cried the other; ”'tis a seaman's job, sir, and must be done with a seaman's means.”
”Pardon me, Captain Barnstable,” interrupted the marine, whose jocular vein was entirely absorbed in his military pride; ”if there be service to be done on sh.o.r.e, I claim it as my right to be employed.”
”Claim what you will, soldier; but how will you carry on the war with a parcel of fellows who don't know one end of a boat from the other?”
returned the reckless sailor. ”Do you think that a barge or a cutter is to be beached in the same manner you ground firelock, by word of command? No, no, Captain Manual--I honor your courage, for I have seen it tried, but d--e if----”
”You forget, we wait for your project, Mr. Barnstable,” said the veteran.
”I crave your patience, sir; but no project is necessary. Point out the bearings and distance of the place where the men you want are to be found, and I will take the heel of the gale, and run into the land, always speaking for good water and no rocks. Mr. Pilot, you will accompany me, for you carry as true a map of the bottom of these seas in your head as ever was made of dry ground. I will look out for good anchorage; or if the wind should blow off sh.o.r.e, let the schooner stand off and on, till we should be ready to take the broad sea again. I would land, out of my whaleboat, with long Tom and a boat's crew, and finding out the place you will describe, we shall go up, and take the men you want, and bring them aboard. It's all plain sailing; though, as it is a well-peopled country, it may be necessary to do our sh.o.r.e work in the dark.”
”Mr. Griffith, we only wait for your sentiments,” proceeded the captain, ”when, by comparing opinions, we may decide on the most prudent course.”
The first lieutenant had been much absorbed in thought during the discussion of the subject, and might have been, on that account, better prepared to give his opinion with effect. Pointing to the man who yet stood behind him, leaning on a gun, he commenced by asking:
”Is it your intention that man shall accompany the party?”
”It is.”
”And from him you expect the necessary information, sir, to guide our movements?”
”You are altogether right.”
”If, sir, he has but a moiety of the skill on the land that he possesses on the water, I will answer for his success,” returned the lieutenant, bowing slightly to the stranger, who received the compliment by a cold inclination of his head. ”I must desire the indulgence of both Mr.
Barnstable and Captain Manual,” he continued, ”and claim the command as of right belonging to my rank.”
”It belongs naturally to the schooner,” exclaimed the impatient Barnstable.
”There may be enough for us all to do,” said Griffith, elevating a finger to the other, in a manner and with an impressive look that was instantly comprehended. ”I neither agree wholly with the one nor the other of these gentlemen. 'Tis said that, since our appearance on the coast, the dwellings of many of the gentry are guarded by small detachments of soldiers from the neighboring towns.”
”Who says it?” asked the pilot, advancing among them with a suddenness that caused a general silence.
”I say it, sir,” returned the lieutenant, when the momentary surprise had pa.s.sed away.
”Can you vouch for it?”
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