Part 40 (1/2)

”If there be one rifleman here who is too weary to enter Johnstown before daylight, let him fall out.”

Not a man stirred.

”Very well,” I said, laughing; ”if you Tryon County men are so keen for battle, there's a dish o' glory to be served up, hot as sugar and soupaan, among the Mayfield hills. Come on, Men of New York!”

And I think they must have wondered there in Schenectady at the fierce cheering of Morgan's men as our column wheeled northwest once more, into the coming night.

We entered Johnstown an hour before dawn, not a man limping, nor a horse either, for that matter. An officer from Colonel Willett met us, directing the men and the baggage to the fort which was formerly the stone jail, the Oneidas to huts erected on the old camping-ground west of Johnson Hall, and Elsin and me to quarters at Jimmy Burke's Tavern.

She was already half-asleep in her saddle, yet ever ready to rouse herself for a new effort; and now she raised her drowsy head with a confused smile as I lifted her from the horse to the porch of Burke's celebrated frontier inn.

”Colonel Willett's compliments, and he will breakfast with you at ten,”

whispered the young officer. ”Good night, sir.”

”Good night,” I nodded, and entered the tavern, bearing Elsin in my arms, now fast asleep as a worn-out child.

CHAPTER XI

THE TEST

I was awakened by somebody shaking me. Bewildered, not recognizing my landlord, but confusing him with the sinister visions that had haunted my sleep, I grappled with him until, senses returning, I found myself sitting bolt upright in a shaky trundle-bed, clutching Jimmy Burke by the collar.

”Lave go me s.h.i.+rrt, sorr,” he pleaded--”f'r the saints' sake, Misther Renault! I've the wan s.h.i.+rrt to me back----”

”Confound you, Jimmy!” I yawned, dropping back on my pillow; ”what do you mean by choking me?”

”Chocken', is it, sorr!” exclaimed the indignant Irishman; ”'tis me shcalp ye're afther liftin' wid a whoop an' a yell, glory be! I'll throuble ye, Captain Renault, f'r to projooce me wig, sorr!”

Clutched in my left hand I discovered the unfortunate landlord's wig, and I lay there amused and astonished while he haughtily adjusted it before the tiny triangle of gla.s.s nailed on the wall.

”Shame on you, Jimmy Burke, to wear a wig to cheat some honest Mohawk out of his eight dollars!” I yawned, rubbing my eyes.

”Mohawks, is it? Now, G.o.d be good to the haythen whin James Burrke takes the Currietown thrail----”

”You're exempt, you fat rascal!” I said, laughing; and the dumpy little Irishman gave me a sly grin as he retied his stock and stood smoothing down his rumpled wig before the gla.s.s.

”Och! divil a hair has he left on the wig o' me!” he grumbled. ”Will ye get up, sorr? 'Tis ten o'clock, lackin' some contrairy minutes, an' the officers from the foort do be ragin' f'r lack o' soupaan----”

”Are they here?” I cried, leaping out of bed. ”Why didn't you say so?

Where's my tub of water? Don't stand there grinning, I tell you. Say to Colonel Willett I'll join him in a second.”

The fat little landlord retreated crab-wise. I soused my clipped head in the tub, took a spatter-bath like a wild duck in a hurry, clothed me in my gay forest-dress, making no noise lest I wake Elsin, and ran down the rough wooden stairs to the coffee-room, plump into a crowd of strange officers, all blue and buff and gilt.

”Well, Carus!” came a cool, drawling voice from the company; and I saw the tall, gaunt figure of Colonel Marinus Willett sauntering toward me, his hawk's nose wrinkled into a whimsical smile.

”Colonel,” I stammered, saluting, then sprang forward and grasped the veteran's outstretched hand, asking his pardon for my tardiness.

”What a great big boy!” he commented, holding my hand in both of his, and inspecting me from crown to heel. ”Is this the lad I've heard of--below--” His nose wrinkled again, and his grimly humorous mouth twitched. ”Carus, you've grown since I last saw you at the patroon's, romping a reel with those rosy Dutch la.s.sies from Vrooman's--eh? That's well, my son; the best dancers were ever the best fighters! Look at Tim Murphy! As for me, I never could learn to dance with you Valley aristocrats. Carus, you should know my officers.” And he mentioned names with a kindly, informal precision characteristic of a gentleman too great to follow conventions, too highly bred to ignore them. The consequent compromise was, as I say, a delightfully formal informality which reigned among his entourage, but never included himself, although he apparently invited it. In this, I imagine, he resembled his Excellency, and have heard others say so; but I do not know, for I never saw his Excellency.