Part 26 (2/2)
”Certainly they don't respond very promptly to Was.h.i.+ngton's call for troops.”
”This war has got to be won, if it's won at all, by armies an' not by a few men shootin' from behind a stone wall whenever the Britishers march their way.”
”It can't be said that Morgan's Rangers don't respond when called upon.”
”That's right. The country will remember us after we're killed. We've got a reputation for fighting already. Two thirds of us 'd rather be at a fight than a feast.”
”You among the number.”
”Not right. I hate war except when I get in a skirmish, an' then I don't think about it. I wish the men who bring on war had to do the fightin'.”
Howe, twice foiled in his attempts to outwit Was.h.i.+ngton, had returned to New York, leaving his antagonist in doubt whether he proposed taking his army up the Hudson to meet Burgoyne or around to Philadelphia by sea. During this period of uncertainty, Morgan's Rangers marched to Hackensack and back again. They travelled light, each man lugging his provisions, rations of corn meal and a wallet containing dried venison. August 16th they received final orders to march to Peekskill, and there to take boats for Albany to join Gates'
army.
Here at last was something definite, and how the men cheered!
Was.h.i.+ngton was sending his best men to aid Gates because he thought the country needed them at that place. George Was.h.i.+ngton was a big enough man to forget self and think only of his country. Gates was not, and was to repay his chief for this a.s.sistance with treachery.
Rodney never forgot that day when they first came in sight of the beautiful Hudson. He made some remark about the scenery, when the man next him in line exclaimed: ”Whew! but I'd like plenty of shade trees in my scenery,” wiping away the perspiration with his sleeve.
”Ab, you are in as big a hurry to git thar as any of us,” said another.
”I don't feel right certain about matters after we do. Thar must be some rattle-headed men in charge up in this country; what with fillin'
ol' Ty full o' powder an' ball an' then allowin' the Britishers to climb a hill an' drive 'em out the fort. Thar sure be some folks as think they're ginerals by grace o' good looks an' lots o' friends.
Then some feller, as knows how, comes along an' trees 'em,” was Ab's reply.
A warm welcome awaited the Rangers when they joined the northern army.
In fact all along their route they had received admiration and cordial greeting to their hearts' content. Gates flattered Morgan by arranging that the colonel should receive orders only from the general in command. Quarters were a.s.signed them at Loudon's Ferry, and here they were joined by Major Dearborn with two hundred and fifty men selected from other regiments. This was pleasing to Morgan, as he and Dearborn had fought the enemy at Quebec, where both had been taken prisoners.
The Rangers welcomed the recruits heartily, and proceeded to get acquainted. In the midst of this Rodney saw a fine looking fellow, of about his own age, clad in the uniform of the Ma.s.sachusetts militia, run toward Zeb, exclaiming, ”I might have known if I could find Colonel Morgan I could find you, in flesh or spirit. How are you, anyway?”
”Shades of the Great North, Don, yer face looks good ter me.”
Then, after they had shaken hands and patted each other on the shoulder, literally and metaphorically, Zeb, turning to Rodney, said, ”Here's Donald Lovell, the lad who found me in a Quebec snowdrift an'
saved my life when I was about as fer gone as poor Bunster.”
”Easy, Zeb. I don't want to tell all you did for me, there isn't time, but I'm glad to know any one that's your friend.”
”You two boys make a likely pair. Ye both really do credit to my judgment in pickin' ye out. How long ye been here, Don?”
”Only a few days. You've heard about Stark and the battle at Bennington, of course?”
”We certain have. He gave those Hessians a sound drubbing if reports are correct. He was at Trenton, you know. Was disgruntled, because he didn't get the promotion he wanted, an' went home.”
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