Part 28 (1/2)

”That's what the feller said as lost both legs. If I can keep clear o'

the scalpin' knife I'll fight agin, sure's yer born!”

”If I'm alive to do it I'll see that you are taken off the field to-night.”

”I know ye will if the redcoats don't take the field away from ye. If they do, the red devils will get more scalps than they can carry.”

”They haven't got it yet. Here we go again,” and, saying this, he joined the ma.s.s of running men returning to the charge.

There was the same din, the same clouds of acrid powder smoke, which now is lifted by a breeze, showing the solid ranks awaiting them. As Rodney fires he is conscious that he has shot an Indian, an Indian with blue eyes! What was an Indian doing in those serried ranks, why wasn't he skulking on the outskirts as Indians should? The enemy yield, and are driven back on to a rise of land in their rear, where they make a stand and again hurl back the riflemen.

As the Rangers retreat, Rodney sees the Indian lying on the ground lift his rifle to shoot. A Ranger knocks it aside, while another aims a blow that would have brained the savage had not Rodney knocked it aside, for he had recognized Conrad!

”Help me to take him,” he cried.

”Kill him an' leave him,” cried another.

Rodney grasped Conrad by the shoulders and another rifleman, with a growl at such folly, seized him by the heels. So it happened that he was laid by the side of Zeb.

By this time the battle raged along the entire front. American reinforcements were coming up and greater reinforcements were being sent to support the British, and Gates was back in his tent thinking it all a small affair.

With nightfall the two armies lay back like panting wolves, exhausted, and, now that there was time, Rodney made sure that both Zeb and Conrad had their wounds dressed.

”The Rangers won glory to-day and bore the brunt of the fighting. It was hot, though.”

”I reckon you're correct, Rodney. I felt of it an' found it so,” was Zeb's reply.

”It is reported about camp that Gates and Arnold have quarrelled, and Arnold was so mad he resigned and Gates accepted it.”

”That so!” Zeb whistled, and then made a wry face on account of the pain in his leg. ”That leaves Arnold in a pickle. 'Taint the height o'

military etiquette to resign under fire. I wish Arnold was in command, though.”

”You aren't the only one who wishes it. Well, I must find that Indian or he won't forgive me for shooting him.”

”Too bad ye can't shoot straighter.”

”That's unkind. When you know him you'll change your mind.”

”Humph!”

Of what happened in the two weeks following this battle, history tells but little, for there was little that was decisive. Burgoyne waited for Clinton to come to his a.s.sistance. He did not come. Some of his messages did not get through the lines to Burgoyne. The Americans gradually got control of vantage points between the British and their avenue of retreat to Canada. But these were not dull days for the Rangers. There was scouting and skirmis.h.i.+ng in which they bore an active part.

On the afternoon of October seventh Rodney brought in word that the British troops were moving, and Gates quickly ordered Morgan forward to engage them. The latter, as was his custom, had obtained a knowledge of the country and he saw a better plan, which was to lead his men around to a wooded hill on the enemy's flank and attack from there. This suggestion was approved.

”This will begin the end,” remarked a fellow on Rodney's right.

”Unless Gates blunders,” remarked another.