Part 2 (1/2)
”That I have!” laughed Andy. ”I tell you now because you are upon your country's service. I trust you, and I thought perhaps it might help sometime.” The two moved forward for a moment in silence, then Andy laughed in a half-confused way.
”A boy gets lonely at times,” he said; ”he must do something to while away the--the years. I have practiced and made believe until I am a pretty good Indian. I make believe that I am guiding the great Was.h.i.+ngton. They do say he ever remembers a favor. I should love to serve him. Had I been like other boys--” the voice broke--”I would have been as near him as possible by this time!”
The hand of the stranger was upon the youth's shoulder. Andy turned in alarm.
”You have a secret which may save your country much!” breathed the deep voice; ”guard it with your life. But if one comes from Was.h.i.+ngton seeking your aid, do whatever he asks, fearlessly.”
”How would I know such an one?” gasped Andy.
”That will I tell you later.” Again the forward tramp.
”And you have pa.s.sed, unnoticed, the British line! 'Tis a joke almost beyond belief!” chuckled the stranger. ”I should like to see my Lord Howe's face were he to hear this.”
”Oh! be silent, sir!” cautioned the guide, ”we come to an open s.p.a.ce.”
Once again beneath the heavy boughs, the boy said:
”I pa.s.sed the line but yesterday. And I heard that which has troubled me, sorely, yet I could do nothing. But--” here Andy paused and turned sharply--”bend down. Should you know Was.h.i.+ngton were you to see him?”
”Aye, lad.” The two heads were pressed close.
”Would you bear a message, and try to find him?”
”Aye.”
”They are planning an attack. I could not hear when or where, for the men moved past. As they came back, and pa.s.sed where I was hidden, I heard them say that they who are near Was.h.i.+ngton had best be on watch, poison in the food made no such noise as a gun--but it would serve!”
”You heard that?” almost moaned the listener. ”My G.o.d! could they plan such a cowardly thing?”
”Aye, sir. I am thinking they can. I would warn the General if I could, but you may be luckier. The men said Lord Howe desired the death of every rebel.”
”May heaven forgive him!” The words fell sadly from the strong lips.
”And now,” again Andy took the lead, ”do not speak as we pa.s.s here. It is the spot where they shot our pastor's boy, only two days ago. I fear the place. A few rods beyond, we will again strike the thicket, and be under cover until we reach the river.”
The solemn quiet that precedes a hot summer dawn surrounded the man and boy. The red band broadened in the east. The birds, fearing neither friend nor foe, began to challenge the stillness with their glad notes, and so guide and follower pa.s.sed the gruesome place where young Sam White gave up his untried life a few short days ago. The thicket gained, the two paused for breath.
”We must not talk in the boat, sir.” They had reached the moored boat now. ”Pray tell me how I am to know our General's messenger.”
”By this.” The stranger detached a charm from a hidden chain and held it in his palm so that the clearer light fell upon it. ”I command you to learn its peculiarities well. There must be no blunder.”
It was very quaint. Andy's keen eye took in every detail.
”I shall know it,” he sighed. And the stranger smiled and replaced it.
”And you, sir?” he faltered, for the hour of parting came with a strange sadness; ”may I not know your name? You have made me so proud and happy because you accepted my poor service.”
”George Was.h.i.+ngton, and your true friend, Andy McNeal! We are both serving the same great cause. G.o.d keep us both!”