Part 28 (1/2)

I reviewed the vivid incidents of the day, looking up at the stars, and wondered who among those I knew were yet living, who were dead. I thought of others in those lines of the enemy, whom I had known, speculating on their fate. Then along our rear came a horseman or two, riding slowly. A sentry halted them, and I arose on one elbow to listen.

”Lawrence? Yes, sir, Major Lawrence is lying over there by the scrub oak.”

I got to my feet, as the first rider approached.

”This you, Lawrence?” asked a voice I instantly recognized as Hamilton's.

”You fellows all look alike to-night. Where is your horse, Major?”

”I have been on foot all day, sir,” I answered saluting.

”Ah, indeed; well, you will have need for a horse to-night. Wainwright,”

turning to the man with him, ”is your mount fresh?”

”Appears to be, sir; belonged to a British Dragoon this morning.”

”Let Major Lawrence have him. Major, ride with me.”

We pa.s.sed back slowly enough toward the rear of the troops, through the field hospitals, and along the edge of a wood, where a battery of artillery was encamped. We rode boot to boot, and Hamilton spoke earnestly.

”The battle is practically won, Lawrence, in spite of Charles Lee,” he said soberly. ”Of course there will be fighting to-morrow, but we shall have the Red-coats well penned in before daybreak, and have already captured ammunition enough to make us easy on that score. Poor, and the Carolina men, are over yonder, while Woodford is moving his command to the left. At dawn we'll crush Clinton into fragments. Was.h.i.+ngton wants to send a despatch through to Arnold in Philadelphia, and I recommended you, as you know the road. He remembered your service before, and was kind enough to say you were the very man. You'll go gladly?”

”I should prefer to lead my own men to-morrow, sir.”

”Pshaw! I doubt if we have more than a skirmish. Sir Henry will see his predicament fast enough. Then there will be nothing left to do, but guard prisoners.”

”Very well, Colonel; I am ready to serve wherever needed.”

”Of course you are, man. There should not be much danger connected with this trip, although there will be stragglers in plenty. I'm told that Clinton lost more than three hundred deserters crossing Camden.”

Headquarters were in a single-roomed cabin at the edge of a ravine. A squad of cavalrymen were in front, their horses tied to a rail fence, but within Was.h.i.+ngton was alone, except for a single aide, writing at a rude table in the light of a half-dozen candles. He glanced up, greeting us with a slight inclination of the head.

”A moment, gentlemen.”

He wrote slowly, as though framing his sentences with care, occasionally questioning the aide. Once he paused, and glanced across at Hamilton.

”Colonel, do you know a Dragoon named Mortimer?”

”I have no recollection of ever having met the man, sir. I have written him orders, however; he is a scout attached to General Lee's headquarters.”

”Yes; I recall the name. He is the one who brought us our first definite information this morning of Clinton's position. I remember now, you were not with me when he rode up--young, slender lad, with the face of a girl.

I could but notice his eyes; they were as soft and blue as violets! Well, an hour ago he came here for a favor; it seems the boy is a son of Colonel Mortimer, of the Queen's Rangers.”

”Indeed; Wayne reported the Colonel killed in front of his lines.”

”Not killed, but seriously wounded. The son asked permission to take him home to a place called Elmhurst near Laurel Hill.”

”I know the plantation, sir,” I said, my interest causing me to interrupt. ”It is on the Medford road.”

”Ah, you have met the lad, possibly, Major,” and he turned his face toward me. ”The boy interested me greatly.”