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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10086 ***
+
+THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
+
+by JAMES OTIS
+
+Author of "The Boys of Fort Schuyler," "The Boys of '98,"
+"Teddy and Carrots," "Captain Tom, the Privateersman,"
+"The Boys of 1745," "The Signal Boys of '75,"
+"Under the Liberty Tree," "When Israel Putnam Served the King,"
+"The Minute Boys of the Green Mountains," Etc., Etc.
+
+Illustrated by A. Burnham Shute
+[Illustration: "An Indian strode gravely into the encampment"]
+
+1911
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+    I. Young Soldiers
+   II. The Powwow
+  III. Disappointment
+   IV. On the Oriskany
+    V. Divided Duty
+   VI. Between the Lines
+  VII. Insubordination
+ VIII. The Ambush
+   IX. The Indian Camp
+    X. Prisoners
+   XI. The Escape
+  XII. In the Fort
+ XIII. The Assault
+  XIV. Mutiny
+   XV. The Torture
+  XVI. Short Allowance
+ XVII. Perplexing Scenes
+XVIII. Close Quarters
+  XIX. The Pursuit
+   XX. Enlisted Men
+
+
+
+
+Foreword
+
+
+
+It seems not only proper, but necessary, that I should explain how the
+material for this story was obtained, and why it happens that I can thus
+set down exactly what Noel Campbell thought and did, during certain times
+while he was serving the patriot cause in the Mohawk Valley as few other
+boys could have done.
+
+At some time in Noel's life--most likely after he was grown to be a man
+with children, and, perhaps, grandchildren of his own--he wrote many
+letters to relatives of his in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, wherein he told
+with considerable of detail that which he did during the War of the
+Revolution, and more particularly while he and his friends were fighting
+against that wily Indian sachem, Thayendanega. These letters, together
+with many others concerning the struggles of our people for independence,
+came into my keeping a long while ago, and from the lines written by Noel
+Campbell I have put together the following story after much the same
+fashion as he himself set it down.
+
+When the work was begun I doubted if Thayendanega could have been
+frightened by a party of boys who were playing at being soldiers, and
+refused to make such statement until, quite by chance, I found the
+following in Lossing's "Field-Book of the Revolution":
+
+"It was a sunny morning toward the close of May, when Brant and his
+warriors cautiously moved up to the brow of the lofty hill on the east
+side of the town (Cherry Valley) to reconnoitre the settlement at their
+feet. He was astonished and chagrined on seeing a fortification where he
+supposed all was weak and defenceless, and greater was his disappointment
+when quite a large and well-armed garrison appeared upon the esplanade in
+front of Colonel Campbell's house.
+
+"These soldiers were not as formidable as the sachem supposed, for they
+were only half-grown boys, who, full of the martial spirit of the times,
+had formed themselves into companies, and, armed with wooden guns and
+swords, held regular drills each day.... He mistook the boys for
+full-grown soldiers, and, considering an attack dangerous, moved his party
+to a hiding-place in a deep ravine north of the village."
+
+Then again I questioned if General Herkimer would have sent two boys as
+messengers, even though an old and experienced soldier went with them,
+when he must have had under his command many men grown who were thoroughly
+familiar with Indian warfare. As if to combat this doubt, I found the
+following statement by one who has written much concerning the struggles
+of the colonists for freedom:
+
+"As soon as St. Leger's approach up Oneida Lake was known to General
+Herkimer, he summoned the militia of Tryon County to the succor of the
+garrison at Fort Schuyler. They rendezvoused at Fort Dayton, on the German
+Flats, and, on the day when the Indians encircled the fort, Herkimer was
+near Oriskany with more than eight hundred men, eager to face the enemy.
+He sent as messengers to Gansevoort two boys and a man, informing him of
+his approach, and requesting him to apprise him of the arrival of the
+couriers by discharging three guns in rapid succession, which he knew
+would be heard at Oriskany."
+
+Having thus proven, at least to my own satisfaction, that so much of
+Noel's story was true, I set about verifying the other portions, and in no
+single instance did I find that he had drawn upon his imagination,
+therefore I resolved to write it down as the lad himself would have
+spoken, being able, because of the letters, to put myself very nearly in
+his place.
+
+I would it had been possible to say more concerning Thayendanega and Sir
+John Johnson, for they played important parts in the making of Mohawk
+Valley history; but Noel's own account was of such length that I did not
+feel warranted in adding to it.
+
+To the best of my knowledge and belief, the tale of the "Minute Boys of
+the Mohawk Valley" is no more than a narration of facts, as can be
+verified by reference to any of our standard histories of the beginnings
+of this nation.
+
+If the reader can find in the reading one-half the pleasure I have had in
+interpreting Noel Campbell's odd speech, and smoothing down his too
+vigorous language, then will he be richly repaid for the perusal.
+
+James Otis.
+
+
+
+
+List of Illustrations
+
+
+
+"An Indian strode gravely into the encampment"
+"'You have done well to get back alive'"
+"Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and fro"
+"'Tire 'em out, lads!' the General shouted"
+"Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a huge fire"
+"With upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of foliage"
+"The painted villain sank down upon the ground"
+"Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet through the back'"
+
+
+
+
+Chapter I.
+
+Young Soldiers
+
+
+
+It sounds like an unreasonable tale, or something after the style of a
+fairy-story, to say that a party of lads, drilling with wooden guns, were
+able, without being conscious of the fact, to frighten from his bloody
+work such a murderous, powerful sachem as Thayendanega, or Joseph Brant,
+to use his English name, but such is the undisputed fact.
+
+It was the month of May in the year of our Lord 1777, when we of Cherry
+Valley, in the Province of New York, learned that this same Thayendanega,
+a pure-blooded Mohawk Indian, whose father was chief of the Onondaga
+nation, had come into the Mohawk Valley from Canada with a large force of
+Indians, who, under the wicked tutoring of Sir John Johnson, were ripe for
+mischief.
+
+Col. Samuel Campbell, my uncle, was one of the leading patriots in that
+section of the province, and it was well known that the Johnsons,--Sir
+John and Guy,--the Butlers, Daniel Claus, and, in fact, all the Tories
+nearabout, would direct that the first blow be struck at Cherry Valley, in
+order that my uncle might be killed or made prisoner; therefore, at the
+time when we lads frightened Joseph Brant without our own knowledge, we
+were in daily fear of being set upon by our enemies.
+
+Among the boys of the settlement I, Noel Campbell, was looked upon as a
+leader simply because my uncle was the most influential Whig in the
+vicinity, and my particular friend and comrade was Jacob Sitz, son of
+Peter, a lad who could easily best us all in trials of strength or of
+woodcraft.
+
+We had heard of the Minute Men of Lexington and of the Green Mountains,
+and when the day came that all the able-bodied men of our valley banded
+themselves together for the protection of their homes against our
+neighbors, the Tories, who thirsted for patriot blood, we lads decided
+that we were old enough to do our share in whatsoever might be afoot.
+
+Therefore it was that two score of us formed a league to help defend the
+settlements, and gave ourselves the name of "Minute Boys of the Mohawk
+Valley."
+
+There was then living in Cherry Valley an old Prussian soldier by name
+Cornelius Braun, who, in his native land, had won the rank of sergeant;
+but, having grown too old for very active military duty, came to this
+country with the idea of making a home for himself. Sergeant Corney, as
+nearly every one called him, was not so old, however, but that he could
+strike a blow, and a heavy one, in his own defence, and when he learned
+what we lads proposed to do, he offered to drill us in the manual of arms.
+
+We were not overly well equipped in the way of weapons, although it is
+safe to say that each of us had a firearm of some sort; but it seemed to
+give Sergeant Corney the fidgets to see us carrying such a motley
+collection of guns, and he insisted on making a quantity of wooden muskets
+to be used in the drill, to the end that we might present a more soldierly
+appearance when lined up before him.
+
+Therefore it was that, when we came each day on the green in front of my
+uncle's house to go through such manoeuvres as our instructor thought
+necessary, we had in our hands only those harmless wooden guns.
+
+I was the captain of the company; Jacob Sitz acted as lieutenant, and all
+the others were privates. Sergeant Corney, as a matter of course, was the
+commander-in-chief.
+
+On a certain day during the last week in May--the exact date I have
+forgotten--we were drilling as usual, with Sergeant Corney finding more
+fault than ever, when we frightened the famous Thayendanega away from an
+attack on the settlement, although, as I have said, we knew nothing about
+it until many months afterward.
+
+It seems, as we learned later, that the villainous Brant had made all his
+plans for an attack upon Cherry Valley, and had secretly gained a position
+on the hill to the eastward of the place, counting on waiting there until
+nightfall, when he might surprise us; but, much to his astonishment, he
+saw what appeared from the distance to be a large body of well-equipped
+soldiers evidently making ready for serious work.
+
+The scoundrelly redskin was not so brave that he was willing to make an
+attack where it seemed that the Whigs were prepared to receive him, and,
+like the cur that he was, he marched his force to a hiding-place in a deep
+ravine north of the settlement, near the road leading to the Mohawk River,
+about a mile and a half from where we were drilling.
+
+Now hardly more than an hour before it is probable that the Indians got
+their first glimpse of us Minute Boys, Lieutenant Wormwood had arrived
+from Fort Plain with information to my uncle that a force of patriot
+soldiers was on the way to check Sir John's plans for killing all who did
+not quite agree with him in politics, and to request that arrangements be
+made to care for the men during such time as they might remain in that
+vicinity.
+
+When, late in the afternoon, the lieutenant was ready to return to Fort
+Plain, Jacob's father, Peter Sitz, was ordered to accompany him as bearer
+of a message from my uncle to the leader of the patriot force, and the two
+men set off on horseback, we lads envying them because it seemed a fine
+thing to ride to and fro over the country summoning this man or that to
+his duty.
+
+It was the last time Jacob saw his father until after many days had
+passed, and what happened to the two horsemen we could only guess when the
+lieutenant's lifeless body was found next day; but we learned the
+particulars later.
+
+It seems that when the messengers arrived near Brant's hiding-place, being
+forced to pass by where the Indians were concealed in order to get to Fort
+Plain, they were hailed by some one in the thicket; but instead of
+replying, the men put spurs to their horses.
+
+The savages in ambush fired a volley; Lieutenant Wormwood was killed
+instantly, while Jacob's father was so seriously wounded that he fell from
+his horse, and, a few seconds later, found himself a prisoner among
+Brant's wolves.
+
+When the tidings of this tragedy was brought into the settlement, Jacob
+was overwhelmed with grief, as might have been expected, and even my uncle
+had great difficulty in preventing the distressed lad from rushing into
+the wilderness with the poor hope that he might be able, single-handed, to
+effect his father's rescue.
+
+He was only sixteen years of age--two months older than I; but within an
+hour after we knew beyond a peradventure that Peter Sitz was a prisoner,
+it seemed as if the lad had grown to be a man.
+
+It was this first blow against the settlement of Cherry Valley by the
+murderous Brant, which brought us Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley into
+active service, for from that day we saw as much of warfare as did our
+elders, and I am proud to be able to set down the fact that we performed
+good work, although we failed, as did the men of the settlement, in
+preventing it from being destroyed a year and a half later, while the
+fighting force of the population was absent.
+
+The murder of Lieutenant Wormwood was sufficient evidence that the Tories
+and their savage allies were prepared to harry us, and within a very few
+minutes after the body of the officer had been brought in, the men made
+ready to defend their homes.
+
+A council of war was immediately called, and while it was in session
+Sergeant Corney made a proposition which was like to take away the breath
+from those who looked upon us of the Minute Boys as mere children, for he
+said in the tone of one who knows whereof he speaks:
+
+"I've been drillin' a force that can do good work in what's before us, if
+they're given a show, an' I'll answer for half a dozen of 'em,
+guaranteein' they'll show themselves to be men."
+
+"Are you speaking of the lads?" my uncle asked in surprise, and the old
+man replied promptly;
+
+"Ay, that I am, sir, an', unless all signs fail, there's never one of 'em
+who'll bring reproach upon the settlement."
+
+"What is your plan, Sergeant Braun?" Master Dunlap, the preacher, asked,
+for so great did all believe the danger which threatened, that every man,
+whether able-bodied or crippled, had been summoned to the council.
+
+"It ain't what you might rightly call a plan, sir," Sergeant Corney
+replied. "It's only an idee, brought out by the fact that from this time
+we've got to keep a close watch on what's happenin' in this 'ere valley,
+unless we're willin' to be murdered in our beds. There are boys enough in
+the settlement to do the scoutin', leavin' the elders to stand by for
+defence, an' I see no good reason why they shouldn't perform full share of
+military duty."
+
+"Think you a lad like my nephew Noel could render any valuable assistance
+at such a time as this?" my uncle asked, with a smile, as if believing he
+had put an end to the old man's proposition, and my cheeks reddened with
+excitement and fear lest Sergeant Corney should allow himself to be backed
+down, as I listened intently for the answer.
+
+It was not long in coming, and I could have kissed the old soldier for
+speaking as he did.
+
+"Give me him an' Jacob Sitz, sir, an' I'll guarantee to follow
+Thayendanega an' his precious scoundrels till we know what deviltry
+they've got in mind."
+
+"You shall have full charge of all the boys in the settlement, and we will
+see if you can make good your boast," my uncle, who held command of our
+fighting force, said after a brief pause, and in a twinkling Sergeant
+Corney left the building, beckoning us lads to follow, for our company had
+gathered with the men to learn what was to be done.
+
+The old soldier did not need very much time in which to lay his plans; in
+fact, I believe he had mapped out the whole course before having spoken.
+
+He divided our company into squads of six, not reckoning in either Jacob
+or me, and these he gave stations at different points within a mile of the
+settlement, cautioning every one to be on the alert, for now had come the
+time when it was possible for them to prove the value of the Minute Boys
+as soldiers. It was to be their duty, by night as well as by day, to keep
+careful watch lest the Indians creep up unawares, and I could well
+understand that never one would shirk his duty, since upon their vigilance
+depended the lives or liberty of all the dwellers nearabout.
+
+Then, when some one asked why neither Jacob nor I had been assigned to
+sentinel duty, Sergeant Corney replied, gravely:
+
+"I promised that with two lads I would follow Thayendanega's gang until we
+found out what the villains were about, as all of you well know, an'
+within the hour we three will set off."
+
+Several of the more venturesome lads pleaded their right to take part in
+the dangerous service, claiming that they should not be left at home when
+it was possible to make names for themselves among men; but to all these
+entreaties Sergeant Corney made but one reply.
+
+"It was Colonel Campbell himself who mentioned Noel's name, an' of a
+surety he has the right to say who shall go or stay. As for Jacob, have
+any of you a better claim than he to follow the murderers?"
+
+This silenced the eager ones; but I would have been glad indeed had any
+member of the company shown that he had a better right to accompany the
+old soldier than I, for of a verity I was not itching to hug the heels of
+those savages who were doing the bidding of the Tories. However
+faint-hearted I might have been, however, I would have bitten the end of
+my tongue off before saying that which should show to my comrades that I
+was more than willing to remain behind, for if the captain of the Minute
+Boys showed the white feather, what might not have been excused in the
+rank and file?
+
+Never one of all that company raised his voice against my right to follow
+Sergeant Corney, however, and I did my best at making it appear that the
+work in hand was exactly to my liking.
+
+Even the dullest among us understood that we three might be absent from
+the settlement many days, and yet our preparations for the dangerous
+journey were most simple.
+
+I ran home to acquaint my mother with what was afoot, and while she was
+trying to keep back her tears lest I might be unnerved for the duty to
+which I had been assigned, I armed myself with rifle and hunting-knife,
+making certain each weapon was in proper order.
+
+From my father's store of powder and balls I took as much as could be
+conveniently carried, and this, with such small supply of corn bread and
+salt pork as filled my hunting-bag, made up an outfit for a journey from
+which it was reasonable to believe I might never return.
+
+Mother did no more than kiss me again and again in silence, when I was
+ready to set off, and I now understand that she did not dare trust herself
+to speak, which, I venture to say, saved me from much sorrow.
+
+On arriving at the green in front of my uncle's house, where we three had
+agreed to meet, I found that Jacob's outfit was even less than mine. In
+his grief because of his father's fate, he had thought only of his weapons
+and ammunition, and by the expression on his face I knew full well he
+would use them manfully if we came within striking distance of Lieutenant
+Wormwood's murderers.
+
+Sergeant Corney was equipped in much the same fashion as was I, and
+immediately after my arrival he said, impatiently:
+
+"There is no reason why we should remain here many minutes, as if tryin'
+to show ourselves. It stands us in hand to strike the trail while it is
+yet warm, an' by dallyin' the people will come to believe our only idee is
+to look bigger'n we really are."
+
+"It is for you to say when we shall set out," I replied, envying those of
+my comrades who stood near at hand to witness the departure, and the words
+had hardly more than been spoken before the old man started off at a smart
+pace in the direction of the thicket where Lieutenant Wormwood's body had
+so lately been found.
+
+As a matter of course we two lads followed, I making every effort to keep
+pace with him, lest those who were watching should suspect I was not as
+brave as I looked, and in a few moments we had shut out from view the
+houses of the settlement.
+
+We were not long in traversing the short distance which led us to the tree
+at the foot of which the officer came to his death; it can well be
+understood that we did not linger many seconds in that gruesome locality.
+
+Jacob was eager to push on, hoping even against hope that it might be
+possible for him to rescue his father. Sergeant Corney had no desire to
+delay, lest we find it difficult to follow the trail later in the day, and
+there was no reason why I should care to remain in that place where were
+such evidences as might soon be found of our own fate.
+
+Thayendanega had apparently given no heed as to whether his movements were
+known, for never an effort had been made to cover the trail, and we
+followed it as readily as if it had been blazed.
+
+When we had travelled rapidly in silence for two full hours, Sergeant
+Corney called a halt, saying as he did so:
+
+"There's no reason why we should push on so fast, an' much need to husband
+our strength, for no one can tell how soon we may be forced to take part
+in a hand-to-hand scrimmage. We'll have a bite to eat, for I didn't
+overload my stomach this mornin', an' be all the better for a
+breathin'-spell."
+
+"We didn't come out to spend our time in eatin'," Jacob said, moodily, and
+I understood full well what was in his mind. "We can loiter when we have
+come up with the savages."
+
+"It ain't in the plan that we shall get too close at their heels,"
+Sergeant Corney replied, as he drew from his hunting-bag a generous supply
+of corn bread, and laid a good half of it in front of my comrade.
+
+"It may not be in your plan, but it is in mine," Jacob said, sharply,
+giving no heed to the food. "We shall be doin' our duty by those we have
+left behind if we hug as close to the villains as is possible, while
+there's no chance I can serve my father by hangin' back at a coward's
+distance."
+
+"An' it's in your mind, lad, that we might do him a good turn?" Sergeant
+Corney said, as if talking to himself.
+
+"Why not? It wouldn't be the first time the murderin' redskins had lost a
+prisoner."
+
+"True for you, lad, an' I know full well how you're feelin'; but the
+question is whether we can hope for anythin' while there's sich a crowd of
+'em?"
+
+"I'm not expectin' you an' Noel will run your heads into too much danger,"
+Jacob said, passionately. "I know you would help father if the chance came
+your way; but it's my duty to take every risk, an' I count on doin' so
+even though we part company within the hour! Do you suppose I can loiter
+at a safe distance from the painted devils when my father is expectin' to
+see some sign that I'm doin' all I may to help him?"
+
+"I question if Peter Sitz expects that any one from Cherry Valley will
+follow Thayendanega's snakes. He knows their strength, an' is man enough
+to understand what might be the price of an attempt to rescue him."
+
+Although Sergeant Corney spoke calmly, as if he had no vital interest in
+the matter, I knew him well enough to feel certain he was even then trying
+to settle in his own mind how a rescue might be effected; but Jacob was so
+blinded by his grief that at the moment I believe he really thought we
+would let him push ahead alone, therefore I said in as hearty a tone as
+was possible:
+
+"You should know, Jacob, that both of us stand ready to do all men may to
+aid your father, an' you may be certain we'll not let you go on alone; but
+just now Sergeant Corney must be our leader, since he knows better than
+you an' I put together what ought to be done."
+
+"But will he do his best?" Jacob cried, in a passion. "Will he help me, or
+does he think the work is done when we have learned where Joseph Brant has
+gone on his work of bloodshed?"
+
+I waited for the old soldier to make reply to this demand, and he
+hesitated so long that I began to fear I had been mistaken as to that
+which I had supposed was in his mind. At last, when it seemed as if Jacob
+could no longer restrain his impatience, Sergeant Corney said, speaking
+slowly, as if weighing well each word:
+
+"I will do my best, heedin' not my own safety, givin' no thought to the
+labor or difficulties, if it so be you lads are minded to do as I shall
+say, without questionin' when it seems as if I might be goin' wrong--"
+
+I would have interrupted him with an assurance that we were willing to
+serve him faithfully; but he checked me with a gesture, and added:
+
+"As Peter Sitz would were he in my place, so will I. He was my friend; I
+know if it was a question of savin' the lives of those at Cherry Valley,
+or turnin' his back on me, what he would do, an' even so shall I."
+
+"Meanin' what?" Jacob demanded, fiercely.
+
+"Meanin' that while we can do our duty by those who sent us, we will
+strain every nerve in his behalf; but if it should so chance that their
+safety depended upon us, we would give service to the greatest number."
+
+Jacob stared as if not understanding what the old man had said, and I made
+haste to add:
+
+"He means that if, while followin' Brant with the hope of aidin' your
+father, we found out that danger threatened the settlement, it would be
+our duty to warn them rather than hold on for him."
+
+The old soldier nodded in token that I had but given different words to
+his idea, and Jacob replied in a tone of satisfaction:
+
+"I can ask for nothin' more. If it so happens that you must turn back, I
+can keep on, for two would aid the settlement as much as three."
+
+"Ay, lad, you shall then do as seems best to you," Sergeant Corney said,
+solemnly, and thus it was settled that, while it did not interfere with
+our duty as Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley, all our efforts should be
+for the relief of the unfortunate prisoner, although at the time I had
+little hope the savages would allow him to live many days.
+
+Having thus pledged himself to Jacob, Sergeant Corney showed no further
+disposition to "husband his strength," but led us on the march once more,
+and this time at a pace which we lads found difficult to maintain without
+actually running.
+
+Now it is not my purpose to set down all we did and said during this long
+chase. It would be of no interest to a stranger, since one hour was much
+like another until we were come near to the Indian town of Oghkwaga, where
+Brant usually made his headquarters while bent on such cruel work as that
+of harrying the settlers who favored the rebellion against the king, and
+it is not necessary I should write down here the well-known fact that
+Thayendanega was in the pay of the British.
+
+It seemed much as if the Indians had no care as to whether they were being
+followed, for, instead of sending back scouts along the trail, as Brant
+almost always did, the party remained in a body, and even when we were so
+close on them as to lie down within view of their camp-fires at night, we
+never saw one of the painted villains who appeared curious to know if any
+person was in the rear.
+
+We were within a day's march of the Indian town, and had lain down in a
+thicket of spruce bushes after having looked in vain for some signs of a
+prisoner, as we had done during each of the four days while we were
+directly behind the band and at no time more than two miles distant.
+
+Jacob's face was wrinkled, or so it seemed to me, with lines drawn by
+sorrow because we had not succeeded in getting a glimpse of his father,
+and it was evident that the lad was beginning to fear, as did I, that the
+savages, finding a prisoner too troublesome, had tortured him to death;
+for if Master Sitz was yet alive and in the keeping of Brant's followers,
+why had we not got a glimpse of him?
+
+"There is no reason why you should grieve so deeply, lad," Sergeant Corney
+said, as if he could read the boy's thoughts. "I'll answer for it that
+your father is as much alive as we are."
+
+"How can you be certain of that?" Jacob asked, moodily.
+
+"We have seen every one of their camps, eh?"
+
+"Of course," Jacob replied, impatiently.
+
+"An' have you noted any sign of a prisoner's havin' been tortured--meanin'
+a half-burned tree, a pile of rocks near the fire, or sich other like
+thing?"
+
+Jacob shook his head; he could not bring himself to speak calmly of such a
+possibility.
+
+"No, you haven't, an' we know without bein' told that when sich devils as
+follow Joe Brant get a prisoner in their clutches, they never kill him
+without torture. Now, 'cordin' to my way of thinkin', we can count to a
+certainty that he's alive."
+
+"Then why haven't we come across him?" Jacob demanded, fiercely. "This is
+the fourth time we've had their camp in full view, an' if he was with 'em
+we ought to have seen somethin' of him."
+
+"I allow you're right, lad, an' that's why I've come to believe that he's
+been sent on ahead to the village."
+
+"Then I must be movin'!" Jacob cried, springing suddenly to his feet. "I
+should have had sense enough to guess that before!" And he made as if he
+would leave us; but Sergeant Corney pulled him back by the coat-sleeve.
+
+"Wait a bit. It was on my tongue's end to propose somethin' of the same
+kind; but we can't afford to take the chances of makin' a move till yonder
+nest of snakes has settled down for the night. An hour from now, an' we'll
+all pull out."
+
+Jacob could not well have made complaint after this, and he settled down
+with his back against a tree to wait with so much of patience as he could
+summon, until the old soldier should give the word.
+
+It surprised me that Jacob was not utterly cast down by the possibility
+that his father had already been carried to the Indian village, for once
+there we could not hope to effect a rescue; but since this thought had,
+apparently, never come into his mind, it was not for me to add to his
+distress by suggesting it.
+
+Well, we remained in the thicket until the red villains had quieted down
+for the night, and then Sergeant Corney led us toward the south, that we
+might make a long circle around the encampment, when would come the most
+dangerous portion of our task.
+
+Thus far we had done as Jacob would have us, and at the same time
+performed our full duty as Minute Boys, for our task was to learn what
+Brant counted on doing, and as to that we could not be certain until he
+was in the village.
+
+But now that the old soldier was leading us around the encampment to the
+end that we might gain a position between Brant's force and those at
+Oghkwaga, I said to myself, with many an inward shudder, that we were like
+to join Jacob's father after a different fashion than we had counted on.
+
+It was as if Sergeant Corney had no fear as to what might happen, for he
+plunged into the gloom of the forest like a man who walks among friends,
+and Jacob followed carelessly, all his thoughts on the possible
+whereabouts of the prisoner he was so eager to see.
+
+Apparently I was the only member of the party who gave heed to his steps,
+and so timid had I become through looking into the future for danger, that
+it was only with difficulty I repressed a cry of alarm when Sergeant
+Corney came to a sudden halt, as if he had stumbled upon an enemy.
+
+Jacob, wrapped in his own gloomy thoughts, halted without showing signs of
+curiosity or surprise; but I pressed forward eagerly until standing close
+behind the old soldier, and then I understood full well why he had
+stopped.
+
+Not thirty paces from where we remained hidden in the thicket, it was
+possible to see the gleam of a camp-fire, and to hear the faint hum of
+voices, as if a large party was near at hand.
+
+After vainly trying to peer through the foliage, Sergeant Corney moved
+cautiously forward two or three paces, and, as a matter of course, I
+followed close at his heels, far enough to see the reflection of four or
+five other fires, as if those around them had no fear of being discovered.
+
+"They must be Britishers!" I whispered, and Sergeant Corney gripped my
+hand as if to say that he was of the same idea.
+
+It was our duty, however, to know exactly who it was encamped so near
+Brant's village, and, after telling Jacob in a whisper of what we had
+seen, the old soldier made his way swiftly through the thicket, my comrade
+and I copying his every movement.
+
+Then, when I had decided that we were dangerously near a large force of
+the king's soldiers who had come to join Thayendanega in his murderous
+work, Sergeant Corney called out in a loud tone:
+
+"In the camp! Here come friends who were like to have run over you!"
+
+In a twinkling the command was aroused, and before I had fully gathered my
+wits, which had been scattered by the old soldier's hail, I found myself
+in the midst of a large body of men, many of whom I had seen in my uncle's
+home at Cherry Valley.
+
+And now, that I may not dwell too long on a commonplace story when I have
+so much of adventure to relate, let me say that we had stumbled on
+upwards of three hundred men belonging to the patriot army, who, under
+command of General Herkimer, were bent on paying a friendly visit to the
+Indian village.
+
+As we soon learned, General Herkimer, having been intimately acquainted
+with Brant, hoped by an interview to persuade the sachem to join the
+patriots, or at least to remain neutral, and to such end had invited the
+chief to meet him at Unadilla for a powwow. At the same time that General
+Herkimer had set out to find Brant, Colonel Van Schaick, with one hundred
+and fifty men, went to Cherry Valley, even as poor Lieutenant Wormwood had
+announced, and the remainder of the American force in the vicinity was
+encamped at the proposed rendezvous lest the treacherous chief accept the
+invitation simply in order to work mischief.
+
+"We'll march with this company," Sergeant Corney said, in a tone of
+satisfaction, "an' it will be possible to have a look at the village
+without runnin' too many chances of losin' our hair."
+
+And thus it seemed to me that all our troubles were over, for I doubted
+not but that General Herkimer could induce the savages to give up their
+prisoner, and we would soon be on our way home with Peter Sitz as a
+companion; but, instead, we were just at the beginning of our
+difficulties.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter II.
+
+The Powwow
+
+
+
+When we had learned all that our acquaintances among the command could
+tell us, Jacob insisted that Sergeant Corney see General Herkimer without
+delay, in order to learn if that officer would so far interest himself in
+the fate of Peter Sitz as to make inquiries of Thayendanega regarding him,
+in case the opportunity offered.
+
+At first the old soldier was not inclined to ask for an interview with the
+commander, claiming that his own rank was not sufficiently high to warrant
+his making such a request; but those of the force who were listening to
+our conversation insisted that the general was not a stickler for rank,
+and would receive a private soldier with as much consideration as the
+commander of a brigade.
+
+Therefore it was that, after being alternately urged and entreated for
+half an hour, Sergeant Corney agreed to do as Jacob desired, and
+straightway set about seeking the leader, which was no difficult task,
+since his camp was a lean-to of fir boughs standing hardly more than fifty
+feet from where we were sitting.
+
+After the old man had left us, one of the soldiers asked if we had seen
+any Tories with Thayendanega's band, and I told him that, so far as I had
+been able to learn, the only white man among them was Peter Sitz, although
+we had not been so fortunate as to see him.
+
+"Why did you want to know?" Jacob asked, with mild curiosity, and the man
+replied:
+
+"It struck me that if any of the Mohawk Valley Tories were with Brant,
+General Herkimer would stand little chance of doing anything to aid the
+prisoner."
+
+"Why do you say that the general would hardly be able to do anythin' of
+the kind?" I asked. "Surely to one so high in command Brant would listen,
+when he might refuse even to speak with one of less rank."
+
+"The thought was not in my mind that Thayendanega himself would be opposed
+to our commander; but if you know what was done last year, it is easy to
+understand my meaning."
+
+To me the soldier was speaking in riddles, and I asked for an explanation,
+whereupon he told us that more than a year ago, when the Johnsons had
+collected a large force of men nearabout Johnson Hall, and among them
+fully three hundred well-drilled Scotch soldiers, General Schuyler marched
+with nearly three thousand militia to within four miles of the settlement,
+demanding that Sir John surrender all arms, ammunition, and warlike stores
+in his possession, together with the weapons and military accoutrements
+then held by the Tories and Indians under his command. In addition to
+which, the baronet was required to give his parole of honor that he would
+not attempt any act against the patriot cause.
+
+Sir John was at first furious because such a demand had been made; but,
+badly frightened by General Schuyler's display of force, he finally
+consented, since he could do nothing better, and the colonists marched to
+Johnson Hall, where the surrender was made.
+
+Then it was that General Herkimer was detailed to disarm the Tories in the
+valley, and while carrying out such orders quite naturally made enemies of
+the majority of them.
+
+Therefore it was, according to the belief of the soldier, that General
+Herkimer would have little or no weight with Brant so far as rescuing
+Peter Sitz was concerned, if there chanced at the moment to be Tories near
+at hand to whisper in his ear.
+
+Just now it seems necessary for me to set down that which happened after
+Sir John Johnson's surrender, if so it could be called, to General
+Schuyler, and I can best do it by copying that which I have seen in a
+printed sheet concerning our troubles in the Mohawk Valley:
+
+"It soon afterward became evident that what Sir John had promised, when
+constrained by fear, would not be performed when the cause of that fear
+was removed. He violated his parole of honor, and the Highlanders began
+to be as bold as ever in their oppressions of the Whigs. Congress thought
+it dangerous to allow Johnson his liberty, and directed Schuyler to seize
+his person, and to proceed vigorously against the Highlanders in his
+vicinity. Colonel Dayton was entrusted with the command of the expedition
+for the purpose, and in May (1776) he proceeded to Johnstown. The baronet
+had friends among the Loyalists in Albany, by whom he was timely informed
+of the intentions of Congress. Hastily collecting a large number of
+Scotchmen and other Tories, he fled to the woods by the way of the
+Sacandaga, where it is supposed they were met by Indians sent from Canada
+to escort them thither, for a certain time afterward, in one of his
+speeches, Thayendanega said: 'We went in a body to the town then in
+possession of the enemy, and rescued Sir John Johnson, bringing him
+fearlessly through the streets.'
+
+"Amid perils and hardships of every kind the baronet and his companions
+traversed the wilderness between the headwaters of the Hudson and the St.
+Lawrence, and after nineteen days' wanderings arrived at Montreal. Sir
+John was immediately commissioned a colonel in the British service; he
+raised two battalions of Loyalists called the Johnson Greens, and declared
+himself the bitterest and most implacable enemy of the Americans."
+
+Now it must be borne in mind that from information which we had received,
+there was every reason to believe Brant had come to place himself and his
+following under Sir John's command, and that before many days were passed
+we might expect the Mohawk Valley would be overflowed by all the Tories
+who had previously fled to Canada. Thus it can be understood that there
+would be such bloodshed and deeds of violence as had never before been
+known in the Province of New York.
+
+With this in mind, one can better understand why Sergeant Corney made the
+reservation which he did when promising Jacob he would do all within his
+power, up to a certain point, to aid in the rescue of his father.
+
+The old soldier returned from his interview with General Herkimer at about
+the same time our newly made friend finished his recital of what had been
+done in and around Johnson Hall, and, observing the look of satisfaction
+on the sergeant's face, I understood, even before he spoke, that his
+mission had been, at least in a certain degree, successful.
+
+"It is all right, lads," he said, seating himself by my side. "The general
+will do what he can; but whether that be much or little depends upon the
+way in which Thayendanega receives him."
+
+"Are we to march with this command to the village?" Jacob asked.
+
+"Ay, an' remain with it so long as suits our purpose."
+
+It seemed to me we could not in reason ask for anything more; that we
+were now in the best possible position to learn what Brant's purpose was,
+and at the same time to aid Peter Sitz, therefore I laid down to rest,
+contented in mind as I was wearied in body; but poor Jacob, feeling as if
+he might in some way wrong his father by seeking repose, paced to and fro
+near the camp-fire until my eyes were closed in slumber.
+
+The soldiers were astir at an early hour next morning; but before the
+column could be set in motion an Indian strode gravely into the encampment
+waving a bit of white cloth, and, on being questioned by the sentinels,
+announced himself as a messenger sent by Thayendanega with words to
+General Herkimer.
+
+The fact of his early arrival was sufficient to prove that the wily sachem
+had known of the movements of the soldiers for a certain length of time,
+--perhaps several days,--and this might explain why his march from Cherry
+Valley had been so steady and swift.
+
+It goes without saying that every man in the encampment was eager to know
+why this painted messenger had come, and I confess to crowding my way
+among the foremost of the curious in order to hear, if possible, all that
+was said.
+
+The Indian stood like a statue before the shelter of fir boughs, looking
+neither to the right nor the left until General Herkimer appeared and
+said to him, questioningly:
+
+"You have come from Captain Brant?"
+
+It is hardly necessary for me to set it down that, some time before this,
+Thayendanega had been given a commission in the British service.
+
+The messenger nodded gravely, and, after pausing until one might have
+counted ten, said:
+
+"Thayendanega asks why so many white soldiers are encamped near his
+village?"
+
+"I have come to see and talk with my brother, Captain Brant," General
+Herkimer replied, with the same stiff manner as that assumed by the
+messenger.
+
+"And do all these men want to talk with the chief, too?"
+
+"They have come to bear me company; they are my followers, as Captain
+Brant has his."
+
+"And do they also call Thayendanega 'brother'?"
+
+"Ay, and they hope he _is_ a brother to them."
+
+The Indian turned slowly in what I thought a most offensive manner, as he
+looked around at the faces of those who completely encircled him, and then
+would have moved away, but that General Herkimer asked:
+
+"Is Captain Brant in his village?"
+
+"He will tell his white brother where he may be found, after I can run
+five miles."
+
+"Meaning that you will go from me to him, and return?" the general asked;
+but it was as if the Indian did not hear the question, for he said, in a
+tone which to me was one of menace:
+
+"You will come no nearer Oghkwaga until Thayendanega shall give his
+permission."
+
+Having said this, he turned slowly about until facing the direction where
+I knew Brant and his followers encamped the night previous, when he
+stalked slowly away, giving no more heed to those who pressed closely to
+him than if he was the only person in that vast wilderness.
+
+To Jacob this enforced halt, at a time when he believed it was vitally
+necessary he should be making search for his father, was most painful, and
+despite all Sergeant Corney and I could say or do to relieve his distress
+of mind, the poor lad paced to and fro, as I was told he had during the
+long hours of the night, in a nervous condition pitiable to behold.
+
+When half an hour or more had passed, the old soldier said to me, in a
+more kindly tone than I had ever suspected he could use:
+
+"The lad is eatin' his heart out, an' all to no purpose. Can't you quiet
+him a bit, Noel?"
+
+"I have said all within my power, an' he turns a deaf ear," I replied,
+sadly.
+
+"Then I shall try my fist at it," and the old man went up to my comrade,
+taking him gently by the hand, and leading him into the thicket just
+beyond view of the encampment.
+
+There the two seemingly conversed for a long time, and I was left
+comparatively alone, until the soldier who had told us of General
+Herkimer's doings nearabout Johnson Hall, came up.
+
+Eager to get some idea of what the commander might be able to do with this
+Joseph Brant, whose name stood in my mind for all that was horrible in the
+way of cruelty, I asked how it was that General Herkimer could hope to
+influence one who was such a great enemy to the Whigs of the Mohawk
+Valley, and, in fact, to all white men save those who wore the uniform of
+the British king.
+
+He told me that at one time, before Thayendanega had become so powerful a
+sachem, he and General Herkimer were near neighbors, and quite intimate
+friends.
+
+It seems, from the story this soldier told me, that Sir William Johnson,
+Sir John's father, sent the Indian boy to school, and after he had
+received a good education gave him employment as secretary. During three
+years this now bloodthirsty savage acted as missionary interpreter, and it
+was said he did very much for the religious instruction of his tribe. When
+the colonists revolted against the oppressive rule of the king, Brant took
+the same side as did his patron, and having received a commission--some
+have said it was a captaincy, and others that it was a colonelcy--he
+became one of the most vengeful enemies we, who were devoted to the cause,
+had.
+
+Now, because of the past, General Herkimer hoped to turn him aside from
+his chosen path when he was just coming into power, and, boy though I was,
+it seemed to me a well-nigh hopeless task--one which had better never have
+been attempted, since in case of failure it would show to Thayendanega
+that the Whigs of the valley believed him an enemy who should be placated
+rather than resisted.
+
+However, that was none of my affairs, and I was not so forward as to air
+my views then when I was only a hanger-on by the sufferance of the
+commander.
+
+In two hours from the time he left our camp, the Indian messenger
+returned, still carrying the bit of white cloth, and came among us as if
+expecting we would bow before him.
+
+He was barely civil when General Herkimer advanced to receive him, and,
+without greeting the commander, he pointed toward a clearing in the
+wilderness half a mile or more away, as he said:
+
+"There will Thayendanega meet his brother, the white chief, and without
+firearms."
+
+"To-day?" General Herkimer asked.
+
+"When the next sun is three hours old Thayendanega will come with forty of
+his people, and his white brother will bring no more than that number."
+
+"It is well," General Herkimer replied, and it pleased me that he held
+himself yet more stiffly than did the messenger. "Say to my brother,
+Captain Brant, that we also will come without arms, and he and I shall
+meet as we met years ago, when there was no need to light the pipe of
+peace, because neither of us had listened to the songs of wicked men."
+
+The Indian stalked away as before, and when he was gone Jacob, who, with
+Sergeant Corney, had come up to hear what was being said, laid his hand on
+my shoulder affectionately.
+
+"I am goin' to be more of a man, Noel, havin' come to understand that
+nothin' can be gained by ill-temper or impatience; but it is hard to
+remain here idle when perhaps my father may at this moment be suffering
+torture."
+
+"If it was some one else's father, Jacob, you would say that there was no
+danger anything of the kind would happen while Brant is makin' ready for
+the interview with General Herkimer. Until that has come to an end your
+father is safe, an' perhaps when the powwow is over we shall have him with
+us."
+
+"So Sergeant Corney has been tryin' to make me believe, an' it must be
+true."
+
+During the remainder of the day Jacob did not give words to the sorrow
+which was in his heart, and perhaps it would have been wiser had he not
+tried to hold his peace, for, strive as he might, again and again I could
+see how earnestly he was struggling to remain silent.
+
+It is useless for me to attempt to set down all that we did or said while
+awaiting Thayendanega's pleasure. As a matter of course we indulged in
+much speculation regarding the outcome of the matter, and discussed at
+great length the possibility of General Herkimer's being able, even if he
+failed in other desired directions, to set free the prisoner whom Joseph
+Brant doubtless intended should suffer death at the stake.
+
+We passed the time as best we might, many of us finding it quite as
+difficult as did Jacob to restrain our impatience, and not a few openly
+declaring their belief that Brant was holding us idle simply that he might
+the better carry out some murderous scheme.
+
+As a matter of fact, it did seem to me no more than prudent General
+Herkimer should send out scouts to discover what the Indians were doing,
+and it was whispered about the encampment that one of his officers had
+suggested that such a precaution be taken; but the commander flatly
+refused, stating as his reason that it might prove fatal to all his hopes
+if the sachem should learn he was in any way suspicious because of the
+delay.
+
+"We must take our chances, remaining here idle and ignorant of what they
+may be doing, or it were better we faced about on the homeward march at
+once," the general was reported to have said, and after that he would have
+been a bold man indeed who suggested any other course.
+
+Well, the day passed, and so did the night, as all days and nights will
+whether one possesses his soul with patience or frets against that which
+he cannot remedy, and General Herkimer stood in the opening of his fir
+camp gazing at the men as if trying to decide whom he should take with him
+to the powwow, when Jacob stepped out in full view in order to attract the
+commander's attention.
+
+I knew that he made this move with the hope of being numbered among those
+who would leave camp to go to the rendezvous; but at the same moment I
+feared lest the general might be displeased because of his forwardness.
+
+Anything can be forgiven in a lad who burns with the desire to aid his
+father, however, and General Herkimer beckoned for my comrade to approach.
+
+I could not hear what was said during the brief conversation; but it was
+easy to guess the purport when Jacob came toward me with sparkling eyes.
+
+"We have the general's permission to go with him to meet Brant," he cried,
+and I asked with, perhaps, just a tinge of jealousy:
+
+"Meanin' you an' Sergeant Corney, eh?"
+
+"The three of us, so the general said."
+
+"Why did he happen to count me in?"
+
+"He asked how many had come with Sergeant Corney, an' when I told him, he
+said that all three of us could go with the detachment."
+
+As a matter of course we went, taking our stations at the head of the
+column just behind the commander, and when the word to march had been
+given I began to regret having thus been favored, for never one of us
+carried a weapon of any kind, and if Brant was in the humor he could have
+us all butchered before those whom we had left behind would get an inkling
+of what was going on.
+
+When we had come to the edge of the clearing which had been pointed out by
+the ill-mannered messenger, our further advance was stopped by two Indians
+who were rigged out in all the bravery of feathers, beads, and
+robes,--nothing missing in their toilet save the war-paint,--and told to
+remain at that spot until the sachem and his party arrived.
+
+It was treating General Herkimer rather shabbily, so I thought, to force
+him to wait like a child until the master was ready to put in an
+appearance; but there was nothing else to be done, and we squatted on the
+ferns and rocks a full half-hour before the man who was soon to be the
+great sachem of the Six Nations was pleased to show himself.
+
+Thayendanega had gotten himself up especially for the occasion, and a more
+gorgeous redskin I never saw.
+
+He had forty or more savages with him, and strutted on at their head as if
+he was a king, and we who had been waiting so long no more than the dirt
+beneath his feet.
+
+Then suddenly, as if until that moment he hadn't the slightest idea
+General Herkimer was anywhere in the vicinity, he sent one of his company
+to our commander, he himself continuing to move on until he stood in the
+very centre of the clearing. His followers ranged themselves behind him
+in a half-circle, remaining ten or twelve feet in the rear, and when the
+general went to meet his high mightiness our people took up their stations
+much as had the savages, thus completely surrounding the two leaders.
+
+Jacob and I stood where we could see all that was taking place, and hear a
+portion of what was said.
+
+Thayendanega began with compliments, and after General Herkimer had
+replied in much the same strain, the murdering villain asked bluntly why
+he had come.
+
+"To meet my old neighbor and friend," General Herkimer replied, whereupon
+Brant asked:
+
+"And have all those behind you come on a friendly visit, too? Do they also
+want to see the poor Indian? It is very kind."
+
+The general changed the subject of the conversation by speaking of the
+past, and wound up by hinting that it might be to Thayendanega's advantage
+to take sides with the colonists against the king; but he must soon have
+seen that he was not making much headway, for the sachem began to show
+signs of anger, and, after quite a long confab, said sharply:
+
+"We are with the king, as were our fathers before us. The king's belts are
+yet held by us, and we cannot break faith. You are resolute now in your
+rebellion; but before many days the king's soldiers will humble you to
+the dust."
+
+When this had been said, Colonel Cox, who was one of the general's party,
+cried sharply, and heeding not the fact that his voice was raised high:
+
+"We did not come here to listen to threats, and if we are humbled it will
+not be by such as those who follow Joseph Brant!"
+
+Unfortunately every Indian in the clearing heard the words distinctly, and
+in a twinkling the savages were running to and fro, giving vent to shrill
+war-whoops, while they called for those at the main encampment to bring
+their weapons.
+
+The colonel's incautious words were as a lighted match to gunpowder, and
+for the instant I firmly believed we would pay for his indiscretion with
+our lives.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter III.
+
+Disappointment
+
+
+
+During this time of confusion, when the life of every white man in the
+clearing was literally trembling in the balance, General Herkimer passed
+the word from one to another that we were all to stand firm without show
+of fear, and at the same time making no move which might be construed as
+in enmity.
+
+It was no easy matter to remain silent and motionless while the painted
+villains were running to and fro making a hideous outcry, and, as we knew
+full well, aching to strike us down.
+
+I know that, as for myself, I trembled like a leaf upon an aspen-tree--so
+violently that at times I feared the howling wretches would see the
+quivering of my limbs, and understand that already was I getting a
+foretaste of the death which they would have dealt out but for the
+restraining presence of Thayendanega.
+
+It was but natural I should look toward Sergeant Corney, and surely if
+there was one man in that clearing who obeyed General Herkimer's command,
+it was he! A graven image could not have been more stolid; one would have
+said that the uproar everywhere around was as the rippling of waters to
+him, and the Indians of less consequence than the dancing shafts of
+sunlight flickering amid the leaves when they are stirred by the morning
+breeze.
+
+I question if Jacob realized anything of what was going on around him. All
+his thoughts were centred upon the one idea of rescuing his father while
+there was yet time, and the lad waited eagerly for the conference between
+the leaders regarding the prisoner to be begun, heeding the remainder of
+the howling gang hardly more than did Sergeant Corney.
+
+Colonel Cox, the cause of all this disturbance, was even more terrified
+than I, as could be told by the expression on his face, and the
+finger-nails pressed deeply into the palms of his hands that he might
+control himself in obedience to orders, while as for the others, I know
+not how they deported themselves.
+
+At that instant my world was of small dimensions, consisting of only so
+much earth as that impassive red man and the open-hearted, honest patriot
+officer stood upon.
+
+Like bees the angry Indians swarmed to and fro between the encampment and
+our place of meeting, until all were armed with rifles, and it needed but
+the lightest word to convert that sunlit clearing into a theatre of the
+bloodiest deed in the history of the tribe whose wildest delight was the
+shedding of blood.
+
+Not until his followers were in such a frenzied condition that it seemed
+impossible another's will could restrain them, did Thayendanega speak, and
+then in a few words of the Indian language, uttered in so low a tone that
+I could not distinguish a single syllable, he calmed the tempest on the
+instant, until those who had been howling for our lives became like lambs.
+
+When all was hushed once more, the sachem said to General Herkimer,
+speaking calmly, almost indifferently:
+
+"The war-path has been opened across the country as far as Esopus, and the
+Tories of Ulster and Orange will join with the braves of Thayendanega's
+tribe to quell this revolt against the king, who is their father."
+
+Now it was that General Herkimer spoke earnestly, pleadingly.
+
+"Do not allow so weighty a question to be settled without further
+consideration, Captain Brant. Why should not you and I discuss it calmly,
+as we have in the olden days many a matter which was not so grave?"
+
+"You have seen how well inclined my young men are toward anything of that
+kind," Brant said, with a cruel smile. "Were I to say at this moment that
+we would consider the matter in council, it might not be possible even for
+me to restrain them, because their decision has already been made. The
+hatchet is raised!"
+
+"But surely you and I, Captain Brant, may talk of it among ourselves?"
+
+"Yes, that can be done," Thayendanega replied, indifferently, "and if it
+gives you pleasure to indulge in what can be of no profit, we will meet
+here again to-morrow morning; but now it were wiser my young men went back
+to the encampment."
+
+Then the sachem turned as if to move away, and General Herkimer,
+remembering what he had promised Sergeant Corney and Jacob, said, in a
+friendly tone:
+
+"Wait one moment, Captain Brant. I would make inquiries concerning a
+prisoner from Cherry Valley, whom it is said your people hold at this
+moment."
+
+"I know of no prisoner in our encampment," Brant replied, stiffly.
+
+"Let us not quibble on words, captain. Whether he be in your camp here, or
+at Oghkwaga, makes no difference. I ask if you will tell me concerning one
+Peter Sitz, who, but a few days since, when Lieutenant Wormwood of the
+American army was killed in ambush, your people made a prisoner?"
+
+"My young men may be able to tell you somewhat concerning him. I will ask
+them."
+
+"And will you, as a favor to a neighbor and an old friend, do whatsoever
+you may toward releasing the unfortunate man?" General Herkimer insisted.
+
+"I will ask my young men," was all the reply Brant would make, and then
+the powwow was brought to a sudden close as the sachem stalked toward the
+encampment, followed by all his people, and we of General Herkimer's party
+were left alone in the clearing.
+
+Now the word was given that we rejoin the main body quietly, and in double
+file, with no man straying from the ranks; but Sergeant Corney and I led
+Jacob between us, for the lad was well-nigh frantic with grief because no
+satisfaction concerning his father had been obtained from Thayendanega.
+
+We two said all we could in order to cheer the sorrowing lad, and that all
+was little. Neither he, nor we, nor General Herkimer himself, could effect
+anything whatsoever, save through the favor of the Mohawk sachem, and that
+was withheld for at least four and twenty hours, with the chances that at
+the expiration of such time we would receive nothing better from the wily
+savage than a refusal to answer any questions.
+
+I shall not attempt to set down very much concerning this long time of
+waiting for the second powwow, when it was doubtful if we would be allowed
+to leave the encampment without a bloody battle.
+
+Even General Herkimer had lost all hope of being able to dissuade Joseph
+Brant from the course he had already marked out for himself, and shared
+with his men the suspicion that before the second interview was come to
+an end we would be the victims of the sachem's treachery. This last we
+knew from the information which was whispered about the encampment, to the
+effect that the general had charged one of the soldiers--a man by the name
+of Wagner--with the duty of selecting two others, that the three might
+stand directly behind him at the next meeting with the Indians, and at the
+first show of hostilities shoot down Brant and the two sachems next him in
+authority.
+
+Wagner selected George and Abraham Herkimer, nephews of the general, and
+these three were prepared to face the most cruel of deaths, for certain it
+was that if they were obliged to make an attack upon the Mohawk chieftain,
+every Indian under his command would strive most earnestly to take them
+prisoners in order that they be made to suffer death by torture.
+
+How the day passed I hardly know. The soldiers talked among themselves in
+whispers, as men do in the presence of death. No one strayed beyond the
+limits of the encampment; but all waited in painful suspense for that hour
+to come when it should be known whether Joseph Brant was of the mind that
+we might return to our homes for the time being, or if he sought
+immediately to compass our death through treachery.
+
+Sergeant Corney and I spent our time in trying to soothe Jacob, who
+alternately reproached himself for remaining idle at the moment when he
+should be straining every nerve to aid his father, and relapsing into
+moody silence, which to me was far worse than the angry words.
+
+When another day had come we again marched into the clearing, the three
+who had been selected for the dangerous duty of protecting our leader in
+case of an outbreak, keeping close by his side.
+
+As I look back now upon what was afterward done throughout the length and
+breadth of that peaceful valley of ours, I regret most sincerely that
+those young men did not violate the unwritten laws and usages which the
+Indians themselves were ever ready to cast aside when it suited their
+purpose, and kill the bloodthirsty Brant whether his men showed signs of
+enmity or not.
+
+On this occasion we had not long to wait.
+
+Gathering in a semicircle behind General Herkimer as before, we were
+hardly in position when Thayendanega, clad in all the bravery of his
+savage garb, and, what was most ominous, bedecked in war-paint, strode
+into the enclosure, followed by such members of his party as had
+accompanied him the day previous.
+
+He did not wait for greetings, but began boastfully, while his painted
+fiends were yet taking their places, by saying, abruptly:
+
+"I have five hundred warriors with me, armed and ready for battle. You are
+in my power; but as we have been friends and neighbors, I will not take
+advantage of you."
+
+Then he made a gesture with his hand, and on the instant there burst from
+amid the foliage a seemingly endless number of savages, all painted for
+battle, who, coming down swiftly upon us as if to make an attack, uttered
+wild war-whoops as they discharged their rifles in the air.
+
+It was as hideous and terrifying a sight as I ever witnessed, and that our
+little company stood its ground is much to the credit of every man among
+us.
+
+Thayendanega remained half-turned from General Herkimer, and within two
+feet of the three men whose duty it was to shoot him with the rifles they
+had concealed under their blankets in case an absolute attack was made,
+and there watched the antics of his painted crew until perhaps five
+minutes had passed, when the savages sank down upon the ground as if
+exhausted, looking like so many images of demons.
+
+What Thayendanega said when the uproar was thus stilled, I cannot rightly
+set down, for my brain was in such a whirl, and fear so strong in my
+heart, as to prevent me from taking due heed of all that was passing--I
+realized only that death was literally staring us in the face.
+
+As Sergeant Corney afterward told me, Brant advised General Herkimer to go
+home, thanked him for having come to pay the visit, and said that at some
+near day he might return the compliment.
+
+"But the prisoner?" General Herkimer cried, when the sachem would have
+stalked away with a great assumption of dignity.
+
+"My young men will make no reply to my questions," Brant answered,
+unblushingly, although he must have known beyond a peradventure that we
+understood full well he was lying.
+
+"Is Peter Sitz yet alive?" General Herkimer asked, sternly.
+
+"There has been no prisoner put to death by my people since they left
+Cherry Valley," Thayendanega replied, as if irritated by the general's
+persistence, and, making another gesture with his hand, he sent back into
+the cover of the forest all his motley crew.
+
+Then he also walked away, as if fearing our commander would detain him
+with yet further questions, and the powwow, to take part in which three
+hundred men had marched so many miles, was come to an end without other
+result than the knowledge that the Mohawk chief would harry us of the
+valley to the best of his wicked powers.
+
+Thayendanega had hardly gained the shelter of the thicket before black
+clouds overspread the heavens, and it seemed as if in a twinkling the rain
+came down in torrents; sharp flashes of lightning zigzagged across the
+ominous-looking sky, and more than one around me declared it was a
+portent, a sign, a token of the tempest which was about to break upon our
+peaceful homes.
+
+When we were in camp once more, and General Herkimer was making his
+preparations to set off on the return march, Jacob declared that he alone,
+if we did not accompany him, would go into the Indian village, and there
+make inquiries for his father.
+
+Sergeant Corney and I spent a long hour persuading the lad of his folly,
+for after the powwow had come to such an abrupt end there was no question
+whatsoever but that Thayendanega would kill or make prisoner of every
+white man who crossed his path.
+
+For a time it was absolutely necessary that we two hold Jacob by force to
+prevent him from leaving us, and then gradually the boy came to understand
+that for his father's life he could only hope in the mercy of God, since
+even had General Herkimer been willing to risk a battle, in which he would
+have been greatly outnumbered by the savages, there was no hope he might
+effect the release of Peter Sitz.
+
+Sergeant Corney had an interview with the general after we had succeeded
+in quieting Jacob to a certain degree, and the commander advised that we
+return home without delay in order to give information as to what we had
+seen; but he did us three the honor of requesting, in case our services
+should not be needed immediately at Cherry Valley, that we would rejoin
+his force, which was to be stationed at the mouth of Oriskany Creek,
+without delay.
+
+He promised that we should have every opportunity of serving the patriot
+cause, and in order that we might be allowed to leave Cherry Valley again,
+he sent a written message to my uncle, of the purport of which I was then
+ignorant.
+
+We--meaning Sergeant Corney, Jacob, and myself--set off as soon as the
+conference with General Herkimer was at an end, on the long journey to our
+homes, knowing that the advance must be slow and cautious, for we had
+heard from Thayendanega's own lips that he was fully committed to the work
+of harrying the patriots.
+
+As I look back upon it now I wonder that we succeeded in traversing the
+wilderness, when Brant's force was so near at hand, without mishap; but,
+as it proved, we had more difficulty in persuading Jacob to accompany us
+than in eluding the foe whom we believed might spring upon us at any
+moment, and when we arrived home it was to learn that the danger to the
+inhabitants of the Mohawk Valley was more imminent even than when
+Thayendanega stalked away from the interview with General Herkimer.
+
+And this was the situation, as I afterward read it in printed letters:
+
+"A few days after this conference with General Herkimer, Brant withdrew
+his warriors from the Susquehanna and joined Sir John Johnson and Col.
+John Butler, who were collecting a large body of Tories and refugees at
+Oswego, preparatory to a descent upon the Mohawk and Schoharie
+settlements. There Guy Johnson and other officers of the British Indian
+Department summoned a grand council of the Six Nations.
+
+"They were invited to assemble to 'eat the flesh and drink the blood of a
+Bostonian'--in other words, to feast on the occasion of a proposed treaty
+of alliance against the patriots, whom the savages denominated
+'Bostonians' for the reason that Boston was the focus of the rebellion.
+There was a pretty full attendance at the council; but a large portion of
+the sachems adhered faithfully to their covenant of neutrality made with
+General Schuyler, until the appeals of the British commissioners to their
+avarice overcame their sense of honor.
+
+"The commissioners represented the people of the king to be numerous as
+the forest leaves and rich in every possession, while those of the
+colonies were exhibited as few and poor; that the armies of the king would
+soon subdue the rebels, and make them still weaker and poorer; that the
+rum of the king was as abundant as the waters of Lake Ontario; and that if
+the Indians would become his allies during the war, they should never want
+for goods or money.
+
+"Tawdry articles, such as scarlet cloths, beads, and trinkets, were then
+displayed and presented to the Indians, which pleased them greatly, and
+they concluded an alliance by binding themselves to take up the hatchet
+against the patriots, and to continue their warfare until the latter were
+subdued. To each Indian were then presented a brass kettle, a suit of
+clothes, a gun, a tomahawk and scalping-knife, a piece of gold, a quantity
+of ammunition, and a promise of a bounty upon every scalp he should bring
+in. Thayendanega was thenceforth the acknowledged grand sachem of the Six
+Nations, and at once commenced his terrible career in the midst of our
+border settlements."
+
+I had no more than time to tell my mother what I had seen, when my
+comrades were ready to set out for Oriskany Creek, counting to make their
+way over much the same ground we had just traversed.
+
+My uncle, Colonel Campbell, gave his consent to our departure after
+reading General Herkimer's message, and congratulated me, who deserved no
+praise, because I had succeeded in so far winning the confidence of a
+thorough soldier that he should make a personal request for the services
+of myself and my companions.
+
+It was not in our minds that we would remain very long with our new
+commander. Sergeant Corney believed General Herkimer had some especial
+matter in hand in which he thought we three might be of particular
+service, and when that was done we would be allowed to return home.
+
+Therefore it was that we still counted ourselves Minute Boys of the Mohawk
+Valley, and left our company in charge of John Sammons, who was to act in
+my stead until I came back.
+
+It pleased Jacob that we were to return to that portion of the country
+where we would be near Brant's forces, for he still cherished the hope of
+being able to aid in the rescuing of his father, if peradventure Peter
+Sitz yet remained in this world.
+
+Our stay in Cherry Valley was of no more than two hours' duration; but we
+learned much concerning the war in that time. Our little settlement seemed
+overrun with people because of the soldiers quartered there, regarding
+whom I have already written, and the inhabitants from miles around who had
+come to find a place of refuge.
+
+Already had word been brought in that there were then gathered at Oswego
+seven hundred Indians and four hundred British soldiers, under command of
+Sir John Johnson and Colonel Claus, and at Oswegatchie, or, as it is now
+called, Ogdensburg, were six hundred Tories ready to join Johnson's force.
+
+All that stood between these enemies and the broad bosom of the Mohawk
+Valley was Fort Dayton, that poor apology for a defence, and Fort
+Schuyler, not yet completely built and illy manned. That this last named
+fortification could withstand an assault by such an army as Sir John was
+evidently making ready to bring against it, few believed, and all with
+whom I talked during the short time of our stay at home, were looking
+forward to the future with the gravest fears and keenest anxiety.
+
+When, already weary and footsore, we took up our line of march to traverse
+the same paths over which we had just come, my company of Minute Boys
+insisted on accompanying us during the first half-dozen miles of the
+tedious journey; but it was not in triumph or rejoicing that we, all lads
+of Cherry Valley, left the little settlement. Our elders were disheartened
+and afraid, therefore we could well be excused for gloomy looks and timid
+whisperings, as we spoke of what might take place before I was able to
+resume command of the company which Sergeant Corney had spent so many
+hours in drilling.
+
+When the afternoon was well-nigh spent, and we had come to a halt that we
+might take leave of our escort, Sergeant Corney seemed to think it
+necessary he should do what he might toward putting courage into the
+hearts of those who had accompanied us, by saying, as if haranguing a full
+army:
+
+"You lads are looked upon in the settlement only as boys, and yet already
+have two of your number shown that they could stand steady, facing the
+gravest danger without flinching. Now is the time when you may prove
+yourselves men, as I believe you are in courage and ability. If you are
+called upon to confront the enemy, remember that there is nothing more
+glorious than to die in defence of your homes and your country. There is
+no way by which you can earn more honor than to have it said of you, 'He
+gave up his life for those he loved.' Better be shot down at the opening
+of an action, than to live through it in such a manner that your neighbors
+can point the finger of scorn at you, saying, 'There goes a coward!'"
+
+The old man ceased speaking abruptly, turned about without word or sign,
+and plunged into the thicket, Jacob and I following close at his heels.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IV.
+
+On the Oriskany
+
+
+
+As we three plodded wearily on day after day, all our senses quickened by
+knowledge of the many dangers with which we were surrounded, it seemed to
+me that we had begun our work in behalf of the Cause backward--as if this
+going to and fro over the same ground was a wilful waste of time when
+every hour was so precious.
+
+I said to myself again and again, that if General Herkimer really needed
+such services as we could render, it would have been better had we
+remained with him, rather than spend so many days and be forced to such
+severe labor as was required for the march to Cherry Valley and back.
+
+We had accomplished nothing of importance by going home. Colonel Campbell
+knew even more regarding Brant's movements than we could tell him, and it
+was by no means necessary he should be informed immediately as to the
+result of General Herkimer's interview with the Mohawk sachem.
+
+As the days passed, and our every effort was needed to enable us to
+advance without absolutely running into the arms of the savages, for it
+seemed as if they were everywhere in the wilderness, Jacob became more
+resigned, or so it appeared, since he ceased to insist that this or that
+impracticable move be made. I did not suppose he no longer mourned for his
+father, but believed and hoped he had come to understand we could not do
+anything toward effecting a rescue until all the circumstances were
+favorable.
+
+One day's march was much like another, and many passed before we were with
+General Herkimer again. We always camped in a thicket, taking good care
+not to leave a trail leading up to the place, and in this last task we did
+not consider the time spent as wasted, for on every hand could be seen
+signs of the enemy, therefore the utmost precaution was needed.
+
+All of us gave ourselves over to slumber as soon as we were stretched out
+on the ground, for however careful a watch might have been kept, it would
+not have availed if the enemy was bent on surprising us.
+
+In the early light of the new day either Jacob or I went out in search of
+small game, for it goes without saying that we could not have brought from
+home a sufficient amount of food to sustain us during all the time we
+spent roaming to and fro between Cherry Valley and the Oriskany.
+
+If we were fortunate enough to get so much meat as would serve for one or
+more meals, we cooked it by digging a hole in the ground, building therein
+a fire, and screening the smoke as best we might with boughs and ferns.
+That done, we satisfied our hunger while creeping slowly onward,
+oftentimes forced to spend an hour or more in making a détour around some
+particularly dangerous locality.
+
+If, as often happened, we failed of finding game, we buckled our belts the
+tighter and went on, consoling ourselves with the hope that fortune would
+favor us before nightfall.
+
+More than once would we have run upon a party of savages--Thayendanega's
+scouts or hunters--had it not been for the almost excessive precautions
+Sergeant Corney insisted on taking, and in such case there was no other
+course than to hide as best we might, and wait until the enemy was pleased
+to move on.
+
+Fortunately we did not come face to face with the redskins, therefore a
+detailed story of our march would be dull reading, for it could only be
+the same thing over and over again until the hour arrived when we entered
+General Herkimer's camp on the Oriskany, receiving there such a greeting
+from the commander himself as caused me to believe he really needed us for
+some important task.
+
+"You have done well to get back alive!" he cried, with a laugh. "It is
+pleasing to know that lads can do what many of their elders would balk at.
+So Colonel Campbell was willing to give you up to me?"
+
+[Illustration: "'You have done well to get back alive!'"]
+
+"He made no protest, sir," I replied, after waiting an instant for one of
+my companions to act the part of spokesman. "An hundred and fifty soldiers
+are quartered at Cherry Valley, and they, with the many who have made of
+the settlement a place of refuge, are in such numbers that three would
+neither be needed or missed."
+
+"That would depend on what stuff the three were made, according to my way
+of thinking. I have some work here which you can do better than any one
+else of whom I know, and the only question is whether you are willing to
+lay your shoulders to the wheel when there's a good bit of danger in so
+doing?"
+
+"We have come, sir, to do whatsoever offered, an' if the task which you
+have in mind could be performed with safety, then we might as well have
+stayed at home," I replied, and Sergeant Corney nodded to show that we
+were of one mind.
+
+"Since I last saw you the enemy has gathered in strong force about Fort
+Schuyler, and it is necessary we get some word to the commandant, who is,
+in fact, besieged."
+
+"That shouldn't be sich a terrible hard job, sir," Sergeant Corney said,
+speaking for the first time since we were received by the general.
+
+"True for you, but the reason why I haven't sent any of my own men before
+this is, that if the messenger should be discovered while trying to get
+inside, Joseph Brant would know for a certainty that we on the outside
+believed the garrison to be hard pressed, which would probably work no end
+of mischief, for at present the enemy has every reason to suppose Colonel
+Gansevoort has all the men and stores he can possibly need."
+
+"Why should he think differently if one of us was captured while tryin' to
+communicate with the besieged, sir?" Sergeant Corney asked, curiously.
+
+"Because you have every reason for going there, even though you had never
+heard that the fort was invested."
+
+I could not repress a look of surprise, for it was much as if the general
+was speaking in riddles, and, seeing the question on my face, he
+continued:
+
+"It is only natural that you from Cherry Valley should be searching for
+Peter Sitz, and the Indians, in case you were captured, would perforce
+believe such a story--"
+
+"Is my father in their camp, sir?" Jacob cried, eagerly.
+
+"Ay, lad, so I believe, otherwise I would not think it important you
+should act as my messengers. One of our scouts brought in word that
+Brant's immediate followers had a white prisoner with them, and it is
+reasonable to suppose him to be Peter Sitz, for, since we saw those
+scoundrels, they have kept out of mischief because of being in camp with
+the British and Tory soldiers."
+
+There was no need now of urging Jacob to undertake the mission; since he
+had what seemed like positive information of his father's whereabouts, he
+would have gone in the direction of the besieged fort whether General
+Herkimer so desired, or opposed it.
+
+As for my part, having really given up all hope of seeing Peter Sitz again
+in this world, the probable fact of his being alive quickened the blood in
+my veins until I forgot that our services were required for anything save
+the rescue of the prisoner.
+
+Sergeant Corney gave no token either of joy or indifference; he kept in
+mind only the duties of a soldier, and prepared himself for the dangerous
+mission by asking:
+
+"Can you tell me, sir, what force the enemy have in front of Fort
+Schuyler?"
+
+"Near one thousand seven hundred men--regulars, Tories, and Indians. St.
+Leger is in nominal command; but it is reasonable to believe that Sir John
+Johnson and Brant have much the same authority as he. Certain it is that
+they and none other can control their followers. Colonel Gansevoort has
+nearly a thousand men, with a six weeks' supply of provisions and
+ammunition for the small arms; but there is in the fort no more than four
+hundred rounds for the cannon, which is his most important means of
+defence. The situation is not yet critical, but may become so very soon,
+and we have more chance now for communicating with the commandant than is
+likely to be the case a week hence, when the besiegers have settled down
+to their work."
+
+"When shall we set out, sir?" I asked, as the general ceased speaking.
+
+"As soon as you have recovered from the fatigue of the journey. There is
+no time to be lost, unless you are eager to encounter more danger than is
+absolutely necessary."
+
+"There is no reason why we shouldn't set off at once," Jacob said,
+quickly. "We are not women, to be tired out by a bit of marchin'."
+
+I fancied from the expression on the general's face that it pleased him
+because my comrade showed himself so eager, and there was a tinge of
+bitterness in my heart as I understood that, whatever good to the Cause
+might be the purpose of our task, the commander was, in a certain degree,
+trading on Jacob's love for his father.
+
+It was not for me, however, to criticize, even in my own mind, anything of
+a military nature which might be on foot. I had had ample time since the
+powwow with Thayendanega to decide whether or no I would serve under
+General Herkimer, and, having come to a decision, it stood me in hand to
+do whatsoever lay before me without question.
+
+I held much the same opinion as did Jacob, however, although not because
+of the same reason.
+
+It seemed to me a most dangerous undertaking, this attempt to get a
+message into a fort which was besieged by so large a body of men; but
+since it must be done, unless we were willing to show the white feather,
+then I was eager to be at it, for danger appears greater when one stands
+idly by looking at it from the distance, than when it is actually
+encountered.
+
+Sergeant Corney, who had evidently been turning the matter over in his
+mind, said, after a time, to the commander:
+
+"It strikes me, sir, that we should get all the information we may
+concernin' the whereabouts of the enemy before settin' out. Not that I am
+askin' for any long delay," he added, quickly, observing a faint
+expression of displeasure on the general's face. "I would mingle among the
+men, to learn what they may know, from now until sunset, when, as it seems
+to me, our journey had best be begun. By startin' at that time we shall
+arrive before sunrise, an' thus have all the day in which to lay our plans
+for approachin' the fort."
+
+Jacob's eyes twinkled with satisfaction when he heard this proposition,
+and I believed he was thinking that if we lay in hiding a full day in
+front of the fortification, he might have opportunity to learn something
+concerning his father.
+
+"I shall leave to you who are most deeply concerned in the matter, the
+method of doing the work. Pick up all the information you can, and when
+you are ready to set out come to me for the final instructions."
+
+Then the commander half-turned, as if to show that the interview was at an
+end, and Sergeant Corney beckoned Jacob and me to follow him, reminding
+us, when we were comparatively alone, of the promise made at the time we
+first set out.
+
+"The day we left Cherry Valley on Brant's trail, you lads agreed to follow
+me without questionin', even when it seemed as if I might be goin' wrong,
+an' now has come the time for you to keep that well in mind."
+
+"There is no reason why we should not do so," I replied, promptly. "I
+doubt not but that you, who are versed in military matters, could direct
+such a task better than any in this encampment."
+
+"I'm not takin' that much praise to myself, lad; but do claim, because of
+havin' had more experience, to be better fitted for the work, after we are
+once arrived, than are you. I will go even so far as to say that on the
+trail or in the thicket you are my superiors, owin' to havin' been brought
+up to work which, except in this country, would be considered almost
+unsoldierly. Here is my first order: Mingle with the men of this
+encampment with the idea of fillin' your stomachs with food, an', that
+done, lie down to sleep until I shall summon you."
+
+"Sleep!" Jacob exclaimed, angrily. "Think you it would be possible for me
+to sleep now, when we know that the moment has come in which I may be able
+to aid my father?"
+
+"Ay, lad, but you must, whether you will or no. You can work for him best
+by preparin' your body for whatsoever of fatigue we may be called upon to
+undergo, an' since there is little chance we shall gain any rest durin'
+four an' twenty hours after leavin' here, it stands us all in hand to be
+prepared for the exertion."
+
+"Are you countin' on sleepin'?" Jacob asked, fiercely.
+
+"I am more accustomed to keepin' my eyes open durin' a long time than are
+you; but if it so be I have the chance, you may be certain I shall take
+advantage of it. Now, remember, eat an' sleep until I seek you out."
+
+Then the old man left us, and, watching for a moment, we saw him enter
+into conversation with this soldier and that, until it seemed as if he was
+bent on making the acquaintance of every member of the force.
+
+Jacob and I had little difficulty in finding as much food as we needed,
+after having explained why we had come into the encampment. The men were
+more than willing to divide their rations with us, and we might literally
+have gorged ourselves with the best in the camp had such been our desire.
+
+It was one thing for Sergeant Corney to say that we must sleep, and quite
+another for us to obey the command.
+
+It seemed to me that my eyes were never open wider than when I threw
+myself down upon the ground by the side of Jacob, striving my best to
+cross over into Dreamland. The thought of attempting to force our way
+through such an army as General St. Leger had under his command; of the
+possibility that we might, perhaps, come across Peter Sitz; the chances
+that Colonel Gansevoort would be forced to surrender even before we could
+arrive with information that reinforcements were near at hand, and, in
+fact, the numberless happenings which might occur to change the entire
+situation, served to drive sleep so far from my eyelids that I despaired
+of being able to summon it until sheer exhaustion should come.
+
+Jacob was lying, with closed eyes, so still that I half-believed he had
+succeeded in obeying Sergeant Corney's commands, and, bent on moving
+around among the men in the hope of thereby changing the current of my
+disagreeable thoughts, I crept softly from his side lest I awaken him.
+
+"Where are you goin'?" he asked, quietly, in a tone which told me he had
+been no nearer slumber than I.
+
+"I cannot sleep, an' that's a fact. Perhaps after walkin' around a bit I
+shall feel more like it."
+
+"I'll go with you," Jacob said, rising to his feet. "There is no hope I
+can sleep, although I am willin', if needs be, to make it appear as if I
+was unconscious."
+
+Taking heed not to go near Sergeant Corney, whom we could see in the
+distance, Jacob went from one group of soldiers to the other, and, as may
+be supposed, the chief topic of conversation everywhere was the
+possibility that Fort Schuyler could hold out against the large number of
+men who were besieging it, as well as the chances of General Herkimer's
+command being able to enter the place.
+
+Thus it was we learned that among Brant's following were savages from all
+the various tribes of the Six Nations, except the Oneidas, who remained
+faithful to their agreement to be neutral during the war. It was said that
+the besiegers were well supplied with everything necessary for the
+accomplishment of their purpose, including a large amount of ready money,
+and General St. Leger was willing to pay liberally for the services of
+those who would join him.
+
+It was also reported--the information having been brought in by
+scouts--that on the second day of the siege the British commander had sent
+to the fort a messenger, who, with many high-sounding words, recited the
+love of the king for those who remained loyal to him, and the punishment
+which would be inflicted upon those who continued in rebellion. This
+stream of bombast was concluded by direst threats in case the garrison
+held out against the demand for surrender, the sum and substance of which
+was that the savages would be allowed to commit every act of barbarity
+their ingenuity could devise, if an assault should become necessary.
+
+Nearly all the defenders of the fort laughed these threats and promises to
+scorn, and it was believed that Gansevoort's men would hold out to the
+bitter end.
+
+We heard very much in addition, which was really no more than camp gossip,
+and it is not necessary I set it down here.
+
+Before the close of the day both Jacob and I really succeeded in going to
+sleep, and the shadows of night were beginning to lengthen when we were
+aroused by Sergeant Corney.
+
+"I reckon I've heard all that the men in camp have to tell," he said, when
+I stood upright in obedience to the pressure of his hand upon my shoulder.
+"It only remains to get our instructions from General Herkimer before
+makin' the attempt to have speech with those in the fort."
+
+"Haven't you seen him yet?" I asked, in surprise, for it had been in my
+mind that the old man would make every preparation before summoning us.
+
+"No, lad. This is a venture in which we share the dangers equally, an'
+it's no more than right you should hear all which may pass between the
+general an' me. Therefore let us bring the business to an end as speedily
+as may be."
+
+Well, we presented ourselves before the commander, announcing that the
+time had come when we were to leave camp, and, considering all the risks
+which were to be run, it seemed to me as if the message he would have
+delivered was exceeding brief and unimportant, as compared with what might
+result from the attempt at delivery.
+
+"I shall not give you a written message, lest you fall into the hands of
+the enemy," he said, speaking in a kindly tone, and looking at us, as I
+fancied, pityingly, much as one would at those who had been selected as
+sacrifices. "It is in the highest degree necessary you get speech with
+Colonel Gansevoort, and to such end make disposal of yourselves so that
+should one, or even two, be taken or killed, the second or third may press
+on. Having arrived, say to the commandant that I shall leave this camp
+to-morrow morning, marching slowly toward the fort, and immediately after
+he has received the information he is to fire three cannon in rapid
+succession, thus notifying me that he understands the situation. You will
+not, under the most favorable circumstances, finish the journey in less
+than four and twenty hours, and by that time I shall be where the reports
+of the guns can be heard. Once the signal has been given, it is my purpose
+to attack the enemy, and Colonel Gansevoort is to make a sortie at the
+same time, when it is to be hoped our forces can be united."
+
+Having said this, the general insisted that each of us repeat the
+instructions so that he might know we understood them thoroughly, and
+then, clasping us by hand in turn, he bade us "Godspeed."
+
+I wish I might be able to say that my heart was stout when we left the
+encampment and were swallowed up by the shadows of the thicket; but such
+was not the case.
+
+I realized only too well all the dangers which were before us, and the
+odds against our being able to obey the general's orders. At the same time
+I knew that in event of failure there would be no possibility of retreat;
+but we would find ourselves in the hands of an enemy whose greatest
+delight consists in the most fiendish murder.
+
+As I figured it, out of a hundred chances we had no more than one of
+getting into the fort, and there remained ninety and nine in favor of our
+falling victims to Brant's crew.
+
+We had but just set out when I observed that Sergeant Corney had left
+behind him every superfluous article of clothing, and all accoutrements
+save the knife in his belt, whereupon I asked the reason for thus laying
+himself bare to the enemy.
+
+"You lads have each a rifle, which are all the weapons we need, for it can
+avail us nothing to make a fight. If we win it must be by strategy, not
+force, and in case of success it will be a small matter to provide
+ourselves with other arms."
+
+"At the same time it gives me courage to know that I have something with
+which to defend myself," Jacob said, with a laugh which had in it nothing
+of mirth.
+
+"Ay, lad, so I counted, otherwise I had advised that you follow my
+example. It can do no harm to take whatsoever you will, for that which
+hinders may readily be cast aside. Now let us come to an end of
+tongue-waggin', for silence is our safest ally."
+
+As the old man had said, either Jacob or I should have known more of
+woodcraft than did he, but on this night I dare venture to assert that
+there were not above a dozen in Joseph Brant's following who could have
+made their way through the thicket with less noise and in a more direct
+course than did he.
+
+From General Herkimer's encampment in an air-line through the forest to
+Fort Schuyler was not more than seven or eight miles, and, despite our
+slow progress, for one cannot travel rapidly when striving to advance
+without so much as the breaking of a twig, we counted on arriving in front
+of the enemy's lines by midnight. And this I believe we did.
+
+The first intimation we had that our journey was approaching a close came
+when we suddenly saw, directly in our line of advance, a faint light amid
+the thicket in the distance, and Sergeant Corney, who had been leading the
+way, halted quickly.
+
+"You lads are to remain here while I find out what portion of St. Leger's
+force is in front of us," he said, in a whisper, and then it was that I
+ventured to dispute his authority, having, as I believed, good reason for
+so doing.
+
+"You yourself have admitted that either Jacob or I could beat you out at
+work of this kind. Let me go, an' do you stay here."
+
+Then it was that Jacob insisted on performing the most dangerous portion
+of the work, and would have passed by me in the darkness to avoid a
+controversy, but that I clutched him by the arm, and Sergeant Corney
+whispered:
+
+"You lads shall lead the way, and I will follow at your heels; but
+remember what General Herkimer impressed upon us--that one _must_ get
+through, therefore if he who leads is captured, the other two shall leave
+him to his fate, for the life of a single human being is not to be counted
+when we are tryin' to save hundreds."
+
+It was not a time nor a place for argument, and in token of agreement with
+him I took up the lead.
+
+I did not attempt to go forward rapidly; but, half-lying upon the ground,
+I crept onward inch by inch, removing carefully with my hands every twig
+or dry leaf which might be in the path, lest by the lightest rustling of
+the branches I give warning to the quick-eared enemy of our approach.
+
+In such manner it was not possible to make other than slow progress, and I
+believe fully half an hour was spent in traversing the distance of a dozen
+yards, when we were come to where could be had a view of that which had
+attracted our attention.
+
+Nine Indians were lounging, on the opposite side of a river that we knew
+to be the Mohawk, around a small fire, over which were being cooked slices
+of fresh meat. They were talking earnestly among themselves meanwhile, for
+these red sneaks of the forest do not, when alone, maintain that silent
+dignity with which so many writers, ignorant of their customs, try to
+invest them.
+
+They were members of Brant's own tribe, as I knew from the language, with
+which I was reasonably familiar, and after a few moments it was possible
+to gather from the conversation that St. Leger had interfered in some way
+with their plans, or thwarted their desires.
+
+The stream was not so wide at this point but that we could hear fairly
+well what they said. It seemed necessary I should learn all I might before
+we crept past the small encampment, and, never dreaming how much of
+anguish the listening might cause my comrade, I remained silent and
+motionless, until enough had been said to convince me that their grievance
+consisted in the fact that they had not been allowed to indulge in the
+amusement of torturing a prisoner during that same evening.
+
+Then it flashed upon me that it was Peter Sitz of whom they spoke, and
+involuntarily I moved backward, the one thought in my mind being to
+prevent Jacob from hearing; but the vigor with which he clutched me by the
+leg told that it was too late. The lad had heard as much as I, and to his
+mind the prisoner spoken of could be none other than his father.
+
+For a moment I ceased my efforts at retreat, and then, realizing that if
+we would take Jacob with us to the completion of General Herkimer's
+commands, he must not be allowed to hear anything more, I would have
+backed away rapidly.
+
+To my dismay and sorrow, however, he held me as if in a grip of iron, and,
+despite all silent efforts on my part, I was forced to remain.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter V.
+
+Divided Duty
+
+
+
+I could not find it in my heart to blame Jacob for being eager to learn
+all he could regarding his father, and it certainly seemed as if we might
+hear that which would at least tell us who this prisoner was that they
+were so keen to torture; but surely we were not warranted in lingering for
+the possible saving of one human life, when by our delay hundreds might be
+placed in gravest danger.
+
+However, I could not retreat, because Jacob held me firmly in his clutch,
+from which I would have been unable to release myself save at the cost of
+betraying our whereabouts.
+
+With the hope that the lad might soon come to realize that we must be
+attending to General Herkimer's business, I remained silent and
+motionless, straining my ears to hear what the painted snakes were saying,
+and at the same time expecting to receive a silent protest from Sergeant
+Corney because of remaining inactive when the moments were so precious.
+
+In less than a single minute I knew that the savages were speaking of
+Peter Site, and the tightening of Jacob's grip told that he too was aware
+of the fact.
+
+Because I can understand only a few words here or there of Brant's native
+tongue, it would be impossible to set down exactly what the villains said;
+but I caught enough to understand that the prisoner in whom we were so
+deeply interested was not far distant,--probably at the main
+encampment,--and Thayendanega was protecting him at least from the
+torture. Why the sachem had taken such an interest in the unfortunate man
+I could not make out; most likely the savages themselves were ignorant on
+that point.
+
+It appeared to me, from the conversation, that there was much hard feeling
+on the part of the Indians because they were not allowed to indulge in an
+amusement which had been countenanced by more than one officer of the
+British army, and I fancied that Thayendanega, great sachem though he now
+was of the Six Nations, would have no little trouble in holding his
+precious followers in check.
+
+When I had learned as much as has been set down here, I felt a tugging at
+my shirt, and knew, without seeing him, that Sergeant Corney was not
+willing to remain at this point any longer.
+
+The savages had begun to speak of St. Leger, and what he might succeed in
+doing so far as the siege was concerned, therefore it did not seem
+probable we would hear more regarding Peter Sitz.
+
+This much Jacob must have understood as well as I, for when I forced
+myself backward, pushing vigorously against him, he gave way, and we thus
+slowly retreated until having gained such a distance from the feasting
+murderers that it seemed safe to rise to our feet.
+
+"To what were you listenin'?" Sergeant Corney asked, in a whisper, and
+with no slight show of anger because I had lingered so long.
+
+In the fewest words possible I told him what we had heard, and when I was
+come to an end of the brief recital, Jacob asked, as if believing that now
+all our plans would be changed:
+
+"What are we to do?"
+
+"That for which we came," Sergeant Corney replied, decidedly.
+
+"But we know that my father is near at hand, and, if Thayendanega grows
+careless or indifferent, will be tortured to death."
+
+"Ay, lad, an' I could be no more sorry if Peter Sitz was my brother; but
+we cannot now do anything to aid him, even though the way lay clear before
+us," and the old man laid his hand on Jacob's shoulder as if to give
+emphasis to the words. "We are to push on toward the fort, an' must not
+heed any other duty."
+
+"But we stand as much chance of rescuing my father as we do of gettin'
+speech with Colonel Gansevoort, an' surely you will not leave a friend to
+be tortured to death?" Jacob said, pleadingly, and speaking incautiously
+loud.
+
+"Lad, we have no choice in the matter. If General Herkimer was in your
+father's place I would turn my back on him until after our work had been
+done. Can't you see that by loiterin' now we may be sacrificing all those
+brave fellows who are making ready to march from the Oriskany in the hope
+of aiding in holdin' the fort?"
+
+"That is your final word?" Jacob asked, sharply, and Sergeant Corney
+replied, feelingly:
+
+"It cannot be otherwise. We are bound first to obey orders, even though a
+dozen of our best friends were bein' led to the stake, an'--"
+
+"Then you will obey them without me," Jacob said, in a tone which I knew
+full well betokened a purpose from which he would not be turned by words.
+"Two will stand a better chance of gainin' the fort than three, an' _my_
+duty calls me to Thayendanega's camp."
+
+"But surely you will not attempt to go there alone!" I cried, in horror.
+"Even though you should come face to face with your father, you could not
+hope to set him free!"
+
+"I would rather die by his side than have him believe I remained idle
+while he was in such terrible danger."
+
+"If you cannot be persuaded, we must leave you, an' that without delay,"
+the old man said, sadly. "God knows I would do all a man might to aid
+Peter Sitz; but if he was here at this minute, knowin' that the stake was
+bein' made ready for him, he would say that we were bound to keep on
+toward the fort regardless of his fate."
+
+"I shall go to him," Jacob replied, quietly, and Sergeant Corney turned
+aside with a sigh.
+
+But that I knew beyond a peradventure it was useless, I would have said
+all in my power to keep him with us; but his mind was fixed, and, to tell
+the truth, I could not well blame him for doing as I would have done,
+regardless of any duty I might owe to General Herkimer.
+
+"We can say nothing more, lad?" Sergeant Corney said to me, inquiringly,
+and I shook my head, for so great was the grief in my heart that just then
+I could make no reply.
+
+I believe Jacob understood how keen was my sorrow at thus parting, when
+the chances were that we would never meet again in this world, for, as if
+to put an end to the agony, he turned abruptly, not even stopping to press
+my hand, and in an instant was lost to view amid the gloom of the forest.
+
+Already had our venture, so it appeared to me, cost the life of one of our
+small party, and mentally I reproached myself bitterly for having left
+Cherry Valley to take service with this General Herkimer, who could as
+well have sent some other in our place, for surely all in his command were
+not known to Thayendanega's following. I, as captain of the Minute Boys
+stationed at Cherry Valley, could not have been accused of refusing to aid
+the Cause had I failed to serve under the general, so far from my post of
+duty.
+
+As it was, however, we had come a long distance from our friends, and
+already sacrificed a life uselessly, so it seemed to me then in my
+bitterness of spirit.
+
+"Come, lad," Sergeant Corney whispered, shaking me roughly by the shoulder
+as if he would drive from my mind the painful thoughts. "We cannot do as
+Jacob would have us, and there is an end of that matter. Get to work, and
+it may be that 'twixt now an' morning but one of us will remain to carry
+the message."
+
+I had never before heard the old man speak in so despondent a tone, and it
+seemed an evil omen, coming as the words did when we were ready to plunge
+into the most dangerous portion of the work.
+
+In silence I led the way once more, making such a détour as I thought
+would carry us safely past that party of savages from which we had gained
+such painful information, and perhaps half an hour was spent in advancing
+at a snail's pace; but in the direction where we supposed the fort stood.
+
+Now it was I realized that some one well acquainted with the locality
+should have been sent with us, for we were obliged to go on blindly, as it
+were, trusting that chance, and what we might see of the disposition of
+the enemy's forces, would bring us to the point we desired to gain, for
+neither of us had ever visited Fort Schuyler.
+
+At the end of half an hour I came to a sudden standstill, for we were
+within a few paces of half a dozen white men, as could be told even in the
+darkness by the outlines of their clothing.
+
+These last appeared to be stationed at that point, for none of them made
+any attempt to go away during the two or three minutes I remained
+motionless, although why so many should have been placed there as
+sentinels, when one would have served the purpose, I failed to understand,
+and it perplexed me not a little, for it was necessary that we should know
+whether we were inside the lines, or simply confronting their outlying
+pickets.
+
+There was nothing for it, however, but to crawl backward half a dozen
+yards, and then make another détour, and while this was being done
+Sergeant Corney had only a single question to ask, which was as to whether
+I had seen white men or Indians.
+
+"White men," I replied, "and no less than half a dozen standing in a
+group, as if stationed there."
+
+The old man paused an instant, as if quite as much perplexed as I, and
+then whispered:
+
+"Go on. We are like to run across more than one such snag, an', what is
+worse, don't have a clear idea of whether we shall come plump on to the
+fort, or go a considerable distance to one side of it."
+
+Again I advanced, making an even wider détour than before, and in ten
+minutes, perhaps, we were come upon a single sentinel,--a soldier,--who
+stood leaning against a tree as if half-asleep, and I was less careful in
+passing him because he did not appear to be particularly on the alert.
+
+Again and again we nearly stumbled upon a squad of men, small parties of
+Indians, or a single sentinel, until it seemed to me as if all St. Leger's
+force must be distributed throughout the thicket, and I began to despair
+of ever making our way through.
+
+Now we were where it seemed as dangerous to retreat as to advance, and I
+strove manfully to keep from my mind all thoughts of the perils that
+surrounded us, lest I grow faint-hearted at the very time when all my
+courage was needed if we would save our lives.
+
+To do this it was only necessary I think of Jacob and his hazardous
+venture, which could serve no good purpose even though he succeeded in
+avoiding the enemy, therefore my mind dwelt on the perils which confronted
+him, causing me in a measure to forget where I myself stood.
+
+To go on in such a manner was most wearisome, and I was well-nigh at the
+end of my strength when a faint lightness in the eastern sky gave warning
+that the day was near at hand.
+
+At the same moment I observed this fact, the sergeant gripped me by the
+arm, and, understanding he would have speech with me, I halted.
+
+"It is time we went into hidin', lad, although I did count we would come
+within sight of the fort before bein' obliged to call a halt."
+
+"Where can we hide here?" I asked, bitterly, and, strange as it may seem,
+I began to realize, for the first time since the general had explained
+what he would have us do, that we must remain concealed from view during
+all the hours of daylight, and that while we were literally surrounded by
+the enemy.
+
+"We must take our chances in the first dense thicket, wherein may be found
+a stout tree, that we come across," he replied, "an' now instead of tryin'
+to get a sight of the fortification, turn all your efforts toward findin'
+a hidin'-place."
+
+This promised to be as difficult a task as I had ever undertaken, for how
+would it be possible in the darkness to say whether one thicket was denser
+than another, and, without spending precious time in the examination, to
+learn if there was a stout tree within any certain clump of bushes?
+
+Because the sergeant had said we were to halt where was a tree, I believed
+he proposed spending the day amid the branches, and any one who has ever
+been in a forest can readily understand how few there are of such
+hiding-places.
+
+However, we were there, and within another hour must be screened from view
+after some fashion, therefore it was useless to grumble, or say this or
+that movement was impossible; but rather I should do the best I might, and
+trust to the chapter of accidents that I did not lead my companion into
+what would prove to be a trap.
+
+All the thicket looked dense in the night, but when I was finally come to
+a clump of bushes through which it was difficult to force my way, I
+stopped and whispered to Sergeant Corney.
+
+"This seems to be such a place as you would have; but who can say whether
+it will answer our purpose?"
+
+"So much the worse for us if it does not," the old man replied, grimly.
+"Make your way in, an' if there be no tree to give us a roostin'-place, we
+must take our chances on the ground, for the day is comin' on apace."
+
+And indeed he said no more than the truth; already was it possible for me
+to see surrounding objects, dimly, to be sure, but more clearly than when
+we first began searching for a place of refuge.
+
+Unless we were concealed from view within half an hour, we might as well
+march straight to the nearest sentinel and give ourselves up as prisoners.
+
+There was much to be desired in this thicket which we had chosen by
+chance, as was learned when we were well within it. Several large trees
+grew amid the clump of bushes, to be sure; but the foliage was not so
+dense that one who passed near at hand with reasonable alertness would
+have failed to discover us lurking there.
+
+"It is better than the open country," Sergeant Corney said, when I would
+have found fault with our blind choice. "We will burrow amid these small
+bushes until daylight, an' then, if necessary, go to roost."
+
+I had in my pocket a small piece of corn bread, and, when I would have
+divided it with the old man, he showed me about the same quantity, which
+he had saved in event of just such an emergency, and we munched the dry
+food with no very keen appetites, but eating at this the first
+opportunity, in order to keep up our strength for the struggle which must
+ensue before we gained speech with those in the fort.
+
+My sorrow because Jacob had left us on a venture from which I did not
+believe he could ever return, was so great that I felt no desire for food,
+but ate it from a sense of duty, even as I had turned my back on my
+comrade when he needed aid.
+
+One does not make haste with such a meal, and when I had swallowed the
+last dry crumbs, which were like to have choked me, the day had fully
+come.
+
+It can readily be imagined that we crept even nearer the edge of the
+thicket than was really safe in order to get some idea of our position,
+and to my great surprise and delight I found that we had come in as direct
+a course as if we had followed a blazed trail.
+
+There before us, and less than three hundred yards distant, was the
+fortification over which was floating the flag made from Capt. Abraham
+Swartwout's cloak, and because we were on high ground it was possible to
+see the Americans moving about within, bent on this task or that duty.
+
+After one hasty glance we crept back into the middle of the thicket, and
+there, surrounded by hundreds of enemies, we two held a whispered
+conversation regarding the situation.
+
+It was only natural we should first congratulate each other on our good
+fortune in having come unwittingly to the very spot we most desired to
+gain, and then I said, simply giving words to the thoughts which had
+entered my mind as I gazed upon the fortification:
+
+"He who crosses the clearing between here and the fort, even though it be
+in the night, needs to wriggle along like a snake, else will one of
+Thayendanega's painted beauties lift his scalp."
+
+"It is a bit open jest in front of here; but I took note that further to
+the westward was a little more of green," Sergeant Corney said, half to
+himself, and I knew he was picturing in his mind the two of us making the
+attempt where was not a blade of grass to give shelter, for the "green" of
+which he spoke was nothing more than the fragment of a bush near the
+stockade.
+
+"How are we to attract their attention, providin' we succeed in creepin'
+up under the wall?" I asked, after a long pause, and he replied, grimly:
+
+"I'll answer that question after you've told me how we're goin' to stop
+'em shootin' at us while we're tryin' to get across."
+
+Then it was I understood that even though the enemy did not see us while
+we were making our way over the plain, the sentinels in the fort were
+doubtless on the alert against just such an attempt on the part of the
+Indians, and there was little question but that they would fire at any
+moving thing which came within their line of vision.
+
+"It seems to me that we'll be between two fires," I said, with a feeble
+attempt to speak in a jovial tone, and Sergeant Corney's reply was much
+like a bucket of cold water full in my face.
+
+"That's exactly the case, lad, an' I'm countin' that betwixt 'em we'll be
+peppered in fine shape, else there are some mighty poor marksmen
+hereabouts."
+
+"Why didn't you tell the general that we couldn't carry his message?
+Didn't you think of all this at the time?"
+
+"Ay, lad, it was pictured in my mind much as we see it now; but he said we
+were to do the job, an' it wasn't for me to point out the danger."
+
+"Why not, if you felt certain we would be shot?" I cried, angrily.
+
+"Because a soldier has good reason when he enlists to expect he'll stop a
+bullet, else what would be the need of powder an' ball?"
+
+Having said this, the old man relapsed into silence, as if he was trying
+to figure out how the work might be done with less of danger, and I sat
+staring at him in a rage, for to my mind he had much the same as
+compassed his own death and mine by not speaking of all the perils in our
+path.
+
+Now it was that I almost envied Jacob his position. It is true the odds
+were strongly against his being able to make his way through the camp
+without being captured, yet it was possible for him at any time to give
+over the attempt and retrace his steps, whereas we were absolutely penned
+up in the thicket, where retreat was even more perilous than advance.
+
+Fume and fret as I might, it was not possible to mend matters, and I
+stretched myself out at full length under the bushes, with the idea in
+mind that it would be better if we were captured at once, for then we
+would be spared just so much suspense, yet when Sergeant Corney suggested
+that we were not as well hidden from view as we should be, I was alarmed
+on the instant.
+
+How that day was passed by us I can hardly say even now, when I look back
+calmly upon all the incidents which were then so terrifying.
+
+We had eaten the last crumb of our corn bread in the morning, without
+appeasing the hunger which assailed us, and now could only chew the twigs
+of the bushes, striving to make ourselves believe we extracted nourishment
+therefrom.
+
+More than once straggling soldiers or Indians passed near where we were
+hidden; but no one thought of searching the thicket for those who were
+friendly to the garrison, because none save idiots like ourselves would
+thus have ventured into the lion's mouth.
+
+Screened as we were from the lightest breath of wind, it was cruelly hot
+in that hiding-place. Tiny streams of perspiration ran down my face,
+wetting the leaves beneath my head, and I chewed them in the vain hope
+that the suspicion of moisture might serve to quench my thirst.
+
+I rejoiced when the sun began to sink in the west, even though it was, as
+I believed, bringing the hour of my death so much the nearer; but I soon
+came to understand that Sergeant Corney was not disposed to make the
+perilous venture without first having taken all possible precautions for
+our safety.
+
+When the day was within an hour of its close, I suddenly became aware that
+the old soldier was stripping the fringe from his shirt, and immediately I
+sat bolt upright, fancying for the moment that he had lost his reason.
+
+"What are you doin'?" I asked, sharply, and he replied, with a faint
+smile:
+
+"If the sentinel who stands on the wall of the fort facin' us is 'tendin'
+to his business as a soldier should, then there's a chance I can let him
+know these 'ere bushes shelter decent people."
+
+While speaking he had been cutting cautiously with his knife one of the
+longer branches which helped to screen us from view, and when it had been
+severed he trimmed it with infinite care, as if our welfare depended upon
+its being smooth and clean.
+
+When this had been done to his satisfaction, and it seemed to give him
+greatest pleasure to keep me in suspense as to his purpose, he tied to the
+smaller end of the stick the fringe from his shirt.
+
+"You're goin' to creep out an' wave that!" I cried, in the tone of one who
+has made a great discovery.
+
+"You can set it down as a fact that I won't creep very far out," the old
+man replied, with a smile. "It's only the ghost of a chance that anybody
+will take heed of it, an' yet there's no harm in the tryin'."
+
+When finally he crept cautiously out toward the edge of the thicket, I
+watched him as eagerly as if all our troubles would be over in case we
+succeeded in attracting the attention of those in the fort, whereas, no
+matter how many of our friends might see the waving fringe, we would still
+be in the same danger of getting a bullet from the besiegers.
+
+"It ain't any ways certain that some of these sneakin' Injuns don't see my
+signal before one of the garrison does, in which case we won't have to
+puzzle our heads about gettin' into the fort; but if they should jump on
+me, you'd best take to your heels. There's a bare chance you might give
+'em the slip in the squabble, for I shouldn't knock under while there was
+any fight left in me."
+
+[Illustration: "Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and
+fro"]
+
+Then, peering through the branches, I could see the sentinel on the wall
+near the sally-port, and it goes without saying that I watched with my
+heart in my mouth for some gesture which might tell that he understood
+what was of so much importance to us.
+
+It was fortunate that we had blindly stumbled upon a hiding-place a few
+yards in advance of the enemy's line of watchers, otherwise the scheme
+could never have been successful. Even as it was, I expected each instant
+that some painted snake would take it into his wicked head to wander
+around in front of the thicket, when the game would come to a speedy end.
+
+Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and fro in such a manner
+that the dull color of the deerskin might offer a contrast against the
+green of the foliage, and when five minutes or more had passed without any
+movement on the part of the sentinel, I said to myself that there was no
+possibility we could catch the man's eye.
+
+The old soldier was not one easily discouraged. During ten minutes more he
+continued his efforts, now moving the stick to and fro, and again giving
+to it an up-and-down motion, and then, at the very moment when all hope
+had fled from my heart, I saw the man straighten himself suddenly, as he
+shaded his eyes with his hand.
+
+Then there could be no doubt but that Sergeant Corney had succeeded in his
+purpose, for the soldier waved his hand twice, and bent over as if
+speaking to some one on the inside.
+
+Now it was that I expected the old man would return to my side and chuckle
+over our good fortune; but he remained at the edge of the thicket while I
+might have counted twenty, and then a second member of the garrison had
+clambered up beside the first.
+
+Another hand was waved in reply, and then, having finished his task in
+good shape, Sergeant Corney crept back to me as he whispered, gleefully:
+
+"I reckon we needn't fear that any of the garrison will shoot at us this
+night, an', what's more to our advantage, we won't be called on to lay
+behind the walls very long tryin' to attract attention."
+
+"It was a great plan!" I replied, as if all our troubles were at an end,
+and then again came the thought that it would be necessary for us to creep
+out from the thicket under the very noses of those who were on guard, and
+straightway all my fears returned.
+
+It no longer seemed to me as if we had gained any great advantage from the
+old man's efforts.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VI.
+
+Between the Lines
+
+
+
+As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst
+and the hunger which had assailed me. So great was the fear in my mind
+because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed
+as nothing.
+
+It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances
+were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be
+killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet
+the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I
+have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.
+
+The only thing in our favor was that the night promised to be dark.
+Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger,
+and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be
+covered as with a black veil.
+
+After having succeeded in attracting the attention of the sentinels,
+Sergeant Corney crept back to my side, lying there at full length and in
+silence. I believed his anxiety as to the outcome of this mad venture was
+so great that he did not dare indulge in conversation, and because of such
+idea was I even more cast down in spirit.
+
+I tried to count the seconds in order to have some knowledge of the
+passage of time; but could not fix my mind upon such a simple act.
+
+When it seemed to me as if the night was considerably more than
+half-spent, I whispered tremblingly to my companion:
+
+"Have you given over tryin' to gain the fort?"
+
+"Why should you think so, lad?" he asked, as if in surprise. "We had best
+make the venture after midnight, rather than now while the enemy is
+astir."
+
+So great was my fear as to what the future might have in store for us that
+I had failed to hear the hum of voices, until my attention was thus
+attracted, and then I realized that it was yet quite early in the evening,
+instead of well toward morning, as I had supposed.
+
+Because he did not speak again I understood that Sergeant Corney was not
+inclined for conversation, and I lay there motionless and silent until it
+was as if twice four and twenty hours had passed, when the old man, rising
+to a sitting posture, whispered, cautiously:
+
+"I reckon, lad, that the time has come for us to make a try at deliverin'
+the general's message. As I figger it, we had best bear off to the
+westward, strikin' the fort on that side nearabout where the fragment of a
+bush stands, than to push on for the main gate. It seems reasonable the
+enemy will watch that part of the works closer than any other, in order to
+guard against a sortie, an' if Colonel Gansevoort has been told of our
+signals, every sentinel will be on the alert for us."
+
+"Well?" I asked, as he ceased speaking for an instant.
+
+"We'll do the trick after this fashion: You shall go ahead, an' I'll keep
+two or three paces in the rear."
+
+"Why do you propose such a plan as that?" I asked, suspiciously, and the
+old man replied, hesitatingly, as if averse to having his reasons known:
+
+"In case they see us before we are well on our way, he who is in advance
+stands the best show of escapin'."
+
+"But why should my chances be made any better than yours?" I asked,
+angrily, for even though I was afraid of the venture, it was not in my
+mind to be treated like a child, as seemed to be the case when the old man
+was considering my safety rather than his own.
+
+"Well, lad, there are two reasons, 'cordin' to my way of figgerin', but
+the last is the strongest. First off, I have a much shorter time to live
+in this world than you, therefore, if one life is taken, it had best be
+mine, so far as the patriot cause is concerned. Then agin, an' this has
+weight to it, in case we are chased you should be able to run faster than
+me, an' we must bear in mind the fact that to deliver the message is the
+one important thing--our lives amount to very little compared with that."
+
+I could not well make protest after this explanation, and, in fact, it
+seemed to me that there was little choice of position. If the enemy
+discovered us at any time while we were between the lines, our fate was
+well-nigh certain, and he who was three paces in advance would have no
+more show of escaping the bullets than the one who remained in the rear.
+
+"Are we to go now?" I asked, striving earnestly to prevent my voice from
+trembling.
+
+"Ay, lad, I reckon it's time," and the old man tightened his belt as he
+spoke. "Throw away your rifle, or strap it on your back where there's no
+chance it will hinder the progress, an', once havin' started, keep your
+mind well on the fact that we must get there, heedin' not what lies
+behind."
+
+Then he gently forced me to the edge of the thicket, where we halted an
+instant to make certain there was no one in the immediate vicinity, after
+which was begun such an advance as I hope never to be forced into again,
+for of a verity it was nerve-shattering.
+
+Strive as I might it was impossible, during the first two or three minutes
+of the painful journey, to prevent myself from fancying that half a dozen
+of Thayendanega's painted wolves were creeping up close behind me,
+enjoying the mental torture caused by my suspense, and then suddenly my
+mind was cleared of fears, even as the heavens are of clouds after a
+storm, as I ceased to think of what lay behind, remembering that my
+efforts _must_ be successful else patriot blood might flow in streams.
+
+We were lying flat upon the ground, pulling ourselves painfully along by
+our hands, and pushing with our toes whenever it was possible to get a
+leverage on the hard earth, moving perhaps no more than twelve inches each
+moment.
+
+Had St. Leger's sentinels kept the strict watch which the siege demanded
+of them, we would not have gone a dozen paces before being discovered.
+
+But that we did move out from the thicket without causing an alarm was, as
+I believe, due to the fact that the enemy contented themselves with
+watching the main gate of the fort, fancying that only from such quarter
+could any danger menace them. They had so many scouts out between the fort
+and Oriskany that it probably seemed to be an absolute impossibility any
+of the patriots could come through their lines undetected.
+
+However it may be, we did succeed in crossing that open space without
+being seen by those who would have delighted in torturing us to death; but
+it was as if I lived a full lifetime before coming within the deep shadows
+cast by the walls on the west side, at the point decided upon by Sergeant
+Corney.
+
+Some moments before we arrived I understood, and my heart literally
+bounded with joy, that those on the inside were already aware of our
+approach, and waiting to receive us, for we heard subdued voices from the
+sentinels on the walls, as if they were giving information to those below
+of our progress.
+
+"It's a big thing we have done, lad," Sergeant Corney said, as he drew
+himself up by my side while both of us hugged the earthworks as limpets do
+a rock. "It stands to reason we'll be in danger many a time before we go
+out from this world, unless it so chances that we come to grief here; but
+I dare venture to say we'll never be nearer death than we have been since
+leaving the thicket."
+
+The relief of mind was so great, and the knowledge that we had come thus
+far undetected under the very eyes of a watchful enemy was so
+overpowering, that I could not for a moment make reply, and by the time I
+had gathered my scattered senses--scattered through very joy--we heard
+voices from the inside which told that the men were seeking to learn
+exactly where we were.
+
+"Keep right on till you come to the horn-works," I heard a voice whisper,
+and the words had little or no meaning to me, for I was not familiar with
+the names of different portions of a regular fort; but the sergeant seemed
+to understand the command, for he began to creep in a southerly direction,
+still keeping within the shadow of the wall, until we arrived where was a
+stockade.
+
+This, as I afterward came to know, was the "horn-works," which as yet was
+in an unfinished condition, and protected by a stockade of logs, between
+each of which last were spaces, in some cases two or three inches wide.
+
+By lying with our faces against these narrow openings, it was possible to
+hold converse with those on the inside almost as well as if we were within
+the walls.
+
+"Who are you, and where did you come from?" a voice asked, and Sergeant
+Corney took it upon himself, much to my relief, to act as spokesman.
+
+"Messengers sent by General Herkimer, who have come from Oriskany."
+
+"When did you leave there?"
+
+"Yesterday."
+
+"We thought the woods were overrun with Indians and Tories."
+
+"So they are; but by some lucky chance we have come through thus far in
+safety, and would have speech with the commandant."
+
+"I am Colonel Gansevoort. My people saw your signal this afternoon, and I
+myself have been watching for your arrival, but supposed you to be
+fugitives, for I never dared hope there was a possibility of
+reinforcements so near at hand. Will you make an attempt to get in by the
+sally-port?"
+
+"Is there any other entrance, sir?"
+
+"Yes; but the enemy have been keeping sharp watch there since noon, as if
+thinking something of this same kind might be attempted."
+
+"We will deliver our message, sir, and then decide what to do," the old
+man said, grimly. "The words had best be repeated now, for we may be
+unable to utter them half an hour later."
+
+Then Sergeant Corney delivered the message with which we were charged, and
+during a full minute after he ceased speaking the commandant remained
+silent.
+
+When he spoke again, it was to say:
+
+"It would be folly to give him now the signal of your arrival, since to
+discharge one of the cannon when there is no direct target in sight would
+be to apprise St. Leger of all the facts. If it were possible for you to
+return, I would say that we will signal the moment my men are ready for
+the sortie."
+
+"I am of the mind that there will be no more danger in going back than in
+trying to enter the fort," Sergeant Corney said, half to himself.
+"Doubtless the enemy are watchin' the sally-port so closely that we would
+be seen tryin' to gain it, for on that side the shadow is less than here,
+and if there be large numbers posted to prevent an entrance, then must we
+come to grief."
+
+"Meaning what?" Colonel Gansevoort asked, with no slight tinge of
+impatience in his tone, as if he did not care to hear the old soldier
+summing up all the situation.
+
+"Meanin' that we are runnin' no greater risks in goin' back to General
+Herkimer, or at least not many more, than by tryin' to gain admission to
+the fort."
+
+"It will simplify matters if you choose to return; but I would not ask any
+man to do so, in view of all the danger."
+
+"What do you say, lad?" Sergeant Corney asked, laying his hand on my
+shoulder, and, although I would have given anything I possessed to have
+been at that moment behind the walls, I was not minded to show that my
+courage was less than his, therefore I replied:
+
+"It is for you to say, accordin' to the agreement we made."
+
+"But I would not set off against your wishes, because of the danger in the
+road, although I claim it would be quite as great if we attempted to enter
+the fort at once."
+
+"Then it is decided you will return to General Herkimer," Colonel
+Gansevoort said, quickly, as if fearing lest we might repent of our
+decision. "Tell him that within five minutes after giving the signal we
+will make a sortie from the main gate in the direction of Oriskany."
+
+"An' if it should be that we didn't get through alive?" Sergeant Corney
+said as if to himself, and the commandant replied, quickly:
+
+"In such case, without means of knowing what has happened to you, we shall
+make the sortie and shed much blood uselessly. Is there anything I can do
+for you before you start?"
+
+The old soldier hesitated, as if unable to think of anything we needed,
+and I, remembering the hunger which had assailed us while we lay hidden in
+the thicket, replied:
+
+"If it so be you could spare us a bit of corn bread, we would be the
+better able to make a hurried journey."
+
+"That you shall have, and in plenty," the commandant said, as if relieved
+at knowing our wants could be gratified with so little trouble, and
+Sergeant Corney added:
+
+"Only so much as we can put in our pockets, for this is not the time to
+encumber ourselves even with provisions."
+
+Some of the soldiers who had been standing near by hurried away, returning
+a few moments later with as much bread as would have served to satisfy our
+hunger for a week at least.
+
+When such a quantity as we needed for one meal had been pushed out between
+the logs of the stockade, my companion whispered to the commandant:
+
+"We shall strike into the thicket to the westward, making a circle to the
+south around the fort, until coming to the road leading to Oriskany,
+crossing the river just below here, and now, sir, if you have no further
+demands, we will go."
+
+"May God have you in His keeping," the colonel said, fervently, and
+without waiting to hear more the old soldier set off, this time leaving
+it for me to bring up the rear.
+
+Now it was I came to understand that the rain was beginning to fall; the
+wind came in spiteful gusts, betokening a storm, and I could have hugged
+myself with glee at the thought that the elements were favoring us in the
+attempt which, at the outset, had seemed doomed to failure.
+
+Before we had traversed half the distance from the fort to the thicket on
+the westerly side, the rain was falling heavily, and the wind whistling at
+such a rate as to have drowned any ordinary noise we might make in forcing
+our way through the foliage.
+
+Never had a storm, which promised much bodily discomfort, been so warmly
+welcomed by me; never had one been more sadly needed by those who fought
+against the king and his savage followers for the cause of American
+liberty.
+
+It is well known that Indians, like cats, are averse to exposing their
+bodies to rain, and when we set out on the return I had but little fear,
+believing that every one of Thayendanega's followers would be hugging his
+lodge closely, while the Tories would find it difficult to discern us from
+any great distance as we lay prone upon the ground.
+
+Lest I spend too many words in the telling of it, let me say, in short,
+that we gained the thicket without causing an alarm, and, what was really
+strange, made our way through it in a westerly direction for fully a mile
+without meeting any living being.
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney came to a halt, and, taking the corn
+bread from his pocket, began to munch it greedily as he said to me,
+speaking indistinctly because of the fulness of his mouth:
+
+"I reckon, lad, we've passed the Britishers' lines, an' can begin to
+circle southward from this point."
+
+While we were creeping away from the fort, beginning the second journey
+before having had time to rest from the first, I had said to myself again
+and again that it was the act of madmen for us to make any attempt at
+gaining General Herkimer's forces. In the first place there was no real
+necessity for such dangerous labor, because the signal could have been
+given by Colonel Gansevoort at a reasonably early hour next morning, and
+thus our commander would have known that the message was delivered. We
+were risking our lives foolishly, and when the old soldier spoke of making
+a circle from that point, in a tone which told that he was very well
+contented with himself and what he had done, I lost my temper, and
+replied, sharply:
+
+"Ay, we have got through the lines safely because of the storm, which was
+a lucky chance in our favor, and one we could not have foreseen when you
+were so foolish as to propose that we go back to-night."
+
+"It would have pleased you better had we made the attempt to get into the
+fort?"
+
+"Ay, ten times over, for then instead of roaming these woods, taking a
+fool's chances of bein' shot down, we might be comfortable and in safety."
+
+"An' remained there so long as pleased Colonel Gansevoort, for once inside
+that fort we placed ourselves under his command."
+
+"Well, and why not?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"Because it does not please me to linger when there is other work to be
+done."
+
+"But there was no real need of undertakin' this task," I said, with
+irritation.
+
+"Yet it gave us an excuse to which he would listen for leavin', when, had
+we told the truth, I question if he had not tried to stop us."
+
+"Well, what is the truth?" I cried, sharply.
+
+"Is there nothin' in your mind that we are bound to do, now the message
+has been delivered?"
+
+"Do you mean to aid Jacob?" I asked, as a sudden light began to dawn on
+me.
+
+"Ay, lad, all of that. Neither you nor I would have let him gone alone in
+the hopeless task of rescuin' his father, had it not been that duty
+demanded of us to keep our faces turned toward yonder fort. Now we have
+done that which General Herkimer required, we can set out to fulfil our
+duty toward the lad, an' this goin' back on the road to Oriskany is but
+little more than we would be forced to do in order to gain the spot where
+we parted with him, for I'm countin' that he was then near by the place
+where his father is held prisoner."
+
+I could have hugged the old man, but that he might have fancied I had
+lost my senses.
+
+When we parted with Jacob there was no thought in my mind that Sergeant
+Corney had the slightest idea of joining in what was a most desperate
+venture, and I even fancied he felt a certain sense of relief in having
+such a good excuse for not sticking his nose into the Indian encampment.
+But now I understood that all the while he held firm to the determination
+to do whatsoever he might toward aiding Peter Sitz, and I began to feel
+real affection for the noble old man.
+
+Whether we might be able to find Jacob or not, and the chances were that
+he had already been made prisoner, we could say to ourselves that the poor
+lad was not deserted by us in his hour of need, and, if the worst
+happened, it would be no slight satisfaction to us in after years.
+
+The storm increased each moment, and we were soon wetted to the skin, but
+hardly conscious of the discomfort because of the safety which this
+downpour brought to us.
+
+I had never given Sergeant Corney credit for any great knowledge of
+woodcraft, because he came to us from over the seas where his life had
+been spent fighting battles in the open, and could not be expected to cope
+with the savage foe, as did our people who had always been accustomed to
+the skulking methods of warfare practised by the redskins.
+
+Now, however, I was forced to give him credit for being wiser than I in
+the forest, since in the darkness and amid the tumult caused by the wind
+and rain he made the détour as if a broad trail stretched out before him
+under the sunlight, and we half-circled around the fortification, at the
+distance of a mile or more, without varying, so far as could be told, a
+single hair from the true course.
+
+Not until we were come to the trail which led to Oriskany did the old man
+halt, and then it was to say to me:
+
+"From this on I'm allowin' we had better be cautious how we move."
+
+"But surely there is no danger of meetin' any of the savages now," I said,
+like a simple, and he replied, with a laugh:
+
+"True for you, lad; but General Herkimer was to begin an advance on the
+mornin' after we left camp, and he should be nearabout. To run upon his
+sentinels in the darkness might not be agreeable."
+
+From that on, until half an hour had passed, we pressed forward
+cautiously, and well it was that we did so, for suddenly I came upon a
+levelled musket, which would have been discharged but for my crying out
+quickly, as I swerved to one side:
+
+"We are messengers for the general! We are friends!"
+
+"You come from an odd direction if that be true," was the reply, and at
+the same instant a vigorous hand seized me by the shirt-collar.
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney stepped forward, as he asked:
+
+"Are you of General Herkimer's force?"
+
+"How much will it benefit you to get such information?"
+
+"Nay, nay, friend; there is no need of bein' overcautious with us. We are
+two of the three messengers who left camp at Oriskany to go to Fort
+Schuyler, and are now returnin'."
+
+"Returnin'?" the soldier said, for it was indeed one of General Herkimer's
+sentinels whom we had come upon. "It must please you to skulk around among
+the Tories and savages, if, after having once gained the fort, you come
+back."
+
+"That is exactly what we have done, my friend," Sergeant Corney replied,
+gravely, "and for the good reason that Colonel Gansevoort had a message
+for us to deliver to the general. You are right in questioning us, for
+under such situations a soldier had best be overcautious than too
+credulous. But now we ask to be sent to the commander."
+
+"Have you seen any of the enemy near at hand?" the man asked.
+
+"I can swear there are none within half a mile."
+
+"Then come with me," and the sentinel deserted his post to lead us into
+camp, a proceeding which called forth harsh criticisms from Sergeant
+Corney, despite the fact that he was being benefited thereby.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VII.
+
+Insubordination
+
+
+
+It was near to daybreak when we followed the soldier to where General
+Herkimer lay under a shelter of pine boughs; but owing to the storm the
+gloom was quite as profound as at any time during the night.
+
+To my surprise, the general came out from his poor apology for a tent on
+hearing our voices, although we spoke cautiously low, and even then I
+could but ask myself why it was that an experienced soldier such as he was
+not giving more heed to his bodily welfare, for men on the eve of
+encountering a strong enemy surely need all the repose which can be had.
+
+I was soon to understand why the commander slept so lightly, and to learn
+for the first time that even patriots may be insubordinate.
+
+General Herkimer did not at first recognize us in the gloom; but when
+Sergeant Corney made himself known, the leader said, in a tone of bitter
+disappointment:
+
+"Then you did not succeed in getting there?"
+
+"Ay, that we did, sir," the old soldier replied, emphatically; "but
+Colonel Gansevoort had the desire to send a message to you, and we have
+brought it, hopin' to be excused from further duty for a short time."
+
+"What had Gansevoort to say?" General Herkimer asked, impatiently, and
+Sergeant Corney repeated the message twice over, in order that there
+should be no misunderstanding as to its meaning.
+
+"Very well. We will be on the alert if these hotheads can be restrained,"
+the general replied, and his words were a riddle to me until half an hour
+later.
+
+Then he asked what the old soldier meant by wishing to be excused from
+duty, and the sergeant, in the fewest words possible, gave him an account
+of our proceedings since leaving the camp at Oriskany, concluding by
+saying:
+
+"There is no question but that Jacob Sitz will make his way through the
+Indian encampment, if it can be done by any person. Yet the lad is blinded
+by love for his father, an' will take altogether too desperate chances,
+unless there be some one at hand who can restrain him."
+
+"Is it in your mind that the prisoner may be taken out of Thayendanega's
+camp?" General Herkimer exclaimed.
+
+"We do not count on any such good fortune; but follow the lad simply that
+he may know he has not been forgotten. If it so be you need us, sir, we
+will wait until you have gained the fort before making any effort to join
+him."
+
+"No, no, it was not from such motives that I spoke," the general
+interrupted, hastily. "With a force as large as this two men would not
+make much of a count either way. Go where you please, Sergeant Braun, and
+when you are once more at liberty report to me."
+
+"We reckon on resting our legs a bit, sir, before settin' out. You will
+not advance for some time to come, sir?"
+
+"How far do you count we are from the enemy's pickets?"
+
+"Not above two miles, sir."
+
+"Then we shall remain here, unless matters get beyond my control, until
+having heard the signal."
+
+Having made this, to me, odd remark, the commander disappeared from view
+inside the shelter of boughs, and Sergeant Corney led me a dozen yards or
+more from what might by courtesy have been called "headquarters," when he
+halted to say, gravely:
+
+"It appears that things are not just as they should be in this camp, lad."
+
+"How do you mean?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"You heard what the general said?"
+
+"Ay."
+
+"Well, who of his men are making the trouble?"
+
+Before I could so much as make a guess at the proper answer, I must needs
+be told that there was trouble, for, through having failed to understand
+exactly what the commander meant, I had not suspected that there was
+anything serious brewing. But Sergeant Corney, experienced as he was in
+such matters, seemed to know as if he had been informed in so many words
+that insubordination was rife in the camp, and at a time when it was in
+the highest degree necessary the men should move in harmony.
+
+Since I could not even so much as hazard a guess, the old man, forgetting
+his weariness and the need of gaining repose, led me out to where he had
+been halted by the sentinel, and, finding him at his post, began his
+investigations by saying:
+
+"We two have just come from Fort Schuyler, an' knowin' full well how
+strong a force is in front of the place, have a better idea of the kind of
+work in hand than you who haven't seen the enemy."
+
+"Did the general send you over here to tell me that?" the man asked, in a
+certain tone of irritation, and Sergeant Corney replied, soothingly:
+
+"Not a bit of it, my friend; but while we were having an interview with
+the commander it struck me that matters here were not just as pleasant as
+they should be, an' instead of awakenin' some one who might need more
+slumber, we thought to come to you for an explanation."
+
+"Of what?"
+
+"That we cannot say; but there is a question I would ask you, as between
+man and man, for mayhap the lives of us all depend upon the general sense
+of good fellowship. Tell me plainly, is there insubordination in the
+camp?"
+
+"I know not if you may call it by that name," the sentinel said, somewhat
+moodily; "but certain it is we would have relieved the fort four and
+twenty hours ago had General Herkimer not held us back. With such a force
+as we have here, it cannot be a hard matter to do about as we please. Look
+you," the man continued, growing more confidential, "the general has no
+less than eight hundred men under his command, and what may not a company
+of that number do?"
+
+"Very much, my friend; but your eight hundred would be weak indeed unless
+the advance was made at the proper time and in a soldierly fashion. So
+your people have been complaining because the commander holds them back?"
+
+"Ay, and with good cause. When Colonels Cox and Paris say openly that it
+is cowardly for us to loiter here, surely there must be some reason in
+their words. A full third of this force believe we should have come in
+front of Fort Schuyler yesterday mornin', an' think you all those can be
+mistaken, an' only General Herkimer stand in the right?"
+
+"Then it _is_ insubordination!" Sergeant Corney said, sadly, and the
+sentinel replied, angrily:
+
+"It is only common sense and a desire to aid the Cause. If we are eager to
+begin a battle which will drive the Tories and their painted allies from
+the valley, surely that man is a criminal who would hold us back."
+
+"If you had been where this lad and I have just come from, able to see
+what was seen by us, you would talk in a different strain," the old
+soldier said, hotly. "Why, man, Colonel Gansevoort himself sent us back to
+request that you remain here until he signals, so that everything may be
+prepared for your comin', and we, knowin' how important it was you delay
+until the proper moment, risked our lives twenty times over in the effort
+to bring the word."
+
+"Then Colonel Gansevoort is as great a coward as General Herkimer, for we
+are of sufficient strength to march whithersoever we will."
+
+Sergeant Corney turned as if to go, and then suddenly wheeling upon the
+sentinel, said:
+
+"I do not read my Bible, as a man should; but yet I remember that in it
+can be found these words: 'Fools die for want of wisdom,' an' I'm
+allowin', my friend, if you have any desire to linger in this 'ere world,
+that you take the statement home mighty strong."
+
+With this cutting remark, which for a moment I feared would provoke a
+downright quarrel, Sergeant Corney strode off into the darkness, I
+following meekly at his heels.
+
+"Surely there can be nothing which would work harm in this desire of the
+men to go forward," I said, when the sergeant had come to a halt,
+throwing himself down under a tree as if to rest. "It should be a good
+sign when soldiers are eager to go into battle."
+
+"Insubordination, wherever you find it, is the most dangerous condition of
+affairs that can be figgered out. When a man puts himself under a leader,
+whether to fight or to till the land, an' then sets up his opinions
+against those of the one who is supposed to know best, else he wouldn't be
+in command, matters have come to a mighty dangerous pass. Instead of
+helpin' the men inside the fort, this regiment is likely to bring them to
+grief, unless things are changed, an' that right soon. Now get what sleep
+you can, lad, before the encampment is astir," the old man added, changing
+his tone very suddenly, and before I could obey he drew out his rifle from
+the hiding-place where he had left it when we set off for the fort.
+
+I laid myself down by his side; but it was not to sleep, for I realized
+that the old soldier would not have spoken in such a tone unless matters,
+according to his belief, had been in a most serious condition.
+
+I was still speculating upon the situation, sorrowing because the men
+would, at such a time, while the lives of so many depended upon concerted
+action, set up their individual opinions against those who had been put in
+authority over them, when a bustle on every side told that the soldiers
+were awakening to a day of noble struggle for their country, or worse
+than criminal bickerings.
+
+If Sergeant Corney had really closed his eyes in slumber, which I doubted,
+he was now awakened by the many noises, and a plan of action must have
+been presented to him in his dreams, for he spoke like one who is
+determined upon some decided course, as he said to me:
+
+"Now, lad, we'll fill ourselves up with one good hearty meal, if it so be
+this mutinously inclined army has a proper store of provisions, and then
+it is for us to decide whether we stay among those who are like to come to
+grief if they have their own way, or push out for ourselves."
+
+I did not understand fully what he meant; but it was sufficient for me
+that he was no longer in doubt as to what was best, and right willingly
+did I obey his orders, for my stomach was uncomfortably empty.
+
+There was no lack of food in this command which seemed to be divided
+against itself, and the breakfast would have been to me most enjoyable but
+for the sauce with which it was served.
+
+Every man's tongue was loosened as if its owner was the only man amid all
+the company who knew exactly which was the wisest course to pursue, and I
+dare venture to say never a commander had under him at a critical moment,
+such as this certainly was, so many pig-headed recruits.
+
+Only once during the brief meal was Sergeant Corney asked for
+information, although the word had passed around the encampment that he
+and I were but just come from Fort Schuyler, and then it was that the old
+soldier gave those insubordinate men such a tongue-lashing as they
+deserved and I dare say had never before received; but, storm as he might,
+it seemed as if all the arguments he brought up in favor of General
+Herkimer's carrying out the plans suggested by Colonel Gansevoort, only
+served to make those imitation soldiers more fixed in their opinions.
+
+And for all this unseemly wrangling, when it was almost a crime to raise
+one's voice against an order of the commander, I lay the blame upon the
+two colonels, Cox and Paris, who, instead of holding their men firmly in
+check, as was their duty, openly declared that General Herkimer was in the
+wrong; thus fomenting what promised to be a most serious disturbance, and
+what was finally paid for over and over again in blood.
+
+It was perhaps half an hour after daybreak when Colonel Cox, the same
+officer who by injudicious use of his tongue had well-nigh compassed the
+death of us all during the powwow with Thayendanega, approached General
+Herkimer while the latter was walking slowly around the encampment as if
+on a tour of inspection, and said, in a tone so loud that all in the
+vicinity might hear it:
+
+"Are we to go forward, sir, as men should who set out to relieve a
+besieged fort, or must we loiter here until the enemy has worked his
+will?"
+
+For an instant the general made no reply, and Sergeant Corney whispered to
+me, angrily:
+
+"That man deserves to be shot, an' all the more so because he is high in
+command. I've seen troops in many a tight place durin' my life, but never
+before heard any thin' that quite come up to that."
+
+When, after a pause of fully a moment, General Herkimer spoke, it was to
+ask:
+
+"Do you know that messengers have come from Gansevoort, asking that we
+hold our hands until he shall give the signal?"
+
+"I have heard that it is pretended such a message has come," Colonel Cox
+replied, in a most offensive tone, and I could see Sergeant Corney
+clenching his fists tightly, as if thereby the better to hold himself in
+check, for surely were we two entitled to make reply to such an implied
+accusation.
+
+"The garrison will make a sortie immediately after giving the signal, and
+we can thus go into action with some hope of success," General Herkimer
+said, mildly and firmly. "To advance before Gansevoort is ready would be
+to imperil the lives of all this command."
+
+"Speaking more particularly for yourself, sir, I suppose," Colonel Paris
+said, with a sneer, and it would have given me the greatest pleasure to
+have struck him down for that insult.
+
+Then the three officers, still disputing, or, I should have said, the two
+colonels still insulting their commander, who continued to bear with them
+beyond that point where forbearance ceases to be a virtue, passed out of
+earshot for the time being, and the men in the immediate vicinity took up
+the subject, until, to my surprise, I found that nearly all of them sided
+with the insubordinate colonels.
+
+Five minutes later the three officers had approached so near where
+Sergeant Corney and I were sitting that we could hear their words once
+more, and then, to my indignation and the old soldier's anger, Colonel Cox
+cried, in a fury, as he planted himself directly in front of the
+commander:
+
+"You are not only a coward, sir, but a Tory!"
+
+I shall always hold that General Herkimer was a brave man, because, after
+a severe effort which was evident to us all, he so far mastered his
+righteous anger as to say, quietly:
+
+"I am placed over you as a father and guardian, and shall not lead you
+into difficulties from which I may not be able to extricate you."
+
+Unless the soldiers of the command had been literally beside themselves,
+such words would have brought them to a proper frame of mind; but as it
+was, the temperate reply seemed to inflame their anger, and on the moment
+there was a very babel of outcries, amid which it was only possible to
+distinguish the demand that the force be led toward Fort Schuyler without
+delay, regardless of any message which the sergeant and I might have
+brought.
+
+I could see, rather than hear, for the tumult was exceeding great, that
+the two colonels continued to demand that the commander follow their plans
+rather than adhere to his own, and it was a veritable fishwoman's squabble
+during twenty minutes or more, when General Herkimer apparently lost his
+temper for the first time, and cried, in a tone so loud that the words
+could be distinctly heard all over the encampment:
+
+"I will give the command to march forward, and you shall soon see that
+those who have been boasting loudest of their courage will be the first to
+run on meeting the enemy."
+
+"I was afraid it would come to that," Sergeant Corney whispered to me,
+with a sigh. "It don't stand to reason that any man could hold his temper
+a great while under such a tongue-lashin' as those curs gave the
+commander, an' I'm predictin' that every mother's son of 'em will rue this
+mornin's work."
+
+Immediately the unwilling permission for them to do as they pleased had
+been given, the men set about making ready for the advance as if each
+moment was of the greatest value, and in an incredibly short time after
+General Herkimer had been bullied into agreeing to that which his better
+judgment told him to be wrong, the company was ready for the march.
+
+"Are we to go with them?" I asked of the sergeant, believing for the
+moment that it would be wiser for us to form an independent command of
+two.
+
+"Ay, lad, I'm thinkin' that we had best stand by the general, for he may
+be needin' us before this mornin's work is done, an' we sha'n't be takin'
+a great deal of time from Jacob, because, in case of arrivin' before
+Colonel Gansevoort is ready for us, the scrimmage will soon be over."
+
+The two colonels, who were responsible for this unsoldierly method of
+conducting a campaign, busied themselves with getting the men into lines,
+and all the while telling what it was possible for them to do to St. Leger
+and his force, as if anything of value could be done when the idiots did
+not have sufficient sense to make inquiries of those who could give them
+full information regarding the strength of the enemy whom they were so
+soon to meet.
+
+Even had Sergeant Corney not decided to follow the commander before the
+line of march had been arranged, he would have done so later, because
+General Herkimer beckoned us to approach when he took his place at the
+head of the column.
+
+"Are you counting on coming with me, despite the unnecessary danger which
+we know will be encountered?" he asked, and Sergeant Corney replied,
+promptly:
+
+"Ay, sir, that we are, and had already settled it in our own minds."
+
+"Which portion of the besieging troops are we likely to meet first, if we
+follow the trail?" the general asked.
+
+"Thayendanega's camp lies southeasterly from the fort; but how far it may
+be from the trail, I cannot say."
+
+At this moment the report of a rifle from the direction of where the
+outermost sentinels were stationed startled every one, including those
+bloodthirsty colonels, and for a moment all stood silent and motionless,
+waiting to learn the cause of the alarm.
+
+Then it was that the sentinel with whom the sergeant and I had already
+spoken, came running into camp, for it seemed a favorite trick of his to
+desert a post of duty whenever inclination prompted.
+
+It was Colonel Cox who asked, advancing:
+
+"Did you fire that gun?"
+
+"Ay, sir; I saw two Indians in the thicket, coming as if from the
+direction of this camp."
+
+"Did you kill either of them?"
+
+"I do not think I even scratched 'em. The wood is too dense for much good
+shooting."
+
+Colonel Cox wheeled around as if the information was of no especial
+importance, when even a boy like me understood somewhat of its import,
+and, carelessly saluting the commander, reported that the troops were
+ready for the word to march.
+
+The general, who was mounted, spurred his horse on to the head of the
+column, Sergeant Corney and I following as best we might, and once in the
+lead he gave the command.
+
+"Is nothing to be done toward finding out whether the Indians whom the
+sentinel saw, succeeded in getting back to their own camp?" I asked of my
+companion, and he replied, grimly, with what was very like a smile of
+satisfaction on his wrinkled face:
+
+"These officers who have so much wind to spare in camp cannot afford the
+time to consider such trifles as a few scouts skulkin' around to make
+certain of what we are doin'."
+
+"An' we are like to find ourselves ambushed!" I cried, in dismay.
+
+"Ay, that's what we are, lad, an' I'm thinkin' there will be no way out of
+the difficulty until some of these insubordinates are killed off, which
+will be greatly to the advantage of the command, accordin' to my way of
+thinkin'."
+
+I will set down here that which I read in a book several years after the
+day Sergeant Corney and I followed General Herkimer on what we believed to
+be a most ill-advised and hazardous march, in view of Colonel Gansevoort's
+request, and from the words it will be seen that I am not the only person
+who lays blame of all that happened upon those loud-mouthed, imitation
+soldiers who were so soon to show themselves cowards.
+
+"The morning was dark, sultry, and lowering. General Herkimer's troops,
+composed chiefly of the militia regiments of Colonels Cox, Paris,
+Visscher, and Klock, were quite undisciplined, and their order of march
+was irregular and without precaution. The contentions of the morning had
+delayed their advance until about nine o'clock, and the hard feelings
+which existed between the commander and some of his officers caused a
+degree of insubordination which proved fatal in its consequences.... A
+deep ravine crossed the path of Herkimer in a north and south direction,
+extending from the high grounds on the south to the river, and curving
+toward the east in semicircular form. The bottom of this ravine was
+marshy, and the road crossed it by means of a causeway of earth and logs.
+On each side of the ravine the ground was nearly level, and heavily
+timbered. A thick growth of underwood, particularly along the margin of
+the ravine, favored the concealment of the enemy."
+
+All the colonels of this small army were on horseback, a fact which caused
+me no little astonishment, for I had heard my uncle say again and again,
+and there can be no question but that he was a brave and skilful soldier,
+that the man who went in the saddle to meet savages was courting his own
+death.
+
+So great was my indignation against these men who had badgered the
+commander that I mentally hugged myself with delight because of their
+folly, not only in thus riding, but in moving the column without scouts
+ahead to learn the whereabouts of the enemy, or to ascertain what might be
+in front of, or on either side of them.
+
+It is true that Colonel Visscher's regiment was detailed as a rear-guard,
+and I question if even such a precaution would have been taken but for the
+fact that the provision and ammunition wagons, which were not able to move
+at as rapid a pace as the men, needed something in the way of protection.
+
+It was not until we had advanced half a mile or more that I bethought
+myself of the position in the column which Sergeant Corney and I occupied
+because of attempting to follow General Herkimer closely.
+
+In event of an ambush being prepared for our reception, and I confidently
+expected that such would be the case after the sentinel had seen Indians
+lurking nearabout the camp, we two would be in a most dangerous position,
+and I made mention of that which was in my mind to the sergeant.
+
+"Ay, lad, you may be right, an' yet I am questionin' whether we shall be
+any worse off here than further in the rear, for if it so be
+Thayendanega's sneaks count on ambushin' us, I can tell you to a dot just
+where it'll be done. They will let this gang of men--you can't call 'em
+soldiers after what we have seen--get well into the ravine before makin'
+any attack. Consequently it will be about the centre of the line that
+suffers most."
+
+"You mean that if trouble comes it will be at the ravine over which is
+the causeway?"
+
+"Ay, lad, an' there's no question about our gettin' it hot there!"
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VIII.
+
+The Ambush
+
+
+
+I am willing to confess that I grew more and more frightened as we neared
+the ravine, and but for the disgraceful scenes of insubordination which
+occurred earlier in the morning, I would have cried out against the folly
+of thus going blindly into such trap as Thayendanega's murderers had
+probably prepared for us.
+
+As it was, however, I would not let these mutinous men who called
+themselves soldiers see that we from Cherry Valley would question a
+commander's orders, whatever might be the situation, and I held my peace,
+but with much effort and inward fear.
+
+There was little attempt made by these representatives of the Tryon County
+militia to hold in military formation during the march, each man trying to
+outstrip his neighbor, as if this advance upon a foe of superior strength
+could have no more serious consequences than that some might be left
+behind, and when one of the company came up to my side with words of
+complaint because the general would not move faster than a walk, I said,
+angrily:
+
+"It can make but little difference if you are not killed at the first
+volley, for the savages will have ample time to finish us all off after we
+have walked into their trap."
+
+"So you are one of the weak-kneed, eh?" the man cried, with a sneer, and
+my anger was too great to permit of my making reply; but Sergeant Corney,
+who had heard the insulting words, said, sharply:
+
+"You may talk to that lad about bein' weak-kneed after you have shown the
+courage he has within the past four an' twenty hours. You an' your
+mutinous comrades prate loudly of bravery when there is no enemy in sight;
+but I'll lay odds that not one out of an hundred like you would dare go
+alone from here to the fort!"
+
+"Oh, you are the messengers who claim that Colonel Gansevoort asked us to
+remain idle until he should give the signal, eh?" the fellow said, in an
+offensive tone, and Sergeant Corney raised his rifle clubwise, as if to
+strike him down, but held his hand as he said, slowly, and in a tone which
+was full of menace:
+
+"But that you are already so near your death at the hands of the enemy, I
+would make certain you never again questioned my word! We did go to the
+fort, while you were engaged in the manly sport of badgerin' your
+commander, an old soldier who knows his business, an' had you been with us
+it is certain you'd never made the attempt to get back. Go on to your
+death, you fool, an' I'll hope it don't come so soon but that you'll have
+time to realize you did all in your power to bring it about the more
+speedily."
+
+By this time we were well within the ravine which has already been
+described, and the old soldier had hardly ceased speaking when from amid
+the foliage ahead and on every side came a circle of fire like unto the
+lightning's flash, followed by the crackling of firearms, which served to
+drown the death-cries from every portion of our lines.
+
+We had marched like children into the ambush, and on the instant a blind
+rage took possession of me because I had followed the mutineers when I
+knew full well to what they were hastening.
+
+Even as the flashes of light sprang out from among the leaves, I saw
+Colonel Cox, he who was responsible for all that flood of death, leap high
+in the air, only to fall back dead, and at the same moment General
+Herkimer's horse reared and screamed in a death-agony.
+
+It was as if every second man of the command fell before that withering
+fire, and in the midst of the tumult of groans, screams, and savage
+war-whoops could be heard shouts behind us, telling that the rear-guard,
+who a few moments previous were prating of their bravery, had turned and
+fled like cowards that they were.
+
+More than the rear-guard would have beat a retreat at that moment, but for
+the fact that the baggage-wagons hemmed us in so that flight was
+well-nigh impossible.
+
+It seemed as if I lived a full hour during the terrible ten seconds that
+elapsed after the first volley was fired by the hidden foe, and then I
+heard Sergeant Corney crying in my ear, his voice sounding as if afar off:
+
+"It is for you an' I, lad, to look after the general! He is wounded!"
+
+Then it was that I realized the commander was pinned to the earth by his
+dead horse, and, without being really conscious of my movements, I ran to
+his side.
+
+The old soldier and I had no more than bent over General Herkimer to learn
+how we could best release him from his dangerous position, when a second
+volley came from amid the foliage, and those alleged soldiers of the
+command who were yet alive ran wildly to and fro like frightened chickens,
+seeking some way of escape, rather than standing up like men to battle for
+their own lives.
+
+Without really seeing it, I was conscious that all this was taking place
+around us, and then I heard Sergeant Corney say to the general, in a
+matter-of-fact tone:
+
+"That's a bad wound in your knee, sir."
+
+"Ay, but there's no time to think of ourselves just now. The cowards must
+be brought to their senses, or every one of them will be shot down," was
+the reply of the man whom his own soldiers had taunted with cowardice not
+an hour previous.
+
+Acting under Sergeant Corney's commands, for the old man was as cool as if
+he had been born amid just such scenes of carnage, I helped raise the body
+of the horse until it was possible for General Herkimer to roll himself
+out from beneath the dead animal, and, while we worked to aid him, the
+commander was crying to his men to stand firm if they would save their own
+lives.
+
+"Rally, there!" he shouted, yet lying, unable to move, upon the ground.
+"Stand firm, and we yet have a good chance of holding our own!"
+
+All the while Sergeant Corney and I worked over him he continued to cheer
+the frightened men, until, by the time we had dragged him to where he
+could sit upright with his back against a huge tree, placing his saddle
+beneath him to serve as a prop, the men were beginning to understand that
+the only chance for life was to fight desperately.
+
+The wagons in the rear, and the horde of savages which had closed in upon
+us, prevented any save those who had first fled, from retreating, and by
+the time a full third of the command had been killed or disabled, the
+remainder understood that it would be well to turn to the man they had so
+lately reviled, for possible safety.
+
+Sergeant Corney and I gave no heed to what was going on around us until we
+had bound up the general's knee in such a manner that there was no longer
+danger he would bleed to death, and when this had been done I noted that
+our people had taken shelter behind the trees, where they could strike a
+blow in their own defence.
+
+The Indians, understanding that the first daze of terror had passed away,
+leaving their intended victims in condition to do considerable execution,
+fell back a short distance to where they could find shelter, and thus,
+thanks to General Herkimer, it was no longer a massacre, but a battle.
+
+When Sergeant Corney and I had done all we could to render the commander
+more comfortable, we took our share in the fight, remaining close beside
+General Herkimer meanwhile, lest the Indians make an attempt to take him
+prisoner.
+
+Within half an hour from the time the first volley had been fired, our
+people were doing good execution, and yet the enemy's line was closing in
+upon us slowly but surely.
+
+"Tire 'em out, lads!" the general shouted, encouragingly. "You never yet
+saw a painted snake who could take much punishment, an' it's only a
+question of holding your own awhile longer. Make every bullet count, for,
+although we have ammunition in plenty, there is no good reason why we
+should waste any."
+
+Then the commander, most likely in order to set his men an example of
+coolness, rather than because he needed the fumes of tobacco, quietly
+lighted his pipe, and, seeing this, our people cheered at the same time
+they shot down every feather-bedecked form that was exposed to view.
+
+[Illustration: "'Tire 'em out, lads!' the General shouted"]
+
+A few moments later General Herkimer gave the word that our force form a
+circle, in order to meet the foe at every point, and after this had been
+done the enemy were the better held in check.
+
+Even at the moment I was surprised when I found myself thinking of the
+danger to which Jacob must be exposed, rather than of my own desperate
+plight. While on the alert for a living target, I speculated whether he
+was yet free, and if he had discovered the whereabouts of his father.
+
+I had no idea as to the flight of time, and could not have told whether we
+had spent ten minutes or sixty in that struggle for life, when, without
+warning, the floodgates of heaven were opened. The rain came down
+literally in torrents; it seemed as if the water descended in solid sheets
+rather than drops, and, no matter how bloodthirsty a man might have been,
+he could no more have continued the battle than if he had been neck-deep
+in the river.
+
+Savages as well as white men were forced to cease their efforts to kill,
+and for a time we crouched beneath such poor shelter as the trees
+afforded, but drenched to the skin in a twinkling.
+
+General Herkimer was in no better plight than those who were the most
+exposed. The fire in his pipe was drowned out; but he continued to hold it
+between his teeth as he said, in a low tone, to Sergeant Corney:
+
+"Pass the word quietly for our people to close in where it will be
+possible to hear what I say. Thus far I've noted that the savages have
+watched until a rifle has been discharged, when they rush up and use their
+hatchets. We can put an end to that kind of butchery."
+
+The old soldier did as he had been bidden, moving to and fro without fear
+of exposing himself, for the downpour was so great that no man could have
+loaded a musket with dry powder, and even while the storm continued the
+circle was contracted until the commander was enclosed by a living hedge.
+
+Then it was that orders were given for the men to take their stations in
+couples, and, when one had discharged his rifle, the other was to wait
+until the Indians came up to kill the supposedly defenceless soldier, when
+a second bullet would be ready for them.
+
+Much to my surprise, I heard General Herkimer say that a full hour had
+elapsed from the time the first volley had been fired, and it stiffened
+the courage of all to learn that we had been able to hold the foe in check
+so long.
+
+Immediately the summer storm had so far sub-sided that the weapons could
+be loaded, the battle was continued, raging with even more fury than
+before, as the enemy tried to overwhelm us by a sudden rush, and in a very
+few seconds the painted fiends came to understand that it was no longer an
+easy matter to tomahawk a man immediately after he had fired a shot.
+
+When the savages found that their tactics were guarded against, it seemed
+as if they lost courage, and gradually fell back a little, having had
+quite as much of Whig marksmanship as was pleasing.
+
+Because we could no longer see as many targets before us, the fire was
+slackened considerably, and then some one on the outer lines of our
+defensive circle shouted:
+
+"They are bringin' up the Tories! Here come the Johnson Greens!"
+
+Although I was standing well in the centre of our force, it was possible
+to see the uniforms of that band of renegades which Sir John had armed and
+equipped that they might kill their neighbors, as the men came up to take
+the place of the retreating redskins, and, if anything had been needed to
+stiffen the backs of our people, surely they got it when seeing those whom
+they had once called friends, moving into line to compass their death.
+
+I had thought that the men under General Herkimer's command fought bravely
+after the cowards were weeded out, and those who were left understood
+that, but for the mutiny in camp, the ambush would not have been
+successful; but now they seemed like veritable tigers as the Tories came
+into the battle.
+
+There was no longer any thought of fighting from behind trees, but each
+man pushed forward intent only on vanquishing the renegades, until none
+save Sergeant Corney and I were left to guard our wounded commander.
+
+I will set down here that account of the battle from this point, which I
+found some time since in a book containing the story of the fight in the
+ravine, sometimes called the Battle of Oriskany:
+
+"Major Watts came up with a detachment of Johnson's Greens to support them
+(the savages), but the presence of these men, mostly refugees from the
+Mohawk, made the patriots more furious, and mutual resentments, as the
+parties faced and recognized each other, seemed to give new strength to
+their arms. They leaped upon each other with the fierceness of tigers, and
+fought hand to hand and foot to foot with bayonets and knives."
+
+While this portion of the battle was at its height, we suddenly heard the
+reports of firearms from the direction of the fort, and my heart leaped
+into my throat, for I understood that Colonel Gansevoort was making the
+sortie for which we should have waited.
+
+Nor was I the only one who thus realized that the Britishers and their
+painted allies were at the end of their rope, so far as this fight in the
+ravine was concerned, for our people pressed the foe yet more hotly, and
+in a short time the savages raised the cry of "Oonah! Oonah!" which told
+that they had had enough of the battle.
+
+So far as my experience goes, and I have had considerable from first to
+last, Indians are only brave when they have the advantage; but, let the
+tide turn against them, and they are veriest cowards.
+
+Hemmed in as we were, our ranks thinned by death and the desertion of the
+rear-guard, it should have been possible for the enemy to cut us down to a
+man, and yet the retreating cry of the savages sufficed to send all that
+force back to the encampment, leaving us in possession of the field, even
+though we might not rightly be called victors.
+
+Some of our people, upon whom the fever of battle had fastened more
+firmly, would have pursued the cowards, even though it might have been to
+come directly upon the main army, who were then, doubtless, engaged in
+checking the sortie from the fort; but General Herkimer sent a squad of
+the cooler soldiers after them, with the result that the valiant Johnson
+Greens were allowed to continue their retreat unmolested.
+
+And it was high time we had a breathing-spell. More than two hundred of
+General Herkimer's force lay dead among the trees, while even a larger
+number were so seriously wounded as to be unable to defend themselves,
+therefore it was impossible for us to act in concert with those who were
+making the sortie, and the commander issued orders to fall back.
+
+The contents of the baggage-wagons were thrown out to make room for our
+wounded, and, while the uproar of the battle near the fort rang in our
+ears, we retreated from that valley of death.
+
+Now those who had raised their voices against the general, accusing him of
+cowardice, did all within their power to make atonement by their care of
+him, and willing hands bore him on a litter that he might be spared the
+pain of transportation in the lumbering wagons.
+
+It was a sorry train that left the ravine, not stopping to bury the dead
+because of the certainty that St. Leger's army would come to finish the
+bloody work as soon as the force from the fort had been driven back, and
+when it was in motion Sergeant Corney gripped me by the arm, as he said:
+
+"Our road is not in that direction, lad. Yonder men may take the repose
+which they do not deserve after havin' brought about all this disaster;
+but we must face danger once more, an' perhaps for the last time."
+
+"Meanin' that we're to go back in search of Jacob?" I asked, feeling for
+the moment as if it would be impossible for me to voluntarily turn my face
+in the direction of the enemy, now that I was no longer animated by the
+fever of battle.
+
+"Ay, lad, our duty is now toward him, havin' done all we may under General
+Herkimer's command. As I figger it, we're free to do as we choose, for we
+can no longer aid those who are goin' back when, but for rankest mutiny,
+they might have entered the fort amid the cheers of victory. If Colonel
+Gansevoort is forced to surrender, it can all be set down to the credit
+of those who howled so loudly this mornin' that they could march straight
+through the enemy's lines."
+
+"There is little hope we can find Jacob after so long a time has passed,"
+I said, thinking of the perils that must necessarily await us while we
+tried to make our way through Thayendanega's camp.
+
+"I grant you that, lad, an' yet we are bound to make the venture, or let
+it be said that we deserted a comrade when he needed us."
+
+"We did that same when we pressed on toward the fort," I suggested,
+feebly.
+
+"Ay, an' because we were in duty bound to carry the general's message. Now
+that work has been done, we are free."
+
+I could not well say anything more against his plan without laying myself
+open to a charge of cowardice,--and at that moment I really was a
+coward,--therefore I stood ready to follow him.
+
+There were provisions in plenty strewn on the ground, having been thrown
+out of the wagons to make room for the wounded, and from such store
+Sergeant Corney gathered up as much as would serve us during four and
+twenty hours.
+
+This we stuffed into the pockets of our shirts; filled our powder-horns
+and bullet-pouches from the ammunition on the dead bodies, and then we
+were ready to leave that valley of death.
+
+All this while it was possible to hear the din of that battle which was
+being fought near the fort; but as we advanced it became evident that the
+conflict was subsiding.
+
+It would have been folly for the besieged to do other than beat a retreat,
+when it could be seen that General Herkimer's men were not in a position
+to take advantage of the sortie, and as soon as might be the brave fellows
+sought the shelter of the fort once more, leaving twenty of their comrades
+between the lines as victims of the mutiny among the Tryon County
+militiamen.
+
+Much to my surprise, Sergeant Corney appeared sadly disappointed when the
+tumult of battle died away, and I asked if he believed that the people
+from the fort should have made an attempt to inflict more punishment upon
+the enemy.
+
+"Not a bit of it, lad," the old soldier replied, promptly. "They have
+already done more than could have been expected; but yet I had a hope that
+the scrimmage would have lasted a bit longer."
+
+"Why?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"Because we stand a better chance of circlin' around to where we left
+Jacob, while the villains have somethin' to keep 'em busy. Now there's no
+longer any need to fight, they'll likely keep sharper watch. Yet I count
+that Peter Sitz, if they haven't killed him already, has a bigger show of
+livin' a spell longer than he had last night."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because it stands to reason that Thayendanega's beauties have taken more
+than one prisoner, an' will have a better supply of livin' material for
+the stake than before. Peter may be lucky enough to keep his hair a spell
+longer; but there'll be many a poor wretch who'll taste of torture this
+night."
+
+"An' perhaps Jacob may be one of them!" I cried, in an agony of
+apprehension, and from that moment it was not necessary the old soldier
+urge me forward, for I burned with the desire to do all I might to find
+our comrade before it should be too late.
+
+When we left the ravine in search of the lad, it was necessary we advance
+over much the same course as when we carried General Herkimer's message,
+and it was slightly in our favor that we knew fairly well at how great a
+distance from the general encampment of the enemy we must keep in order to
+avoid running into the Indians.
+
+Then, again, it seemed probable we had a better chance of making our way
+around this circle than when we first traversed it, because just at this
+time Thayendanega's villains had received such a drubbing at the hands of
+the patriots as would most likely prevent them from having any keen desire
+to come upon more white men.
+
+It was also probable, as Sergeant Corney had suggested, that they had
+taken a number of prisoners during the fight with the garrison of the
+fort, as well as at the ravine, and the murderous scoundrels would be so
+occupied with making preparations for torturing such poor unfortunates as
+to neglect their duties as St. Leger's allies.
+
+When I had thus viewed the situation, it did not appear such a difficult
+matter for us to gain a station to the southward of Thayendanega's
+encampment; but coming across Jacob was quite a different proposition.
+Finding a needle in a hay-stack seemed much more simple than running upon
+a lad who was doing his best to remain hidden from view, unless,
+perchance, he had already been captured.
+
+"It ain't any easy job, figger as you will," Sergeant Corney said, when I
+had put the situation before him from my point of view. "But I'm reckonin'
+that we're goin' to come somewhere near succeedin'. We can count on doin'
+pretty much as we please from now till to-morrow mornin', providin' we
+don't stick our noses into the camps of the Britishers or Tories, for you
+can set it down as a fact that every red-faced wretch will have
+considerable on hand this night. The only trouble will be that we may have
+to keep within cover while they're torturin' some poor fellow under our
+very shadows. You'll have to keep in mind that Peter an' Jacob Sitz are
+the only white men we're after, an' shut both eyes an' ears to every one
+else."
+
+"Suppose Jacob has been made prisoner? Would you risk your life to save
+him?"
+
+The old man made no reply until I had repeated the question, and then he
+said, slowly:
+
+"If there was any show of bein' able to work the trick, you could count
+on me to the end; but if he _has_ fallen into their clutches, unless some
+wonderfully big turn of affairs comes in our path, we would be only
+throwin' away the lives of both without chance of helpin' him. I've heard
+long-tongued boasters tellin' how they'd rescued a prisoner from an Indian
+camp, but I never believed anything of the kind, for it ain't to be done
+more'n one time in a thousand, an' then you'd have to find a lot of
+red-skinned idjuts to work on."
+
+Sergeant Corney had used a good many words in replying to my short
+question, and I believed he had done so to the end that I might not fully
+understand what he meant.
+
+As I made it out, however, he would turn his back on poor Jacob in case
+the savages had him in their power, and I asked myself again and again
+what course I should pursue in such a situation.
+
+We made a long détour around the battle-field in order to avoid as much as
+possible the danger of stumbling upon the enemy's scouts, and, when the
+afternoon was half-spent, had come, as nearly as we could guess, to a
+point due south from Thayendanega's camp.
+
+"How far do you reckon we are from St. Leger's force?" I asked, when
+Sergeant Corney threw himself on the ground within shelter of a clump of
+bushes, as if for a long halt.
+
+"Three miles or more from their lines of sentinels, if they've got any
+out, an' we're none too far away, 'cordin' to my figgerin'. After sunset
+we'll work in toward 'em; but there needn't be any hurry, for I'm
+reckonin' that we don't want to do much work till after midnight. If Jacob
+is still free to do as he pleases, there's little danger he'll come to
+grief 'twixt now an' mornin'."
+
+"Unless he should see them torturin' his father, an' then it's certain
+he'd make a fight, no matter how great the odds against him," I suggested,
+thinking of what I would be tempted to do under similar circumstances.
+
+"In that case we're better off where we are. I don't allow that a lad has
+any right to deliberately throw away his own life, an' that's what Jacob
+would be doin' if he showed himself when the villains had his father at
+the stake."
+
+"He couldn't stand still an' see it done."
+
+"True for you; but, no matter how he might feel, it's his duty to think of
+his mother, an' surely she would say that it was better one came home,
+than for both to be killed."
+
+"It's a mighty hard outlook," I said, with a sigh.
+
+"You're right, an' at the same time you ain't makin' matters any better by
+chewin' it over. A man don't fit himself for a fight by figgerin' out all
+the possible horrors."
+
+"An' you think we'll have a fight before this venture is ended?"
+
+"I'll leave it to you if somethin' of the kind don't seem reasonable,"
+the old man replied, grimly, and then he set about making a dinner from
+the supply of provisions we had found in the ravine.
+
+After that I made no more effort to keep up a conversation, and tried very
+hard to force from my mind any speculations regarding Jacob and his
+father, but with poor success. It seemed as if every subject had some
+bearing upon the matter, and so disagreeable was the constant harking back
+to what was beyond my control, that I really felt glad when the shadows of
+night began to lengthen, for almost any kind of action was better than
+remaining there in hiding, eating one's heart out.
+
+Sergeant Corney gave no sign that he realized night had come, until I
+called his attention to the fact, and then he said:
+
+"Ay, lad, the time is drawin' nigh; but I reckon that we'll be wise to
+hold on as we are a spell longer."
+
+Then he lay back as if bent on going to sleep, and I held my peace,
+determined to say no more even though he remained there until sunrise.
+
+It must have been ten o'clock before he showed signs of life, and then he
+rose to his feet as he said:
+
+"I allow that we'd better be movin', though there ain't any great need of
+hurryin'. We'll be able to cover three miles in an hour, an' even then be
+a bit early for good work."
+
+"How will you set about findin' Jacob?" I asked, giving words to the
+question which had been in my mind ever since we came to a halt.
+
+"Our only chance is to keep movin' nearabout Thayendanega's camp, an'
+trustin' to accident for comin' across him."
+
+Sergeant Corney strapped his rifle on his back, as if believing he would
+have no use for it; but he made certain his knife was loose in its sheath,
+and I understood that if we had trouble it would be at close quarters.
+
+At last we were ready, and this time the sergeant did not propose that I
+lead the way.
+
+He strode off in advance, with never a glance backward to see if I was
+following, and in silence we went on toward the danger-point at a swift
+pace, until the old man halted to say, in a whisper:
+
+"There should be sentinels nearabout, unless Thayendanega believes he has
+killed all the decent men in the Mohawk Valley; so have your wits about
+you, lad, for a mistake now will cost us dearly."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IX.
+
+The Indian Camp
+
+
+
+I claim that it is nothing to my discredit when I say that there was a
+great fear in my heart while we advanced at a snail's pace, after having
+come to that point where we might reasonably expect the Indian sentinels
+would be posted.
+
+In the darkness, moving amidst the dense foliage, where it required the
+utmost care to avoid betraying one's whereabouts, advancing blindly into
+you knew not what peril, was well calculated to make even the most
+courageous feel a bit timid.
+
+At any moment we might literally stumble over a party of warriors in such
+numbers that there could be no possibility of making our escape, and in
+case we should come face to face with no more than four or five of the
+enemy, it would be well-nigh useless to show fight, because of the
+hundreds everywhere around who could be summoned to the assistance of
+their comrades.
+
+Before we had advanced an hundred paces, I became convinced that it was
+impossible we should be able to reconnoitre the camp and return to the
+point from where we had set out without being killed, or, what was worse,
+taken prisoner, and yet, had I known for a certainty that such fate
+awaited us, I would not have let Sergeant Corney know of my unwillingness
+to follow him.
+
+Sorely did I blame Jacob for having forced us into such a position of
+danger, when there was little hope any good could be effected by our
+coming, and more than once I promised myself that, if by any fortunate
+chance I succeeded in arriving at Cherry Valley again, no one could tempt
+me to leave it.
+
+It was useless, however, to mourn over what could not be cured. We had
+come there voluntarily, and, unless both of us were willing to write
+ourselves down as cowards, must perform the task.
+
+It was well-nigh midnight before we heard anything of the enemy, and then
+a faint hum of voices in the distance told that Sergeant Corney had led
+the way truly and wonderfully well. Never again would I say that he was
+not thoroughly versed in woodcraft.
+
+The old soldier gripped my arm to make certain I understood that we had
+come near to the enemy, and then inch by inch we moved forward, halting a
+few moments every time we incautiously caused a rustling among the
+foliage.
+
+[Illustration: "Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a
+huge fire"]
+
+How long that slow progress continued I cannot rightly say; but it seemed
+to me as if the morning was near at hand when we were arrived, having
+miraculously passed such stragglers, scouts, or sentinels as might have
+been in the vicinity, at a point where we could have a view of this
+particular portion of the encampment.
+
+Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a huge fire,
+while half as many more were feasting, preparing their own food by cutting
+it from the carcasses of two oxen which lay near at hand, and broiling it
+on the live coals.
+
+I knew sufficient of savage customs to understand that, if there had been
+any torturing of prisoners during the evening, such fiendish work was at
+an end, and that which we were witnessing was but the ending of the
+barbarous sport.
+
+Now it was that I mentally thanked Sergeant Corney for having delayed so
+long before starting, for it would have been agony indeed had we been
+forced to witness the horrible spectacle of a white man suffering under
+the knives and by the fire of these wolves in human form.
+
+We remained there stretched out at full length on the ground, with no
+possibility of gaining information which might be of service to us in the
+future, ten minutes or more, and then, suddenly, I was forced to exert all
+my will-power to prevent a scream of fear from escaping my lips, for what
+was unmistakably a human foot had been planted directly upon my leg.
+
+Like a flash, after I succeeded in restraining myself from giving an
+alarm, came the knowledge, I know not how, that he who had stumbled upon
+me was no less frightened than I, and, clutching Sergeant Corney's leg
+nervously to attract his attention, I sprang upon the newcomer, believing
+him to be some Indian straggler whom it was absolutely necessary we should
+silence in order to save our own lives.
+
+So quick had been my motions that the fellow had no opportunity to get
+away, save at the cost of betraying himself to us, and by what seemed to
+be the most fortunate chance, I succeeded, when leaping blindly forward,
+in gripping him by the throat.
+
+We went down together, I on top striving most earnestly to strangle him to
+death, and he fighting quite as strenuously to throw off my hold.
+
+Before one could have counted ten I began to realize that this stranger
+who was at my mercy appeared quite as much afraid of making a noise as did
+I, and involuntarily my grasp was loosened ever so slightly, for I
+understood that had it been an Indian he would have done his best to
+attract the attention of those near the camp-fire.
+
+With this thought came the knowledge that I had beneath me one clad much
+like myself, and not the half-naked body of such villains as marched in
+Thayendanega's train.
+
+Then it was, and just as Sergeant Corney came up to us, that I loosened my
+grasp entirely in order to pass my hands over the stranger's face and
+head.
+
+There were no feathers, no daubs of paint, which should have been
+apparent to the touch, and I whispered, with my mouth close to the
+fellow's ear, while yet pinioning his arms in such a fashion that he could
+not well move:
+
+"Who are you?"
+
+"A white man," came the reply, the words sounding thick and muffled
+because of the squeezing which the speaker's throat had received.
+
+Then like a flash came to me that which I should have suspected before!
+
+It was my comrade for whom we had been searching that I was grappling
+with, and, just as the old soldier knelt by my side knife in hand to put
+an end to the struggle, I whispered, for the darkness was so intense that
+I could not even see the face which was but a few inches from my own:
+
+"Are you Jacob Sitz?"
+
+"Ay; an' you?"
+
+"It is the sergeant an' Noel, lad, an' right glad am I that we came to
+know each other just as we did, else would your blood have been on our
+hands."
+
+Jacob apparently gave no heed to the close shave which had been his, so
+great was the delight at knowing we were with him once more, and we three
+sat with our heads close together in order that we might question and be
+questioned without fear of betraying our whereabouts.
+
+"Where have you been all this time?" I asked, and Jacob replied, softly:
+
+"Hangin' around this camp. Twice have I come near bein' discovered, an'
+of a verity I believed, when you clutched my throat, that this was the
+last--the endin' of it all."
+
+"Have you seen your father?" Sergeant Corney asked, and the lad replied,
+triumphantly:
+
+"Ay, an' had speech with him."
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"In a lodge near Thayendanega's, an' until to-night there has been no
+great danger he would be tortured, as I believe because of the sachem's
+promise that he shall not be killed."
+
+"How did you get to speak with him?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"Within three hours after leavin' you I was hereabout, an' saw him. That
+night I crept through the village undiscovered, for even the dogs failed
+to bark at me, I know not why, an' there talked with my father as I now
+talk with you."
+
+"If you got away, why could not he have done the same?" I asked, surprised
+that Jacob should have succeeded in making his way among the lodges.
+
+"I urged him to make the attempt, but he claimed that there was no hope we
+two could leave the village undiscovered. First he was bound hand an'
+foot, an', although I might have cut my way through the lodge to release
+him from the fetters, he forbade it because of the risk, sayin' I must not
+endanger my life on account of mother, an' insistin' that at some future
+time escape would be more easy than then. He ordered me to go home at
+once, providin' I could not find you, an' I would have done so this night
+but for the battle of the mornin'."
+
+"Why did that stop you?" I asked. "Surely you had no part in it?"
+
+"No; but the savages were so infuriated that I feared even Thayendanega
+himself would be unable to prevent the wretches from leadin' my father to
+the stake, therefore I remained on watch. Three prisoners have been
+murdered in a most barbarous manner, but yet he was left unmolested in the
+lodge. Have you somethin' to eat?"
+
+I took from my pocket all the food remaining, and the lad devoured it like
+one famished, whereupon Sergeant Corney asked:
+
+"Have you had nothin' to eat since we left you?"
+
+"I gathered some roots an' berries, but not enough to satisfy my hunger."
+
+"An' yet you would have stayed here longer in danger of starvation?"
+
+"Ay, until havin' satisfied myself that father was as safe as one can be
+who remains in the power of such as are encamped here. Did you come for no
+other purpose than to find me?"
+
+"Nothin' more," I said, not minded to let him know that if he could show
+any reasonable chance of rescuing Peter Sitz it was our purpose to give
+him aid.
+
+"Where have you been all this while?"
+
+"That is too long a story to tell now," Sergeant Corney interrupted. "If
+the savages are not likely to do more than dance from now till mornin', we
+may as well find a shelter in which to spend the morrow, an' then I'm of
+the opinion that the three of us had best make tracks for Cherry Valley,
+as Jacob's father advised."
+
+As he ceased speaking, Sergeant Corney would have led us out of the
+thicket; but Jacob whispered, softly:
+
+"Not half a mile away is a small cave--no more than a hole in the
+hillside, an' there we may remain hidden durin' the hours of daylight."
+
+"Lead the way, an' we will follow," the old man said, in a tone of
+command, and straightway Jacob did as he was thus ordered.
+
+Knowing, as the lad did, very nearly where the Indians might be found, we
+advanced with reasonable rapidity, until having come to the place of which
+he had spoken.
+
+It was indeed no more than a hole in the ground, and so small that when we
+three were lying at full length inside with our heads toward the opening,
+it would have been a very small cat who could have found a chance to lie
+down comfortably with us.
+
+Some bushes and a tangle of creeping vines hid the entrance most
+admirably; but, after we were once inside, I questioned to myself whether
+we had not been reckless in coming directly to this place without taking
+precautions to cover our footprints, for, should a keen-eyed savage chance
+to see our trail, there was good reason for believing he would follow it
+up.
+
+However, we were there, and the mischief might not be undone readily,
+therefore I held my peace, saying mentally that if Sergeant Corney and
+Jacob were satisfied with having taken no especial precautions, then of a
+verity ought I, the least experienced in woodcraft of the three, be
+content.
+
+When Jacob had eaten all the small store of provisions which I gave him
+without having apparently satisfied his hunger, he insisted on our telling
+him what we had done since he left us, and I related the story much as it
+is set down here, spending a full hour in the recital.
+
+When I had finally come to an end, the old soldier proposed that as soon
+as another day had passed we should turn our faces toward Cherry Valley,
+for, after receiving the commands of his father, Jacob could do no less
+than go home.
+
+I understood full well that the lad would have encountered any danger or
+suffered every privation rather than leave this place where his father was
+held prisoner, even though there was little or no hope he could aid him;
+but yet he did not argue against the plan, and thus was it settled that
+when night came again we would start on our journey.
+
+"Save for the fact that father himself insisted I should go, no one could
+force me to leave here," Jacob said, after a long pause, and Sergeant
+Corney added, soothingly, saying that which I question if he himself
+really believed:
+
+"You can do no better, lad. If Thayendanega has given his word to save
+your father's life, so will it be, despite all the howlin' wolves in his
+followin'. But if you should stay here and be discovered tryin' to rescue
+him, there is little doubt that it would result in the death of both."
+
+With that we fell silent once more, and I was right glad of an opportunity
+to sleep.
+
+Jacob insisted that the old soldier and I give ourselves up to slumber
+while he kept guard, for he did not need the rest as much as we.
+
+Therefore it was that I slept soundly and sweetly until a full hour past
+noon, and when I awakened the sergeant was peering out through the leafy
+curtain in front of the cave, while Jacob was enjoying his turn at sleep.
+
+"Can you see the camp?" I asked, wriggling forward until my head was close
+beside his, and then it was not necessary he should make reply, for we had
+from this place of vantage a fairly good view of the red-skinned portion
+of St. Leger's army.
+
+It is true that the trees and bushes screened certain portions of the
+encampment, but the greater number of the lodges were in a clearing, and
+Sergeant Corney pointed out to me that shelter which Jacob had told him
+was the one where his father was confined.
+
+The Indians were lounging about lazily, some stretched at full length
+sleeping, others gathered in little companies, squatting on the ground as
+they smoked and talked, and not a few moving slowly to and fro; but never
+one who appeared to have any business on hand.
+
+There were both women and children in the camp, which struck me as being
+odd, for when savages set off on the war-path it is not customary for them
+to take their families; but I explained this peculiar state of affairs to
+myself by the supposition that the women had been brought that they might
+do the work, which is deemed unfitting a warrior.
+
+"Jacob counts on payin' one more visit to his father before we start,"
+Sergeant Corney said to me, when, having wearied with gazing at the scene,
+I turned away.
+
+"To what end?" I asked, with somewhat of irritation, for it did not seem
+to me wise the lad should run the chances of capture when nothing was to
+be effected by taking such risks.
+
+"Only that he may speak with him."
+
+"But it is folly!" I said, sharply. "It has been possible for him to go
+into the village twice; but of a certainty it cannot be done many times in
+safety."
+
+"You are right, lad, an' yet how can we refuse him? Fancy if your father
+was in the same tight place, an' ask yourself if, when about to turn your
+back on him, perhaps forever, the desire to hold converse with him once
+more would not be stronger than the fear of disaster?"
+
+To this I could make no reply, as a matter of course; yet I was still
+firmly convinced that it was a foolhardy venture. If there had been a
+possibility of his doing the prisoner any good, then would I have said
+that we would stay on until further efforts were of no avail. As it was,
+however, Peter Sitz himself had said it was wiser for Jacob to go, and
+surely he, the most interested and the most experienced in such matters,
+should be the judge.
+
+I held my tongue, even though rebelling against the scheme, because of
+knowing that the lad was prompted only by love, and yet my heart grew
+heavy within me, until I had become convinced that something of evil would
+follow.
+
+So disturbed was I in mind that it was impossible to close my eyes in
+slumber again, even though knowing that my best preparation for the
+journey would consist in getting all the rest I could.
+
+Sergeant Corney had fallen into what seemed to me a moody silence; I
+looked out now and then at the painted forms of those human wolves, who
+would lay waste our happy valley, and wished most fervently that I had the
+power to destroy them all with one blow.
+
+When one has seen, as have I, women and children butchered in the most
+fiendish manner which a wicked man can devise, he cannot consider
+bloodthirsty the person who would, if he could, wipe out the entire race.
+It would only be an act of mercy to the colonists, who lived in momentary
+fear, not so much of sudden death as of barbarous torture.
+
+Jacob slept until nightfall, and when he awakened the first thought in his
+mind was to set off on his dangerous and useless venture; but Sergeant
+Corney advised that he wait until the night was well advanced, and to this
+I agreed, although chafing against the expenditure of time, because he
+would but have ensured his own capture had he ventured among the wretches
+while the entire encampment was astir.
+
+We did not have supper for the very good reason that we had no provisions,
+but buckled our belts a bit tighter, because already was hunger beginning
+to assail us.
+
+As we waited for the lengthening of the night, Jacob went over in detail
+his experiences while Sergeant Corney and I were with General Herkimer,
+and this served to make the time seemingly pass more swiftly.
+
+The savages evidently had no fiendish sport on their programme for this
+evening, most likely because of having exhausted themselves the night
+previous, and at a reasonably early hour this portion of St. Leger's army
+was in a comparative state of quietude.
+
+"Now, if ever, is the time when you can go, lad; but remember that I
+advise against it, as would your father," Sergeant Corney said, gravely.
+"I am not minded to argue you out of what your heart is set upon, but ask
+that you give the matter due weight before goin' so far that retreat will
+be impossible."
+
+"I must speak with my father once more," Jacob said, in a tone so piteous
+that I did not have the heart to make any protest.
+
+"Then God go with you," the old soldier said, solemnly, and in a twinkling
+my comrade had slipped out of the cave, being lost to our view almost
+immediately amid the foliage near at hand.
+
+When we were thus left alone a silence fell upon us. Because of the
+forebodings in my heart I was not inclined for conversation, and I dare
+venture to say the sergeant held his peace for much the same reason.
+
+During half an hour, perhaps, we listened intently, fearing each instant
+lest we hear those sounds which would betoken the capture of Jacob, and
+then did it seem probable he had succeeded in the venture, at least so far
+as gaining the village was concerned.
+
+Regarding him I had no further anxiety, and, without being aware that
+slumber was weighing heavily upon my eyelids, I fell asleep.
+
+I could not have been unconscious many moments, for it seemed as if my
+eyes had but just closed, when I was aroused by the pressure of Sergeant
+Corney's hand upon my arm, and as I would have sprung up he forced me
+down, whispering:
+
+"The savages are comin' this way, an' it looks to me mightily as if they
+counted on stoppin' hereabouts."
+
+Involuntarily I parted the vines at the mouth of the cave, for I had been
+lying with my head close upon them, and gazed down the side of the small
+hill, where it was possible to see, even despite the gloom of the night,
+no less than ten forms coming up the incline as if following a trail.
+
+"They have taken Jacob, an' he has told them where we are," I said on the
+impulse of the moment, not meaning to cast reproach upon the lad, but
+knowing what fiendish means those wretches employed in order to extort
+information.
+
+"We would have heard the noise of a squabble if he had been captured, an'
+I have stood watch ever since he left," Sergeant Corney said, decidedly.
+
+"Can they be followin' our trail in the darkness?" I cried, and my
+companion replied, grimly, drawing his rifle nearer to him:
+
+"It makes no difference to us, lad, why or how they are comin'. The
+question is whether, in case they find this place, we shall fight to the
+death or submit without resistance."
+
+It was a question I could not answer. I knew full well that we could not
+hope to hold the cave any considerable length of time, and that if, during
+the fight, we killed any of the villains, our end at the stake would come
+before morning, even though Thayendanega himself should do all he might to
+prevent it.
+
+I remained silent, the Indians approaching nearer and nearer each instant,
+and, when they were half-way up the hill, within perhaps thirty yards of
+the mouth of the cave, the sergeant said, as if speaking to himself:
+
+"All we can hope for, if we should put up a fight, is to die with weapons
+in our hands, for death in some form would come to us within a few hours.
+While there's life there's a chance."
+
+"Meanin' that we had best give ourselves up?" I asked, in alarm.
+
+"Ay, lad, that is my idee, unless you can show me something better."
+
+There was little time for reflection. Already were the Indians so near
+that I fancied I could hear them breathing. I knew that the cave had no
+other outlet than this one at which we crouched, but also that two
+determined men might hold half an hundred in check as long as their
+ammunition lasted--but then?
+
+The foremost of the red-skinned snakes were within a dozen feet of us when
+I whispered, with tremulous voice:
+
+"It shall be as you say, sergeant!"
+
+[Illustration: "With upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of
+foliage"]
+
+
+
+
+Chapter X.
+
+Prisoners
+
+
+
+I believe if at that critical moment I had decided it was best we hold the
+cave against the foe, regardless of the ultimate consequence, Sergeant
+Corney would have done my bidding. But immediately I declared myself
+willing to act as he thought best, the old man threw down his rifle, and,
+with upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of foliage into the
+very arms of those who were coming up the slope.
+
+Just for one instant there was in my mind the thought that I might slink
+back into the further end of the cave, and possibly escape detection,
+unless it so chanced that the savages knew exactly how many were hidden
+there. But, fortunately, before there was time to do anything so cowardly,
+a realization of what it meant to thus hang back when I had spoken the
+words which sent my comrade forward came upon me with full force, and I
+followed him so closely that he could not have had any suspicion of that
+which, for the merest fraction of time, found lodgment in my heart.
+
+It was too dark for me to see the look of triumph on the faces of our
+captors; but I knew they wore such expressions, because of the cries of
+satisfaction and shouts of delight which burst from them when we, unarmed,
+stood in their midst.
+
+I was satisfied in my own mind that they had seen the trail, even in the
+darkness, which had been made when we three entered the cave, or by Jacob
+as he went out, and had followed it rather from curiosity than the belief
+that white men were in the vicinity.
+
+This idea of mine, although there was in it nothing favoring to us, gave
+me no little relief of mind, for it led to the conclusion that Jacob was
+yet free.
+
+After the first outburst of rejoicing at having taken two captives at a
+time and in a place where they least expected to find them, the Indians
+set about securing us in the most businesslike manner.
+
+Some one of the party brought strips of rawhide, by which our hands and
+arms were bound tightly to our sides, and with so large a surrounding that
+it would have been impossible to escape even had we been unfettered, they
+led us down to the village, where we were greeted by the squaws and the
+children with fiendish cries of delight.
+
+I knew enough of savage customs to understand that we would be forced to
+submit to a certain amount of ill-treatment from the female portion of the
+band before the warriors decided upon our fate, and nerved myself to bear
+it as best I might, realizing that any show of weakness at such a time
+would work to our disadvantage later.
+
+We were tied to a tree, Sergeant Corney on one side and I on the other,
+within twenty paces of Thayendanega's lodge, where the light of the
+camp-fire shone full upon us.
+
+The braves of the tribe seated themselves in a circle, as if holding a
+council to determine our fate, while the squaws and the young boys amused
+themselves by holding stout sticks in the fire until one end was a living
+coal, and then placing these against our hands, until the pain was so
+great that only by summoning all my strength of will could I prevent
+myself from screaming.
+
+Even at such a time, when our lives were literally hanging in the balance,
+I found somewhat of comfort in the thought that Sergeant Corney was with
+me, and not very far away Peter Sitz could probably see us.
+
+It may be difficult to understand why knowledge of that kind should serve
+to cheer one at such a horrible moment, and I myself cannot explain it. It
+simply remains a fact that I seemed in less danger of being murdered than
+if I had been the only prisoner in the encampment.
+
+"It's plain that Jacob was not captured, else we would see him near by,"
+Sergeant Corney said to me, and I tried my best to enter into conversation
+with him, to the end that I might in some slight degree take my mind from
+the torture which, perhaps, was but a foretaste of what I would be forced
+to suffer.
+
+"He will be overcome with grief on knowin' that by lingerin' to speak once
+more with his father we were captured, an' I fear the lad may be led to
+some foolishly reckless move," I said, at the same moment trying to stifle
+a groan.
+
+"If he will but stop a moment to rigger the matter out, he'll understand
+that only by keepin' clear of this camp can he hope to help us," the old
+man replied, and I asked, sharply:
+
+"Do you really believe, sergeant, that any one can aid us now?"
+
+"Tut, tut, lad; do not give yourself up for dead yet awhile. So long as
+there's life there's a chance. Peter Sitz has been in the clutches of
+these villains many a day, an' yet, 'cordin' to Jacob's story, he's as
+sound an' hearty as when he left Cherry Valley."
+
+"Ay; but his life has been saved because Joseph Brant knew him before the
+dream of bein' made great sachem of the Six Nations turned that redskin
+into the most bloodthirsty of savages."
+
+"Yet had you been in Peter Sitz's place when he was first taken prisoner,
+your despair would likely have been as great as it seems to be now."
+
+I knew that Sergeant Corney would say many things which he himself did not
+believe, if he thought thereby he might strengthen my courage for the
+terrible ordeal which was probably before us; therefore his words of
+cheer had less weight than might otherwise have been the case.
+
+Not until it seemed to me every square inch of my hands had been burned to
+a blister, and there was a livid, red mark across my forehead, where an
+old hag had scorched me with a burning brand, did the squaws tire of their
+cruel sport, and then we were left comparatively alone, with sufficient of
+pain to keep us so keenly alive to the situation that weariness of body
+did not make itself apparent.
+
+"We came to aid Jacob, and now ourselves are standing in need of
+assistance," I said, bitterly, for this seemed like the irony of fate.
+
+"True for you, lad, an' yet we won't look at it in that light. But for
+marvellous good luck we would have been made prisoners before this,
+therefore let us reckon it simply as the fortune of war, and not count
+Jacob the cause of our trouble."
+
+I would have replied yet more bitterly than before, but for the fact that
+at the moment it so chanced my eyes were fixed upon the lodge wherein our
+comrade had said his father was held prisoner, and I saw the flap pulled
+cautiously aside.
+
+Then the face of a man could be seen close to the ground, and I said,
+eagerly, to my companion, who, perforce, had his head turned in the
+opposite direction:
+
+"Peter Sitz is lookin' at us."
+
+"I would he had remained ignorant of our whereabouts," Sergeant Corney
+muttered, and I asked, in surprise:
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because, in addition to his own sufferin', he must believe that we've
+been brought to this plight through tryin' to aid him, an' it only serves
+to make his troubles greater, without lessenin' ours."
+
+Sergeant Corney was rapidly becoming a hero in my eyes, for surely it is a
+brave man who, when he stands in most imminent danger, can think rather of
+others than himself.
+
+We spoke but little from this time on, the sergeant and I. The rawhides,
+which were tied so tightly as to nearly stop the circulation of blood,
+were eating their way into our flesh, and the pain thus caused became
+greater than the smarting of the blisters raised by the burning brands.
+
+We knew that those who formed that circle of painted forms but a short
+distance away were deciding whether we be put to torture immediately, or
+reserved for some especial time of rejoicing, and there grew upon me such
+a fascination as is sometimes brought about by keenest peril, until I
+almost forgot the desperate situation as I watched those who held our fate
+in their hands, trying to discover from the expression on their hideous
+faces what might be the result of the conference.
+
+As the moments passed I sank into a sort of apathy, until it was as if
+some other lad's fate trembled in the balance, and I myself was looking
+down upon the encampment from a secure place of refuge.
+
+The fires burned dim. One by one Thayendanega's heathens stalked away to
+his lodge, until the council was finally brought to a close; a deep
+silence came over the encampment, as if all, save that white face which I
+could see just beneath the flap of the lodge in front of me, and we two
+who were bound to the tree, were wrapped in slumber.
+
+"We can count on remainin' alive at least until to-morrow night," Sergeant
+Corney said, as if imparting some cheering information, "for these
+wretches do not torture a prisoner in the daytime."
+
+"Unless some change is made speedily I will not be in their power, for of
+a verity I am dyin', Sergeant Corney," I said, and he, thinking, of
+course, to cheer me, laughed almost merrily as he replied:
+
+"Nonsense, lad, you are a long ways from bein' dead. I allow your body is
+numbed, but that's all. If these strips of rawhide were slackened a bit,
+you'd soon find yourself feelin' as well as ever, save, perchance, for the
+blisters upon your hands."
+
+"If we _could_ stretch them a bit," I cried, trying vainly to change the
+position of my arms.
+
+"Ay, but you can't, lad, an' by makin' the effort you'll only cause them
+to bind the tighter."
+
+How that long night passed I cannot well say. The agony of mind, together
+with the bodily pain, benumbed all my senses until I was like one in a
+trance, hearing nothing, seeing nothing, save the gleam of that white
+face beneath the flap of the lodge where Peter Sitz kept mournful watch
+upon us.
+
+The morning came, and like one under the influence of some hideous
+nightmare I became aware that the savages were loosening the rawhide
+thongs. Faintly, with but little curiosity regarding the matter, I
+wondered if we were to be killed at once, regardless of the usual customs
+of such wretches.
+
+When the bonds had been removed the sergeant and I sank down upon the
+ground helpless, unable to move hand or foot, and in that condition we
+were dragged into the lodge where was Jacob's father.
+
+There we were bound quite as securely and cruelly as before, the thongs
+cutting fresh welts into our wrists and ankles; but the relief caused by
+the change of position was so great that it seemed as if I had every
+reason for thankfulness.
+
+Here, when our captors had made certain we could not by any possibility
+escape, we were left alone with Peter Sitz, and his first question was as
+to why we had ventured within reach of the enemy.
+
+Sergeant Corney, minded to save our neighbor from the self-reproach which
+might be his if he knew we were in such plight through desire to aid his
+son or himself, replied that we had been sent into the vicinity by General
+Herkimer, and then explained how we came across Jacob, as well was the
+manner in which we had been taken prisoners.
+
+"Will they torture us to death?" I asked, giving words to that question
+which had been uppermost in my mind from the moment we saw the painted
+sneaks approaching the cave, and Master Sitz replied, with a painful
+effort at cheerfulness:
+
+"It's for you to believe that they won't, lad. Remember how long I've been
+in their power, an' yet have come to no real harm, so far as life is
+concerned, although this bein' trussed up like a chicken ready for the
+roastin' is by no means pleasant or comfortable."
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney, minded as I now believe only to change
+the subject of conversation, asked Master Sitz why it was we had failed to
+see him during the march from Cherry Valley to the Indian village.
+
+The explanation was simple, and at the same time served to show, to my
+mind at least, that Jacob's father would not be led to the stake.
+
+It seems that when he was first captured, at the time Lieutenant Wormwood
+was killed, he came face to face with Thayendanega, and that savage
+recognized him at once, speaking in such a friendly tone that Master Sitz
+immediately appealed for mercy.
+
+The sachem declared that if he remained with the war party it might be
+impossible to save him, and even went so far in his friendliness as to
+explain that it were better he be sent ahead to the Indian village, for,
+having once arrived at that place, there was little fear of the warriors
+demanding his death until on some especial occasion.
+
+Therefore, within half an hour after having been made prisoner, Master
+Sitz was being hurried forward to Oghkwaga, under charge of two savages,
+and was well on his journey before we started.
+
+When, immediately after the interview with General Herkimer, Thayendanega
+hurried his tribe on to join St. Leger's forces, he so far submitted to
+the demands of his followers as to allow them to take Peter Sitz on the
+war-path with them.
+
+"More than once have the red devils insisted on torturin' me; but each
+time Joseph Brant has prevented them, although I question if he could have
+done so but for the unfortunate men who were captured in the battle with
+General Herkimer's troops."
+
+Peter Sitz ceased speaking very suddenly, and I had not the courage to ask
+him how those prisoners suffered; I could imagine that they came to a most
+horrible end, and knew that my worst picturing of it would fall far short
+of the reality.
+
+Then Jacob's father spoke of the possibility that we might escape with our
+lives; but it was evident he did so with an effort, and I had it in mind
+that he only tried to cheer me, while he was convinced that his end, as
+well as ours, would come at the stake before the siege was finished.
+
+And now I do not propose to make any effort at giving in detail all that
+occurred while we lay cruelly bound, during a greater portion of the time,
+in this lodge, situate almost in the centre of the Indian camp.
+
+For eight days we were kept thus close prisoners, without a ray of hope,
+and then came the unexpected.
+
+At least once in every twenty-four hours, and sometimes twice, the bonds
+were taken from our arms that we might feed ourselves on such food as
+savages cast to their dogs. Perhaps thrice in that long term of captivity
+were we permitted to walk around the lodge, and, save for that short
+respite from our suffering, I believe of a verity we would have lost the
+use of our limbs.
+
+Half-starved, suffering oftentimes the keenest pangs of thirst, and
+believing that all this torture was the preface to something yet worse, it
+can well be imagined that we were indeed a sorry party. Even Sergeant
+Corney ceased trying to animate us, for despair had seized upon him.
+
+When we did hold converse among ourselves, it was usually regarding Jacob.
+We had neither seen nor heard anything of the lad since the hour he left
+us in the cave to get speech with his father, and it was to me wondrous
+strange that he who had been so eager when there was but one prisoner, had
+apparently lost all desire to render aid after two more had been captured.
+
+During the first two or three days we believed he was skulking around
+somewhere near at hand, with the vain hope that he might be able to effect
+our escape; but as the time passed on it became certain that such could
+not be the case, otherwise he would have succeeded in making his way to
+the lodge, as he had done when his father was the only occupant of it.
+
+So far as I could make out, there was no more vigilant guard kept after we
+were taken than before, and the lad must have succeeded in getting speech
+with us had he made the effort during those times when the savages gave
+themselves up to dancing or feasting, as occurred at least once in every
+eight and forty hours.
+
+Then we decided he had gone in search of General Herkimer's men, thinking
+to enlist a sufficient number of them in our behalf; but if such had been
+the case we should have heard something from him, at least when eight days
+were passed, and after that time we made no mention of the lad, believing
+he had been discovered near the encampment and killed outright.
+
+And now it must be understood that during all this time St. Leger's army
+was laying close siege to Fort Schuyler, and, strange as it may seem, we,
+closely confined in that lodge of skins, had a fairly good idea of what
+was happening.
+
+More than one of the Indians spoke English, and, not unfrequently, the
+Tories or British officers came to visit Thayendanega in his own lodge,
+when we could overhear a goodly portion of the conversation.
+
+Thus it was we knew that Colonel Billinger and Major Frey, officers from
+General Herkimer's force, who had been taken prisoners by some of the
+British during the battle of Oriskany, had been compelled, under threats
+of torture, to write a letter to Colonel Gansevoort, misrepresenting St.
+Leger's strength, and advising him to surrender.
+
+We also knew that this letter, written under pressure, was delivered by
+Colonel Butler, who went to the fort with a flag of truce, and, when the
+commandant flatly refused to surrender, the Tory officer threatened that,
+in case it became necessary to take the fortification by force, the women
+and children inside would be delivered over to the mercies of the Indians.
+
+Fortunately Colonel Gansevoort was too brave a man to be frightened by
+such threats, and when Colonel Butler told him that Burgoyne had already
+taken possession of Albany, he became thoroughly well convinced that the
+officer was deliberately lying to him.
+
+At all events, he refused to surrender, and two days later General St.
+Leger sent a written demand, the reply to which contained the emphatic
+statement that it was Colonel Gansevoort's determined resolution with the
+force under his command, to defend the fort to the last extremity.
+
+We learned also, through different friendly visits which were paid to
+Joseph Brant by the officers, that General St. Leger was continuing the
+siege in true military fashion, advancing by parallels slowly but surely,
+and it was the belief of all our enemies that they must of a necessity
+soon succeed in their purpose.
+
+The information which we thus obtained did not tend to make us feel any
+more comfortable in mind. In case the fort was taken, the utmost we could
+hope for would be to escape death, but at the cost of remaining, no one
+knows how long, as slaves to the savages.
+
+If, however, the garrison made such a resistance as we believed they
+would, and then were finally overcome, the Indians being allowed to wreak
+vengeance until their thirst for blood was satisfied, then was it probable
+we would go to the stake with a goodly company and little chance of
+escape.
+
+However, I am not minded to set down here all our fears. One can readily
+understand how many and great they were, and how we twisted and turned
+each additional bit of information which we gathered by eavesdropping,
+until it seemed as if matters which had no bearing whatsoever on our
+condition were a direct and deadly menace.
+
+I have said that we were eight days closely confined in this one lodge,
+and then came the night when we were lifted from out the mire of despair
+into which we had fallen, so suddenly as to make us literally dizzy with
+hope.
+
+During the afternoon of this day Thayendanega's warriors had spent their
+time laying on an unusual quantity of paint, and arraying themselves to
+the last feather of their finery, therefore we knew that something of
+considerable importance was on foot. When they marched out of the
+encampment, the medicine-men leading the way, with the beating of drums
+and blowing of horns, we believed a council of war was to be held, in
+which these wretches, most likely to tickle their vanity, had been invited
+to take part.
+
+When, just as they were setting out, the rain began to fall heavily and
+the wind to blow in a manner which betokened a summer storm, I found the
+wildest delight in picturing to myself the discomforts which would be
+theirs unless St. Leger had tents sufficient to provide them all with
+shelter.
+
+At another time I would have given little heed to such a trifling matter,
+but now it seemed of so much importance that I spoke to my companions in
+misery regarding it, picturing the bedraggled condition of the fine
+feathers after they had become thoroughly saturated, and was talking with
+more of animation than at any time since having been made prisoner, when
+suddenly a sound, as of some one scratching on the skin of the lodge,
+caused my heart to bound until it seemed positive its furious beatings
+could be heard a long distance off.
+
+"It is Jacob!" I cried, speaking incautiously loud.
+
+A warning hiss from Peter Sitz brought me to my senses, and in a fever of
+suspense I listened for the sound which had first attracted my attention,
+to be repeated.
+
+The silence remained unbroken, save for the lightest rustling of the
+skins, until, in the dim light to which my eyes had been so long
+accustomed, I saw Jacob's head and shoulders inside the lodge.
+
+It was only with difficulty I restrained myself from crying aloud with
+joy, for now it seemed, even surrounded by enemies though we were, that
+because my comrade had come were we rescued.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XI.
+
+The Escape
+
+
+
+So great was my delight at seeing Jacob slowly working his way into the
+lodge, that there was no room in my heart for surprise. I entirely forgot
+to be astonished because after so long a time he had returned, or to
+question why it was he dared venture within the encampment.
+
+Only the fact that he was there presented itself to my mind, and I gave no
+heed to anything else.
+
+I struggled violently to reach the dear lad, intent on throwing my arms
+around him in order to show how deeply I felt this devotion of his which
+had brought him back, perhaps, to a terrible death; but Master Sitz and
+Sergeant Corney remained silent and motionless until Jacob was well within
+the lodge. Then his father said, conveying reproach even in the whisper:
+
+"Why have you come here after once having gotten well away from the place?
+You can do us no good, an' only hope to add to the savages' list of
+victims."
+
+"They have not got me yet," Jacob replied, cheerily, and I understood
+that his courage had been greatly stiffened since the night he crept out
+from the cave. "There's a big powwow goin' on over at St. Leger's camp,
+an' no one is on guard hereabouts. This is the time when, if ever, you can
+escape."
+
+It seemed to me as if the lad talked the veriest nonsense in speaking of
+our escape by simply crawling away from the lodge, situate as it was in
+the very midst of the encampment; but Jacob had the whole plan in his
+mind, and was not to be disheartened, however much cold water we might
+throw upon it.
+
+It may seem strange, but such is the fact, that even when thus surrounded
+by danger my curiosity was so great that I asked him, even before he had
+time to explain how he hoped to effect our rescue, where he had been so
+long.
+
+"At Cherry Valley," he replied, as if a journey there and back was the
+most simple thing imaginable.
+
+"Meanin' that you have been home since the night you left the cave?" I
+repeated, in astonishment.
+
+"Ay, no less than that."
+
+"But why did you do it?" I cried, speaking so loudly as to call forth a
+warning groan from Sergeant Corney.
+
+"Because I believed it might be possible for you to escape, providin' we
+had help enough near at hand," he replied, and I said, even more
+mystified than before:
+
+"Surely you could not expect to get help for us from Cherry Valley?"
+
+"Ay; and that is just what I did."
+
+"Is my uncle here?"
+
+"No, indeed; he believed my scheme to be so wild that he would hardly
+listen to me, and said you three had the same as come to your death
+already, therefore it was useless to raise a finger in your behalf while
+there were so many hundred people near at hand needin' assistance."
+
+"Who then did you expect would come to our aid?" I asked, and Jacob
+replied, with what sounded very like a chuckle of satisfaction:
+
+"Who else, save the Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley?"
+
+But for the rawhide ropes which held me so cruelly immovable, I would have
+leaped to my feet in astonishment; as it was, I involuntarily gave so
+violent a start as to cause myself considerable pain, and then asked, in
+great heat:
+
+"Why do you play upon our hopes, so lately raised, by declaring that the
+company of lads is here?"
+
+"Not a bit of play about it, Noel," Jacob replied, in so cheery a tone
+that my heart became wondrously light. "Four an' twenty of our company,
+with John Sammons still acting as captain, are within an hundred yards of
+this lodge, an', what is more, we count on takin' you away with us before
+another day shall dawn."
+
+Then it was as if Jacob believed he had satisfied our curiosity so much as
+was necessary at such a time, for without delay he moved from one to the
+other, deftly cutting the rawhide which held us motionless, and three
+minutes had not elapsed from the time he first showed himself inside the
+lodge until our limbs were freed.
+
+We were no longer bound, but yet remained helpless. I could move neither
+hand nor foot, struggle as I might. It was as if my limbs were dead while
+my body yet remained alive; but Jacob, who had in his wild plan considered
+just such a probability, set about chafing my arms and legs until the
+feeling began to return.
+
+He performed the same office for Sergeant Corney, I aiding in the task
+before it was finished; but a good ten minutes elapsed before we had
+command of our limbs, and then it was that even Master Sitz began to
+believe it might be possible for us to escape from the encampment.
+
+While he worked over us, Jacob, understanding that we were being literally
+overwhelmed with curiosity regarding his movements during the long
+absence, explained that he was but a short distance from the cave when we
+were made prisoners, and at first almost gave way to despair because of
+what seemed to him the hardest stroke which an ill fortune could deliver.
+
+During that night he kept us in view, until learning that we would not be
+put to death immediately, and then the lad searched in his mind for some
+plan which might give promise, however slight, of success.
+
+He could not hope that those in the fort, closely besieged as they were,
+would be willing to make a desperate venture in order to aid three men,
+when so many hundred were in peril, and, even though the chances might be
+in favor of Colonel Gansevoort's being ready to make a sortie in our
+behalf, they were decidedly against Jacob's being able to communicate with
+the garrison.
+
+Then it was he bethought himself of the Minute Boys, who were not
+absolutely needed in Cherry Valley after the hundred and fifty soldiers
+were quartered there, and, without knowing how they might be able to aid
+him in the almost hopeless task, he set off at full speed for our home,
+travelling by night as by day, with no more halts than were absolutely
+necessary in order to recruit his strength.
+
+Colonel Campbell, my uncle, was much averse to Jacob's wild plans. He
+believed that, because of the danger which threatened all the inhabitants
+of the Mohawk Valley, it was in the highest degree foolhardy to make any
+such effort toward saving the lives of three people as might jeopardize an
+hundred times that number. However, while saying flatly it was a boy's
+scheme, and not worthy the attention of men, he stated that he would not
+put any obstruction in the way of those who chose to make the hazard,
+save to state openly that whosoever left on such a mission was but
+hastening his own death.
+
+It quickened the sluggish blood in my veins when Jacob said that, after he
+had summoned the Minute Boys and explained to them in what peril we three
+were, never one showed the slightest disinclination to do as he proposed.
+
+John Sammons, the lad who was acting as captain in my absence, insisted
+that it was plainly the duty of every member of the company to do
+whatsoever he might in our behalf, and the result was that the lad had
+been in Cherry Valley no more than half an hour before every member of the
+company was armed and outfitted for the perilous venture.
+
+At the very last moment, however, eight or ten of the number were
+dissuaded by their parents; but the remainder started hotfoot for Fort
+Schuyler, arriving an hour before this last day had dawned.
+
+The only plan which Jacob had formed in his mind was to get speech with us
+as speedily as possible after arriving. Then, if needs be, he would make a
+dash upon the encampment, and trust to the Minute Boys fighting their way
+out with us in their midst.
+
+Fortunately, however, he saw very speedily after daybreak that something
+of import was taking place, and wisely waited until it could be seen that
+every warrior was making ready for a grand powwow.
+
+Now, so he told us, the Minute Boys were waiting hardly more than an
+hundred yards distant, and, if it should be possible for us to make our
+way through the encampment to that point, it was the determination of
+every lad to fight to the best of his ability, with the hope of being able
+to retreat meanwhile in case the Indians were aroused.
+
+He who would not have done his best at escaping after all Jacob's work,
+and in face of the pluck shown by our comrades, deserved of a verity to
+remain prisoner even until he was led to the stake; but, as can well be
+imagined, neither of us three hung back from the hazard, for surely it was
+better to die fighting than be tortured as Thayendanega's wolves could
+torture a human being.
+
+Master Sitz made one stipulation, however, which was that Jacob should
+lead the way as we crept out from the lodge, and, in event of our attempt
+at escape being discovered while we were yet within the encampment, the
+lad was to save himself without giving heed to us.
+
+"There shall not be another victim added to our number," Jacob's father
+said, in a tone of determination. "Strike out for your comrades, in case
+the alarm is given, my boy, and if we are taken again leave us to our
+fate."
+
+Jacob made no reply to this; but I believed that if the need arose he
+would disobey his father's command without compunction.
+
+There was no time to linger. At any moment the powwow might be brought to
+an end, or some warrior return to the encampment, therefore it stood us in
+hand to move quickly, and so we did.
+
+Not until Jacob was well outside the lodge did either of us three make any
+move to follow him, and then Sergeant Corney would have pushed me under
+the skins, which he raised slightly, but that I hung back, declaring it
+was Master Sitz's place to go first; but the old man forced me forward.
+
+How my heart beat when for the first time in eight days I had full command
+of my limbs, and wriggled myself out into the clear air! It seemed as if
+every movement of my arms or legs caused so much noise that the few who
+remained in the lodges must be alarmed, and that I moved at even less than
+a snail's pace, when every muscle was being strained in the effort to
+advance rapidly.
+
+The perspiration came out upon my forehead in great drops, caused, not by
+the heat, but by the mental anguish, and again and again I said to myself
+that Jacob had labored for naught, since it would be impossible I could
+crawl undetected even over the short distance.
+
+And when, in my excited frame of mind, it seemed as if the escape was but
+just begun, I found myself in the thicket amid those lads who had been my
+playmates since I could remember, while each strove to show in silence
+how delighted he was that I had come safely.
+
+Then ensued another time of keenest suspense, when we strained our ears to
+hear the lightest sound which should betoken that the squaws of the
+encampment had been alarmed, and once more our hearts leaped up in joy as
+Master Sitz came behind the screen of bushes.
+
+Now we had only to wait for Sergeant Corney, and, having seen what he
+could do in the wilderness, I had no doubt but that he would succeed in
+his purpose, which he soon did.
+
+Perhaps no more than half an hour had passed from the time we first saw
+Jacob until we three, so lately prisoners, were surrounded by that brave
+band of lads who, by calling themselves "Minute Boys," had excited the
+mirth of the elders of Cherry Valley, and yet never one who was not
+prepared to sacrifice his own life for the welfare of the others.
+
+"What are we to do?" Sergeant Corney said, turning to me, as if I should
+resume command of this company of mine, and I replied, promptly, with
+never a thought of claiming my rights as captain:
+
+"It is for you to lead, sergeant, an' we will obey. There's not one in
+this company so well fitted as you to take us out from amid the dangers
+which surround us."
+
+"Yet my idea of what is safest may seem to the rest of you like veriest
+folly," he replied, as if he would shirk the responsibility, and Master
+Sitz said, eagerly:
+
+"It all seems to me like a piece of folly, Sergeant Corney, even though
+because of it are we brought out from the power of our enemies. You can do
+no more hairbrained things than has already been done by my son."
+
+"Then, if the command be left to me, we shall make our way into Fort
+Schuyler, provided that be possible."
+
+"Fort Schuyler!" I cried, in dismay.
+
+"Ay, lad, an' we shall be there before another day dawns if we live,
+provided we make the start."
+
+"But why not put as many miles between us and this place as is possible?"
+I cried, with no slight show of irritation, for the imminence of the
+danger set every nerve tingling until I could think of nothing save the
+most hurried flight.
+
+"It stands us in hand to go there, first, because they are in need of our
+help, and, secondly, because we shall stand a better show of finally
+escaping from the savages."
+
+"How do you make that out?" John Sammons asked, and I understood from his
+tone that he was not inclined for the hazard.
+
+"Think you Thayendanega's wolves will lose the prisoners whom they counted
+on seeing at the stake, without some effort to retake them?" the old man
+asked, sharply, and John Sammons replied:
+
+"All that we understand; but reckon on puttin' a goodly distance between
+us an' yonder encampment before to-morrow mornin'. Unless there is an
+accident the escape will not be known for many hours, and then should we
+have so much the lead that we could count with some degree of assurance
+upon gaining Cherry Valley."
+
+"In that I do not agree, lad, an' for many reasons. We cannot advance at
+full speed, because it will be necessary to spend some time in learnin'
+whether there be an enemy in the road; but the savages followin' the trail
+may come as fast as their legs can bring them, therefore will they travel
+three miles to our two."
+
+"Ay; but we should be able to hold in good play as many as may overtake
+us."
+
+"That must be accordin' to the fortunes of war. It is hardly to be
+reckoned that we could fight a pitched battle without losin' some portion
+of our company, and I would have this brave rescue of yours accomplished
+with as little cost as may be. Therefore have I in mind to enter Fort
+Schuyler."
+
+I cannot truly say that Sergeant Corney convinced us his plan was the
+best; but certain it is we were silenced, as was no more than proper,
+since it stood to reason he knew best about such affairs.
+
+After this, having made up our minds that we must attempt the perilous
+task, came the question of how it should be done, and on this point the
+old soldier gave us very little opportunity for discussion.
+
+"It is my plan that we circle around the encampment, even beyond St.
+Leger's quarters, in order to get a general idea of what may be goin' on,
+an', havin' arrived at the road westward of the fortification, you lads
+shall get in hidin' while I try once more to open communication with the
+garrison."
+
+"Why should you go alone?" I asked. "We might remain in a body, and thus
+save just so much time. If one can do the trick, then may it be possible
+for two, or a dozen."
+
+"Yes, to make one's way across the open country, I grant you; but
+remember, lad, how long it would have taken to gain admission when we were
+there before had the garrison not been warned that we were in the
+vicinity. This time they will look upon us as enemies until we are near
+enough to make ourselves known, and such a force as is here would appear
+to them like an attackin' party."
+
+The sergeant was right, as I now understood full well, and, although I
+craved not the dangerous work, because my comrades were near at hand I
+desired they should see that I shirked not peril.
+
+However, all seemed to understand that, if the sergeant's plan was to be
+carried out, he should arrange the details, and therefore I held my peace.
+
+In order to gain the westerly side of the fort from the Indian encampment,
+in the vicinity of which we then were, and learn what might be going on
+at St. Leger's headquarters, it would be necessary to cross the river and
+traverse at least two-thirds of a complete circle around the
+fortification.
+
+Much time might have been saved had we crossed the Mohawk to the
+southward, without venturing near the camps of the British.
+
+Sergeant Corney seemed to consider that it was more important to get a
+general idea of the disposition of St. Leger's forces before entering the
+fort, than to save ourselves so much labor, therefore he led the way
+eastwardly half a mile or more, until we were come to the narrowest part
+of the river, when we swam over, afterward heading directly for the main
+encampment of the besiegers.
+
+Still acting under Sergeant Corney's directions, the greater part of the
+company kept at a respectful distance when we were come within the
+vicinity of St. Leger's headquarters, while he, Jacob, and I crept forward
+to reconnoitre.
+
+Because of the many fires and the apparent confidence of the enemy that no
+attempt would be made to surprise them, we had ample opportunity to see
+all that was required.
+
+The biggest kind of a feast, or powwow, or council, or whatever it might
+have been called, was in progress, and so deeply interested were the
+Britishers, Tories, and Indians alike that I believe of a verity we could
+have approached within fifty feet and not been discovered save by purest
+accident.
+
+"Whatever they've got on hand seems to be somethin' that'll last well
+through the night," Sergeant Corney said, as he lay amid the bushes
+watching the various groups of men, both white and red. "If Colonel
+Gansevoort could only know what's goin' on at this minute, I allow he'd
+make such a sortie as would raise this siege in quick order. We couldn't
+have a better night for enterin' the fort, an', if we don't succeed, it'll
+be our fault, or through the blundering of some fool sentinel."
+
+To one who had not been in this vicinity, as had I, the old soldier's
+words might have induced the belief that we were really not exposed to
+danger in making the proposed venture; but I knew full well he believed,
+as did I, that, however many might be feasting and dancing in the
+encampment, there were a certain number watching the fort, and if one of
+them should catch a glimpse of us the business would be at an end right
+speedily.
+
+When Sergeant Corney had satisfied himself with a scrutiny of the camp, he
+led the way to the northward, where the Minute Boys were in hiding, and,
+arriving there, explained in few words the situation, to the end that they
+might be encouraged for that which was to come.
+
+I question if, after showing the bravery they already had, the lads needed
+any words to stiffen their backs; but it pleased the old soldier to make
+it appear as if we had clear sailing before us, and did no real harm.
+
+Then we started on the march, which would be long because it was
+necessary, after passing the encampment, to make considerable of a détour
+in order to avoid, first, a battery of three guns, then one of four
+mortars, and, lastly, a battery of three more guns, all of which extended
+northwesterly from St. Leger's headquarters.
+
+After this distance had been traversed, we passed within less than two
+hundred feet of the line of trenches which had been begun as an approach
+to the fort, and then bore to the southward again, crossing the Albany
+road.
+
+Finally, at perhaps two o'clock in the morning, we arrived at a broad
+elevation, the easternmost slope of which came very near to the outer
+walls of the fort.
+
+Here it would be necessary to advance without cover for perhaps an hundred
+yards, and it was this last and most dangerous work that Sergeant Corney
+insisted on doing himself.
+
+My company found fairly good hiding-places in the thicket near at hand,
+Jacob and I creeping out to the edge of the foliage in order to keep watch
+upon the old soldier as he made his way like a snake over the plain, which
+was almost entirely destitute of vegetation.
+
+He set off without delay, for, owing to the lateness of the hour, there
+was no time to be wasted, and our hearts were literally in our mouths as
+we watched him make his way slowly along, at imminent danger each second
+of being fired upon by the sentinels inside the fort.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XII.
+
+In the Fort
+
+
+
+Everything was in our favor on this night, otherwise Sergeant Corney's
+attempt would not have been the simple matter which it appears as set down
+by me.
+
+True it is we had previously visited the fort, and that while many of the
+enemy's sentinels were on the alert; but because a task has once been done
+is no proof that it may be accomplished a second time. In fact, it is by
+trying a hazardous venture again and again that it becomes yet more
+dangerous, or, in other words, "The pitcher that goes often to the well
+will one day return broken."
+
+I question if there could have been found in the entire Mohawk Valley a
+man who would have performed the task better than did Sergeant Corney. The
+night was not particularly dark, and we who were watching from the
+undergrowth knew exactly where to look for him, but yet there were many
+times when I failed utterly to distinguish his form, although, as I have
+already said, there was nothing in the way of vegetation to screen his
+movements.
+
+Only when he half-raised himself to make certain he was advancing in a
+direct course could we see him, and when, after perhaps twenty minutes of
+such stealthy approach, the deeper shadow cast by the fortification itself
+had been gained, he was entirely lost to our view.
+
+Then was come the time when I feared most for his safety, although, if the
+sentinel had failed to see him making his way across the open space, we
+might have reasonable hope that the remainder of his scheme, less
+dangerous, could be worked without mishap.
+
+It seemed to me as if an hour elapsed from the time he disappeared before
+we saw any sign of him again. The minutes passed laggingly, although while
+there was no outcry we knew full well he had come to no harm; but yet I
+trembled with anxiety until we finally saw a figure upon the wall waving
+its arms, and I said to Jacob:
+
+"That is the signal for us to advance."
+
+"Advance where?" he asked, in perplexity. "Surely it is not possible for
+us to get in at any point."
+
+"We can at least hold communication with those inside if we creep to the
+new portion of the fort, which as yet is only a stockade--the same place
+where the sergeant and I had converse with Colonel Gansevoort."
+
+It appears, as I finally learned, that the sergeant believed I would have
+sufficient sense to understand it was at this place we must effect an
+entrance, if anywhere, and I ought to have known at the time, for, after
+waving his arms to attract attention, he walked along the wall,
+disappearing near what was known as the "horn-works," which as yet were
+enclosed only by a stockade of logs.
+
+To summon the Minute Boys and bring them to the edge of the clearing was
+but the work of a few moments, and then was done that which I venture to
+say has seldom been accomplished during such a siege as was then in
+progress.
+
+For an armed party of nearly thirty to cross an open plain, supposedly
+under the very eyes of the enemy's sentinels, without being discovered, is
+something of which to boast, yet we Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley did
+it without raising an alarm.
+
+When the foremost of us, among whom I was, gained that portion of the
+fortification of which I have already spoken, the sergeant was lowering a
+long ladder over the stockade, and up this we clambered without delay, the
+entire party getting inside the fort within two minutes after the ascent
+was begun.
+
+What a time of congratulation that was! The garrison pressed around to
+praise us and pat themselves on the head, because we had come at what was,
+for them, an opportune time. Not only was the fort reinforced by no
+inconsiderable number, but we brought with us fairly good information as
+to the condition of affairs in the enemy's camp.
+
+The men were yet praising and thanking us for having come at such a time,
+when an officer approached with the word that Colonel Gansevoort wished to
+speak with the leaders of the party.
+
+"That means you, Noel," the sergeant said, patting me on the shoulder.
+"The colonel quite rightly believes that we can give him valuable
+information, an' is eager to have it."
+
+"But I am not the leader of the party," I said, finding time to be a bit
+bashful, now that the imminent danger was passed.
+
+"Who is, if not the captain of the company?" the old man asked, with a
+smile.
+
+"You, an' you always were when we were at home, Sergeant Corney, therefore
+are you doubly the leader now, after having brought us safely in from the
+encampment."
+
+The old soldier flatly refused to present himself as being in command of
+the Minute Boys, and there is no saying how long we might have wrangled
+among ourselves had not Colonel Willett, impatient to see us, come up just
+at that moment.
+
+After asking a few questions, he settled the matter by saying:
+
+"If you lads who have accomplished so much which men might well have
+feared to attempt, are not willing that one should have more praise than
+another, let all those who have been in command at different times present
+themselves to Colonel Gansevoort, and then, mayhap, we shall hear that for
+which we are so eager."
+
+I am free to admit that it was childish in any of us to hang back at such
+a moment, but, thanks to Colonel Willett, the matter was arranged as he
+suggested, Sergeant Corney, John Sammons, Jacob, and I going to the
+commandant's quarters, escorted by the colonel and the messenger who had
+been sent for us.
+
+There was no real occasion for us to have been timid regarding the
+interview with the commandant of Fort Schuyler, for a more pleasantly
+spoken, neighborly-like man it was never my good fortune to come in
+contact with.
+
+One would have said that he was interested personally in each and every
+one of us, from the questions he asked concerning our having organized a
+company of Minute Boys, how we had been drilled, and such like homely
+matters.
+
+Then, having shown himself to be a friend, as it were, he began getting
+that information which was necessary for the safety of the garrison. First
+he was eager to learn regarding the battle of Oriskany, for those inside
+the fort knew nothing whatsoever of that disastrous ambush, save such as
+could be guessed by the reports of the firearms and the bearing of the
+Indians after they beat a retreat.
+
+Sergeant Corney flatly refused to tell the story, insisting that I was the
+better able to do so, and, in the presence of Colonel Gansevoort and all
+his principal officers, I related the events of that day when an able
+soldier and a brave man was forced by the prating of cowards to lead his
+soldiers where he knew, almost beyond a peradventure, he had no hope of
+winning a victory.
+
+Then Jacob and I in turn gave an account of what had been done, bringing
+our story up to the time when Sergeant Corney took the lead in the attempt
+to gain the fort, and the old man could not well refuse to describe what
+he had seen that night regarding the disposition of the enemy's forces.
+
+That Colonel Gansevoort and his officers were deeply interested in our
+recital may be understood by the fact that day had fully come before we
+were at an end of our stories, and yet never one of them had shown the
+slightest impatience or a desire to cut us short.
+
+"I know of no greater favor which could have been done the garrison, save
+that of bringing in additional stores and larger reinforcements, than what
+has come to us through you," Colonel Gansevoort said, when we had imparted
+all our information. "I hope you will not regret having made this effort
+to aid us, and, if it so be an opportunity ever offers, I will see to it
+that, so far as is within my power, the Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley
+shall receive substantial credit from their country-men because of
+services rendered. We will give you as good quarters as we have; but if
+the rations seem scanty now and then, you must remember that we are not in
+position to get all we may require in the way of eatables."
+
+"Will you answer me one question, sir, an' not deem it impertinent?"
+Sergeant Corney asked, with a degree of humility such as I had never
+before seen him exhibit.
+
+"An hundred if you please. We can hardly refuse anything to those who have
+given us so much encouragement this night as have you and your comrades."
+
+"I would like to know, sir, simply from curiosity, an' not because it
+would make any difference with my desire to go or stay, if you have a good
+show of holdin' the fort against so strong a force as is under St. Leger's
+command?"
+
+"I believe we have," the colonel replied, thoughtfully. "At all events, I
+promise you that we will not surrender; but, if the worst comes to the
+worst, I shall sally out at night with the idea of cutting my way through
+the enemy's lines. Our provisions are running low; the enemy has advanced
+by parallels within an hundred and fifty yards, and the store of
+ammunition is by no means as great as we could wish. Our only hope is that
+General Schuyler may be able to succor us."
+
+"If a company of thirty boys can move through Thayendanega's camp, spy
+upon the British, and force their way into this fort unharmed, then of a
+surety can I do half as much," Colonel Willett said, vehemently. "I will
+undertake to make my way to General Schuyler, setting out when another
+night shall have come."
+
+"And I will go with you!" an officer, whom I afterward came to know was
+Lieutenant Stockwell cried heartily, whereupon the sergeant, puffed up
+because of what we had already done, declared that Jacob, he, and I would
+act as messengers.
+
+"It is enough for you to have shown us that the task can be accomplished,"
+Colonel Willett said with a smile. "I have been the first to volunteer for
+such service, and claim the right to go."
+
+At this point the commandant suggested in the most friendly manner that
+perhaps we who had lately arrived might be in need of food, and I fancied
+he made this suggestion in order to be rid of us while he and his officers
+discussed the proposition.
+
+At all events, we left headquarters and were conducted by Lieutenant
+Stockwell to a portion of the barracks which was set aside especially for
+the Minute Boys, to the end that we might all be together.
+
+"Rations shall be served you at once," the lieutenant said, as he turned
+to leave us, and, although he kept his word, it was past noon before we
+had an opportunity to break our fast, because it seemed as if nearly every
+man in the garrison was eager to hold personal converse with us in order
+to learn what he might concerning the besieging army.
+
+No matter however much we as a company might succeed in doing in the
+future, certain it is we could not be petted or praised more than we were
+during that first day in the fort.
+
+We had not accomplished anything remarkable, so far as I could see; aided
+by all the circumstances, and particularly by the fact that St. Leger's
+force had concluded to hold a powwow with the Indians on that certain
+night, we had come across the plain when, at another time and under other
+conditions, we might have made an hundred attempts without succeeding.
+
+It was, as Sergeant Corney would put it, the fortune of war, or the
+accident of war, which enabled us to do as we had done, and only the old
+soldier himself could take personal credit for our being there.
+
+If the garrison was on short allowance, we never would have suspected it
+during the first four and twenty hours of our stay, for every man inside
+the walls who had anything in the way of food which he thought might tempt
+our appetites, offered it to us, and the wonder of it all is that we were
+not so puffed up with pride as to behave very foolishly.
+
+Late in the afternoon, on the day after we arrived, Colonel Willett came
+to our quarters, and, sitting down among us regardless of his rank and
+high attainments as a military officer, talked in the most neighborly
+fashion with us concerning the surrounding country, the different routes
+we had pursued when coming to or going from the fort, and, particularly,
+concerning what we might have heard regarding the movements of the enemy
+between Fort Schuyler and Oswego.
+
+Of course to this last question we could give no satisfactory reply; but
+certain it is that he gained very much of useful information which would
+serve him in his attempt to reach General Schuyler. Having come to an end
+of his inquiries, he told us that it had been determined between himself
+and the commandant that on the next stormy night he and Lieutenant
+Stockwell would make an effort to leave the fort on their way to
+Stillwater, where it seems he believed the general would be found.
+
+Sergeant Corney begged hard to be allowed to accompany the two officers,
+but the colonel said, laughingly:
+
+"You will remain where you are, sir, unless it is in your mind to leave
+here because of the danger which threatens. Already have you done enough
+in the way of scouting."
+
+"I hope you do not think, sir, that I would run away because of anythin'
+like that?"
+
+"No, my man, I am quite certain you never would; but you are not to gain
+all the credit in this siege, for I count on taking some of it myself,
+unless, peradventure, the enemy treat me worse than they did you."
+
+Then the colonel left us, and right glad was I that he had not accepted
+the sergeant's offer, for I might in some way have been dragged into the
+venture, and of a verity I had had enough in that line of work to last me
+so long as I might live. It is all very well when a fellow is beyond reach
+of danger to speculate upon what might be done to gain a name for himself;
+but quite another matter to take his life in his hand any oftener than may
+be absolutely necessary.
+
+On the following morning I presented myself to the commandant with a
+complaint, having been prompted thereto by Sergeant Corney. We had not yet
+been assigned to any duty, and each member of the garrison seemed
+particularly averse to allowing us to even help ourselves.
+
+There was not a member of our company who wished to remain there idle, and
+I visited headquarters to ask that we might be called upon for the regular
+garrison work, the same as if we were enlisted men.
+
+Colonel Gansevoort very kindly assured me that there was no real reason
+why we should do duty while the force was so large; but promised, if we
+insisted upon it, to consider us when making a detail, exactly as he would
+any of the others.
+
+Colonel Willett had not long to wait before beginning his perilous
+journey. By noon of the second day after our arrival the wind veered
+around into the south, bringing heavy clouds across the sky, and even the
+poorest weather prophets among us knew that a summer storm was close at
+hand.
+
+Once during the afternoon the colonel passed near where I was furbishing
+up my rifle, and halted to say:
+
+"The lieutenant and I count on leaving the fort shortly before midnight.
+If you and your friends have any desire to see us set out, go down to the
+new works at about that time."
+
+By the "new works" he meant the stockade over which we had come, and I
+hastened to impart the information to Sergeant Corney and Jacob, knowing
+full well that they would be as interested in the venture as was I.
+
+The volunteer messengers could not have asked for a better night. When the
+day had come to an end the storm burst with no inconsiderable fury, and it
+was safe to predict that it would not clear away before sunrise.
+
+Had I been going on the venture I would have set out much before the
+appointed time, because while the rain came down so furiously there was
+little chance the enemy's sentinels could see what might be going on at
+the southerly end of the fortification, and it seemed as if my opinion was
+shared by Colonel Willett, for he and the lieutenant were ready to leave
+at about ten o'clock.
+
+I considered it very friendly in him to send us word as to his change of
+plans, that we might not miss seeing them set forth, and thus it was we
+beheld the two brave men as they imperilled their lives voluntarily and
+solely in the hope of aiding their comrades.
+
+They carried no weapons save spears, wore no clothing except what was
+absolutely necessary for comfort, and, stripped to the lightest possible
+marching trim, they went out into the blackness of the night like true
+heroes, with a smile and a jest upon their lips.
+
+There were not above twenty of us who witnessed the departure, but it is
+safe to say that no more fervent prayers for their safety could have been
+offered up if the whole garrison had bent the knee.
+
+The darkness of night had literally swallowed them up, and the downpour of
+rain drowned every noise that might have been made by their advance. It
+was a brave venture, more particularly because, without chance of being
+accused in the slightest degree of cowardice, they might have yielded
+their places to others.
+
+During half an hour or more we remained exposed to the storm, as we
+listened with painful intentness for some sound which should tell us that
+they had been discovered, and when at the end of that time we had heard
+nothing, it was believed they were on their way in safety.
+
+Later in the day we learned that it was Colonel Willett's intention to
+push on to German Flats, and there, procuring horses, ride at full speed
+down the valley to General Schuyler's headquarters.
+
+Having once got clear of the fort and its vicinity, as we believed to be
+the fact, the only thing which might prove the undoing of the venture was
+that the general had gone to some other section of the country, and they
+would not succeed in finding him until St. Leger had accomplished his
+purpose.
+
+Well, we settled down to garrison duty, taking our turn with the squads of
+from fifty to an hundred men who remained constantly on the alert to shoot
+such of the enemy as might be sufficiently obliging as to show themselves,
+and ready to give warning of any signs of an attack.
+
+This last was not believed probable. The officers of the garrison argued
+that neither the Indians nor the Tories could be depended upon to make a
+direct assault on such a fortification as Fort Schuyler, and that all St.
+Leger's efforts would be directed toward advancing his parallels until he
+was sufficiently near to mine.
+
+And yet how true is the old maxim that "it is always the unexpected which
+happens!"
+
+On the third morning after we had entered the fort Sergeant Corney and I
+were on duty as sharpshooters, and, before we had been upon the walls many
+moments, I called his attention to what seemed like an unusual hurrying to
+and fro on the part of the enemy. It was as if they were making ready for
+some important movement, and, according to my way of thinking, that could
+only mean an assault, improbable as our officers believed it to be.
+
+As a matter of course, we gave immediate information to the officer of the
+day of what we fancied had been discovered, and within half an hour more
+there could no longer be any doubt but that St. Leger had made up his mind
+to see what might be accomplished by a direct attack.
+
+I was disposed to make light of the matter, not believing it possible the
+enemy could effect anything of importance, but lost somewhat of my
+confidence on observing the grave expression on the faces of the officers.
+
+"What is it?" I asked of Sergeant Corney. "Do they fancy for a moment
+that, even though the Indians should be willing to take part in the
+assault, the fort could be carried?"
+
+"No, lad, I reckon they're not sich fools as that; but it has come to my
+ears that ammunition for the cannon is runnin' mighty low, an' to repel an
+attack, even though there be no danger come from it, will be a serious
+matter."
+
+Even then I failed to understand what the old soldier meant, and asked him
+to explain more fully, which he did.
+
+Then I came to realize that to expend our ammunition for the big guns at
+that time might result disastrously for us later, when, the parallels
+having been brought nearer, an assault would be vastly more menacing.
+
+However, St. Leger had the right to do whatsoever he might, and he could
+not have chosen a wiser course had he known exactly the amount of powder
+in our magazine.
+
+The gunners were sent to their stations, the remainder of the force
+disposed here or there as they might be the most useful, we Minute Boys
+being stationed near the sally-port, which, as Sergeant Corney said, was a
+great compliment, because at about that place might the hottest work be
+expected.
+
+It was not pleasant, this making ready for a battle. When we went into
+action with General Herkimer it was done quickly; we suspected something
+of the kind might happen, but were not certain of it. Now there could be
+no question but that, in a short time at the most, we would be striving to
+kill human beings, and unable, except at the cost of being branded as
+cowards, to do anything toward saving our own lives.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIII.
+
+The Assault
+
+
+
+If I have not spoken of Peter Sitz since he was rescued by the Minute
+Boys, it is because he did not remain in the barracks with us from Cherry
+Valley, but messed with some of his acquaintances from German Flats,
+therefore we saw very little of him until the garrison was mustered to
+repel the threatened attack.
+
+Then I noted that Colonel Gansevoort had entrusted to him the charge of a
+certain portion of the wall nearly opposite where the Minute Boys were
+stationed, and because he had been placed in command, even though it was
+of course only temporary, I judged, and truly, that Jacob's father was
+accounted an able assistant in such work as we most likely had before us.
+
+Sergeant Corney remained with the Minute Boys, as was his duty. I believe
+of a verity my company would have grumbled almost as loudly as had General
+Herkimer's men on the morning before the fight at Oriskany, had the old
+soldier taken station elsewhere, and yet it would have been but natural
+for him to go into the fight side by side with those of the garrison who
+were most experienced in warfare.
+
+As I have said, we were given a post which had in it no inconsiderable
+honor, since it was at that point where the most fighting might be
+expected, and from where we stood it was possible to have a fairly good
+view of the plain immediately surrounding the fort.
+
+Within twenty minutes after the alarm was first given, we could see the
+British and Tory soldiers forming in line, while to the southward, below
+the bend in the river, the Indians were crossing hurriedly, which last
+fact caused me to say to the sergeant:
+
+"I am of the mind that the savages count on attacking the stockaded
+portion of the fortification," and the old man replied:
+
+"Ay, lad, an' one might have guessed that without stopping to see from
+which direction they were comin'. Thayendanega may prate as much as he
+pleases about the bravery of his warriors, but he cannot find a corporal's
+guard among the whole crowd that would dare march up to a direct assault
+upon earthworks."
+
+"What portion of the force is on duty in the stockade?" Jacob asked, but
+none of our company could answer him. It was reasonable to suppose Colonel
+Gansevoort had stationed there those of his men who were most experienced
+in savage warfare, and we whose duty it was to hold the walls in the
+vicinity of the sally-port had no need to trouble our heads concerning
+them.
+
+The one thing which puzzled me was as to why St. Leger was making this
+attack, since he had begun to approach the fort by parallels. I was eager
+to have some expert opinion as to whether the British were apparently
+abandoning the slow method of reducing the fortification, or if, having
+learned perchance that we were running short of ammunition for the big
+guns, they were making an attack in order to provoke us to waste powder
+which would be more sadly needed at some later day. Therefore it was that
+I asked Sergeant Corney what his belief was regarding the matter.
+
+"It looks to me much as if Colonel Willett an' Lieutenant Stockwell had
+been captured."
+
+"How do you figure that out?"
+
+"Because an assault is evidently about to be made. If they are not
+prisoners, the enemy has learned that they left the fort."
+
+I was still in darkness as to why he arrived at such conclusion, but found
+the reason exceedingly plain when he said:
+
+"If St. Leger knows that a man of Colonel Willett's rank was eager to take
+the chances of leaving the fortification to summon assistance, he must
+believe the garrison is in sore straits, an' therefore it is that I
+believe the mistake was made in allowin' him to go out when there were
+plenty of others here willin' to take the chances."
+
+It grieved me sorely to think that the brave officer might be at that
+moment in the hands of the savages, or, what amounted to much the same
+thing, in the custody of the Britishers, for it was charged openly that,
+in order to keep the Indian allies in good temper, prisoners taken by his
+Majesty's troops were often delivered over to the red-skinned wolves for
+torture.
+
+However, there was but little time left me in which to speculate upon this
+painful matter, for even as Sergeant Corney and I spoke together the
+British troops, supported by the Johnson Greens, came out into view from
+amid the encampment, marching directly toward the fort.
+
+"There is more in this than an ordinary assault," I heard the sergeant
+mutter, as he looked to the priming of his musket. "St. Leger would not
+expose his men to the slaughter which must follow without good and
+sufficient cause. I'm not overly given to praising the Britishers; but we
+must admit that he who's in command here is a thoroughly good soldier."
+
+Under ordinary circumstances I would have been conscious of a certain
+chill along my spine, and felt my knees trembling beneath me at the
+certainty of soon being engaged in a life or death struggle; but after my
+experience as a prisoner there was but one thought in my heart, and that
+of repaying the enemy for some of the sufferings I had undergone.
+
+The desire for revenge was greater than the fear of death.
+
+Before many moments passed Sergeant Corney hit upon what I firmly believed
+was the true answer to my question of why an assault was to be made at
+this time.
+
+The Britishers and Tories advanced in good order until facing the
+northerly and westerly sides of the fort, within musket-shot range, and
+from that distance poured their bullets into us without doing much
+execution; but calling for strict attention on our part lest a charge be
+made, for the ditch was not so wide or deep but that a body of trained
+soldiers could have overcome the obstacle.
+
+Only twice were the guns, which could be trained in that direction,
+discharged, and then we inflicted no slight injury upon the foe; but
+Colonel Gansevoort soon showed that he was far too prudent a commander to
+shoot away all his powder at one time, even though it was possible to
+punish the enemy severely.
+
+It looked much as if the king's forces were bent on continuing the battle
+with small arms at short range, for they discharged their pieces as
+rapidly as it was possible to reload them, making a great din even though
+the execution was slight.
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney hit upon the meaning of this odd move.
+Without a word he leaped down from the wall where he had been stationed,
+running swiftly toward the unfinished portion of the fortification, and
+was gone no more than three or four minutes when he returned with more
+show of excitement than I had ever known him to exhibit.
+
+"Yonder Britishers and renegades are but holding our attention in order to
+give Thayendanega's wolves a chance to scale the stockade," he said,
+hurriedly. "The force there is all too small. I will take half of the
+company, at risk of disobeying orders, to that point, while you go with
+all speed and tell the commandant what I have learned."
+
+I understood the situation without further explanation, and, realizing the
+necessity for haste, went as rapidly as my legs would carry me to the
+northeast bastion, where I had last seen Colonel Gansevoort.
+
+Fortunately for my purpose he was still there, giving directions as to the
+firing of the guns, and in a twinkling I had acquainted him with the
+situation as described by Sergeant Corney, at the same time explaining
+that half the Minute Boys had been withdrawn from near the sally-port.
+
+"The sergeant has done well," the commandant replied. "Ten of your number
+should be more than sufficient there, if matters are as they seem. Tell
+Sergeant Braun I will join him as soon as possible."
+
+Then I ran with all speed to my company, and, explaining to John Sammons
+my purpose, took with me half the number remaining under his command.
+With this small force I set off at full speed, and we arrived none too
+soon at the place where the most desperate fighting was going on.
+
+At the beginning of the action no more than forty men had been stationed
+in the "horn-works," and it seemed to me as if the entire stockaded
+portion was surrounded by a dancing horde of howling, maddened Indians,
+who, bringing with them tree-trunks or stout branches, were throwing up
+such a heap of odds and ends as admitted of their gaining the top of the
+logs despite the fire which our people were pouring upon them.
+
+It must be set down here that there were no cannon in this unfinished
+portion of the fortification. The so-called rebellion against the king had
+broken out before this very necessary adjunct to the strength of the fort
+could be completed, and, consequently, it was the weakest portion of our
+defence.
+
+When I arrived with my comrades at this point, our people were engaged in
+a hand-to-hand struggle with the savages, three score or more having
+succeeded in effecting an entrance, and it needed no experienced eye to
+say that unless the onrush could be speedily checked, the capture of the
+fort might be effected at a time when we had believed St. Leger was simply
+making a feint.
+
+Exactly what happened during the next half-hour I am unable to state of my
+own knowledge, for I had no sooner entered the horn-works than it became
+necessary to put forth every effort in the saving of my own life.
+
+A gigantic savage discharged his musket with seemingly true aim directly
+at my head; but, strangely enough, missed the target, and then he came at
+me, hatchet in hand, with such fury that for an instant it seemed as if I
+was at his mercy.
+
+So excited was I that my bullet, which should have found lodgment in his
+heart, went as wild as had his, and then was I forced to use a clubbed
+musket for defence.
+
+Had any one asked me on that morning if I believed it possible to
+withstand the attack of an Indian, the two of us using the weapons I have
+just described, my answer would have been a decided "no," and yet now I
+held him in good play, although realizing that each moment I was growing
+weaker and he gaining the advantage.
+
+Already were my eyes becoming suffused with blood; my brain was in a
+whirl, as I leaped here or there, parrying with the butt of the musket the
+blows of his hatchet, and all the time he continued to press me nearer and
+nearer toward the wall, where my resistance would have been overcome
+within a very short time.
+
+I wondered why it was that Colonel Gansevoort delayed in the coming, and
+could see, without looking in any direction save at my foe, that the
+number of savages inside the stockade was increasing each moment.
+
+[Illustration: "The painted villain sank down upon the ground"]
+
+Only a brief delay now on the part of the commandant, and they would gain
+so great an advantage that such portion of the garrison as could be
+withdrawn from the walls where the Britishers were making the pretended
+attack, would not be able to dislodge them.
+
+Then suddenly, at the very moment when it seemed impossible I could
+struggle any longer, the painted villain sank down upon the ground as if
+having received his death-blow, and I dimly heard Sergeant Corney cry,
+cheerily:
+
+"That was a narrow squeak, lad, an' we'll hope there'll be many more of
+'em before the last one comes! Keep yourself well in hand, for of a verity
+our work is cut out for us here!"
+
+Now it was I knew that a shot from the old soldier's musket had put an end
+to the combat in which I was most deeply interested, and I strained every
+nerve to gather myself together as he had commanded.
+
+By this time I dare venture to say no less than two hundred of the howling
+demons had scaled the stockade, and we who were defending this weakest
+portion of the fortification were pressed back and back until we stood
+massed against that opening which gave entrance to the main fortification.
+
+We were in good position for the enemy to mow us down with bullets, and in
+such close formation that only those in the outermost ranks could use
+their weapons to advantage.
+
+"It is all over," I said to myself, realizing that within a very few
+moments we must be killed or disabled under such a fire as Thayendanega's
+scoundrels were pouring upon us. Then from our rear I heard ringing
+cheers, the trampling of many feet, and realized that assistance had come
+at the most critical moment.
+
+Sixty seconds later we had all been slain like sheep in the shambles!
+
+"Give way, give way, lads in front!" I heard Colonel Gansevoort shout,
+and, hardly understanding the words, instinctively we surged either side
+of the passage, having hardly done so before a shower of grape-shot came
+hurtling between our ranks, dealing death to scores of the
+feather-bedecked wretches.
+
+"Stand to your muskets, you Minute Boys!" Sergeant Corney shouted, and the
+sound of his voice stiffened my courage wonderfully. "Now is the time to
+pay back some of our old scores, and every bullet should cut short a life
+from among those who would harry us of the valley."
+
+He had hardly more than ceased speaking when a great uproar could be heard
+from the distance, and, without turning my head, I understood that the
+British regulars and the Johnson Greens were pressing the attack on the
+west and the front, in order to hold our men at the walls that we might
+not be able to regain possession of the stockade.
+
+Now the fight was on in good earnest, and a bloodier one or a more
+desperate struggle I hope never to see again.
+
+After the single cannon which Colonel Gansevoort had caused to be brought
+in was discharged, the reinforcements betook themselves to their muskets,
+for our frontiersmen were more accustomed to the use of small arms than
+big guns, and the tide surged this way and that, with the fate of the fort
+trembling more than once in the balance, until I had before my eyes only
+great billows of feathered forms, which rose and fell, advanced and were
+forced back, until I was well-nigh bewildered.
+
+Before this portion of the fighting had come to an end, fully half the
+garrison was engaged in repelling the attack of Thayendanega's forces, and
+during such time the white portion of the enemy's army might have made a
+successful assault upon the walls, I verily believe, but for the cowardice
+displayed by the Tories.
+
+How long we struggled there hand to hand, stumbling now over the lifeless
+forms of our comrades, and again finding our way checked by the dead
+bodies of the savages, I cannot say; but certain it is that we finally
+drove the last of the hated foe over the stockade, and gave Thayendanega's
+boasting braves such a lesson as they would not need to have repeated for
+many days.
+
+I was not less wearied with the carnage than those around me. Even
+Sergeant Corney, to whom such scenes were not strange, leaned against a
+portion of the earthworks as if for support while he dashed the
+perspiration from his eyes, and then we knew by the sounds that the battle
+was being waged severely over against the sally-port.
+
+Then it was I called for the Minute Boys to follow me, as I ran at the
+best pace possible in that direction, for there was our post of duty.
+
+Now Colonel Gansevoort no longer husbanded his store of ammunition
+intended for the cannon, and every piece in the northern and eastern
+bastions was being worked with the utmost rapidity, sending among the
+Tories such a shower of iron as their cowardly hearts could not hold out
+against, and, when they turned with cries of fear to flee, the British
+regulars, understanding that they were too few in number to effect
+anything against us, joined in the retreat.
+
+The assault had come to an end, and we of the garrison were triumphant,
+but at such an expense of life that we could not well afford many more
+such victories.
+
+During that night we buried our dead,--four and twenty men,--committing
+them to the dust under cover of darkness lest the enemy see how much
+injury he had inflicted, and, thank God, never a member of my company who
+could not answer to the roll-call.
+
+There were forty-one so seriously wounded that it was necessary a certain
+force be told off from among the garrison to play the part of nurses, and,
+when to the number of disabled is added those who were to care for them,
+it can be seen that St. Leger struck us a severe blow, even though he did
+not succeed in his purpose.
+
+We buried our comrades in the horn-works, just under the stockade they had
+defended so gallantly, and threw over the fence of logs fifty-two of
+Thayendanega's wolves who would take no further part in murder and rapine.
+It is positive that there must have been many wounded among the Indians,
+some so severely that it would have been impossible for them to accompany
+their fellows in the retreat; but yet we found none that had any life in
+them when we searched among the ghastly evidences of the fight for our own
+people.
+
+Peter Sitz declared that he had seen one of the wounded savages
+deliberately kill himself with a knife, when it was seen that the assault
+had failed, and I doubt not but that several did the same rather than fall
+into our hands. Then, also, it is possible, in the heat of battle, and
+remembering what these human wolves had done to the women and children of
+the settlements which had been attacked, some of our men had sent more
+than one of the helpless wretches to the Happy Hunting Grounds. I count
+myself as tender-hearted as any other, and yet it would not have troubled
+my conscience had I put a few wounded villains out of the world, rather
+than let them live to commit yet more murders.
+
+On the morning after the assault a white flag was raised over the fort,
+and when St. Leger sent in hot haste a messenger to learn what we wanted,
+thinking, most like, we had made up our minds to surrender, he was
+informed that Colonel Gansevoort was willing to grant an hour's truce that
+the British and Indian dead might be buried.
+
+This the enemy accepted, and I was surprised to see that never one of
+Thayendanega's beauties came forward to carry off the slain of his tribe.
+I had always heard it said that the redskins would brave any danger rather
+than allow a dead Indian to fall into the hands of an enemy; but certain
+it is that on this day the rascally Tories dragged away the bodies, with
+not even a squaw to help them.
+
+Within the time set we were rid of the ghastly evidence of the battle,
+which might have proven a menace to the health of the garrison had the
+corpses been allowed to remain unburied while the weather was so warm, and
+during all the coming night we could hear distinctly cries of lamentation
+from the Indian camp. It was as if every brave, squaw, and papoose howled
+his or her loudest in token of sorrow, and three of us within the fort had
+a very good idea of what would have been our fate had we not been rescued
+before the assault.
+
+"This would have been our last night on earth, had the Minute Boys not
+come to the rescue," Peter Sitz said to me, as we stood near the
+sally-port for an instant, listening to the wild cries, and, strong man
+though he was, I took note of the fact that his face shone pale in the
+faint light.
+
+It did not need that I should strain my imagination very much to paint a
+mental picture of our condition at that time, if we had remained in the
+power of the savages. Of a verity we would have tested their keenest
+torture before death came to our relief.
+
+"It would seem as if that company of ours had been formed to some purpose,
+an' not all of them were children," I said, minded that he who had laughed
+most heartily at what he was pleased to call our "pretensions," should
+give credit where it was due.
+
+"If I live to see home again, there is never a man in Cherry Valley who
+shall not hear from me what I owe to you lads!"
+
+"Don't forget that I had no part in the rescue, Master Sitz, for surely I
+was trussed up as stoutly as either you or Sergeant Corney."
+
+"Yet but for your persistence we would never have thought of enlisting the
+boys to aid in our defence, therefore must you take your portion of the
+praise, an' more especially since it is said by Sergeant Corney himself
+that you have proven yourself a man at every time when danger threatened."
+
+"Sergeant Corney has no idea how my knees shook beneath me when, as he
+believed, I was stout-hearted," I replied, with a careless laugh that
+served to cloak the feeling of pride which rose in my bosom when he gave
+good words to the Minute Boys.
+
+While weeping over our dead, and rejoicing because of having beaten back
+the enemy when it seemed as if the assault was about to be successful,
+fear regarding the safety of Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell lay
+heavily upon our hearts. It was the belief of nearly all the garrison that
+the two officers had been captured, and, if such had been the case, there
+could be no question but that they suffered a terrible death at the stake
+while the savages were mourning over their loss.
+
+Those among us who felt convinced that the messengers had succeeded in
+their attempt, and Colonel Gansevoort was one of the hopeful ones,
+insisted that if the Indians had tortured any prisoners to death, we must
+have heard yells and shouts of triumph; yet the night wind had brought to
+our ears nothing more than the cries of sorrow.
+
+Viewing the situation in the brightest light possible, many days must of a
+necessity elapse before we could hope for any good results from their
+brave venture, and if in the meantime the enemy pressed us sharply, we
+would be in hard straits, more particularly since so much of our
+ammunition had been expended in defending the fort against that first
+assault.
+
+When a large number of men are confined in a limited space, and exposed to
+danger, it needs but the lightest word to make cowards of the more
+faint-hearted, as we soon had good proof.
+
+On the day following the truce, after the enemy had buried their dead,
+work on the parallels was continued, and it gave me no little satisfaction
+to see that the Tories were forced to perform the greater portion of the
+labor.
+
+As I have already said, these trenches extended within an hundred and
+fifty yards of the fort by this time, and we knew only too well that it
+was not within our power to prevent their being advanced as near as the
+enemy saw fit to carry them.
+
+After a certain time mining would probably be begun, and then, if our
+supply of ammunition had not been replenished, the end must be near at
+hand, when St. Leger would have opportunity to carry into execution his
+threat of allowing Thayendanega's murderers to work their cruel will.
+
+All this was talked over and commented upon by our people as the days wore
+on, and the more timid seemed to find delight in picturing what would take
+place if the fort was captured.
+
+"Why must they keep harpin' on that possibility all the time?" I asked,
+angrily, of Sergeant Corney, when I had turned away in disgust from a
+group of men who were painting horrible word-pictures, and the old soldier
+had followed me to the parade-ground beyond sound of such words.
+
+"It is all as plain as the nose on your face, lad," the old man said,
+grimly. "Look about, an' you'll see that them as are makin' the howl over
+what the Injuns may do are the faintest-hearted among us. It's all done
+for one purpose."
+
+"What can that be?" I asked, in surprise. "How do they suppose any good
+can come of conjuring up everything horrible?"
+
+"They're of the same kidney that drove General Herkimer into the ambush,
+an' are tryin' to force the colonel to surrender."
+
+"That can't be possible!" I cried, sharply. "There's never one among them
+who does not know full well what the result will be if Colonel Gansevoort
+surrenders the fort! St. Leger's promises would be as the idle wind when
+Thayendanega's followers wanted victims for the stake!"
+
+"True for you, lad, an' yet these cowards are ready to howl for
+capitulation rather than fight as men should, in the presence of such an
+enemy, to the last ditch," the sergeant replied, bitterly.
+
+I could not believe that among the entire garrison might be found one
+soldier who would willingly consent to a surrender, and said as much to
+the old man, who replied, grimly:
+
+"I haven't been around here for the past four an' twenty hours with my
+eyes shut an' my ears filled with moss. Take a turn about the works,
+listenin' to all that is said, an' you'll find I'm not wrong in my
+figgerin'. The colonel knows as well as do I what's in the wind, an' I'll
+agree never to eat sweet-cake agin if he ain't makin' ready for trouble
+inside the fort as well as outside."
+
+I remained silent a full minute, horrified by the bare possibility, and
+then asked, in a voice which trembled despite all my efforts to render it
+steady:
+
+"Think you they can force him against his will, as the militia did General
+Herkimer?"
+
+"It is my belief that he'd shoot down a round dozen before consentin' to
+give us all over to death; but there's no knowin' what a man may be forced
+into when pressure enough has been brought to bear upon him."
+
+At this moment Jacob came up, looking like his old self now that his
+father was safe, at least, for the time being, and to him I put the matter
+much as I had had it from the sergeant.
+
+"Within the hour I have heard the same word from my father. He believes
+there are a full hundred of the garrison who, when they have worked
+themselves up to just such a pitch, will howl for surrender."
+
+Even then I refused to believe in what was as yet no more than a
+suspicion, and Sergeant Corney said, impatiently:
+
+"It won't cost you much time to find out for yourself, lad. Take a couple
+of turns around, an' I'll guarantee you'll agree that Peter Sitz an' I are
+not tryin' to make mountains out of mole-hills."
+
+"I'll go with you," Jacob said, promptly, and straightway we set out,
+keeping our ears open whenever we came within speaking distance of a
+group of men who appeared to be talking earnestly upon some particular
+subject.
+
+It was not necessary that we should go twice around the inside of the
+fortification, for before we completed the first circuit I had heard
+enough to convince me that Sergeant Corney, instead of exaggerating the
+matter, had not made his statements strong enough by one-half.
+
+As it seemed to me, a full third of the garrison were arguing in favor of
+surrender, giving as their reasons the scanty supply of powder for the
+cannon, and the probability that St. Leger's army would constantly
+increase as the Tories from the Mohawk Valley got wind of what was going
+on.
+
+I was sick at heart and literally faint with fear when this knowledge was
+forced in upon me, for I knew only too well how idle would be all the
+promises of St. Leger if the savages were inclined to massacre the
+prisoners that were surrendered on promises of fair treatment.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIV.
+
+Mutiny
+
+
+
+I had thought that we would never again be called upon to witness such a
+scene as that in General Herkimer's encampment on the morning when those
+who, later, were the first to show the white feather, literally drove him
+into a place where he, as a soldier, knew it was not safe to venture until
+all the arrangements for a sortie from the fort were completed.
+
+Now, however, it seemed to me that we were to be treated to a second dose
+of mutiny, and this one more serious than the first, for, in case these
+fools in the fort succeeded in badgering Colonel Gansevoort as the others
+had the general, then would nearly a thousand men be given over to the
+savage foe, whom we knew full well would show no mercy.
+
+To me the strange part of it all was that these very simpletons who were
+howling so loudly for surrender would be among those counted as prisoners,
+and I failed utterly to understand how they could figure themselves as
+being better off in the power of Thayendanega's wolves, than in the fort
+where they had a chance of fighting to the death.
+
+Even to this day it seems so strange that I would not dare set it down as
+a fact unless those gentlemen who write history had spoken of it so
+plainly.
+
+"You can make up your mind that those fellows who are lettin' out the most
+noise are the ones who've got a cowardly streak in 'em somewhere,"
+Sergeant Corney said, when Jacob and I, having satisfied ourselves that
+mutiny was rife in the fort, went to him for the purpose of talking the
+matter over.
+
+"The greater the cowards the less inclined they should be to surrender, as
+it seems to me," I replied, in perplexity.
+
+"Ay, lad, that's the way it looks to a decent man; but sich fellows as
+these here who are makin' a row, are the ones who're always lookin' ahead,
+thinkin' matters may be bettered, an' regardin' not the possibility of
+their growin' worse. Here they are, like to come on short allowance, an'
+obleeged to take their turn at bein' shot at now an' then, consequently,
+not havin' the heart to endure even the lightest sufferin', they say we
+can't be any worse off, an' ought to surrender."
+
+"But they know the nature of Thayendanega's wolves as well as do you or
+I."
+
+"Yes, they did know yesterday; but now, because their stomachs are not
+quite full, they're ready to admit that every redskin is an imitation
+angel."
+
+"Think you they can badger the colonel?" Jacob asked, thoughtfully, thus
+repeating my question in different words.
+
+"I will say to you as I did to Noel, that they're like to get the rough
+end of it before drivin' him into a mistake. We who are not inclined to be
+mutinous can help him out a good bit in this matter."
+
+"How?" I asked, in perplexity.
+
+"By standin' out stiffly against their fool talk, though there ain't much
+chance you can convince 'em with words; but if one, or half a dozen, for
+that matter, gives me an openin', I'll see if the weight of my fist can't
+beat some sense into them."
+
+It is not agreeable to set down the details of such a disgraceful scene as
+we witnessed during the next four and twenty hours, and more than painful
+to describe how the mutiny was finally checked. It must be done, however,
+if I would write fairly the part which we Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley
+took in the troubles and triumphs round-about Fort Schuyler; but I will
+give the story in as few words as possible.
+
+It so chanced that during this day the rations dealt out to us were
+smaller than before, and this gave the fool croakers an opportunity of
+airing their grievances in fine style.
+
+Those who should have been steadily attentive to their duties, with never
+a thought in their minds of anything save besting the motley crew that
+besieged us, began to talk openly of starvation, as if there was no
+question whatsoever but that we had come nearly to the end of our
+provisions, and thus, as I believe, they brought over to their way of
+thinking many who never would have listened to such wild talk, but for the
+fact that it seemed probable the hour of surrender must be near at hand.
+
+I saw to it that none of the Minute Boys sided with these malcontents,
+while Sergeant Corney and Peter Sitz moved here and there throughout the
+day, trying to persuade the men to do only that which was for their own
+good, but without success.
+
+The longer such talk ran through the garrison the stronger it became,
+until shortly before sunset the mutiny was so well advanced that the
+commandant could do no less than take serious notice of it, and it pleased
+me that he did not delay.
+
+Save for the sentinels on the walls, the entire garrison was called out as
+for parade, and, having been clumsily formed in a hollow square, Colonel
+Gansevoort, surrounded by his staff of officers, undertook to still the
+rising tempest.
+
+He began by saying that it was the opinion of himself and his staff that
+the men ought to know exactly the condition of affairs, lest they be led
+astray by idle fears, and to that end he called upon the quartermaster for
+a detailed statement of the amount of eatables then on hand.
+
+When this had been given, and it required some time to read the entire
+list, he announced the number of men, women, and children which were
+inside the walls of the fort, figuring out that by slightly decreasing the
+size of the rations it would be possible to provide every person with food
+during three weeks at least.
+
+True it is the supply was not large enough to admit of our gorging
+ourselves; but I dare venture to say that many there would have lived on
+much less had they been thrown upon their own resources in their own
+homes.
+
+Then he told how many times the big guns had been fired during the late
+assault, and stated that we had two hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition
+remaining for the cannon. He claimed that it was possible for us to hold
+the fort even though we did not use the heavy weapons, and showed that we
+could yet put up as much of a fight as St. Leger's army would be able to
+stomach.
+
+After all these details, he described to the men what would likely be
+their fate in event of surrender, declaring that we had every reason and
+the ability to hold the fort if we were so minded, and urged us to be men
+rather than cowards.
+
+It was a good speech, and one which should have put heart into the veriest
+white-livered militiaman that ever pretended to be a soldier; but, to my
+surprise, I could see on the faces of those who had talked surrender the
+loudest, an expression telling that the words passed by them as does the
+wind.
+
+When we were dismissed the contention was greater than before the colonel
+spoke, and I began to believe it would have been better had he held his
+peace, for surely it seemed as if they believed his words of cheer were
+but proof that he shared their fears.
+
+During the evening one of the bolder poltroons declared it was the duty of
+all the garrison, in order to save their lives, to force Colonel
+Gansevoort to do as they desired, and while the talk was the hottest
+Sergeant Corney "broke loose," as he afterward expressed it.
+
+"This lad an' I," he said, laying his hand on my shoulder, after
+attracting the attention of all within sound of his voice, "have within a
+short time seen just such scoundrelly curs as you are provin' yourselves
+to be. We have heard them cry out against a commander who was fitted to
+lead brave men, and their blood is not yet dry on the banks of the
+Oriskany. They forced General Herkimer into an ambush against his better
+judgment,--against his will,--an' at the first volley from Thayendanega's
+painted wretches they turned tail. Until that time I had thought an Indian
+was the meanest specimen of humanity on the face of the earth; but I have
+come to know different, an' am yet gettin' fresh proof. If you talk so
+boldly of what St. Leger's promises are worth, why don't you put 'em to
+the test? If you believe death by starvation awaits you here, an' that all
+the heart of man can desire is to be found among yonder yellin' imps, why
+don't you make an exchange? The garrison would be the stronger for your
+absence, an' if it so be any man here wants to consort with the red
+wolves, I, who pride myself on never yet havin' disobeyed a military
+order, will stand by an' help him to leave the fort."
+
+For a moment after the old man ceased speaking I fully expected he would
+be set upon and ill-treated by those whom he had so severely lashed with
+his tongue.
+
+That no move toward open violence was attempted simply gave proof that
+they were the cowards he had accused them of being; but I believed it was
+possible to see in their faces that his ironical advice might bear fruit,
+and so I told him when the opportunity came.
+
+"More than one of them has had it in his mind to desert an' go over to the
+enemy," I said, whereupon he replied, as if the possibility gave him great
+satisfaction:
+
+"I wish they might! It's true I said more than I meant when declarin' my
+willingness to help 'em get away; but I promise you, Noel Campbell, that
+my hand never will be raised to stop them, if they try any sich fool
+trick."
+
+When my lads were together in the barracks once more, and had settled down
+for the night, none of us having been detailed for guard-duty, the thought
+of what I fancied I saw on the faces of the mutineers troubled me not a
+little, and, instead of lying down to sleep with the majority of my
+comrades, I called Peter Sitz and Sergeant Corney aside, urging that one
+or the other go to Colonel Gansevoort for the purpose of telling him what
+it was possible some of the garrison might attempt to do before morning.
+
+Peter Sitz claimed that, since he was not a soldier, he had no right to
+make what might seem to the commandant like a suggestion, and shoved all
+the responsibility on the sergeant.
+
+The old man declared, as he had previously, that the men might do as they
+pleased; that if it was possible to stop them by a single word his lips
+should remain closed.
+
+Whereupon I suggested that if the men should desert, in however small
+numbers, they might leave some portion of the fortification unguarded,
+which would work to the peril of all, and insisted, if the sergeant would
+not do what he might to prevent the desertion, it was at least our duty to
+so act that the remainder of the garrison would not be put in jeopardy
+because of their folly.
+
+Not until I had spoken at some length would the old soldier give any heed,
+and then, upon a suggestion from Peter Sitz, he said:
+
+"This much I'm willin' to do, an' no more: from now till mornin' I'll make
+it my business, although clearly I am goin' beyond the bounds of ordinary
+duty, to move to an' fro around the fort, an' will summon the Minute Boys
+in case any point is left unguarded."
+
+Both Jacob and I proposed to share the labor with him; but he would have
+none of it.
+
+"Stay where you are," he said, "for I'm not minded you shall do that which
+may disgruntle the commandant. When he learns that we took it upon
+ourselves to look after the safety of the garrison without orders from
+him, there'll be a good chance for a row. I'll stand the brunt of it
+alone, without draggin' you lads into the scrape."
+
+I knew from the expression on his face that any attempt at argument with
+him at the time would be useless, therefore held my peace; but had it in
+mind that by thus interfering he might be committing an offence such as
+the commandant would not readily forget.
+
+If any number of men should desert on this night, there could not be any
+question but that we, having had an inkling of it, might justly be held
+accountable, but yet I was not pleased at the thought of doing or
+suffering to be done that which the old soldier had set his face against.
+
+However, as has been said, I could have done nothing to change matters
+save by going to the commandant, and therefore remained in the barracks,
+mightily uncomfortable in mind, but trying my best at holding conversation
+with Jacob on indifferent subjects.
+
+The majority of my company had no idea of what might be done that night,
+therefore they lay down to sleep as usual, Jacob and I seeking the open
+air after we found it was impossible to take interest in any subject save
+that which lay, just at that time, nearest our hearts.
+
+We paced to and fro in front of the barracks, taking good care not to
+disturb the sleepers, until perhaps half an hour before midnight, and then
+the sergeant came up, looking much like a man who has just settled a very
+disagreeable question.
+
+"Well, it's done," he said, abruptly, "an' to-morrow at this time I reckon
+there'll be less fools in the world."
+
+"What do you mean?" I cried, excitedly, for, although expecting to hear
+that a certain number of men had deserted, I could not but feel
+astonishment when the suspicions thus became a certainty.
+
+"Five of the cowards have deserted, countin' that St. Leger will receive
+'em with open arms. They had a good deal to say about the need of
+somethin' to fill up their stomachs, an' I reckon that within four an'
+twenty hours sich a question as that won't give 'em any further trouble."
+
+"How did they go?" Jacob asked, eagerly.
+
+"Out through the horn-works, an' over the stockade."
+
+"How did it happen that only five started?"
+
+"The rest of the mutinous ones were not quite sich fools when it came to
+the last pinch, an' I'm allowin' we're well rid of those who have gone,
+save that they can carry information to St. Leger of a kind he'll be glad
+to receive."
+
+That was a possibility which I had failed to realize until this moment,
+and immediately the knowledge came I understood clearly that it was our
+duty to have notified the commandant at once of what we suspected, for, if
+the enemy learned that we were on short allowance and with a scarcity of
+ammunition, as he certainly would from these men who were bound to make
+matters appear as bad as possible, we might expect more than one vigorous
+assault within a very short time.
+
+"Did you stand quietly by while they went?" Jacob asked, in a tone of
+reproach.
+
+"I wasn't quite sich a fool as that, lad, even though I did advise 'em to
+go. I kept my eye on the gang, however, an' was hidden in the horn-works
+when they made the final plans. Those who had been left behind seemed to
+be frightened, an' I reckon there'll be less show of mutiny in this 'ere
+fort to-morrow mornin' than we've seen in the past four an' twenty hours."
+
+Jacob and I would have insisted that the old soldier tell us more
+regarding the desertion, although it was evident he had imparted all the
+information at his command; but he, bent on getting some rest before
+morning, entered the barracks, and we could hardly do better than follow
+him.
+
+Although it had not seemed possible I would close my eyes in slumber that
+night, with so much which was disagreeable to keep me awake, I did fall
+asleep, and that right soon after I lay down by the side of Jacob.
+
+We were astir very early next morning, through some whim of Sergeant
+Corney's, who insisted that the Minute Boys should be the first to make an
+appearance, and I left the barracks fully expecting to find a scene of
+confusion outside.
+
+Matters were much as they had been the night previous, and I came to the
+conclusion, that as yet the commandant was ignorant of the fact that five
+of his men had gone over to the enemy.
+
+However that may have been, no signs of disquietude among the officers
+were apparent until the sun was two hours or more high, and then half a
+dozen men belonging to the same company as those who had deserted, were
+summoned to headquarters.
+
+"You might save the commandant a good bit of trouble by telling him what
+you know," Jacob suggested to Sergeant Corney, and the latter replied,
+grimly:
+
+"I'm not sich a fool. It's one thing to let a lot of sneaks get away when
+you think the garrison will be the better off without 'em, an' quite
+another to own up to your superior officer that you've winked at
+desertion. I'll keep a close tongue in my head, an' so will them as are my
+friends."
+
+With this the old man walked away, leaving us gazing at each other in
+something very like astonishment, for we understood by his tone that he
+was much the same as threatening us in case we should take it upon
+ourselves to tell what we knew regarding the matter.
+
+Before ten o'clock all of the garrison were aware that five of the force
+had deserted, and those men who had been loudest spoken regarding the
+wisdom of surrendering, were now moving about very uneasily, doubtless
+fearing they might be called upon to answer for some of the unsoldierly
+remarks in which they had indulged.
+
+There was no real confusion in the fort, but a general air of disquietude
+and apprehension, which I thought quite wholesome, since it caused every
+man to do his duty more promptly and more thoroughly than I had ever seen
+it done.
+
+When those who had been summoned to headquarters appeared on the
+parade-ground once more, they were surrounded by eager comrades, all
+anxious to know what had been said to them; but they could give very
+little definite information, and were unwilling to talk openly regarding
+the matter, for the reason, as I fancied, that some of them, being privy
+to the desertion, had denied such fact to the officers.
+
+Well, by noon it seemed as if the matter had entirely blown over.
+Everything went along much as on the day previous, save that, according to
+my idea, there was a more healthy tone among the men, because we no longer
+heard talk of surrender, and I suggested that perhaps Colonel Gansevoort
+was as glad to be rid of his mutinous soldiers as Sergeant Corney had been
+to see them depart.
+
+It goes without saying that all of us, whether on duty or not, kept a
+sharper lookout over the enemy's encampment than ever before, for there
+was good reason to expect that St. Leger would order another assault; but
+not one of us dreamed of that horrible spectacle which was to be
+presented, much as if Thayendanega's murderers were of a mind to give
+would-be deserters such a lesson as could never be forgotten.
+
+The afternoon passed quietly and without unusual incident; but when the
+sun was just about to set we observed the Indians crossing the river from
+their encampment to the meadow at a point near the creek, where it was
+possible for us to hold them in plain view, while they were yet beyond
+range of any except the heavier guns, which could not be brought to bear
+upon them.
+
+The first movement was made by a party of a dozen or more, who seemed to
+be carrying heavy burdens on their backs, and this was such an unusual
+thing for a redskin to do that we were keenly curious.
+
+This first squad was followed by a veritable swarm of the painted
+murderers, and I said nervously to Sergeant Corney, who was standing near
+me at the moment:
+
+"The savages are goin' to try their hand at an assault, an' we're like to
+have warm work before mornin'."
+
+"There's little fear anything of that kind will happen, lad. The painted
+devil never lived who was willin' to stand up an' fight face to face,
+man-fashion."
+
+"Then why are they goin' out of their encampment like a swarm of bees?"
+
+"There's some mischief afoot, though what it is I can't rightly make out.
+Perhaps St. Leger has summoned 'em to another powwow, in order that they
+may know of our condition, as has been told by the deserters."
+
+In a very few moments it was positive that this guess was not correct,
+for, instead of crossing the creek to approach the British encampment, the
+Indians halted when they were about midway between the fort, the camps of
+the British soldiers, and the quarters of the Tories.
+
+It was at a point where every man on either side could see what was being
+done, and yet so far away that, save by a sortie, no one could molest
+them.
+
+I dare venture to say that every man in the garrison, save perhaps the
+officers, was watching intently the movements of Thayendanega's gang, and
+it was as if the knowledge of what was about to be done burst upon us all
+at the same instant.
+
+A low murmur of horror involuntarily came from our lips, and men said in
+whispers, one to another, the blood suddenly leaving their bronzed faces:
+
+"The Indians are going to torture prisoners!"
+
+By this time we could see that two stout posts had been set firmly in the
+earth, and around them were heaped piles of light wood, such as the squaws
+and children were bringing up in great quantities.
+
+Thayendanega's bloodthirsty crew was bent on showing us what would be our
+fate if we fell into their clutches.
+
+When the first shock of horror had passed away in a measure, there came
+the question as to who might be the victims, and then those who had talked
+mutiny and urged their fellows on to rankest insubordination turned pale
+as death, while many of them walked totteringly away as if unable to
+control their limbs. We all believed, and with good reason, that those
+unfortunates who were to suffer death at the hands of the most
+cruel-minded men God ever made, were none other than the deserters from
+our ranks.
+
+During the assault not one of the garrison had been taken prisoner, and
+certain it was that the besiegers had not left the vicinity of the fort
+for such length of time as would be sufficient to enable them to procure
+captives elsewhere, therefore did we know beyond a peradventure who the
+victims would be, but why only two were to suffer was something at which
+we could not even so much as guess.
+
+I saw Colonel Gansevoort and several of the officers come out from
+headquarters, having most likely been informed as to what was going on,
+and, when they stood where it was possible to have an unobstructed view of
+the horrible preparations, the entire garrison of Fort Schuyler were
+assembled as spectators.
+
+"Cannot something be done for the poor fellows?" I heard a man behind me
+ask in a quavering tone, and, turning, I saw one who had declared most
+vehemently but a few hours previous that if we would surrender the fort we
+could be assured beyond question of such treatment as civilized people
+give to prisoners of war.
+
+No one answered his question, and in a whisper I repeated it to Sergeant
+Corney, whereupon he shook his head decidedly.
+
+"The commander who would make a sortie for the purpose of savin' only two
+lives would be guilty of criminal folly," the old soldier said,
+emphatically. "If those who are to suffer were Colonel Gansevoort's
+nearest friends, still must he remain here idle rather than put in
+jeopardy all the garrison. As it is, those painted devils are givin' us
+sich a lesson as will cause every man here to fight until the death,
+rather than so much as hint that we might trust to the enemy's promises.
+It's a harsh remedy--the harshest man could imagine; but yet there are an
+hundred or more lookin' on at this minute who need it."
+
+I cannot make the feeblest attempt at describing the horror which took
+possession of me as I realized that we could make no effort toward saving
+the unfortunate men, who were not the less to be pitied because they had
+brought about their own misery, and, unable longer to gaze at what was so
+soon to be such a terrible scene, I turned away with a mind to shut myself
+up in the barracks.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XV.
+
+The Torture
+
+
+
+There was one odd thing I noted while turning away, sick at heart, which
+was that those friends of the deserters, the men whose voices had been
+raised highest against Colonel Gansevoort because he would not surrender
+the fort at St. Leger's bidding, had no word to say now that their friends
+were in such dire distress, while those who had struggled to quell the
+mutiny were asking loudly if it were not possible to do something toward
+saving the lives of the unfortunate men.
+
+Twenty or more of the bolder spirits, among whom was Sergeant Corney, were
+making ready to ask permission of the commandant to their creeping out of
+the fort on that side nearest the river, and then trying by a sudden dash
+to rescue the prisoners.
+
+Even the slight experience which I had had in savage warfare was
+sufficient to show me that there was nothing which we could do in behalf
+of the wretched men, and any plan, however promising, could not fail of
+exposing the entire garrison to the keenest peril.
+
+There could be no question but that the enemy hoped we might be so
+venturesome as to sally out, and I doubt if there was a man within the
+fortification who did not feel convinced that St. Leger's troops were
+ready to swoop down in assault at the first show of our having sent away
+any portion of our force.
+
+All knew that we inside the fortification were powerless to aid those who
+had wilfully gone to their doom, and none better than those same brave
+fellows who were ready to risk their lives in behalf of comrades who would
+have worked disaster to the entire garrison, yet they could not stand idle
+without at least a show of willingness to face danger in the hope of
+saving life.
+
+The one lesson which all of us learned at this time was as to how much
+dependence might be placed upon the word of the British commander. He had
+declared that he would protect all who came to him promising to serve the
+king, and yet, when the five foolish cowards from our garrison presented
+themselves, they were given over to the merciless savages, much as honest
+people give play-things to their children.
+
+I had turned away from the scene sick with horror, even though the
+fiendish work had not yet begun; but as I stood near the barracks,
+trembling in every limb, the thought came that perhaps our deserters were
+not the ones for whom the stakes were intended. Of course, it would be
+equally terrible to see any human being tortured to death; but at the
+moment it seemed as if the frightfulness of it would in some degree be
+lessened if it were strangers who suffered, and straightway I went back to
+the walls, taking station by the side of Jacob, as I strained my eyes to
+see who the Indians led out.
+
+"Where is the sergeant?" I asked, in a whisper.
+
+"Gone, in company with a dozen others, to ask permission of the commandant
+to leave the fort for a short time."
+
+"Do they want to compass their own death?" I asked, angrily. "I dare
+venture to say every Tory in yonder encampment is ready to cut off any
+who, from motives of mercy and pity, venture beyond the walls."
+
+"Ay, so my father believes. He says that Colonel Gansevoort cannot, in
+justice to the remainder of the force, allow such a sacrifice of life as
+would result from a sortie."
+
+"But we are not yet certain that it is our deserters who are to be put to
+death," I suggested, and at the moment a hoarse cry went up from all that
+company of heart-sick spectators.
+
+Accompanied by war-songs from the warriors and hoots and yells from the
+squaws and fiendish children, the unfortunate men were being brought
+across the river in triumph, and then a deep hush fell upon our garrison,
+as every person within the walls bent forward anxiously to get a glimpse
+of those who were being carried to the theatre of a terrible death.
+
+The unfortunate prisoners were yet too far away for me to distinguish
+their features, when a soldier standing near by, a man whom I recognized
+as one of those who had howled most loudly for surrender, cried with a
+groan as of mortal agony:
+
+"There is Seth Morton!"
+
+This was the name of one of the deserters, and there was no longer any
+hope but that the savages were ready to show us how our own people could
+die.
+
+At this moment the party with whom Sergeant Corney had gone to the
+commandant for permission to attempt a rescue came up, and but one glance
+at their faces was needed to show that the request had been denied.
+
+"He wouldn't let you go?" I whispered, as the old man stood by my side.
+
+"No, lad, an' we should have had better sense than to ask him. A
+commandant who would agree to sich a plan has no right to expect his
+troops can rely upon his showin' good judgment in a tight fix."
+
+"What did he say?"
+
+"He talked like a gentleman who speaks with his friends. Instead of
+roarin' out that we were all kinds of idjuts, as another commander might
+have done, he told us exactly what would be the result if any of us
+attempted to leave the fort, an' wound up by sayin' that if his own
+brother was in the hands of the red devils, he would not consider it doin'
+justice by the garrison even to let one man venture forth. He only told us
+the truth, an' I'm not sorry I went to him, even though nothin' came of
+it, for it ain't cheerful to stand still without makin' a little bit of a
+try while sich work as that yonder is goin' on."
+
+When the prisoners had been taken across the stream the savages lost no
+time in setting about their terrible work, and, although so many years
+have elapsed since then, I cannot bring myself to set down that which I
+know was done.
+
+While the poor fellows were being bound to the stakes, Jacob and I ran
+into the barracks, where we remained, trying to shut out from our ears the
+yells and whoops which told of what was going on.
+
+"And I would have suffered the same bitter death but for what you did,
+dear lad!" I said, hardly able to control my voice.
+
+"Don't think of it, Noel," he replied, soothingly, as he pressed my hand.
+"An', above everything, don't give me the credit. All our company had a
+part in that rescue."
+
+"Ay, yet they'd never known of our peril but for you, an' it was you
+alone, when they were arrived, who braved the danger of coming across the
+encampment to the lodge."
+
+"Talk of somethin' else, Noel Campbell!" Jacob cried, fiercely. "Even
+though the colonel knows best what should be done, it seems cowardly for
+us to be sittin' here in safety while those poor fellows are sufferin' all
+that men can!"
+
+I tried to do as he would have me; but one can readily understand that at
+such a time it would be well-nigh impossible to think of anything save
+that which was being done within sight of all the garrison.
+
+It seemed to me like a very long time before the sergeant joined us, and
+then I knew that the unfortunate men were out of their misery at last.
+
+"They have paid a fearful price for their folly," the old man said,
+solemnly; "but by thus dyin' they've ensured the holdin' of this fort, for
+there's not a man within the walls who wouldn't delight in drawin' his
+last breath at the post of duty rather than take the chances of sich
+protection as St. Leger has shown he's ready to give. We'll have no more
+mutiny, an' all hands will be starved to death before the enemy gets
+possession of the fortification."
+
+"What about the other three men?" Jacob asked, in a whisper, not daring to
+trust his voice lest it should betray the fear in his heart.
+
+"I reckon their turn will come soon--perhaps to-morrow night.
+Thayendanega's 'noble red men' can't afford to waste their victims. But,
+hark ye, lads, it won't do for you to moon over what is enough to turn any
+man's blood to water. Take a brisk walk up an' down the parade-ground for
+half an hour, an' then come to bed. I'm thinkin' we may have a bit of
+work cut out for us within the next four an' twenty hours."
+
+"Of what kind?" I asked, not inclined to follow the old man's advice so
+far as to venture out while the howling Indians were making night
+something of which to be afraid.
+
+"It stands to reason that before the deserters were turned over to the
+painted wolves St. Leger got from them all the information concernin' this
+fort which they could give. The British general now knows that we haven't
+any too much ammunition for the cannon, an' it'll be odd if he don't give
+us a chance to spend a good bit more of it."
+
+This seemed a plausible line of reasoning, and yet I was not in the
+lightest degree troubled by the possibility; I had known so much of horror
+during the past few hours that an assault, however desperate, was
+something to be courted rather than feared.
+
+Sergeant Corney smoked his pipe long and furiously that night as he sat in
+the barracks, giving no heed as to whether we followed his advice, and we
+two lads sat side by side with little inclination to indulge in
+conversation.
+
+One by one our boys, pale-faced and trembling, entered the
+sleeping-quarters, some even going so far as to lie down, but positive am
+I that never an eye was closed in slumber during all that night, and every
+one of us welcomed the first rays of the rising sun as if years had
+passed since he last showed his face.
+
+Before another six hours passed we had good proof that those who deserted
+gave all the information at their command to General St. Leger regarding
+the condition of affairs at the fort, and yet never a word was spoken
+against them, because of the frightful punishment which followed their
+treachery.
+
+From what our party of Minute Boys had seen up to this time, the work of
+the siege was not pushed vigorously by the Britishers, and even the little
+which was done had been performed by the Tories. It is true that the
+parallels were run unpleasantly near the fort, yet, had the besiegers so
+desired, there would have been twice as much to show for their efforts.
+
+On the morning after two of the deserters had been tortured to death, it
+began to look as if our people would have little time for idleness.
+
+The enemy's trenches were filled with men,--regulars as well as
+Tories,--all of whom worked with a will, and at different points
+sharpshooters were stationed to pick off our sentinels.
+
+"Now this is somethin' like business," Sergeant Corney said, as if the
+sense of additional danger was most pleasing to him. "Barry St. Leger has
+just found out that there's a chance of takin' this fort by storm, an'
+from now on we'll have our hands full."
+
+Jacob and I were in the barracks trying to sleep when the old man burst
+in upon us with the remark I have set down, and as he spoke he began
+furbishing up his rifle with unusual care.
+
+"Have you any especial work on hand?" I asked, looking curiously at him.
+
+"Ay, lad, that's what I have. This 'ere garrison ain't in any very great
+danger of runnin' short of ammunition for the small arms, an' we're goin'
+to give the enemy lead in the place of iron for a spell."
+
+"What do you mean?" I asked, somewhat petulantly, for it seemed as if the
+old man was making sport of me.
+
+"Only that we've given the enemy's sharpshooters a chance all the forenoon
+without interferin' to any great extent, an' now we're countin' on takin'
+our turn. Fifty men have been detailed to pick off as many of St. Leger's
+force as we can draw a bead on. I reckon workin' in the trenches won't be
+a healthy job from this time on. Colonel Gansevoort allows to show the
+Britishers that he can stir his stumps if needs must."
+
+The sergeant left the barracks without giving us further information; but
+we soon learned that our people were to be kept sharply up to their work,
+instead of being allowed to spend five hours out of every six in lounging
+around.
+
+The force of sharpshooters to which Sergeant Corney was assigned had been
+stationed on the north and east sides of the fort, where they could
+command a view of the British and Tory encampments and the trenches.
+
+Another company of fifty was told off especially for the horn-works, while
+we Minute Boys were ordered to keep at least ten of our number constantly
+on watch over the sally-port, from which point the best view of the Indian
+encampment could be had.
+
+Yet others of the force were detailed to go from one division to another
+of those I have named, in order to lend a hand in case it might become
+necessary, and thus it was we no longer had any loungers on the
+parade-grounds or near the barracks.
+
+The orders were that every effort be made to pick off such of the enemy as
+offered themselves for targets, and before the day had come to an end St.
+Leger's men must have begun to understand that the siege of Fort Schuyler
+was no longer the one-sided affair which it had been.
+
+My lads could not have been stationed in any other position where they
+would have been as well satisfied, for thus were they fighting the savages
+who had threatened to ravage the Mohawk Valley, and every time we made a
+successful shot it was much as if we struck a blow in defence of our
+homes.
+
+Thayendanega's so-called braves did not give us very much opportunity to
+display our skill as marksmen, however. Within five minutes after the
+curs discovered that we were straining every effort to reduce their
+number, they hugged the encampment mighty snug, and I am of the opinion
+that General St. Leger would have found it difficult to make them obey any
+order which might necessitate their coming within our line of fire.
+
+In addition to this slow method of whipping a large force, I noted the
+fact that twenty men or more were at work moving one of the guns in the
+northwest bastion, and was not a little puzzled to make out why such a
+piece of work should be done at a time when we could not afford to use the
+cannon any more than was absolutely necessary.
+
+My surprise was not lessened when the laborers with great difficulty
+transferred the big gun directly to our station, mounting it almost
+directly over the port, after which six rounds of ammunition were brought
+from the magazine and placed where it could be got at handily.
+
+"Does the commandant think we lads can handle that cannon properly?" I
+asked of the corporal who was superintending the work, and he replied,
+with a laugh of satisfaction:
+
+"I reckon he wasn't thinkin' very much about you when he gave orders to
+have the gun moved. That's to help out on our surprise-party; it'll carry
+a ball farther an' with truer aim than any other piece in the fort, as I
+know, havin' had somewhat to do with all of 'em."
+
+"What do you mean by a surprise-party?" I asked, in perplexity. "An' why
+should the best gun be brought here?"
+
+"Well, you see, lad, the chances are them bloody sneaks will soon try to
+work the same deviltry which we had to look at idly last night, for it
+stands to reason that all who deserted from this fort fell into their
+clutches. The next time they start in to kill a man by inches, believin'
+they're out of range, we'll plump a ball into the middle of the gang
+that'll make em' hop a bit."
+
+I laughed in glee at the prospect of turning the tables on the
+bloodthirsty wretches, but very shortly came the thought that the
+unfortunate prisoners would be in as much danger as the savages, and this
+I suggested to the corporal, whereupon he said, gravely:
+
+"We'll hope the first shot kills as many as are trussed up to the stakes,
+lad, because a quick death is the only favor we can do for the poor
+fellows."
+
+It would indeed be a mercy to kill the prisoners, if we could not save
+their lives; but of a verity we were come to hard lines when it was to be
+hoped our missiles would slay those who had been our comrades.
+
+I believed all the garrison were better content, now that Colonel
+Gansevoort was finding work for every man. Certainly there was less chance
+for searching out bugbears when they were busily engaged, and each of us
+felt a grim satisfaction at knowing that we inflicted some punishment on
+the enemy, however slight.
+
+It must not be supposed that our sharpshooters found all the targets they
+desired, else had we wiped St. Leger's force out in a twinkling; but there
+were in the white portion of his army a sufficient number who scorned to
+show fear of what we might be able to do, and these kept our men so
+engaged that the reports of the rifles were ringing out almost without
+intermission.
+
+As I have already said, we Minute Boys had but little opportunity to show
+our skill after the first hour, because the savages kept so close within
+their lodges; but now and then we had a crack at a painted figure, and
+seldom missed our aim.
+
+As the day wore away it became evident that the Indians counted on
+torturing the remainder of their prisoners as before, and, instead of
+suffering from the sickness of horror, as I had twenty-four hours
+previous, there was in my mind a most pleasing anticipation of what would
+be the result.
+
+Half an hour before sunset they began setting up new posts, a fact which
+told that St. Leger had indeed turned over to them all the deserters.
+
+Word was passed around the fort that the commandant counted on putting an
+end to their cruel sport, if perchance the distance was not greater than
+he had estimated, and by sunset every person inside the walls, save those
+who were acting as sentinels on the westerly side, had their faces turned
+in the direction of the Indian encampment.
+
+It was claimed that the corporal with whom I had previously spoken was the
+best gunner in the command, and to him had been entrusted the work of
+sighting the cannon.
+
+He had already charged it heavily, and when the savages began setting up
+new posts he knew the time had come to look for the proper range.
+
+The corporal had no need to call for a crew to aid him. An hundred pairs
+of hands were out-stretched eagerly whenever he signified the desire to
+have this thing or that done, and he was more like to suffer from a
+surplus of helpers than a lack.
+
+It looked much as if Colonel Gansevoort feared that, while our attention
+was attracted toward the fiendish work of the savages, the British and
+Tory soldiers might make an assault, for he ordered the number of
+sentinels doubled and all the spectators to be in line, weapons in hand,
+that no time might be lost in case it became necessary to move them from
+one point to another.
+
+Thayendanega's wolves did not count on keeping us waiting very long; but
+as soon as the sun had set began crossing the river with their unfortunate
+prisoners, singing and shouting, as if the capture and torturing of these
+unarmed men was some signal act of bravery.
+
+The corporal told off a certain number of those nearest to act as crew
+for the gun, explaining to them just how they should set about the task of
+recharging when once it had been discharged, and then the remainder of the
+spectators, save we Minute Boys who were entitled to remain at our
+stations, were forced to fall back that they might not impede the work
+after it was once begun.
+
+By this time Colonel Gansevoort himself had come up, and thus we
+understood that he was to direct the firing. If our cannon could carry a
+missile to the place of torture, then certain it was the red-skinned
+brutes would receive a lesson well calculated to surprise those who were
+left alive after the piece had been discharged.
+
+The commandant did not wait until the horrible work was begun; but, once
+the stakes were surrounded by the howling, screaming, dancing mob as they
+placed the prisoners in the desired positions, the corporal got the word
+for which he had been eagerly waiting.
+
+A puff of dense white smoke, a report which was almost deafening to those
+of us standing near by rang out.
+
+Then we could follow the flight of the missile in the air until it struck,
+as it seemed to me, within a dozen paces of those bloodthirsty villains
+who stood on the outside of the throng, and, rebounding as does a flat
+stone when a boy drives it along the surface of the water, it plunged into
+the very midst of the fiendish crew.
+
+I could see that one of the posts had been carried away by the ball, but
+whether or no the prisoner was killed could not be told from so great a
+distance and while he was surrounded by such numbers.
+
+It was to be hoped the poor fellow had gone to his final account without
+pain, as would have been the case had the huge shot struck him.
+
+The gunners did not wait to see the result of their work; but instantly
+the cannon was discharged every man sprang to the task allotted him, and
+the savages had not yet recovered from the first surprise before a second
+shot came hurtling among them, striking down half a score before it
+rebounded.
+
+I do not believe forty seconds elapsed before the gunners were ready for
+the third discharge. In order to save time they did not wait to swab out
+the piece, and the only preparation make by them was to clear the interior
+of smoke.
+
+To tell it in the fewest possible words, the corporal had for his target
+nearly the entire number of Indians who had attempted to witness the
+torture, while we fired four shots, and not until then did the
+panic-stricken crew get their wits about them sufficiently to beat a
+retreat.
+
+But the gun was discharged twice more while they were crossing the river,
+and I know for a certainty that one boat was swamped, while the ground in
+the vicinity of the posts set up for the prisoners seemed literally
+strewn with the dead and the dying.
+
+At that moment, while we were making the air ring with our shouts of
+triumph, I saw a figure emerge from that sinister pile of dead and maimed
+and come limpingly in the direction of the fort, moving evidently with
+great effort and slowly.
+
+At first I believed it was a wounded Indian, who was so crazed with pain
+or fear as not to be aware of the direction in which he was proceeding,
+and then a cry went up from the soldiers nearabout me:
+
+"Reuben Cox! Reuben Cox!"
+
+"Was he one of the deserters?" I asked of the corporal, who, his work
+having been done, was leaning out over the wall to watch the frightened
+sneaks as they scuttled into their lodges out of sight.
+
+"Ay, that he was," the corporal replied, "an' it looks much as if he stood
+a chance to gain the fort before those painted beauties dare stick their
+noses out from cover."
+
+As we watched it was possible to see that the man's arms were tied behind
+him, while it seemed as if his legs were fettered in some way; yet he was
+able to take short steps, and in his eagerness to make better speed he
+fell to the ground again and again, rising only with difficulty.
+
+The fugitive was a deserter from the fort, one who had doubtless given
+such information to the British general as might work serious harm to all
+of us; but yet never a cry was heard from our garrison, save such as
+expressed hope that he might escape the terrible doom from which we had at
+least temporarily saved him, and all appeared eager for him to gain the
+fortification.
+
+Even Colonel Gansevoort seemed to lose sight of the fact that if this man
+came among us once more it would be necessary to treat him as a deserter;
+but to check, if possible, pursuit from the British and Tory soldiers, he
+lined the walls with men under command to fire without waiting for the
+word, upon any of the enemy who might approach within range.
+
+The crews of the guns in the northeastern bastion were sent to their posts
+of duty, in order that the pieces might be used in case an opportunity
+presented itself, and, in fact, every possible effort, save the absolute
+sallying out of a relief party, was made to preserve the life of the man
+who by all military laws deserved death.
+
+It seemed to me as if I did not breathe while that poor, struggling
+creature was straining every effort to find a place of refuge among those
+whom he had wronged. It was as if the distance increased even as he came
+toward us, and I found it difficult to remain silent while he stumbled,
+fell, rose, and fell again during his painful flight.
+
+Fifty men or more ran to the sally-port, ready to open the gates if he
+should draw near, and Colonel Gansevoort made no effort to check them.
+
+I believe at the moment that he entirely lost sight of the fact that this
+man could no longer claim the right of entrance, having forfeited it when
+he went over to the enemy. He, and all within the walls, saw before them
+only a wretched prisoner, striving to escape from those who would torture
+him to death, and had he been a dear friend no greater anxiety could have
+been shown for his safety.
+
+Not until he was within fifty yards of the walls of the fort did a shot
+come from the direction of the Indian encampment, and then the bullet sped
+wide of its mark.
+
+From the camp of the Tories a squad of men dashed out, as if intent on
+cutting off the poor fellow even after he was close under the walls, but a
+gun from the northeastern bastion hurled a shot uncomfortably near,
+sending them flying back beyond range, and five minutes later Reuben Cox
+was in our midst, as nearly dead from wounds and fatigue as he ever would
+be again until his final moment had come.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVI.
+
+Short Allowance
+
+
+
+Five men had deserted from the fort trusting to the promises made by
+General St. Leger, and one had returned, after having suffered more than
+death, rejoicing because he was able to be once again with those whom he
+had betrayed.
+
+At the moment, however, we had no thought of the deserter, but saw before
+us only a former comrade who had come out from the very jaws of death to
+claim protection.
+
+The poor fellow had been cruelly cut on the legs and arms by the savages
+while they were bringing him across the river, and had lost much blood.
+His face and hands were covered with huge blisters, and it was not
+necessary either Sergeant Corney or I should ask how he came by them, for
+we knew through bitterest experience what the squaws and children would do
+when a white man was at their mercy.
+
+Not until a full hour had passed could Reuben Cox tell his story, and even
+then he was in such a sorry plight that it was possible for him to speak
+only a moment at a time; but before morning came--before we were able to
+do very much toward relieving his sufferings--we had a fairly good account
+of all that had occurred from the moment the five foolish men clambered
+over the stockade until our cannon had done its work of mercy.
+
+It seems that the deserters, after getting outside the fort, decided to
+make their way as nearly to St. Leger's quarters as might be possible, and
+to that end made a long détour to the westward. The sun had risen before
+they came upon a sentinel, and he was, fortunately, as it seemed to them,
+one of the British regulars.
+
+Their story was soon told; no attempt was made to hide the fact that they
+had deserted, for all believed that such a statement would ensure their
+receiving a hearty welcome from the commander.
+
+Much to their surprise, however, the British soldiers treated them with
+the utmost contempt and no slight degree of harshness. The Tories were the
+only white men who appeared particularly pleased with what had been done,
+and they gave the fellows a friendly reception only because, being
+renegades themselves, it gladdened them to know there were others in the
+valley who could be so contemptible.
+
+As a matter of course they were soon taken before the commander that he
+might question them; but even he evidently looked upon them with no slight
+disgust, for he forced them to remain standing while in his presence, and
+failed to give any instructions as to how they should be quartered or fed.
+
+Reuben Cox admitted, with many a groan and plea for mercy, that he and his
+companions had given St. Leger all the information concerning the fort
+which was in their power, and even made our situation appear more
+desperate than really was the case; but when they asked for permission to
+serve the king under his command, he roughly told them to present
+themselves to Sir John Johnson, declaring that the regulars would not
+receive them as companions-in-arms.
+
+Just at that moment it was impossible for them to find Sir John, and, more
+hungry than they had ever been inside Fort Schuyler, they wandered about
+until arriving face to face with a party of Indians, who had come from
+their encampment to lounge around near the white soldiers, from whom they
+begged rum and tobacco.
+
+That meeting sealed their fate, and the poor wretches came to understand
+what was in store for them, even before St. Leger had agreed that they
+might be turned over to the tender mercies of his savage allies.
+
+During an hour they did their best to escape, but only to be dragged back
+with many a kick and blow each time they endeavored to sneak out of the
+encampment.
+
+As nearly as the unhappy men could understand, there was a long, angry
+interview between Sir John, Thayendanega, and some of the British officers
+before the matter was settled, and then they were delivered up to the
+Indians, even the Tories shutting their ears to the prayers for mercy.
+
+It was not necessary I should hear what he had to say about the treatment
+the deserters received in the Indian encampment prior to being led out to
+the stake. I knew full well what suffering must have been theirs before
+the hour arrived when all was to be ended. I had had some slight
+experience as a prisoner in the power of the savages, and even then could
+not listen to another's story of similar treatment without severe mental
+pain.
+
+The three who were reserved for the second evening's entertainment
+suffered nearly all the agonies of death when their comrades were
+tortured, for the Indians forced them to be present as spectators, and it
+is little wonder they were half-dead with fear when their turn came to
+afford amusement for those who found their greatest delight in listening
+to screams of agony from helpless victims.
+
+The first shot from the fort killed two of the deserters outright and
+overturned the post to which Cox was being bound. He could not tell very
+much about the execution done by the balls, for at first he believed it
+was some new form of torture which the savages had invented; but when the
+painted crew fled across the river in abject fear, leaving him
+comparatively at liberty, he began to understand that the comrades whom he
+had wickedly wronged were doing what they could to aid him.
+
+He declared that there were no less than twenty dead savages lying
+nearabout the place when he started for the fort, while as many more,
+badly wounded, were putting forth every effort at escaping beyond range of
+our gun.
+
+All this was repeated to me by Sergeant Corney, who had heard it from
+Reuben Cox himself, and when he was come to an end of the recital I asked:
+
+"Now that he is here, an' likely to live, what will be done with him?"
+
+"That's what I can't say, lad, an' I'm of the belief that it puzzles the
+commandant not a little. Desertion in the face of an enemy is punishable
+by death the world over, an' rightly, for a soldier can commit no greater
+crime; but what about shootin' a man who has already suffered a dozen
+deaths?"
+
+I soon came to know that the question I had asked of the sergeant was
+being discussed by all the garrison, many of the men declaring that Reuben
+Cox deserved to be treated as any other deserter, while a large number
+claimed that the sufferings he had endured should be considered as having
+atoned for the crime.
+
+The arguments became so warm that it was evident Colonel Gansevoort would
+be forced to come to some decision regarding the matter, and so he did on
+this same day when we were called out on the parade-ground, being formed
+in a hollow square.
+
+Then it was that the commandant laid the affair before us without comment,
+save as he declared that neither he nor his staff were willing to settle
+the question themselves, and he had decided to leave it to the
+garrison,--the men who must suffer because of the information given to St.
+Leger, if it so chanced that the British commander gained any advantage
+through it.
+
+"Discuss it thoroughly among yourselves," the colonel said, "and, having
+made up your minds as to what punishment should be dealt out to Cox, write
+the verdict on a bit of paper, signing your names thereto, and leave the
+same at headquarters. Whatsoever the majority of you declare just to all
+concerned, shall be done."
+
+Then we were dismissed from parade, and on the instant there ensued such a
+buzzing and humming that one might have thought an hundred swarms of bees
+had taken possession of the fort, as each man tried to impress upon his
+neighbor that he had the only correct solution to the painful question.
+
+Our Minute Boys were all of the same mind, and it gave me no little
+satisfaction to know that my company were of the mind that Cox had been
+fully punished for his wrong-doing. Without any delay we stated our views
+in few words at the top of a sheet of paper, and each member signed his
+name, after which I carried it to headquarters.
+
+It was Colonel Gansevoort himself whom I saw, and he asked, after glancing
+over the list of names:
+
+"How does it happen that you lads arrived at a decision so quickly?
+Desertion is a very serious offence, and, because of the lesson which
+others may receive, should be punished severely."
+
+"True, sir," I made bold to say; "but among those who signed the paper are
+two who were prisoners among the savages, and, while not havin' been
+subjected to great torture, they have a fair idea of what Cox must have
+suffered."
+
+"Are you speaking of yourself and the old soldier?"
+
+"Ay, sir."
+
+"And yet because of what Cox has told St. Leger you may soon be again in
+the power of the Indians."
+
+"That can never be, sir," I replied, gravely. "We know full well you will
+not surrender, however sore our plight, therefore the savages must take
+their prisoners in a fight, an' one need not be captured alive."
+
+"Then you would rather die with a musket in your hands than fall into
+their clutches?"
+
+"A good many times over, if that could be, sir," and so great was the
+horror in my heart through simply calling the possibility to mind that the
+colonel must have understood I spoke no more than the truth.
+
+"Well, my lad, I will tell you this much for the gratification of yourself
+and friends: When it comes, if it ever does, that I am convinced, because
+of lack of food, ammunition, or any other contingency, that we cannot hold
+the fort, I will lead as many of the garrison as choose to follow me in an
+attempt to cut our way through the enemy's lines. I, like you, prefer to
+die fighting, rather than at the stake."
+
+These words gave me greatest relief of mind, even though to do as the
+colonel promised was much like going to certain death, and I asked:
+
+"May I repeat to my comrades what you have said, sir?"
+
+"Ay, that you may, lad, and unless succor comes soon I shall speak quite
+as plainly to all the garrison, for to-morrow morning the rations are of a
+necessity to be cut down one-half, which will give our discontented men
+good chance to talk of starvation."
+
+It would have given me greatest satisfaction to ask him a few questions
+concerning our supplies, which, when he made the statement to the
+garrison, had seemed so plentiful; but, fortunately, I had sense enough to
+understand that, for a lad like me, to make searching inquiries of the
+commandant of a fort was something which the most easy-going officer would
+not tolerate for an instant.
+
+Therefore, thanking him for having given me the assurance which he had, I
+took my leave, going with all speed to the barracks that I might acquaint
+Sergeant Corney with what I had heard.
+
+"It's good news, lad, though not much different from what I've come to
+expect from sich a soldier as the commandant. Now we've nothin' in
+particular to worry about, seem's there won't be any question of takin'
+advantage of the Britisher's offer, which would be kept in the case of all
+hands much as it was when our poor fools deserted. But what is this about
+short allowance? I thought it was proven to us that we had supplies in
+plenty for many days to come?"
+
+"I can only tell you what the commandant said."
+
+"I reckon he'll explain matters when he tells us why the rations are
+short, an' that he'll have to do in order to satisfy some of the imitation
+soldiers we've got in this 'ere fort."
+
+Then the old man went to his post of duty, and I rejoined the Minute Boys
+over the sally-port, where every member of my company was aching to get a
+fair shot at one of Thayendanega's curs.
+
+The Indians were not inclined to show themselves on this morning after we
+gave our surprise-party. I fancy they had come to understand it wouldn't
+be an easy matter to get the best of us, and were having considerably more
+of fighting than was pleasing.
+
+Never one of the painted snakes came within range of our rifles. At some
+time during the night they had plucked up courage enough to drag off their
+wounded, and, if they visited the British or Tory camp that day, it was
+after making such a détour through the thicket as kept them screened from
+our view.
+
+In the trenches the white portion of St. Leger's army worked like men who
+feel the whip behind them, and our people succeeded in sending six to the
+hospital or their last resting-place, without receiving a scratch.
+
+Such a siege as had been carried on during the past eight and forty hours
+could not be cheerful amusement, and I began to have an idea that it would
+not take very much of a reverse to send the Tories flying to some other
+section of the country. If our people would only follow the example set
+them by Colonel Gansevoort, it seemed certain we could hold the fort at no
+greater cost than that of being hungry during a certain length of time!
+
+When another day had come, and the rations were reduced in size as the
+commandant had said they would be, there was a hum of dissatisfaction all
+over the fort, even those whom we counted as being the stoutest-hearted
+doing their full share of grumbling, and wholly because the commandant had
+so lately told them that we had sufficient of food for many days.
+
+They were not yet done with the business of deciding what punishment
+should be dealt out to Cox; but that was entirely lost sight of in face
+of this apparent change in the situation. It seemed as if the store of
+provisions must be very low indeed, else the rations would not have been
+cut down so soon after the statements made by the quartermaster.
+
+It is true that there was no mutinous talk to be heard; the fate of the
+deserters had taught the grumblers a lesson that would not soon be
+forgotten, but much was said that did not tend to improve the discipline.
+
+At noon word was passed among the men that the last of the votes on Cox's
+case must be in the commandant's hands within two hours, and it was
+generally understood, if not stated as a fact, that at nightfall we would
+hear the verdict. Then also, so nearly all the members of the garrison
+believed, Colonel Gansevoort would explain the reason for putting us on
+short allowance after having stated that we had food in plenty.
+
+Therefore it was the men went about their work as usual, content to wait
+until night; but the commandant would have been unwise to keep them in
+ignorance longer.
+
+"The only mistake that has been made in this business was when Colonel
+Gansevoort condescended to give out any statement while the men were ripe
+for mutiny," Sergeant Corney stopped to say to me, as I met him on the
+parade-ground while going to the barracks to summon some of the lads whose
+time for sentinel-duty had come. "If a dozen or more of the
+loudest-mouthed had been put under arrest, an' such as the deserters
+strung up by the thumbs, four lives might have been saved, an' there
+wouldn't be any foolish talk made now."
+
+I had no time to reply to the old man, for, having thus relieved his mind,
+he passed on, and I went about my duties.
+
+The Britishers and Tories worked half-heartedly in the trenches, the
+savages kept well out of sight, and we of the garrison watched eagerly for
+an opportunity to send home a bullet where it would do the most good,
+until nightfall, and then came the call for us to fall into line.
+
+The fate of Cox had been decided, and we were to be told about the
+reduction of rations, therefore nearly every man wore an expression of
+anxious expectation.
+
+Sergeant Corney was an exception to the general rule; he apparently had no
+particular interest in either matter, and obeyed the call as if he did so
+only because it was necessary.
+
+As on the previous occasion, we were drawn up in a hollow square, with
+Colonel Gansevoort and his staff inside, and without wasting many words in
+leading up to the subject, the commandant announced that the majority of
+the men had decided there was no need of further punishment for Reuben
+Cox; that the penalty which he had already paid was a sufficient lesson
+for those of us who entertained any idea of trusting to the promises made
+by the British commander.
+
+Then he spoke of our being put on short allowance, and straightway the men
+pricked up their ears, listening intently to the end that they might be
+able to prove the quartermaster had told a deliberate falsehood.
+
+"You were told that we had food sufficient with which to feed all inside
+the walls for a term of three weeks," he said, speaking slowly that there
+might be no mistake as to his words. "The statement, under the conditions
+then existing, was true; but you must bear in mind that since that time
+General St. Leger has been informed of our situation, so far as the
+deserters understood it. The result of his learning that the stock of
+provisions is not as great as it should be has been the increased activity
+of the foe, which entails much severe labor upon you, and causes him to
+guard more closely against the succor which may be sent us.
+
+"Therefore my officers and I have believed it wisest to say to ourselves
+that it is not reasonable to expect aid from the outside can come to us
+for four or five weeks, even if Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell
+finally succeed in finding General Schuyler, because it must arrive in
+sufficient force to break through the lines St. Leger will throw around
+us. Now in order that we may safely count on having sufficient food to
+sustain life during at least five weeks, it has been decided, after due
+deliberation, to put the entire garrison, the commandant as well as the
+men, on short allowance."
+
+"And what if General Schuyler has so much on his hands because of Burgoyne
+that he can't come to our relief?"
+
+"If when we are come to our last two rations we get no definite
+information that relief is near at hand, we will sally out at night and
+cut our way through the enemy's lines!" Colonel Gansevoort cried in
+ringing tones, and straightway Sergeant Corney set about clapping his
+hands with such vigor that, almost before the men were aware of the fact,
+they were applauding the commandant heartily.
+
+In the midst of this involuntary token of good-will the officers very
+wisely went to their quarters, leaving us to stew over the situation in
+such fashion as best pleased us.
+
+Every man on the parade-ground understood full well that if he would save
+his life it stood him in hand to get back to his post of duty without
+unnecessary delay, and in a very few minutes those whose turn it was to go
+on duty were setting about the regular routine as laid down since the
+besiegers displayed unusual activity.
+
+That night, when Sergeant Corney should have been sleeping, he came to my
+post, and the two of us discussed the situation in all its bearings,
+coming to the conclusion that the garrison was in much better shape than
+it would have been but for the horrible lesson Thayendanega's villains
+gave us regarding their treatment of prisoners.
+
+Certain it was that we would hear no more about surrendering, therefore we
+need not fear another mutiny, and, as the old man said grimly:
+
+"If the men want more to eat, let 'em go outside to get it, for it won't
+do any good to whine after what has been said."
+
+During the week which followed every man did his full duty, and we heard
+very little grumbling, although I am sorry to set it down that some of the
+faint-hearted did wag their tongues more than was seemly; but on the whole
+the garrison showed themselves to be fairly good soldiers.
+
+Reuben Cox was able to move about on the fourth day after he succeeded in
+getting inside the fort, and as I saw this man and that, who had formerly
+been his close comrades, move aside lest he should speak to them, I
+decided that the man's punishment was far greater than any we could have
+inflicted upon him. Death, according to my way of thinking, would have
+been far preferable to being thus scorned.
+
+Cox must have had some such thoughts himself, for, coming full upon the
+commandant one day, the two being not above twenty paces from where I was
+stationed, he pleaded piteously to leave the fort in order that he might
+do what he could toward hurrying forward the relief for which we were
+hoping.
+
+"You would not live to get two hundred yards away," Colonel Gansevoort
+replied, speaking not unkindly. "The enemy are doubtless on the alert for
+some such attempt on our part, since knowing we are not overly burdened
+with food."
+
+"I would like to make the try, sir," Cox said, in a pleading tone, "an',
+if it so be that they get hold of me again, it'll be better to die in
+their hands than stay here where every man looks upon me as somethin' to
+be despised."
+
+"You can't be surprised, Cox, that the brave fellows, whose plight has
+been rendered more desperate by what you and your companions did, should
+be averse to making friendly with you."
+
+"I'm not surprised, sir, an' I'd like to end it all by showin' that I've
+still got man enough in me to die tryin' to repair the mischief that's
+been done."
+
+"The only way to make atonement is by doing whatsoever comes to your hand
+here in the fort. There's like to be plenty of fighting ahead of us, and
+you should be able to do more than your share."
+
+"Could it be fixed, sir, so that I might give up nearly all my rations to
+those who need 'em the most?" the poor fellow asked, in a tone so pitiful
+and weak that my heart really went out in sympathy to him.
+
+"We will stand or fall on the same footing, my man," the colonel said, as
+he walked away, and immediately I was relieved of duty I made it my
+business to repeat the conversation to every man I came across.
+
+We were all so near death just then that it surely seemed as if we should
+have forgiveness in our hearts for such as Cox, lest we be denied that
+same boon in the next world.
+
+From that day our people showed less aversion for the repentant deserter,
+and of a verity he did the work of three men during every four and twenty
+hours thereafter while we remained in Fort Schuyler.
+
+In just eight days after that assault when the Indians so nearly succeeded
+in gaining a foothold in the horn-works, another attack was threatened,
+and this time it was not unexpected.
+
+We had been punishing so severely those who were working in the trenches,
+and had kept the savages such close prisoners in their own encampment,
+that it seemed only natural the more soldierly of the men in St. Leger's
+army should insist on being led against us.
+
+It was possible for us to tell by the shouts and yells that on a certain
+night Thayendanega's cowards had assembled in the British camp for a
+powwow, although they had taken good care not to let us see them going
+there, and Sergeant Corney said to me, as if he had a written programme
+of the entire proceedings:
+
+"To-morrow we will have redcoats in plenty at which to shoot."
+
+"Why do you say that?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"I'll eat my head if Barry St. Leger hasn't called Thayendanega's gang
+together with the idea of stiffenin' their backs so they'll be willin' to
+make an assault. The regulars have been gettin' mighty uneasy these two
+days, an' somethin' has got to be done, different from ditch-diggin', to
+keep 'em in good spirits."
+
+"Won't Cox fight if he gets another show at the beauties who came so near
+killing him at the stake!" I cried, giving words to the first thought
+which entered my mind.
+
+"He won't get the chance. The assault will be made before to-morrow night,
+an' never a feather can be seen."
+
+"Why are you so positive about that?"
+
+"They've much the same as told us. If we hadn't got 'em cowed by sendin' a
+bullet their way whenever one of the sneaks showed his nose, they'd been
+cavortin' 'round here this week past tryin' to make it lively for us. I
+tell you, Noel, we can count the painted murderers out of the game from
+this on."
+
+"I hope you may be right," I said, with a long-drawn sigh, "for if St.
+Leger has lost as many of his army as Thayendanega's crowd represents, it
+won't be such a desperate venture to cut our way through his lines when
+we've eaten the last ration."
+
+"Don't stop believin' that General Schuyler will contrive to give us a
+lift. I'm countin' that he's lookin' after the matter now," the sergeant
+replied, and then he walked away whistling softly, as if the thought of
+taking part against another assault pleased him mightily.
+
+Before morning came I understood that Sergeant Corney was not the only one
+in the garrison who believed the enemy would soon show unusual signs of
+life.
+
+The howling and yelling of the savages at the powwow continued until near
+to midnight, and the noise had hardly more than died away when the
+commandant came to where I was stationed, halting a moment to gaze in the
+direction of the Indian camp before he asked:
+
+"Have you seen any targets in this direction lately?"
+
+"It has been a good many days since any of the crew gave us a chance to
+show what we could do with a bullet, sir."
+
+"How long are you on duty to-night?"
+
+"Until morning, sir. Jacob Sitz and I have thought best to stay with the
+sentinels of our company during all the hours of darkness. We catch a
+cat-nap now and then, so it isn't like doin' extra work."
+
+"Your lads will make good names for themselves among those who love the
+Cause, if they keep on as they've begun," the colonel said in the most
+kindly tone, and the praise made me as proud as any peacock, for I had
+hoped we might be able to show him we could do the work of men.
+
+For the life of me I couldn't get my wits together quickly enough to thank
+him as I should have done, and immediately he said, as if speaking to one
+of his officers:
+
+"See that a sharp watch be kept from now on, and do not hesitate to raise
+an alarm if anything unusual is seen, Captain Campbell."
+
+I am certain my cheeks reddened when he thus recognized my rank, yet I was
+such a simple that I could only stammer:
+
+"You must have in mind, sir, somethin' the same as has Sergeant Corney. He
+has lately been here predicting an assault for to-morrow."
+
+"The sergeant uses his ears to some purpose," the colonel said, with a
+laugh, and then he walked away, leaving me with a determination to keep
+guard as I had never kept it before.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVII.
+
+Perplexing Scenes
+
+
+
+Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and
+the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my
+duty.
+
+It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was
+depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or
+sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance,
+I might disappoint him.
+
+After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue
+prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in
+an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the
+conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.
+
+"Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other
+to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "If the
+sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege,
+then we're not likely to see much from this point."
+
+"But we're not certain the old man knows better than any one else; he has
+figured it out to suit himself, without havin' definite knowledge. The
+commandant has much the same as praised our company, an' we must see to it
+that he has no cause to blame."
+
+By this time Jacob was fully awake, and he set out along such portion of
+the wall as was under our charge, straining his eyes in the direction of
+the Indian encampment, but without seeing anything whatsoever. Not a
+camp-fire was burning, and I failed to hear even the howling of a dog,
+which was something so unusual as to cause us no little surprise.
+
+"Can it be that Thayendanega's gang has deserted General St. Leger?" I
+asked, in a whisper. "The sergeant will have it that they are done with
+the siege, in which case it wouldn't be surprisin' if they had sneaked
+away."
+
+"There's no such good news as that," Jacob said, with a laugh; "but I'm
+puzzled to make out why they're so quiet."
+
+Had we been left to our own counsels ten minutes longer I believe I might
+have been tempted to waken the sergeant, which would have given him an
+opportunity to laugh at us because we had grown nervous over the absence
+of all danger-signs; but just then Peter Sitz approached, and I whispered
+to my comrade in a tone of relief that he and I were not the only nervous
+members of the garrison.
+
+"It seems as if all hands had it in mind that we need lookin' after,"
+Jacob replied, grimly, and then his father asked if we had seen anything
+unusual since the powwow came to an end.
+
+"It's what we've neither seen nor heard that's puzzlin' us, sir," my
+comrade said, and then he called his father's attention to the remarkable
+quiet which reigned where, ordinarily, noises of some kind could be heard
+during every hour of the night.
+
+Master Sitz appeared decidedly disturbed in mind, yet he made no comment,
+and, after listening in vain five minutes or more, he walked away without
+giving heed to us.
+
+It really appeared, before that long night had come to an end, as if every
+officer in the fort suspected something might be wrong, and, what seemed
+yet more strange to me, they all came directly to our post, instead of
+visiting those sentinels who, if the savages had really cut loose from St.
+Leger, should have been in the best positions to hear or see the first
+signs of the expected assault.
+
+I have set all this down at considerable length because, in view of what
+finally occurred, it was much as if our people had a premonition of that
+which was to come.
+
+The night passed without alarm, and I am willing to take my oath that if
+any animal as large as a dog had passed within an hundred yards of the
+sally-port we would have seen it.
+
+The entire garrison, even including women and children, was astir when the
+first gray light of coming day appeared in the eastern sky, and as each
+man came out upon the parade-ground I noted the fact that he had all his
+weapons with him.
+
+Of course these details are of no particular importance, and yet I have
+set them down in order to show how strong was the belief of every person
+in the fort that something unusual was about to happen, although, with the
+exception of the powwow held in St. Leger's camp the evening previous, we
+had seen nothing to betoken especial activity on the part of the enemy.
+
+It was early in the morning; the men had not yet broken their fast, when
+one of the sentinels shouted:
+
+"Here they come! Here they come!"
+
+I expected to see every man spring toward the walls in order to learn for
+himself what had caused the alarm, and at any other time they would have
+done so; but so great was the sense of impending danger that instinctively
+the garrison formed in line ready for orders.
+
+I had not yet been relieved from duty, and therefore remained where it was
+possible to have a fairly good view of all the encampments occupied by the
+enemy.
+
+Near the quarters of the British regulars I could see the men drawn up in
+line as if making ready to advance, and in the Tory camp there was a
+bustle and confusion such as might have been made by half-baked soldiers,
+while trying to copy after those who knew their business; but the Indians
+gave no signs of life, save as their squaws went about the ordinary camp
+work.
+
+Because everything had been so suspiciously quiet in this last quarter
+during the night, I more than half expected to discover that they had
+withdrawn under cover of darkness; but the presence of the women and
+children told I was mistaken. Unless the entire gang had spent the night
+with the white men, however, it was positive these exceedingly brave
+warriors of whom Thayendanega boasted, had no idea of continuing the part
+of allies during this day at least.
+
+A plentiful supply of ammunition was dealt out to our men, and the big
+guns were served as if our magazine was filled to overflowing, after which
+the garrison went to quarters, Reuben Cox being the happiest member of the
+army, for he believed the time was near at hand when it might be possible
+for him to wipe out some of the stain which rested upon him.
+
+The Minute Boys were ordered to remain at their post over the sally-port,
+much to my disappointment, for if the Indians did not take part in the
+assault, which we had every reason to believe was near at hand, then would
+our duties be so light that we could not hope to win much credit.
+
+Do not let it be supposed that I had become a swash-buckler of a soldier.
+The cold chill of fear still crept up and down my spine whenever I thought
+of taking part in an engagement; but I was becoming so nearly a man as to
+desire, in case it became necessary to fight, that I might gain some honor
+for standing stiffly when really my heart was faint.
+
+We remained at quarters a full half-hour, expecting each instant to see
+the long lines of soldiers emerge from amid the fringe of foliage which
+partially screened their encampment, and yet the advance was delayed.
+
+"What's the matter?" Jacob asked, nervously, as he pressed close to my
+side.
+
+"I wish I knew, lad," was my reply, in a voice that was not overly steady.
+"This waitin' while others are gettin' ready to try to kill a fellow is
+not to my likin'."
+
+"I had rather have a full hour of hot fightin' than such idleness, when we
+know that soon the bullets will be whistlin' around our ears," Jacob
+replied, and just then John Sammons came up, as he said:
+
+"I reckon they're goin' to bring their siege-guns with 'em this time. It
+looks to me much as if a big crowd was gatherin' in the rear of the line."
+
+Then it was that we could see the Tories running to and fro, each man for
+himself, and in a twinkling the line of regulars melted away. There was no
+longer any semblance of military formation to be seen, and yet certain it
+was that a few moments previous the enemy was nearly ready for an
+assault.
+
+We lads were not the only ones who felt disturbed because of this strange
+behavior on the part of the enemy. I could see that Colonel Gansevoort and
+all his officers were on that portion of the wall nearest the British
+camp, gazing earnestly toward it, while our men moved about uneasily, as
+if having forgotten that they had been sent to their several posts of
+duty.
+
+Strain our eyes as we might, it was impossible to make so much as a guess
+regarding what could be the cause of the odd proceedings, and it was in my
+mind to go in search of Sergeant Corney to ask his opinion of the
+situation, when John Sammons cried, suddenly:
+
+"Look there! The sneaks are comin' out at last! I reckon the Britishers
+have been waitin' for 'em!"
+
+But one glance was sufficient to show me that John had spoken truly. From
+the lodges I could see troops of savages pouring forth with every token of
+excitement, like a swarm of hornets, and that something unusual was afoot
+might be told by the fact that no effort was made to keep beyond range of
+our guns, as the befeathered and painted horde went swiftly toward St.
+Leger's quarters.
+
+I was determined that my company should remain at its post, no matter what
+might happen, until we got the word that it was no longer needed, there
+fore neither Jacob nor I could hear the speculations of the men as to
+what had happened in the enemy's encampment; but after a time Sergeant
+Corney came along as if looking for us, and, on seeing the Minute Boys
+standing in rank while all the remainder of the garrison were flitting
+here and there like flies on the scent of molasses, he said, grimly:
+
+"Here's a sight I never expected to see in this blessed country where
+private soldiers have the habit of commandin' their superiors! Why ain't
+you lads huntin' 'round to find out what's goin' on?"
+
+"We were ordered here, an' to be ready for action," I replied, not a
+little pleased to hear the old soldier's tone of approval. "This company
+will stay where it is until I have permission to break ranks."
+
+"It don't seem to be the military fashion for Americans to obey a command
+so strictly, an' I'm afraid you're settin' a bad example to them who
+demand that a list of the supplies be read to 'em whenever they're feelin'
+a bit out of sorts. There's a chance I'll grow proud of havin' licked you
+into shape if you don't change your ways mighty quick."
+
+"I don't fancy you came here just to see why we stayed on duty," Jacob
+said, with a laugh, which told me he was well pleased with what the old
+man had said.
+
+"I'm free to admit that I didn't expect to see anythin' quite so soldierly
+in this 'ere fort, an' that's the fact. I had been detailed to hang
+'round headquarters till the scrimmage began, but was given liberty to do
+as I pleased five minutes ago, consequently I came here to find out why
+the fight ain't on."
+
+"We're expectin' you to answer that question, sergeant. You've never been
+backward in findin' fault with the ways of American soldiers, an' now
+perhaps you can tell what's gone wrong with the Britishers?"
+
+"I wish I knew, lad, an' that's the fact! It looks as if they'd clean
+forgot we're waitin' for 'em, an' as for them precious babies of
+Thayendanega's, they've gone out of their heads completely. It's a puzzle
+all 'round, an' I reckon the commandant is as much in the dark as are the
+rest of us."
+
+"Can't you make a guess?" Jacob asked, impatiently.
+
+"Not a bit of it, lad; but it's certain there's trouble of some kind at
+Barry St. Leger's quarters, an' I'm of the mind to find out, if you an'
+Jacob want to stir yourselves a bit."
+
+"How do you count on doin' it?" I asked in surprise, half-inclined to
+believe the old man was joking.
+
+"Look at the Indian encampment; do you think there's anybody nearabout
+that place who's keepin' an eye on this 'ere fort?"
+
+"Even the squaws have gone over to the British quarters; they've been
+paddlin' across the river for the last half-hour," Jacob replied, and as a
+matter of fact I failed to see a living being outside the lodges, search
+with my eyes as I might.
+
+"An' it's much the same over yonder," Sergeant Corney said, as he pointed
+to the other encampments. "Every blessed one of us might sneak out an' not
+attract any attention from them as are supposed to be besiegin' us."
+
+"Well?" I asked, as the old man paused.
+
+"Well, if you an' Jacob feel like havin' a look around, I'll ask the
+commandant's permission to do a little scoutin' on our own account,
+agreein', in case we're laid by the heels, not to expect any help from
+this 'ere garrison."
+
+"Do you mean to go outside the fort?" John Sammons asked, his eyes opening
+wide in surprise.
+
+"You've guessed it the first time," Sergeant Corney replied, with a laugh,
+and I said, in a tone of conviction:
+
+"The commandant never will give you permission. I heard him refuse Reuben
+Cox most emphatically."
+
+"But that was when everythin' seemed to be runnin' smooth, an' Cox only
+wanted to get himself killed. Now I'll go bail that Colonel Gansevoort is
+more eager than we to know the meanin' of this queer business, an' will
+jump at the plan."
+
+"You'll know better after you've asked him," I suggested. "If he gives
+permission, Jacob an' I are with you."
+
+The old man sauntered away as if he had nothing of importance to do, and
+with a look on his face which told that he was certain of getting the
+desired permission without very much difficulty.
+
+The thought was in my mind that he would receive a very decided answer
+from the commandant without delay, and after a fashion that would not be
+pleasing to him, for it seemed to me that no sane officer could sanction
+an attempt to send out scouts across the open plain in the clear light of
+day, therefore one can imagine somewhat of my surprise when word came for
+Jacob and me to report at headquarters without delay.
+
+"Can it be possible that Colonel Gansevoort is seriously thinkin' of
+allowin' the sergeant to leave the fort in the daytime?" I asked of my
+comrade, as we went rapidly across the parade-ground to obey the summons.
+
+"It looks like it, for a fact, else why should we have been sent for? I'm
+beginnin' to think, Noel, that you said 'yes' to his wild scheme too
+quickly. There won't be any child's play in tryin' to get from the fort to
+where we can find the first show of cover."
+
+"Meanin' that you're not willin' to make the venture?" I asked, quickly,
+hoping my comrade would flatly refuse to go, for, now that the venture
+seemed countenanced by Colonel Gansevoort, I was growing mighty
+weak-kneed.
+
+"I would stick my nose into a good deal of danger before bein' willin' to
+go back on a promise made to the sergeant," Jacob replied, thoughtfully.
+"If he has told the commandant that we are minded to go, there's nothin'
+for it but to tackle the job."
+
+I was decidedly disappointed by the reply, and yet could make no protest,
+since I was the one who had spoken for us both when the old man broached
+the subject, and in silence we walked on until having come to the door of
+the colonel's quarters.
+
+The sentinel on duty there had evidently received orders concerning us,
+for he announced that we were to go in at once, and I pushed Jacob ahead
+as we entered the apartment where Sergeant Corney was standing in a
+soldierly attitude in front of the commandant.
+
+We were not called on to wait many seconds before learning the reason for
+the summons, since Colonel Gansevoort jumped into the subject by saying:
+
+"So you lads are keen for a hazardous venture, eh?"
+
+I would have given much if at that moment I could have called up
+sufficient courage to say that I was well content to remain within the
+walls of the fort; but instead of boldly declaring myself I remained
+silent until Jacob said, with only a faint show of enthusiasm:
+
+"We told Sergeant Corney that we would go with him to find out what may
+be the trouble in General St. Leger's camp, if so be you gave permission,
+sir."
+
+Now was I fully committed to a matter which was by no means to my liking,
+and, with a certain sense of being ill-treated, I listened to that which
+followed.
+
+"Under almost any other circumstances I would flatly refuse permission for
+any man to leave the fort; but now it seems as if it was of the highest
+importance we should know what is taking place in the enemy's camp.
+Whatever it may be is of such a serious nature as to attract the attention
+of the entire encampment so entirely that no attention whatsoever appears
+to be paid to us. I believe that, by leaving through the horn-works, you
+can make your way to the rear of the British encampment without incurring
+any very grave danger, and if it is the desire of you lads to go with the
+sergeant you have my permission."
+
+It was just what I didn't want, but, under the circumstances, I could do
+no less than look as if he had granted us the greatest favor possible, and
+at the same moment it would have done me solid good had I been able to
+kick the sergeant with sufficient vigor to convince him that he had made
+an ass of himself.
+
+Then the colonel, after receiving our thanks for permission to run our
+heads into unnecessary danger, went on to explain what he would have us
+do in case we lived long enough to get an idea of that which was going on
+in the enemy's camp.
+
+As he had already said, we were to scale the stockade in the horn-works,
+and then, making a détour to the westward, gain the cover of such shelter
+as might be found on the high lands, working well toward the ruins of Fort
+Newport before trying to strike across to and behind the line of
+earthworks which St. Leger had caused to be thrown up early in the siege.
+
+He had laid out a long journey for us, and one that might not be performed
+before nightfall; but it had the merit of being comparatively safe until
+we were in the vicinity of the British encampment.
+
+The interview was brought to a close within five minutes after it had
+begun, and then we were at liberty to make our preparations for that which
+might result in our death by torture, for it was certain that if the
+Indians laid hands on another man from the fort they would take good care
+he was neither rescued nor killed until they had worked their cruel will
+upon him.
+
+Sergeant Corney was inclined to boast of having succeeded when I had
+declared he must fail, and would have congratulated himself in great shape
+while we were crossing the parade-ground on our way to the barracks, but
+that I said, curtly:
+
+"That man who exerts himself to go into danger will one day find himself
+in a box from which his best friends can't extricate him."
+
+"Which is the same as sayin' that you've changed your mind about goin' out
+scoutin'?" he cried sharply, looking me squarely in the face. "There is no
+reason why you should go if the job isn't to your likin'."
+
+"Both Jacob an' I must keep on with you, or write ourselves down as
+cowards; but at the same time we have the right to think it a foolish
+venture."
+
+The words had no sooner escaped my lips than I regretted having spoken,
+and without delay I hastened to make amends by explaining that I was in
+truth frightened at the idea of venturing into that nest of snakes from
+which we had once barely gotten away with our lives.
+
+The old man must have understood that I spoke rather from nervousness than
+because I was really in anger, and immediately he acted as if nothing
+unpleasant had been said, but began to discuss the question of whether it
+would be wise to burden ourselves with weapons when, if brought to bay, we
+could not hope to fight our way through.
+
+Before we had more than gained the barracks half the men in the
+fortification had some knowledge of our intentions, and we were
+overwhelmed alike with questions and suggestions.
+
+But very few minutes were needed in which to make ready for the venture,
+and when we came out of the barracks all three of us had rifles strapped
+upon our backs in such a manner that they would not interfere with our
+movements in case it became necessary to trust to the fleetness of our
+feet. Three rounds of ammunition for each one, sufficient corn bread to
+make a single meal, and hunting-knives, completed the outfit.
+
+It would have pleased us better had we been allowed to depart unaided; but
+a full half of the garrison appeared to think it absolutely necessary to
+go with us to the very limits of the fort, and if good wishes are of any
+avail at such a time, then were we certain of returning in good condition.
+
+Once on the plain outside the stockaded portion of the works, Sergeant
+Corney led the way by going in a southerly direction for a distance of an
+hundred yards or more, and then striking sharply off toward the west,
+where was to be found the nearest cover.
+
+Having gained the line of foliage which fringed the high tract of land, it
+was possible to march off at a smart pace without need of taking
+particular heed to our steps, and we travelled rapidly until having
+arrived at a point midway between our starting-place and the ruins of Fort
+Newport.
+
+"Here's where I allow we'll be wise to change the commandant's plan a
+bit," the old man said, coming to a halt for the first time since we set
+out. "We can't gain very much in lengthenin' the journey by three or four
+miles, an' I'm in favor of strikin' across to the hill from here?"
+
+The statement was made in the form of a question, and I replied that it
+suited me to do as he thought best, for when Colonel Gansevoort mapped out
+the route I believed he was sending us on a longer détour than was
+necessary.
+
+We crossed the Albany road at that point where it bends in toward the
+hill, walking at our best pace, and, once behind the elevation, were
+screened from view of the enemy's camp.
+
+While we were going over the open country I kept my eyes fixed upon the
+British batteries and the redoubts thrown up to cover them, but failed to
+see any signs of human life. That the enemy had abandoned these posts even
+for a few moments seemed incredible, and yet it was all of the same piece
+with what we could see in their camp.
+
+Sergeant Corney led us directly into the redoubts which had made so much
+trouble for us in the fort, and, had we been disposed, we might have
+loaded ourselves down with plunder of every description, for the
+belongings of the men were strewn about as if cast aside in great haste.
+
+It was not safe to remain many moments where we were; in fact, I came near
+to believing the sergeant had lost his wits when he led us into the
+British nest, and we hurried out of the works, going directly toward St.
+Leger's quarters until we were sufficiently near to see men moving about
+excitedly, when he struck off for the rear of the encampment, where could
+be found such cover as stout bushes and small fir-trees would afford.
+
+We had advanced boldly on this last stage of the journey, emboldened to do
+so by the evidences of panic, or something near akin to it, which we saw
+on every hand, and trusting to the possibility that if seen it would be
+believed that we belonged to the encampment.
+
+The sun was yet an hour high in the heavens when we found a hiding-place
+overlooking the camp, and so easy of accomplishment had been our task,
+with nothing of danger attaching to it, that I was heartily ashamed of
+having displayed ill-temper in the sergeant's presence.
+
+Neither of us spoke when we were finally come to where we could have a
+fairly good view of the scene of confusion. The surprise at what we saw,
+and the perplexity because of it, was so great that we could do no more or
+no less than stare in bewilderment at this army, every member of which
+appeared to have suddenly been deprived of his reason.
+
+The foremost scene which met our wondering gaze was a group composed of
+General St. Leger himself, Sir John Johnson, Thayendanega, and a dozen or
+more leading sachems of the Six Nations.
+
+These men were too far away to admit of our hearing the spirited
+conversation which was going on. It appeared to me at times that the
+commander was pleading for some favor, and, again, that he threatened;
+but the savages seemed to give little heed to his words.
+
+Then Sir John talked for several moments, apparently appealing to each of
+his companions in turn, whereupon one of the sachems spoke excitedly,
+using more gestures than I ever saw one of the scoundrels employ, and when
+he was come to an end all the savages save Thayendanega stalked off as if
+in a rage.
+
+Our stupefaction was complete when General St. Leger made a peculiar
+gesture, and straightway two soldiers led forward a half-grown man whose
+vacant look proclaimed him to be one of those unfortunates whom God has
+deprived of wits, and in his wake came three Oneida Indians.
+
+It was enough to make a fellow lose a full year's growth, thus seeing his
+Majesty's general in such company; but when the Oneidas appeared my
+surprise gave way to fear.
+
+We had always counted, and with good cause, on these Indians being
+friendly to our people who were struggling to throw off the yoke which the
+king had put upon us, yet the fact that they were in the encampment,
+apparently on friendly terms with our enemies, seemed to betoken still
+more trouble and misery for us of the valley.
+
+Jacob gripped my hand tightly as the Oneidas appeared, and I could see the
+corners of the sergeant's mouth twitching as if he had suddenly lost that
+feeling of security which had been so strong upon him until this moment.
+
+Then the foolish man began to tell a long story to the general, the
+Indians added a word now and then, and even Thayendanega began to wear a
+troubled look.
+
+It was all so strange and unnatural that I pinched my own arm more than
+once to make certain I was not in a dream.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVIII.
+
+Close Quarters
+
+
+
+The scenes shifted before us as if they had been painted on bubbles which
+were blown hither and thither by the wind.
+
+Even as we gazed at the leaders of the army while they stood listening to
+the foolish man as if believing him to be inspired, a mob of Tories and
+Indians surged toward that portion of the encampment, and in an instant
+St. Leger, Thayendanega, and Sir John Johnson were blotted out from our
+view.
+
+Nothing could have happened to give us who crouched amid the stunted
+bushes a more vivid idea of the change which had come over the besieging
+army than this one incident, when the commanders, at whose frowns savages
+as well as white men cringed, were treated with such utter lack of
+ceremony.
+
+I fully expected to hear one or the other of these three burst into a
+towering rage, and order the immediate punishment of those who had
+offended, whereas the men extricated themselves from the tangle of
+half-drunken soldiers and savages as best they could, immediately
+resuming the apparently confidential conversation with the idiot.
+
+I saw Sergeant Corney shrug his shoulders, as if to say that he had given
+over even trying to guess what might have happened, and then he beckoned
+for us to follow as he crept straight away from the, to us, perplexing
+scene.
+
+There was little need for us to give much heed to our movements so far as
+concerned making a noise, for I dare venture to say that a full company of
+men might have marched boldly past without raising an alarm, so long as
+they remained hidden from view.
+
+When we were twenty yards or more from where the commanders stood trying
+to hold their position against the drunken tide of reds and whites, the
+sergeant halted and looked at us lads inquiringly:
+
+"Well?" I said, irritably, vexed because of my bewilderment. "If you can't
+explain the situation there is no need to look at us. It beats anything I
+ever heard of or dreamed about. Have they all lost their senses?"
+
+"Somethin' is goin' mightily wrong!" Sergeant Corney said, impressively,
+as if he was imparting valuable information.
+
+"Goin' wrong!" Jacob repeated. "I should say it had already gone wrong
+with a vengeance. Can't you make some kind of a guess, sergeant?"
+
+"Not a bit of it, lad. This 'ere business lays way over anythin' I ever
+saw in all my experience as a soldier. There's one thing certain,
+howsomever, which is that jest now an hundred of our people could walk
+through the entire encampment without bein' called upon to spill a drop of
+blood."
+
+"Well?" I asked again, as the old man ceased speaking.
+
+"Colonel Gansevoort must know how mixed up is this 'ere army."
+
+"We can go back an' tell him," Jacob replied, promptly. "I reckon we might
+walk straight out toward the fort, an' never a man here would give heed to
+us."
+
+"If we knew exactly what had happened it might be as well for all three to
+go back to the fort; but there's no knowin' when matters may take a turn,
+an' we must keep a sharp watch lest through us our people are brought into
+a trap."
+
+"Why don't you say what you mean, without talkin' all around the subject?"
+I cried, nervously. "What have you got in your mind?"
+
+"That one of us must go back to the fort, while the others stay here on
+watch to give the alarm in case this 'ere army suddenly comes to its
+senses."
+
+It was not my desire to travel back alone to carry the tidings. There was
+no thought in my mind that any danger might threaten while the enemy was
+in such a state of confusion; and I was most eager to watch these
+apparently crazy people, in the hope of being able to come at a solution
+of the riddle, therefore I asked, sharply:
+
+"Who do you think should go back?"
+
+"Do either of you lads want to tackle the job?" the sergeant asked, and I
+understood by his tone that he was as loath to leave the place as was I.
+
+Neither of us made reply, and he went on, as if already having had the
+plan fixed in his mind:
+
+"Then we'll draw lots to see who it shall be. As the matter stands, we
+know full well that the commandant must be told of what we have seen. It
+won't require two hours' travelling because there's no call to make a very
+wide circuit, an', in case these fellows pull themselves together before
+midnight, them as stays on watch can warn our people."
+
+"Fix the drawin' of lots to suit yourself, an' he who gets the worst of it
+will set out at once," I said, curtly, and the old man broke off three
+small twigs, which he held in his closed hand.
+
+"I haven't taken note of which is the shortest; but, in case you might
+think I had, make your choice, an' the one which is left shall be mine."
+
+"He who gets the shortest goes back, eh?" Jacob asked, and I replied:
+
+"That is understood. Take the first choice, an' let us settle this
+business as soon as we can, for I am wild to get over yonder where I can
+see the king's army playin' the fool, if it so be that I'm not forced to
+turn back."
+
+Jacob drew one of the twigs without stopping to make a selection, I took
+the second, and Sergeant Corney opened his hand to show the third.
+
+They were all so nearly of a length that we were forced to measure each
+in order to learn who was the unfortunate, and then it was found that
+Jacob had been selected to play the part of messenger.
+
+Disappointed though the lad must have been, he did not make any delay, but
+asked as he rose to his feet:
+
+"What shall I say to the commandant?"
+
+"Tell him what you have seen," the sergeant replied, "an' say that with
+two hundred men at the most he can capture the whole blessed army. If
+there should be any change within the next two hours, one or both of us
+will hurry back, goin' around by way of the hill opposite the
+batteries,--the same course we came,--therefore, if he sends out a
+detachment, let it approach by that route."
+
+Immediately the old man ceased speaking Jacob wheeled about, and in a
+twinkling was lost to our view in the gloom.
+
+By this time night had fully come, and I knew the lad would be in no
+danger if he made a direct line for the fort, therefore I ceased to think
+of him as I urged my companion to return with me to where we could
+overlook the scene of confusion.
+
+We went back at once without giving especial heed to moving noiselessly,
+and soon were gazing upon the wildest, oddest scene that ever a military
+encampment presented.
+
+During the short time we were absent the men had built small fires here,
+there, and everywhere around, and now that which had at first looked like
+a panic began to present the appearance of an orgy.
+
+We saw directly in front of General St. Leger's camp a dozen or more
+Indians broaching a cask of rum, and hardly more than twenty feet away
+were a lot of Tories, drinking from bottles which had evidently been
+plundered from the commander's private store.
+
+Had the camp been in the possession of an enemy there could not have been
+greater evidences of lawlessness, and again and again I asked myself what
+could have happened to bring about such a condition of affairs.
+
+It would be well-nigh impossible to set down all the wild pictures we saw
+during the hour which followed. Instead of recovering from their panic,
+insubordination, or whatever it may have been, the men were momentarily
+growing more disorderly, and that the officers made no effort to preserve
+even the semblance of order, we knew from seeing them from time to time
+moving about the encampment with no heed to what was being done.
+
+The three commanders, however, remained beyond our line of vision, and,
+because no one save the rioting soldiery and the savages entered or came
+out of the headquarters tent, I began to suspect that the leaders had run
+away.
+
+As can be supposed, in a comparatively short time the Indians were
+thoroughly under the influence of the enormous amount of strong drink
+which had been consumed, and ripe for mischief of any kind.
+
+One of the Tories, a fellow who had been hob-nobbing with the savages,
+himself drinking until he could stand only with difficulty, was set upon
+by two of the feathered wolves, murdered and scalped before our eyes,
+without an alarm being raised.
+
+Then the Indians began a war-dance, waving the bloody scalp in the air
+with frenzied gestures as they circled around and around the lifeless
+body, and many of the drunken white men applauded heartily, although it
+must be set down in extenuation that they were so drunk as not really to
+understand what had taken place.
+
+"It's a nice kind of a tea-party," Sergeant Corney whispered to me, while
+the orgy was at its height. "If the rum holds out these villains will
+settle matters among themselves, so that Colonel Gansevoort won't find any
+to stand against him when he arrives."
+
+To this I could make no reply. I was literally sickened by the horrible
+scene, and began to wish most fervently that I had been the one to draw
+the shortest twig, for it was by no means agreeable to remain there idle
+while murder was being done, even though it was a bitter enemy who had
+thus been cowardly done to death.
+
+The savages soon brought their dance to an end as they stumbled into this
+tent and that, searching for more spirits although the cask was not yet
+empty, and I was on the point of suggesting to Sergeant Corney that it
+would be wise to move back among the bushes lest some of the drunkards
+come upon us by mistake, when a heavy body suddenly fell, or was thrown,
+directly upon my back, pinning me to the earth.
+
+My first thought was that the rioters had flung some heavy piece of camp
+equipage into the bushes at random, and then the blood grew cold in my
+veins as I felt two hands clutching at my throat.
+
+Like a flash of light came the knowledge that one of the drunkards, an
+Indian as I believed, had stumbled upon me accidentally. I expected each
+second to hear an alarm raised which would bring the murderous crew to the
+spot without delay, when there could be no question as to the result, for
+the sergeant and I could not hold out many moments against such a mob,
+even though every one of them was intoxicated to a greater or less degree.
+
+That which rendered my situation critical was the fact of my being
+virtually unarmed. It will be remembered that the rifle was strapped to my
+back, and even though I had been unhampered, it would have required no
+slight time in which to unsling it. My knife was quite as useless,
+because, borne to the earth as I had been, it could not be removed from my
+belt.
+
+To set all this down in words makes it appear as if I had ample time in
+which to think over the situation, whereas no more than five seconds could
+have elapsed before the sinewy fingers were closed so tightly about my
+throat that I could not breathe.
+
+At almost the same instant that the pressure began to be painful, before a
+single cry had been uttered by my assailant, a second shock was felt by
+me, while the weight which pressed me down to the earth was increased, and
+dimly I understood that the sergeant had leaped upon the back of him who
+was strangling me.
+
+Why the Indian made no cry for help I cannot understand, except that he
+was too drunk to realize he had within his grasp an enemy instead of one
+of his own company.
+
+Certain it is, however, that no alarm was raised even when the sergeant
+came to my relief, and in silence, save for the rustling of the foliage as
+we swayed to this side or that, the battle was continued until I felt the
+cruel fingers about my throat suddenly relax, while a warm liquid of a
+peculiar, salty odor poured down over my neck and head.
+
+When he who had been striving to kill me rolled from my back, I lay
+motionless, unable to raise a hand and gasping for breath, until Sergeant
+Corney lifted me up as he whispered in my ear:
+
+"Are you hurt, lad?"
+
+"Only choked well-nigh to death," I contrived to say, and then tried to
+struggle to my feet, but found myself yet pinned to the earth by the
+lifeless body which lay across my legs.
+
+"Let us get out of here," I said, after releasing myself from the sinister
+weight. "This is worse than such an ambush as we fell into on the
+Oriskany."
+
+"Ay, lad, I reckon you're right as to that; but it strikes me we're bound
+by the word I sent the commandant to stay here till we make certain these
+reptiles don't come to their senses."
+
+While he spoke the sergeant was helping me retreat yet farther among the
+bushes, for my knees bent beneath me, owing to the horror of it all, as
+well as the rough handling I had received.
+
+The old man was not willing to move so far away that it would not be
+possible to have a fairly good view of what might be going on; but we did
+walk to what I believed was a comparatively safe distance, and then sat
+down upon the ground on the alert for anything more of the same kind which
+had come so near to putting me out of the world.
+
+"It was a close shave, lad, an' ought'er be a lesson to sich fools as
+we've shown ourselves, never to carry good weapons where they can't be got
+hold of for use at a moment's notice."
+
+"A fellow isn't supposed to be on his guard against drunkards," I replied,
+curtly, caressing my throat, which was exceeding sore.
+
+"True for you, lad; but I'm free to say that, while we've had
+considerable experience in the business of fightin', I never run up agin
+quite sich a mess as this. It actually gives me a pain because I can't
+make head or tail of it."
+
+I was already weary with trying to solve the problem, for indeed it was
+puzzling to even make a guess at why an army of near to seventeen hundred
+men had been thrown into such a state of panic and lawlessness. Then,
+again, why were the commanders not present with their officers to check
+these proceedings? Why had they allowed the men to take part in such an
+orgy, for to my knowledge St. Leger was near at hand when the first cask
+of rum was broached?
+
+"It is no use to speculate as to how this thing came about," I said; "but
+it strikes me that you ought to post yourself so far as to be able to tell
+Colonel Gansevoort, or whoever he sends in command of the detachment,
+exactly where the blow may best be struck, for just now all we know is
+regardin' the row close hereabout."
+
+"You never spoke a truer word in your life, lad," the old man said,
+excitedly, as he rose to his feet. "I got so mixed up with this 'ere
+hubbub, tryin' to make out how it came about, as to have clean lost sight
+of all that a soldier ought to do. Jacob hasn't been gone over an hour,
+an' we have as much more time to find out how things are in the rest of
+the encampment, so let's set about it without delay."
+
+The scene immediately before us was so revolting that I had no desire to
+gaze at it longer, and there was a certain sense of relief in my mind when
+the sergeant, prompted by me, had thus decided upon a definite course of
+action.
+
+With so much of confusion and drunkenness everywhere around, it was a
+simple matter for us to go and come as we pleased, save by chance we might
+stumble upon those who yet remained sober, for all the men I had thus far
+seen, except the leaders themselves, were in such a maudlin condition as
+to be unable to distinguish friend from foe.
+
+We had already learned that the batteries fronting Fort Schuyler on the
+northeast had been abandoned, and it was only necessary to get a view of
+the remainder of the British encampment. There was little need to visit
+the Tory quarters, for, as it seemed to me, all those renegades were
+present, taking part in the orgy.
+
+With no care as to advancing noiselessly, but keeping a sharp lookout lest
+we come upon sober men, the sergeant and I moved about at will, finding
+everywhere the same condition of affairs, and when half an hour had passed
+it was positive our people might come into the enemy's lines and gather up
+prisoners by the hundreds without being molested in any way, for I
+question if their presence would have been suspected.
+
+During all this time of inspection we saw nothing of St. Leger, Sir John,
+or Thayendanega, and I was of the opinion that they had run away; but
+Sergeant Corney held to it that most like they were in the Indian
+encampment, proposing that we cross the river in order to hunt them up,
+but to this I would not listen.
+
+According to my mind, such of the Indians as remained sober, if there were
+any, would be in their own lodges, and because we had had such singular
+success in our scout thus far was no reason why we might not suddenly find
+ourselves face to face with the gravest danger, if we acted the fools by
+poking our noses among the camps of the savages.
+
+"Why not go to the fort?" I asked. "There is nothin' more to be learned
+here. We know to a certainty that the greater portion of all the Tories
+an' Indians are hereabout, and every one of them so drunk that the army
+will be harmless, save as to each other, until daybreak. Let us go back by
+way of the batteries, an' we can reach the fort almost as soon as will
+Jacob, if perchance he went to the northward of the hill."
+
+The sergeant was not inclined to leave the encampment immediately,
+although he agreed that we could learn nothing further of importance; it
+was as if the scene of confusion had a certain fascination for him. He
+finally agreed, however unwillingly, to my proposition, and we set out
+leisurely on the return, being forced to pass once more in the rear of all
+the British camps because of having continued our investigations to the
+easternmost line of tents.
+
+We began the return without thought of haste or of danger, and were come
+midway between headquarters and the most southerly battery, when without
+warning we arrived face to face with a party of six Tories, who, with
+their arms around each other's necks, were reeling to and fro in the most
+convivial fashion on what was probably intended to be a pleasant stroll in
+the night air.
+
+Just for an instant I was startled, fearing lest we might be discovered
+and find ourselves in trouble when we believed we were safest; but then,
+realizing that we had already met many who mistook us for comrades, I
+would have gone on but that Sergeant Corney halted suddenly, unslung the
+rifle from his back, and, presenting it full at the drunken renegades,
+said in a low, stern tone:
+
+"We are prepared to shoot one or all at a moment's notice if you make the
+slightest resistance. The orders are to gather in every mother's son in
+this encampment who has been makin' a fool of himself, an' I reckon you
+come in that class. About face, an' the first who so much as yips gets a
+bullet through the head."
+
+The fellows must have believed that we were acting under orders from their
+general, for, with many a laugh and good-natured quip, they obeyed the
+sergeant's order as promptly as a party of small boys would have done,
+and, still supporting each other, moved toward the fort, we two following
+directly in the rear.
+
+I could have laughed aloud at the comical situation. Here were two scouts
+who had gone out to spy upon an encampment of seventeen hundred men,
+marching boldly through the entire place, and taking as prisoners six
+soldiers who made no effort whatsoever to defend themselves.
+
+I question if in the annals of warfare there be found anything that can
+match such a situation!
+
+"Are you goin' to take them into the fort, sergeant?" I asked, in a
+whisper, and he replied, speaking with difficulty because of his mirth:
+
+"Why not, lad? It will be a rare lark, an' somethin' to tell about in the
+days to come, that we took out from almost directly in front of St.
+Leger's headquarters six men, marchin' 'em into a fort which was supposed
+to be closely invested."
+
+There could be little danger attending such a performance, save perchance
+we might come upon some of those who were sober, and that risk I was more
+than willing to take for the sake, as the sergeant had said, of being able
+to tell the story in the future.
+
+We marched our prisoners out past the batteries, they giving no heed to
+the direction we were going, evidently fancying we were taking them to the
+guard-tent, until arriving midway between the fort and the redoubts.
+
+[Illustration: "'Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet
+through the back'"]
+
+Then somewhat of the truth seemed to dawn upon them, and this was so
+startling as to restore a portion of their befuddled senses. The entire
+party halted as if with one accord, and would have turned to look at us,
+but that the sergeant said, sharply, emphasizing the words by the click of
+his rifle-lock as he cocked the weapon:
+
+"Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet put through the back
+of every blessed one in the gang!"
+
+"But, look here, this is too much of a joke," one of them cried, with a
+drunken laugh. "We can't go very far on this course without bein' seen by
+the rebels."
+
+"You've been seen by 'em already, an' that's why we've got you in charge.
+We count on movin' the whole of St. Leger's force over to the fort in
+squads, an' you're the first that has been started on the road."
+
+By this time the renegades had a fairly good idea of the situation, and I
+fully expected they would turn upon us, but each of them was a coward. If
+they wheeled about suddenly, taking the chances that one might be killed
+in the squabble, it would have been possible to overpower us, even though
+they were without firearms; but it was the probability of our doing some
+considerable execution before knocking under that prevented them from
+escaping at the favorable moment.
+
+I walked with my rifle cocked and pointed at the man directly in front of
+me, prodding him with the muzzle now and then that he might know I was
+ready for action, and Sergeant Corney kept the whole party moving at a
+good smart pace, for we had no assurance that there were not sober men
+enough in the enemy's camp to play the mischief with our bold plan.
+
+Before we were hailed by the sentinels I came to believe that every member
+of the besieging army was more or less incapacitated for duty through
+having drank too much rum, for we heard nothing whatsoever from any one in
+the enemy's camp, although we were in fairly good view of them for no less
+than half an hour.
+
+When the sentinel hailed we were yet half a musket-shot distant, and my
+companion answered it by shouting:
+
+"Report to the officer of the day that Captain Campbell, of the Minute
+Boys, an' Sergeant Braun, unattached, are come with a few prisoners as
+sample of what may be had for the takin'."
+
+This reply caused some mystification among the sentinels, as we could
+understand by the hum of conversation which followed; but the old man did
+not call a halt, and we continued straight on toward the sally-port, I
+feeling more than a bit nervous lest the sergeant's loud words might have
+been heard by such of the enemy as were able to come in pursuit.
+
+When we had come near the gate, the Tories now well sobered by fright,
+Colonel Gansevoort himself hailed, and again the sergeant replied, but
+this time in a respectful tone, after which we heard the command to open
+the port.
+
+A throng of curious, laughing men crowded around as we marched in, and not
+until the uniforms of our prisoners could be seen did they believe we had
+really made a capture.
+
+It was a squad of Johnson Greens which we had run across so fortunately
+and accidentally, and none of St. Leger's force could have been more
+welcome to our lads than they, for that organization was made up wholly of
+renegades from the Mohawk Valley, who needed such a lesson as we were now
+in position to give them.
+
+With such proof as we had with us, Colonel Gansevoort could no longer
+doubt the report which had already been brought in by Jacob. He had not
+thought it possible the entire force of the enemy could be in a helpless
+condition, and it is hardly to be wondered at that he was incredulous.
+
+The prisoners were speedily cared for in such a fashion that there could
+be no possibility of their escaping, and then the commandant summoned all
+three of us who had visited the British encampment, to his headquarters,
+that we might tell the story to himself and the officers.
+
+No one could even make a guess as to what had happened within the enemy's
+lines; but there was not a man present who did not believe that now had
+come our time to raise the siege in such a manner that the fort would not
+be invested again for many days to come.
+
+"When your messenger came in with his report, he admitted that you had
+seen but a small portion of the encampment, therefore I hesitated to
+accept it as a fact regarding the entire army; but now, after you have
+made a tour of the works, it would be worse than folly to delay," the
+commandant said to the sergeant. "If you who have so lately returned want
+to join in the sortie, it will be necessary to make your preparations
+quickly."
+
+And the old man replied, grimly:
+
+"The advance can't be made any too soon to please us, sir."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIX.
+
+The Pursuit
+
+
+
+No more than three hundred men were sent out to take advantage of the
+singular state of affairs which we, the scouts, had reported as existing
+in the British camp, and when I expressed surprise because of the small
+number ordered on duty, Sergeant Corney replied, contentedly:
+
+"If you an' I told the truth, lad, as we know we did, then a detachment of
+three hundred is way off more than enough to take care of all St. Leger's
+army in its present condition; but if we made a mistake, or if in some way
+it turned out to be a big trick intended for our undoin',--though I don't
+see how it _can_ be,--then have men in plenty been taken from the garrison
+here."
+
+"All of which means that you're entirely satisfied with everything this
+night?" I said, with a laugh, for the capture of the Tories had pleased me
+so thoroughly that my mouth was stretched in a grin nearly all the time.
+
+"That's about the size of it, lad, though in this case I couldn't find
+anythin' to be disgruntled with, however soreheaded I might be. The
+colonel is sendin' out men in plenty."
+
+It was Captain Jackman who led the force, and I knew full well that if it
+was possible to punish the Britishers he was the one above all others to
+tackle the job, for a braver, more cool-headed man I have never seen.
+
+It is well that I make the story short, so far as our own movements were
+concerned, for what we said or did before visiting the enemy's camp in
+force is of very little importance.
+
+We set off within an hour after Sergeant Corney and I brought in the
+prisoners, and were marched boldly across the plain on a bee-line for the
+batteries without hearing a single note of alarm. It seemed to me that
+even the noises of the orgy had died away.
+
+Arriving at the batteries, Captain Jackman ordered thirty of his force to
+take possession of the guns and hold them until the last possible moment,
+in case the enemy rallied sufficiently to do anything toward caring for
+their own safety.
+
+A few yards farther on, at the redoubts covering the batteries, thirty
+more men were left, and, since there was an ample supply of ammunition for
+the big guns as well as the small arms, we who were entering the
+encampment would have a fine support in case of trouble.
+
+All these precautions were proper, and the captain would have been a poor
+soldier indeed had he failed to take them; but, as was soon shown, they
+were needless.
+
+When we arrived near General St. Leger's quarters we saw the last of the
+army fleeing as if panic-stricken in the direction of Oneida Lake, no
+longer preserving any semblance of military formation, but each man for
+himself, and, what was yet more puzzling, their Indian allies were in
+close pursuit, striking down laggards whenever the opportunity offered.
+
+These so-called warriors of whom Thayendanega had been so proud, were
+taking Tory and British scalps as if they had been summoned for no other
+purpose, and during two or three minutes all our people stood as if
+suddenly turned into graven images, so much of astonishment and
+bewilderment was caused by the wonderful change in affairs.
+
+Captain Jackman's first act, after understanding that the enemy was
+actually in retreat, with their former allies harassing the fleeing men to
+the best of their ability, was to send a messenger in hot haste to the
+fort with the word that he counted on taking his entire force, save those
+left to hold the batteries and redoubts, in pursuit, and advising that
+nearly all the British equipment could be seized upon without fear of
+interruption.
+
+Then we began the pursuit, and this, like the panic in the camp, was the
+oddest ever known. British regulars and Tories running helter-skelter,
+casting aside their weapons and accoutrements lest they be impeded in the
+unreasoning flight, and close at their heels the savages, who fell upon
+every unarmed man they saw, sometimes killing him outright, but, in many
+cases which came under my personal observation, disabling and then
+scalping the poor wretch, leaving him to a lingering death.
+
+More than once did the frightened soldiers flee toward us for protection,
+and again and again we lent them weapons with which to defend themselves
+against their late friends.
+
+It is almost impossible to give any details of that pursuit, which was not
+brought to an end until we were close upon the shore of Oneida Lake,
+because it was all so confusing--more like the wildest kind of a
+foot-race, wherein each man was trying to gain the lead, and the
+hindermost frantic with fear.
+
+It would have been strange indeed had our people been able to hold
+anything like a military formation. Captain Jackman yelled himself hoarse
+trying to keep us together, and, when it seemed as if he was on the point
+of succeeding, some one would set off at a mad pace to save the life of a
+British soldier who had fallen at the mercy of a savage.
+
+At first we turned our attention to taking prisoners; but before having
+left the main encampment a mile in the rear the Indians, eager for scalps,
+began to grow careless of what we might do, and then we paid off many an
+old score, although all could not have been settled had we slaughtered
+every last one of them.
+
+During that time of pursuit we saw nothing of the leaders, and I had come
+to believe that they were among the first to flee, when suddenly the
+sergeant, in whose company Jacob and I had remained, pointed out amid the
+bushes what appeared to be a large portmanteau which had evidently been
+cast aside by some of the fugitives.
+
+In the excitement of the chase either Jacob or I would have passed it by
+as being of no particular value when there were so many things to be
+picked up; but the old man was too good and experienced a soldier not to
+realize the possibilities of the find, and, heedless of all the wild
+scenes around him, he seized upon it, breaking the lock with a rock.
+
+Then it was we learned that the apparently valueless case was none other
+than the writing-desk, or official portfolio, belonging to General St.
+Leger himself, and in it were not only private letters and documents, but
+all his correspondence and papers relating to the campaign, such as
+afterward served to show that the king's officers had actually hired the
+Indians to murder those whom they called "rebels."
+
+"I reckon we've captured the prize of the day," the sergeant said,
+gleefully, after making certain as to the contents of the case. "This is
+of more value than a score of prisoners, although there's far less
+satisfaction in seizin' it."
+
+A moment later the old man began to understand that if he held on to the
+prize he would be left far behind in the chase by our people, because it
+was far too cumbersome to be carried at a rapid pace, and then he
+regretted having found it.
+
+I believe that for a moment he had it in his mind to throw the heavy
+portfolio away, willing to lose what he believed to be the most valuable
+of all the plunder that might be found, rather than miss the excitement of
+the chase; but, fortunately, just then John Sammons came limping back with
+a wound in the leg which had been inflicted by a savage whom he afterward
+succeeded in killing.
+
+"It's the toughest kind of ill-fortune to be crippled just when the fun is
+the hottest," he said, after explaining how the wound had been received.
+"I can't go on, an' I don't want to miss the show when the crazy
+Britishers an' Tories arrive at the shore of the lake."
+
+"It looks pretty bad," Sergeant Corney said, when he had made the most
+careless examination of the wound, and I was surprised to hear him speak
+in such a tone, for it was not his custom to make much ado over any
+injury, however severe. "I reckon you'd better hobble back to the fort
+without delay, an', once there, look well to it that you wash an' bandage
+the leg well."
+
+"I s'pose I'll have to go," Sammons replied, with a sigh, and the sergeant
+made haste to add:
+
+"Of course you will, lad, an' I've got here that which will ensure you a
+warm reception by Colonel Gansevoort. Take this case to him, an' you'll
+be glad you had to go back."
+
+Then it was that I understood why the old man was so solicitous regarding
+John's injury.
+
+Sammons took up the bulky portfolio and limped back in the direction of
+the fort, the sergeant saying with a peculiar twinkle of the eyes as the
+lad passed beyond earshot:
+
+"Now I reckon there's nothin' to prevent us from goin' on so long as do
+the others. Strike out lively, lads; we've wasted too much time already!"
+
+Then we tailed on behind the crowd of our people who howled and yelled as
+if at a fair, shooting at every bunch of feathers we saw amid the foliage,
+but making no effort to capture the fugitives lest we find ourselves so
+hampered that further advance would be out of the question.
+
+There were many of our people who thought much as we did on that day,
+otherwise Fort Schuyler might have been crowded with prisoners before
+morning.
+
+When we had finally come within sight of the lake, it was to find the
+foremost of our party drawn up in something approaching military order.
+Captain Jackman had succeeded in bringing them to a halt while yet half a
+mile from the shore, and this was done because the British and Tories had
+made a stand while their boats, which had been left at that point when
+they marched to the investment of Fort Schuyler, could be put in sailing
+trim.
+
+We of the American army were far too few in numbers to risk an action by
+pressing on, for, no matter how demoralized the enemy had become during
+the flight, it was more than probable they would fight with desperation
+now safety was within view.
+
+More than one of our party cried out in anger because the captain
+displayed too much caution according to their ideas; but the
+cooler-headed, among whom was Sergeant Corney, declared that it would be
+the height of folly for us to throw ourselves upon at least a thousand men
+when no great good could come from such a venture, and much of disaster to
+the Cause might result.
+
+The savages had no such reason for lagging, however, nor did they intend
+to fall upon their late friends in a manner which could involve them in a
+pitched battle; but yet they did a large amount of mischief without
+putting their precious bodies in danger.
+
+Wherever a squad of the fugitives was withdrawn from the main body, making
+ready a boat, the painted fiends would swoop down upon it, performing
+their murderous work and getting away with a fresh supply of scalps before
+the victims' friends could rush to their assistance.
+
+I saw a boat laden with men, the greater number of whom were unarmed
+because of having thrown away their weapons during the flight, push off in
+company with several others; but the oarsmen of this particular craft were
+clumsy, and she drifted down the shore until beyond range of the
+remainder of the force.
+
+Then it was that the feather-bedecked wolves began shooting at the
+helpless men until a full half of the crew were wounded, after which
+Thayendanega's beauties swam out to her, killing and scalping all on
+board.
+
+This is but a single instance of what the savages did during that mad
+retreat. More than once had my rifle been emptied in behalf of some
+sore-beset soldier, and I even went so far in my sympathy for the white
+men that I saved the life of a Tory who would have been killed had we not
+come up in the nick of time. After rescuing him, however, we turned the
+fellow over to a squad who were guarding twenty or more prisoners, thus
+making certain he would not be left at liberty to work mischief among our
+people.
+
+The following brief account of the retreat was written and printed by one
+who took every care to learn all the truth regarding the affair, and I set
+it down here that he who reads may know I have not exaggerated the story
+for the purpose of shaming the enemy:
+
+"The Indians, it is said, made merry at the precipitate flight of the
+whites, who threw away their arms and knapsacks, so that nothing should
+impede their progress. The savages also gratified their passion for murder
+and plunder by killing many of the retreating allies on the borders of the
+lake, and stripping them of every article of value. They also plundered
+them of their boats, and, according to St. Leger, 'became more formidable
+than the enemy they had to expect.'"
+
+It was late in the afternoon before Captain Jackman gave us the word to
+turn back. He would have returned sooner, but our men pleaded for
+permission to watch the fugitives until they had embarked, and he could
+hardly do otherwise than remain.
+
+A happy, light-hearted company it was that marched back to what had been
+the British encampment, there to find many of those we had left in the
+fort busily engaged hauling in the plunder abandoned by his Majesty's
+valiant army, to the fortification.
+
+Now we had ammunition in plenty, both for our own guns and those we
+brought in from the batteries, while there was such a store of provisions
+that the wagons were kept busy during the entire night transporting it.
+
+We feasted from sunset until sunrise, much after the fashion of the
+savages, for it made a fellow feel good to know from actual test that
+there was no longer any need of saving every scrap of food against that
+day when it might be necessary to fight and fast at the same time.
+
+Even though we had not thus made merry, I question if there was a man
+among us, from the highest to the lowest, who could have closed his eyes
+in slumber. The relief of mind was so great, and the wonderment because of
+what had happened so overpowering, that we were able to do nothing save
+discuss the matter again and again, but without coming to any satisfactory
+solution of the riddle.
+
+The Tory encampment, which was a long distance westward from St. Leger's
+quarters, presented the same scene of confusion and evidences of hasty
+departure as had the British, and from there we got a large quantity of
+plunder; but in the Indian camp was nothing left but the lodges, and these
+we carted into the fort, although they would be of little value to us. It
+was satisfying to despoil Thayendanega's snakes, even though only to a
+slight extent.
+
+When another day had come Colonel Gansevoort brought all us merrymakers up
+with a sharp turn, by forcing us to perform military duty once more. The
+stores of the British and Tories had all been brought in, and then we were
+called upon to level the earthworks which had been thrown up at the
+beginning of the siege, lest General Burgoyne, who had been reported as
+possibly coming our way, might be able to turn them to his own advantage
+and our discomfiture.
+
+It was downright hard work to handle shovel and pick hour after hour under
+the burning rays of the summer sun; but no fellow cared to show himself
+indolent after having had such rare good fortune, and we petitioned the
+commandant to let us continue the labor throughout the night, to the end
+that it might the sooner be performed.
+
+Within six and thirty hours after we had returned from the pursuit matters
+were so far straightened that we had nothing save ordinary garrison duty
+to perform, and we lounged around discussing the exciting and mysterious
+events which we had witnessed, until I dare venture to say that every man
+was absolutely weary with so much tongue-wagging.
+
+Messengers had been sent on the road toward Stillwater to learn, if
+possible, what had caused such a panic among the enemy, and Sergeant
+Corney said to Jacob and me while we were waiting with whatsoever of
+patience we could command for some definite information to be brought in:
+
+"We must get out of this, lads, within four an' twenty hours after the
+matter has been made plain, an' we know somewhat concernin' the movements
+of our friends on the outside."
+
+"How surprised the people of Cherry Valley will be when they hear all that
+we can tell them!" Jacob said, as if speaking to himself.
+
+"An' is it in your mind, lad, that we're to go back there rather than
+anywhere else?"
+
+"Where else could we go?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"I've been thinkin' that we might do our people at home more good by
+marchin' the Minute Boys to where they could be of real service, than
+goin' back to let 'em loaf 'round the settlement."
+
+At that moment the old soldier was called away to attend to some duty,
+and Jacob and I had ample food for thought as we turned over in mind what
+he had said.
+
+Before the day had come to an end we had reinforcements--when we no longer
+needed them--in plenty. Company after company of soldiers marched in from
+the direction of Stillwater, and through the earliest arrivals we learned
+that twelve hundred men, under General Benedict Arnold, had been sent to
+our relief.
+
+To our great joy, they could give valuable information regarding the
+strange behavior of St. Leger's army, and by putting together this and
+that bit of news we had a fairly good solution to the puzzle before the
+arrival of General Arnold, who came with a small force twenty hours behind
+the main body.
+
+And this is the story as we heard it from one source and another until
+there could be no question but that we had all the facts with no
+embellishments:
+
+Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell succeeded in getting past the
+several encampments without being discovered, and made their way to German
+Flats. There they procured horses, and rode at full speed until arriving
+at the headquarters of General Schuyler at Stillwater.
+
+Now it must be understood that when General Washington heard the news of
+the fall of Ticonderoga, he sent General Benedict Arnold with as many
+troops as could be gathered, to strengthen the northern army. General
+Arnold arrived at Stillwater nearabout three weeks before Colonel Willett
+rode into that place with the request that assistance be sent as soon as
+possible to Fort Schuyler.
+
+Now it seems, as I have heard it said by those who knew, and, later, have
+seen it printed, that immediately the messengers from the besieged fort
+stated the purpose of their coming, General Schuyler, eager to send
+Colonel Gansevoort all the succor he might, called a council of war to
+decide upon what should be done, when, greatly to his surprise, he found
+that the members of his staff were bitterly opposed to weakening the force
+then at Stillwater by sending any away, even on so important a mission as
+that of aiding the beleaguered garrison.
+
+Here is what I have seen printed regarding the matter, and I will copy it
+lest any one think I may have imagined some portion of this contention,
+which, as we look at the situation now, seems so improbable, for one can
+hardly believe that any officer in the patriot army would have refused at
+such a time to aid those who were so sorely pressed as were Gansevoort's
+troops:
+
+[Footnote: Fiske's "American Revolution."] "General Schuyler understood the
+importance of rescuing the stronghold and its brave garrison, and called a
+council of war; but he was bitterly opposed by his officers, one of whom
+presently said to another, in an audible whisper:
+
+"'He only wants to weaken the army!'
+
+"At this vile accusation the indignant general set his teeth so hard as to
+bite through the stem of the pipe he was smoking, which fell on the floor
+and was smashed.
+
+"'Enough!' he cried. 'I assume the whole responsibility. Where is the
+brigadier who will go?'
+
+"The brigadiers all sat in sullen silence, and Arnold, who had been
+brooding over his private grievances, suddenly jumped up.
+
+"'Here!' said he. 'Washington sent me here to make myself useful. I will
+go.'
+
+"The commander gratefully seized him by the hand, and the drum beat for
+volunteers. Arnold's unpopularity in New England was mainly with the
+politicians. It did not extend to the common soldiers, who admired his
+impulsive bravery and had unbounded faith in his resources as a leader.
+Accordingly twelve hundred Massachusetts men were easily enlisted in the
+course of the next forenoon, and the expedition started up the Mohawk
+Valley.
+
+"Arnold pushed on with characteristic energy, but the natural difficulties
+of the road were such that after a week of hard work he had only reached
+the German Flats, where he was still more than twenty miles from Fort
+Schuyler. Believing that no time should be lost, and that everything
+should be done to encourage the garrison and dishearten the enemy, he had
+recourse to a stratagem, which succeeded beyond his utmost anticipation.
+
+"A party of Tory spies had just been arrested in the neighborhood, and
+among them was a certain Yan Yost Cuyler, a queer, half-witted fellow not
+devoid of cunning, whom the Indians regarded with that mysterious awe with
+which fools and lunatics are wont to inspire them, as creatures possessed
+with a devil.
+
+"Yan Yost was summarily condemned to death, and his brother and gipsy-like
+mother, in wild alarm, hastened to the camp to plead for his life. Arnold
+for awhile was inexorable, but presently offered to pardon the culprit on
+condition that he should go and spread a panic in the camp of St. Leger.
+
+"Yan Yost joyfully consented, and started off forthwith, while his brother
+was detained as a hostage, to be hanged in case of his failure. To make
+the matter still surer, some friendly Oneidas were sent along to keep an
+eye upon him and act in concert with him.
+
+"Next day St. Leger's scouts, as they stole through the forest, began to
+hear rumors that Burgoyne had been totally defeated, and that a great
+American army was coming up the valley of the Mohawk. They carried back
+these rumors to the camp, and, while officers and soldiers were standing
+about in anxious consultation, Yan Yost came running in, with a dozen
+bullet-holes in his coat and terror in his face, and said that he had
+barely escaped with his life from the resistless American host which was
+close at hand.
+
+"As many knew him for a Tory, his tale found ready belief, and, when
+interrogated as to the numbers of the advancing host, he gave a warning
+frown and pointed significantly to the countless leaves that fluttered on
+the branches overhead."
+
+[Footnote: Lossing's "Field Book American Revolution."] "The Indians were
+greatly agitated. They had been decoyed into their present situation, and
+had been moody and uneasy since the battle of Oriskany. At the moment of
+Yan Yost's arrival they were engaged in a religious observance,--a
+consultation, through their prophet, of the Great Spirit, to supplicate
+his guidance and protection.
+
+"The council of chiefs at the powwow at once resolved upon flight, and
+told St. Leger so. He sent for and questioned Yan Yost, who told him that
+Arnold, with two thousand men, would be upon him in twenty-four hours.
+
+"At that moment, according to arrangements, the friendly Oneida who had
+taken a circuitous route approached the camp from another direction with a
+belt. On his way he met two or three straggling Indians of his tribe, who
+joined him, and they all confirmed the story of Yan Yost. They pretended
+that a bird had brought them the news that the valley below was swarming
+with warriors.
+
+"One said that the army of Burgoyne was cut in pieces, and another told
+St. Leger that Arnold had three thousand men near at hand. They shook
+their heads mysteriously when questioned about the numbers of the enemy,
+and pointed, like Yan Yost, upward to the leaves.
+
+"The savages, now thoroughly alarmed, prepared to flee. St. Leger tried
+every means, by offers of bribes and promises, to induce them to remain,
+but the panic and suspicion of foul play had determined them to go. He
+tried to make them drunk, but they refused to drink. He then besought them
+to take the rear of his army in retreating; this they refused, and
+indignantly said:
+
+"'You mean to sacrifice us. When you marched down, you said there would be
+no fighting for us Indians; we might go down and smoke our pipes; whereas
+numbers of our warriors have been killed, and you mean to sacrifice us
+also.'
+
+"Nothing more was needed to complete the panic. It was in vain that Sir
+John and St. Leger coaxed and threatened the savages. They were already
+filled with fear, and while a certain number deliberately ran away, taking
+their squaws with them, others drank rum until they were drunk, and began
+to assault the officers."
+
+That is the story as has been set down by others, and I have already told
+what we ourselves saw. All which seemed so unaccountable to us at that
+time, would have been as plain as the sun at noon-day had we possessed the
+key to the seeming riddle.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XX
+
+Enlisted Men
+
+
+
+On the morning after General Arnold's arrival, when we learned that the
+reinforcements which had been sent to us at Fort Schuyler were to be
+marched directly back to the main army then at Stillwater, the Minute Boys
+held a conference to decide what should be done, for it was in my mind
+that each member of the company had a right to discuss freely the question
+that must be settled without delay.
+
+We knew that Peter Sitz was to return to Cherry Valley as soon as he could
+make ready for the journey, and I was of the belief that Jacob desired to
+accompany his father; but never a word had passed between us on the
+subject.
+
+From all we could hear concerning affairs in the Mohawk Valley, it seemed
+much as if the senseless panic among St. Leger's force had resulted in
+breaking up the combination between the British and the Indians, in which
+case Thayendanega would not be able to ravage the country nearabout Cherry
+Valley, as he had doubtless counted on.
+
+When I considered the matter, with a sickness for home in my heart, it
+seemed much as if my proper place was with my parents, and there, if
+trouble should come, I would be able to strike a blow in defence of those
+I loved; but while listening to the conversation of the soldiers, and
+being brought to understand how sorely the colonists needed the aid which
+should come from their midst, I said to myself that strong, hulking lads
+like our Minute Boys ought to be ashamed to do other than remain in the
+service, doing their part in showing the king that we would have no more
+of his misrule.
+
+It seemed to me that Sergeant Corney was averse to talking with any of us
+concerning the future, for, as soon as it was known that we must decide at
+once upon some course, he kept aloof whenever he heard two or three
+discussing the question of what we Minute Boys ought to do, now that we
+were no longer needed at Fort Schuyler.
+
+I have thus set down that which was in my mind at the time, not that it is
+of any especial importance, but to the end that he who reads may
+understand how undecided I was as to what my company had best do at such a
+time; and I believe every person will realize that a lad's love for
+country must be great when it prompts him to turn his back on home and
+loved ones after having passed through as many dangers as had our boys
+from Cherry Valley.
+
+During the evening previous I had notified all the members of the company
+that we would meet in the barracks at eight o'clock in the morning to
+decide what course should be pursued, and considerably before the time
+set every lad was in waiting; but Sergeant Corney did not put in an
+appearance.
+
+We had come to consider him as the head and front of the Minute Boys, and
+his absence at such an important time seemed odd, to say the least.
+
+"I believe he has it in mind to join General Arnold's force," John Sammons
+said, when the hour for the conference had come and passed without the
+sergeant's having shown himself, and the idea of such a possibility
+brought a strange sensation of loneliness to my heart.
+
+Then Jacob suggested that the old man might have been detained against his
+will at headquarters, and I proposed that the lad go at once to learn if
+such was the case.
+
+He did not absolutely refuse to obey what might have been considered as an
+order from the captain, but tried to shift the duty by saying:
+
+"It would be of more avail for you to go, Noel, if so be the old man
+really has it in mind to enlist under General Arnold. You have ever been a
+favorite of his, whereas I am little more than an outsider, who has caused
+you an' he much trouble an' sufferin'."
+
+The lad did not really believe his own statements, but made them simply to
+shift the duty to my shoulders, for it was a bold and might be considered
+an impertinent act for us to presume to advise or urge one of so much and
+so varied experience as Sergeant Corney.
+
+I set off without further parley, and to my great surprise found the old
+man on the parade-ground talking idly with Peter Sitz.
+
+"Had you forgotten that the company was called together at eight o'clock
+this mornin'?" I asked, as if in surprise.
+
+"Not a bit of it, lad."
+
+"Then why didn't you come to the barracks?"
+
+"I knew you lads had somewhat of importance to decide, an' wasn't countin'
+on goin' where I might be said to have influenced you."
+
+"But don't you reckon yourself as belongin' any longer to the company?"
+
+"I didn't count on bein' able to pass myself off for a boy, even among
+blind men," the old soldier said, with a laugh, and I cried, hotly:
+
+"That isn't answerin' my question, sergeant. Is there any good reason why
+you should stand stiffly here while we're tryin' to make up our minds what
+to do?"
+
+"Yes, lad, I believe there is."
+
+"What may it be, if you're willin' to tell us?"
+
+"It shouldn't be hard to guess. All my life long I've followed soldierin'
+as another man follows a trade, an' I'm not the one who ought to speak
+when lads are makin' up their minds as to the future, lest I say that
+which pleases me, an' may not be the best thing for them."
+
+"Answer me one question squarely, Sergeant Corney, without beatin' about
+the bush. Do you think we're too young to enlist as soldiers, if it so be
+the lads decide that the Minute Boys ought to do all they can for the
+Cause?"
+
+"Not a bit of it; it strikes me your company has shown that it may be of
+value in any army, an' I'll go bail Colonel Gansevoort will agree with me.
+What say you, Peter Sitz?"
+
+"Speakin' for my Jacob, he's shown that his services are not to be
+despised in sich warfare as we're like to have in the valley; but it must
+be for him to say what he'll do, without word or look from me."
+
+Now it was that I began to understand what these two were driving at. They
+were minded that we of the company should decide the question before us
+without aid from them, and it was not difficult to guess that, in their
+opinion, the Minute Boys ought to remain where they could do the best
+service for the colony.
+
+However, I was determined that they should be present while we discussed
+the matter, and by dint of much coaxing finally succeeded in my purpose.
+
+When we were all together I put the matter before the lads to the best of
+my ability, asking each to say if he was minded to go home at once, or
+whether he would be willing to regularly enlist in the American army, and
+before any other could speak John Sammons made a suggestion which showed
+him to be a lad of rare good sense.
+
+"It seems to me that it would be a good idea to first learn whether we're
+wanted in the army. There's hardly one among us of an age to be taken as a
+recruit, an' if they won't let us enlist as a full company, allowin' our
+own officers to remain in command, I for my part would rather go home."
+
+There could be no question but that very many of us shared John's ideas,
+and then came the question as to how we might learn what we wanted to
+know.
+
+This we could not determine upon until Peter Sitz said, quietly:
+
+"Most likely Colonel Gansevoort can tell you in short order; but, if he
+can't, he won't be long in findin' out from General Arnold."
+
+This was just the suggestion we needed, and then came the question as to
+who would go to the commandant. I flatly refused, because it would look
+too much as if I was eager to hold my rank as captain, and after
+considerable tongue-wagging it was decided that Jacob should tackle the
+job, his father agreeing to go with him to headquarters.
+
+While these two were absent we talked much among ourselves, and I soon
+learned that every member of the company was willing to remain in service
+if it could be done as regularly enlisted men, holding together as a
+separate company.
+
+Sergeant Corney would take no part in the discussion. He flatly refused
+to give an opinion until after the matter had been fully decided; but I
+knew full well the old man would remain with us, even though we were only
+a company of boys.
+
+Then Jacob and his father returned, and there was no need of further talk.
+
+"The commandant says that we have only to present ourselves before General
+Schuyler in order to be enlisted as we desire," Jacob reported. "He
+promises to write a letter to the general at once, telling him of how much
+service we have been here in the fort, an' agrees to provide us with
+provisions for the march, with two baggage-wagons to haul the stores.
+We're to have from the plunder gotten out of St. Leger's camp all we may
+need in way of an outfit, so that we'll really show up before the
+commander equipped for service without cost to the colonies."
+
+Thus the matter was settled. With such a generous offer from the
+commandant never a member of the company could have hung back had he so
+desired; but I am proud to say that each and every one of them was eager
+to join the army, since it might be done as regular soldiers.
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney had his say, and he was by no means
+niggardly with words.
+
+First he congratulated us on having performed such good service that the
+commander under whom we served was pleased to do all in his power to give
+us a good send-off, and then declared that he had rather enlist with us
+than in any regiment of the army. If we had decided to go to Cherry
+Valley, it was his purpose to join General Arnold's force; but now that he
+could remain with the Minute Boys he was content.
+
+We were proud lads that day, for it seemed as if every officer and soldier
+in the fort was eager to give us some word of praise, and those with whom
+we had served watched jealously when our equipment was being selected from
+the plunder of the British camp, lest we might not get the best of
+everything.
+
+We had our hands full of business making ready for the march, when Reuben
+Cox came shyly up to where Sergeant Corney and I were looking after the
+stowage of goods in the wagons, and said to me in a half-whisper, as if
+fearing others might hear him:
+
+"I don't reckon your company is any place for a man who has shown himself
+sich a sneak as I am, eh?"
+
+"Would you like to go with us?" I asked, in surprise, and pitying from the
+bottom of my heart the man who was so deeply repentant.
+
+"That I would, Captain Campbell. It may be in time I can live down my
+record, providin' there be any one who'll look to what I may do, instead
+of always thinkin' of what I have done."
+
+"But the men in the fort have been kind to you of late, Cox?" I said,
+questioningly.
+
+"Ay, that they have, considerin' what I've done, an' how nearly I came to
+workin' the worst of harm to all hands here; but I can see by their eyes
+that they're always thinkin' I may play the same dirty game agin, though
+God knows I'd stand at the stake with never a whimper till the life was
+burned out of me rather than do one of them another wrong."
+
+Had I felt at liberty to decide the matter then and there, Cox would have
+been a member of the Minute Boys without further parley; but it was only
+right I should consult the others, therefore I told him to come again
+within an hour, when I would give him an answer.
+
+He thanked me humbly, and was about to go away, when Sergeant Corney took
+him by the hand as he said:
+
+"What's in the past can't be brought back for the fixin'; but we've got in
+our own keepin' the shapin' of the to-morrows. I'm thinkin' you won't go
+astray agin, Reuben Cox, an' whenever I see a chance to speak a good word
+for you it shall be said."
+
+The man's face lighted up wonderfully, and in my heart I thanked the old
+sergeant over and over for having been thus kind to one who, having
+committed the worst crime possible for a soldier, stood ready to give up
+his life cheerfully to the end that he might atone.
+
+I called the lads together without loss of time, repeating to them what
+Cox had said, and again was I made glad when they agreed without
+hesitation to take him among us.
+
+John Sammons was sent to bring up the new member of the company, and
+Sergeant Corney said, grimly, as he tried without avail to pucker his
+wrinkled face into a frown:
+
+"At this rate you'll soon lose the right to call yourselves Minute _Boys_,
+because this 'ere company is fast becomin' a refuge for the aged and
+outcast."
+
+There was to be mourning as well as gladness among us on this the last day
+we were to spend in Fort Schuyler.
+
+Toward noon a messenger from the general commanding came in, bringing with
+him the sad news that General Herkimer was dead of his wounds, or, perhaps
+I should say, because of his wounds.
+
+As we were told, the general was safely taken to his home after the
+battle, being carried on a litter the entire distance. The weather was
+very warm, and soon the wound became gangrenous. Nine days after his
+arrival, a young French surgeon who had been with General Arnold's force
+visited the house, and claimed that the injured limb should be cut off
+without delay, as the only means of saving the sufferer's life.
+
+The family doctor objected very strongly; but the general's family had
+faith in the Frenchman, although it is claimed he had evidently been
+drinking heavily, and the leg was cut off. The operation was performed so
+unskilfully that it was impossible to entirely check the flow of blood,
+and the Frenchman, indulging in more wine, became so badly intoxicated
+that, even had he known how, it would have been beyond his power to take
+the proper measures.
+
+There was no other surgeon to be had, and toward the close of the day,
+when the brave old general came to understand that his end was very near,
+he asked for the Bible, from which he read aloud the thirty-eighth psalm,
+immediately afterward sinking back upon the pillow dead.
+
+"Murdered if ever a man was!" Sergeant Corney cried, when the sad story
+had been brought to an end, and I was of the same opinion.
+
+There are several forms of mutiny, and some of them are called by other
+names, but all as dangerous as they are wicked. Because many of those who
+badgered the brave old soldier to his death paid the full penalty of their
+crime in the ravine under the hatchet or knife of the savages, it may not
+be well to say harsh words concerning them; but so long as I live there
+will always be anger in my heart whenever I hear their names mentioned.
+
+During that evening, after everything had been made ready for the march at
+an early hour next morning, we lads gave to Peter Sitz messages for the
+loved ones at Cherry Valley, promising that we would never bring disgrace
+upon the settlement, and so burdening his mind with this matter and the
+other that, if the poor man remembered but the half of all the words we
+entrusted him with, he must have had a most prodigious memory.
+
+Right proud was I when I marched out of the fort next morning at the head
+of my company, followed by the two baggage-wagons; but yet there was a
+sorrow in my heart because it seemed, in a certain degree, at least, as if
+by becoming regularly enlisted men we gave up our claim to the name of
+Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley.
+
+Those under whom we served did not view the matter in the same light I
+did, however, for we kept the title we liked best during all the time we
+served in the army.
+
+It would please me to set down here an account of the adventures which
+were ours after becoming enlisted men, but it must not be done, else I
+might never bring the tale to a close, for we saw very much during the
+time our people were convincing the king, and surely did our duty at Bemis
+Heights, otherwise our company would never have been mentioned in the
+flattering terms it then was.
+
+It causes me most profound sorrow to say that our company was far away,
+fighting for the Cause to the best of our ability, when our homes at
+Cherry Valley were destroyed and many of our loved ones massacred by the
+fiendish savages, and there is always in my heart a cruel joy that we lads
+who had been trained by Sergeant Corney avenged that dastardly act of
+Thayendanega's in such manly fashion that he must have remembered the
+reprisals to his dying day.
+
+Then it was we showed ourselves to be Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley in
+good truth, however we may have been spoken of elsewhere, and if it so be
+the good God spares my life sufficiently long I propose to set down the
+story of that vengeance, when more than one of us, sorely wounded,
+continued the chase, upheld even when exhausted nigh unto death by the
+thoughts of what our loved ones had been made to suffer by that wolf in
+human shape--Joseph Brant.
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10086 ***
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+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley, by James Otis</title>
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+<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10086 ***</div>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley, by
+James Otis</h1>
+<br />
+<br />
+<center><b>E-text prepared by Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders</b></center>
+<br />
+<hr />
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "An Indian strode gravely into the encampment"]</p>
+
+
+
+<h1>The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley</h1>
+
+<p align="center" class="smallcaps">by</p>
+
+<h2>James Otis</h2>
+
+
+<p align="center" style="font-variant: small-caps; margin: 1em 25% 1em 25%">Author of "The Boys of Fort Schuyler," "The Boys of '98," "Teddy and
+Carrots," "Captain Tom, the Privateersman," "The Boys of 1745," "The Signal
+Boys of '75," "Under the Liberty Tree," "When Israel Putnam Served the
+King," "The Minute Boys of the Green Mountains," Etc., Etc.</p>
+
+<h3><i>Illustrated by</i> A. Burnham Shute</h3>
+
+<p align="center">1911</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley</h1>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>Contents</h2>
+
+
+
+<ol style="list-style-type: upper-roman">
+<li><a href="#ch01">Young Soldiers</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch02">The Powwow</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch03">Disappointment</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch04">On the Oriskany</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch05">Divided Duty</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch06">Between the Lines</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch07">Insubordination</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch08">The Ambush</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch09">The Indian Camp</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch10">Prisoners</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch11">The Escape</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch12">In the Fort</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch13">The Assault</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch14">Mutiny</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch15">The Torture</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch16">Short Allowance</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch17">Perplexing Scenes</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch18">Close Quarters</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch19">The Pursuit</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch20">Enlisted Men</a></li>
+</ol>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>Foreword</h2>
+
+
+
+<p>It seems not only proper, but necessary, that I should explain how the
+material for this story was obtained, and why it happens that I can thus
+set down exactly what Noel Campbell thought and did, during certain times
+while he was serving the patriot cause in the Mohawk Valley as few other
+boys could have done.</p>
+
+<p>At some time in Noel's life--most likely after he was grown to be a man
+with children, and, perhaps, grandchildren of his own--he wrote many
+letters to relatives of his in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, wherein he told
+with considerable of detail that which he did during the War of the
+Revolution, and more particularly while he and his friends were fighting
+against that wily Indian sachem, Thayendanega. These letters, together
+with many others concerning the struggles of our people for independence,
+came into my keeping a long while ago, and from the lines written by Noel
+Campbell I have put together the following story after much the same
+fashion as he himself set it down.</p>
+
+<p>When the work was begun I doubted if Thayendanega could have been
+frightened by a party of boys who were playing at being soldiers, and
+refused to make such statement until, quite by chance, I found the
+following in Lossing's "Field-Book of the Revolution":</p>
+
+<p>"It was a sunny morning toward the close of May, when Brant and his
+warriors cautiously moved up to the brow of the lofty hill on the east
+side of the town (Cherry Valley) to reconnoitre the settlement at their
+feet. He was astonished and chagrined on seeing a fortification where he
+supposed all was weak and defenceless, and greater was his disappointment
+when quite a large and well-armed garrison appeared upon the esplanade in
+front of Colonel Campbell's house.</p>
+
+<p>"These soldiers were not as formidable as the sachem supposed, for they
+were only half-grown boys, who, full of the martial spirit of the times,
+had formed themselves into companies, and, armed with wooden guns and
+swords, held regular drills each day.... He mistook the boys for
+full-grown soldiers, and, considering an attack dangerous, moved his party
+to a hiding-place in a deep ravine north of the village."</p>
+
+<p>Then again I questioned if General Herkimer would have sent two boys as
+messengers, even though an old and experienced soldier went with them,
+when he must have had under his command many men grown who were thoroughly
+familiar with Indian warfare. As if to combat this doubt, I found the
+following statement by one who has written much concerning the struggles
+of the colonists for freedom:</p>
+
+<p>"As soon as St. Leger's approach up Oneida Lake was known to General
+Herkimer, he summoned the militia of Tryon County to the succor of the
+garrison at Fort Schuyler. They rendezvoused at Fort Dayton, on the German
+Flats, and, on the day when the Indians encircled the fort, Herkimer was
+near Oriskany with more than eight hundred men, eager to face the enemy.
+He sent as messengers to Gansevoort two boys and a man, informing him of
+his approach, and requesting him to apprise him of the arrival of the
+couriers by discharging three guns in rapid succession, which he knew
+would be heard at Oriskany."</p>
+
+<p>Having thus proven, at least to my own satisfaction, that so much of
+Noel's story was true, I set about verifying the other portions, and in no
+single instance did I find that he had drawn upon his imagination,
+therefore I resolved to write it down as the lad himself would have
+spoken, being able, because of the letters, to put myself very nearly in
+his place.</p>
+
+<p>I would it had been possible to say more concerning Thayendanega and Sir
+John Johnson, for they played important parts in the making of Mohawk
+Valley history; but Noel's own account was of such length that I did not
+feel warranted in adding to it.</p>
+
+<p>To the best of my knowledge and belief, the tale of the "Minute Boys of
+the Mohawk Valley" is no more than a narration of facts, as can be
+verified by reference to any of our standard histories of the beginnings
+of this nation.</p>
+
+<p>If the reader can find in the reading one-half the pleasure I have had in
+interpreting Noel Campbell's odd speech, and smoothing down his too
+vigorous language, then will he be richly repaid for the perusal.</p>
+
+<p align="right" class="smallcaps">James Otis.</p>
+
+
+
+<h2>
+List of Illustrations</h2>
+
+
+
+<p>"An Indian strode gravely into the encampment"<br />
+"'You have done well to get back alive'"<br />
+"Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and fro"<br />
+"'Tire 'em out, lads!' the General shouted"<br />
+"Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a huge fire"<br />
+"With upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of foliage"<br />
+"The painted villain sank down upon the ground"<br />
+"Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet through the back'"</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch01"></a>Chapter I.</h2>
+
+<h3>Young Soldiers.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>It sounds like an unreasonable tale, or something after the style of a
+fairy-story, to say that a party of lads, drilling with wooden guns, were
+able, without being conscious of the fact, to frighten from his bloody
+work such a murderous, powerful sachem as Thayendanega, or Joseph Brant,
+to use his English name, but such is the undisputed fact.</p>
+
+<p>It was the month of May in the year of our Lord 1777, when we of Cherry
+Valley, in the Province of New York, learned that this same Thayendanega,
+a pure-blooded Mohawk Indian, whose father was chief of the Onondaga
+nation, had come into the Mohawk Valley from Canada with a large force of
+Indians, who, under the wicked tutoring of Sir John Johnson, were ripe for
+mischief.</p>
+
+<p>Col. Samuel Campbell, my uncle, was one of the leading patriots in that
+section of the province, and it was well known that the Johnsons,--Sir
+John and Guy,--the Butlers, Daniel Claus, and, in fact, all the Tories
+nearabout, would direct that the first blow be struck at Cherry Valley, in
+order that my uncle might be killed or made prisoner; therefore, at the
+time when we lads frightened Joseph Brant without our own knowledge, we
+were in daily fear of being set upon by our enemies.</p>
+
+<p>Among the boys of the settlement I, Noel Campbell, was looked upon as a
+leader simply because my uncle was the most influential Whig in the
+vicinity, and my particular friend and comrade was Jacob Sitz, son of
+Peter, a lad who could easily best us all in trials of strength or of
+woodcraft.</p>
+
+<p>We had heard of the Minute Men of Lexington and of the Green Mountains,
+and when the day came that all the able-bodied men of our valley banded
+themselves together for the protection of their homes against our
+neighbors, the Tories, who thirsted for patriot blood, we lads decided
+that we were old enough to do our share in whatsoever might be afoot.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was that two score of us formed a league to help defend the
+settlements, and gave ourselves the name of "Minute Boys of the Mohawk
+Valley."</p>
+
+<p>There was then living in Cherry Valley an old Prussian soldier by name
+Cornelius Braun, who, in his native land, had won the rank of sergeant;
+but, having grown too old for very active military duty, came to this
+country with the idea of making a home for himself. Sergeant Corney, as
+nearly every one called him, was not so old, however, but that he could
+strike a blow, and a heavy one, in his own defence, and when he learned
+what we lads proposed to do, he offered to drill us in the manual of arms.</p>
+
+<p>We were not overly well equipped in the way of weapons, although it is
+safe to say that each of us had a firearm of some sort; but it seemed to
+give Sergeant Corney the fidgets to see us carrying such a motley
+collection of guns, and he insisted on making a quantity of wooden muskets
+to be used in the drill, to the end that we might present a more soldierly
+appearance when lined up before him.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was that, when we came each day on the green in front of my
+uncle's house to go through such manoeuvres as our instructor thought
+necessary, we had in our hands only those harmless wooden guns.</p>
+
+<p>I was the captain of the company; Jacob Sitz acted as lieutenant, and all
+the others were privates. Sergeant Corney, as a matter of course, was the
+commander-in-chief.</p>
+
+<p>On a certain day during the last week in May--the exact date I have
+forgotten--we were drilling as usual, with Sergeant Corney finding more
+fault than ever, when we frightened the famous Thayendanega away from an
+attack on the settlement, although, as I have said, we knew nothing about
+it until many months afterward.</p>
+
+<p>It seems, as we learned later, that the villainous Brant had made all his
+plans for an attack upon Cherry Valley, and had secretly gained a position
+on the hill to the eastward of the place, counting on waiting there until
+nightfall, when he might surprise us; but, much to his astonishment, he
+saw what appeared from the distance to be a large body of well-equipped
+soldiers evidently making ready for serious work.</p>
+
+<p>The scoundrelly redskin was not so brave that he was willing to make an
+attack where it seemed that the Whigs were prepared to receive him, and,
+like the cur that he was, he marched his force to a hiding-place in a deep
+ravine north of the settlement, near the road leading to the Mohawk River,
+about a mile and a half from where we were drilling.</p>
+
+<p>Now hardly more than an hour before it is probable that the Indians got
+their first glimpse of us Minute Boys, Lieutenant Wormwood had arrived
+from Fort Plain with information to my uncle that a force of patriot
+soldiers was on the way to check Sir John's plans for killing all who did
+not quite agree with him in politics, and to request that arrangements be
+made to care for the men during such time as they might remain in that
+vicinity.</p>
+
+<p>When, late in the afternoon, the lieutenant was ready to return to Fort
+Plain, Jacob's father, Peter Sitz, was ordered to accompany him as bearer
+of a message from my uncle to the leader of the patriot force, and the two
+men set off on horseback, we lads envying them because it seemed a fine
+thing to ride to and fro over the country summoning this man or that to
+his duty.</p>
+
+<p>It was the last time Jacob saw his father until after many days had
+passed, and what happened to the two horsemen we could only guess when the
+lieutenant's lifeless body was found next day; but we learned the
+particulars later.</p>
+
+<p>It seems that when the messengers arrived near Brant's hiding-place, being
+forced to pass by where the Indians were concealed in order to get to Fort
+Plain, they were hailed by some one in the thicket; but instead of
+replying, the men put spurs to their horses.</p>
+
+<p>The savages in ambush fired a volley; Lieutenant Wormwood was killed
+instantly, while Jacob's father was so seriously wounded that he fell from
+his horse, and, a few seconds later, found himself a prisoner among
+Brant's wolves.</p>
+
+<p>When the tidings of this tragedy was brought into the settlement, Jacob
+was overwhelmed with grief, as might have been expected, and even my uncle
+had great difficulty in preventing the distressed lad from rushing into
+the wilderness with the poor hope that he might be able, single-handed, to
+effect his father's rescue.</p>
+
+<p>He was only sixteen years of age--two months older than I; but within an
+hour after we knew beyond a peradventure that Peter Sitz was a prisoner,
+it seemed as if the lad had grown to be a man.</p>
+
+<p>It was this first blow against the settlement of Cherry Valley by the
+murderous Brant, which brought us Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley into
+active service, for from that day we saw as much of warfare as did our
+elders, and I am proud to be able to set down the fact that we performed
+good work, although we failed, as did the men of the settlement, in
+preventing it from being destroyed a year and a half later, while the
+fighting force of the population was absent.</p>
+
+<p>The murder of Lieutenant Wormwood was sufficient evidence that the Tories
+and their savage allies were prepared to harry us, and within a very few
+minutes after the body of the officer had been brought in, the men made
+ready to defend their homes.</p>
+
+<p>A council of war was immediately called, and while it was in session
+Sergeant Corney made a proposition which was like to take away the breath
+from those who looked upon us of the Minute Boys as mere children, for he
+said in the tone of one who knows whereof he speaks:</p>
+
+<p>"I've been drillin' a force that can do good work in what's before us, if
+they're given a show, an' I'll answer for half a dozen of 'em,
+guaranteein' they'll show themselves to be men."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you speaking of the lads?" my uncle asked in surprise, and the old
+man replied promptly;</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that I am, sir, an', unless all signs fail, there's never one of 'em
+who'll bring reproach upon the settlement."</p>
+
+<p>"What is your plan, Sergeant Braun?" Master Dunlap, the preacher, asked,
+for so great did all believe the danger which threatened, that every man,
+whether able-bodied or crippled, had been summoned to the council.</p>
+
+<p>"It ain't what you might rightly call a plan, sir," Sergeant Corney
+replied. "It's only an idee, brought out by the fact that from this time
+we've got to keep a close watch on what's happenin' in this 'ere valley,
+unless we're willin' to be murdered in our beds. There are boys enough in
+the settlement to do the scoutin', leavin' the elders to stand by for
+defence, an' I see no good reason why they shouldn't perform full share of
+military duty."</p>
+
+<p>"Think you a lad like my nephew Noel could render any valuable assistance
+at such a time as this?" my uncle asked, with a smile, as if believing he
+had put an end to the old man's proposition, and my cheeks reddened with
+excitement and fear lest Sergeant Corney should allow himself to be backed
+down, as I listened intently for the answer.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long in coming, and I could have kissed the old soldier for
+speaking as he did.</p>
+
+<p>"Give me him an' Jacob Sitz, sir, an' I'll guarantee to follow
+Thayendanega an' his precious scoundrels till we know what deviltry
+they've got in mind."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall have full charge of all the boys in the settlement, and we will
+see if you can make good your boast," my uncle, who held command of our
+fighting force, said after a brief pause, and in a twinkling Sergeant
+Corney left the building, beckoning us lads to follow, for our company had
+gathered with the men to learn what was to be done.</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier did not need very much time in which to lay his plans; in
+fact, I believe he had mapped out the whole course before having spoken.</p>
+
+<p>He divided our company into squads of six, not reckoning in either Jacob
+or me, and these he gave stations at different points within a mile of the
+settlement, cautioning every one to be on the alert, for now had come the
+time when it was possible for them to prove the value of the Minute Boys
+as soldiers. It was to be their duty, by night as well as by day, to keep
+careful watch lest the Indians creep up unawares, and I could well
+understand that never one would shirk his duty, since upon their vigilance
+depended the lives or liberty of all the dwellers nearabout.</p>
+
+<p>Then, when some one asked why neither Jacob nor I had been assigned to
+sentinel duty, Sergeant Corney replied, gravely:</p>
+
+<p>"I promised that with two lads I would follow Thayendanega's gang until we
+found out what the villains were about, as all of you well know, an'
+within the hour we three will set off."</p>
+
+<p>Several of the more venturesome lads pleaded their right to take part in
+the dangerous service, claiming that they should not be left at home when
+it was possible to make names for themselves among men; but to all these
+entreaties Sergeant Corney made but one reply.</p>
+
+<p>"It was Colonel Campbell himself who mentioned Noel's name, an' of a
+surety he has the right to say who shall go or stay. As for Jacob, have
+any of you a better claim than he to follow the murderers?"</p>
+
+<p>This silenced the eager ones; but I would have been glad indeed had any
+member of the company shown that he had a better right to accompany the
+old soldier than I, for of a verity I was not itching to hug the heels of
+those savages who were doing the bidding of the Tories. However
+faint-hearted I might have been, however, I would have bitten the end of
+my tongue off before saying that which should show to my comrades that I
+was more than willing to remain behind, for if the captain of the Minute
+Boys showed the white feather, what might not have been excused in the
+rank and file?</p>
+
+<p>Never one of all that company raised his voice against my right to follow
+Sergeant Corney, however, and I did my best at making it appear that the
+work in hand was exactly to my liking.</p>
+
+<p>Even the dullest among us understood that we three might be absent from
+the settlement many days, and yet our preparations for the dangerous
+journey were most simple.</p>
+
+<p>I ran home to acquaint my mother with what was afoot, and while she was
+trying to keep back her tears lest I might be unnerved for the duty to
+which I had been assigned, I armed myself with rifle and hunting-knife,
+making certain each weapon was in proper order.</p>
+
+<p>From my father's store of powder and balls I took as much as could be
+conveniently carried, and this, with such small supply of corn bread and
+salt pork as filled my hunting-bag, made up an outfit for a journey from
+which it was reasonable to believe I might never return.</p>
+
+<p>Mother did no more than kiss me again and again in silence, when I was
+ready to set off, and I now understand that she did not dare trust herself
+to speak, which, I venture to say, saved me from much sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>On arriving at the green in front of my uncle's house, where we three had
+agreed to meet, I found that Jacob's outfit was even less than mine. In
+his grief because of his father's fate, he had thought only of his weapons
+and ammunition, and by the expression on his face I knew full well he
+would use them manfully if we came within striking distance of Lieutenant
+Wormwood's murderers.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney was equipped in much the same fashion as was I, and
+immediately after my arrival he said, impatiently:</p>
+
+<p>"There is no reason why we should remain here many minutes, as if tryin'
+to show ourselves. It stands us in hand to strike the trail while it is
+yet warm, an' by dallyin' the people will come to believe our only idee is
+to look bigger'n we really are."</p>
+
+<p>"It is for you to say when we shall set out," I replied, envying those of
+my comrades who stood near at hand to witness the departure, and the words
+had hardly more than been spoken before the old man started off at a smart
+pace in the direction of the thicket where Lieutenant Wormwood's body had
+so lately been found.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of course we two lads followed, I making every effort to keep
+pace with him, lest those who were watching should suspect I was not as
+brave as I looked, and in a few moments we had shut out from view the
+houses of the settlement.</p>
+
+<p>We were not long in traversing the short distance which led us to the tree
+at the foot of which the officer came to his death; it can well be
+understood that we did not linger many seconds in that gruesome locality.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob was eager to push on, hoping even against hope that it might be
+possible for him to rescue his father. Sergeant Corney had no desire to
+delay, lest we find it difficult to follow the trail later in the day, and
+there was no reason why I should care to remain in that place where were
+such evidences as might soon be found of our own fate.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega had apparently given no heed as to whether his movements were
+known, for never an effort had been made to cover the trail, and we
+followed it as readily as if it had been blazed.</p>
+
+<p>When we had travelled rapidly in silence for two full hours, Sergeant
+Corney called a halt, saying as he did so:</p>
+
+<p>"There's no reason why we should push on so fast, an' much need to husband
+our strength, for no one can tell how soon we may be forced to take part
+in a hand-to-hand scrimmage. We'll have a bite to eat, for I didn't
+overload my stomach this mornin', an' be all the better for a
+breathin'-spell."</p>
+
+<p>"We didn't come out to spend our time in eatin'," Jacob said, moodily, and
+I understood full well what was in his mind. "We can loiter when we have
+come up with the savages."</p>
+
+<p>"It ain't in the plan that we shall get too close at their heels,"
+Sergeant Corney replied, as he drew from his hunting-bag a generous supply
+of corn bread, and laid a good half of it in front of my comrade.</p>
+
+<p>"It may not be in your plan, but it is in mine," Jacob said, sharply,
+giving no heed to the food. "We shall be doin' our duty by those we have
+left behind if we hug as close to the villains as is possible, while
+there's no chance I can serve my father by hangin' back at a coward's
+distance."</p>
+
+<p>"An' it's in your mind, lad, that we might do him a good turn?" Sergeant
+Corney said, as if talking to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? It wouldn't be the first time the murderin' redskins had lost a
+prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>"True for you, lad, an' I know full well how you're feelin'; but the
+question is whether we can hope for anythin' while there's sich a crowd of
+'em?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not expectin' you an' Noel will run your heads into too much danger,"
+Jacob said, passionately. "I know you would help father if the chance came
+your way; but it's my duty to take every risk, an' I count on doin' so
+even though we part company within the hour! Do you suppose I can loiter
+at a safe distance from the painted devils when my father is expectin' to
+see some sign that I'm doin' all I may to help him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I question if Peter Sitz expects that any one from Cherry Valley will
+follow Thayendanega's snakes. He knows their strength, an' is man enough
+to understand what might be the price of an attempt to rescue him."</p>
+
+<p>Although Sergeant Corney spoke calmly, as if he had no vital interest in
+the matter, I knew him well enough to feel certain he was even then trying
+to settle in his own mind how a rescue might be effected; but Jacob was so
+blinded by his grief that at the moment I believe he really thought we
+would let him push ahead alone, therefore I said in as hearty a tone as
+was possible:</p>
+
+<p>"You should know, Jacob, that both of us stand ready to do all men may to
+aid your father, an' you may be certain we'll not let you go on alone; but
+just now Sergeant Corney must be our leader, since he knows better than
+you an' I put together what ought to be done."</p>
+
+<p>"But will he do his best?" Jacob cried, in a passion. "Will he help me, or
+does he think the work is done when we have learned where Joseph Brant has
+gone on his work of bloodshed?"</p>
+
+<p>I waited for the old soldier to make reply to this demand, and he
+hesitated so long that I began to fear I had been mistaken as to that
+which I had supposed was in his mind. At last, when it seemed as if Jacob
+could no longer restrain his impatience, Sergeant Corney said, speaking
+slowly, as if weighing well each word:</p>
+
+<p>"I will do my best, heedin' not my own safety, givin' no thought to the
+labor or difficulties, if it so be you lads are minded to do as I shall
+say, without questionin' when it seems as if I might be goin' wrong--"</p>
+
+<p>I would have interrupted him with an assurance that we were willing to
+serve him faithfully; but he checked me with a gesture, and added:</p>
+
+<p>"As Peter Sitz would were he in my place, so will I. He was my friend; I
+know if it was a question of savin' the lives of those at Cherry Valley,
+or turnin' his back on me, what he would do, an' even so shall I."</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' what?" Jacob demanded, fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' that while we can do our duty by those who sent us, we will
+strain every nerve in his behalf; but if it should so chance that their
+safety depended upon us, we would give service to the greatest number."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob stared as if not understanding what the old man had said, and I made
+haste to add:</p>
+
+<p>"He means that if, while followin' Brant with the hope of aidin' your
+father, we found out that danger threatened the settlement, it would be
+our duty to warn them rather than hold on for him."</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier nodded in token that I had but given different words to
+his idea, and Jacob replied in a tone of satisfaction:</p>
+
+<p>"I can ask for nothin' more. If it so happens that you must turn back, I
+can keep on, for two would aid the settlement as much as three."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, you shall then do as seems best to you," Sergeant Corney said,
+solemnly, and thus it was settled that, while it did not interfere with
+our duty as Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley, all our efforts should be
+for the relief of the unfortunate prisoner, although at the time I had
+little hope the savages would allow him to live many days.</p>
+
+<p>Having thus pledged himself to Jacob, Sergeant Corney showed no further
+disposition to "husband his strength," but led us on the march once more,
+and this time at a pace which we lads found difficult to maintain without
+actually running.</p>
+
+<p>Now it is not my purpose to set down all we did and said during this long
+chase. It would be of no interest to a stranger, since one hour was much
+like another until we were come near to the Indian town of Oghkwaga, where
+Brant usually made his headquarters while bent on such cruel work as that
+of harrying the settlers who favored the rebellion against the king, and
+it is not necessary I should write down here the well-known fact that
+Thayendanega was in the pay of the British.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed much as if the Indians had no care as to whether they were being
+followed, for, instead of sending back scouts along the trail, as Brant
+almost always did, the party remained in a body, and even when we were so
+close on them as to lie down within view of their camp-fires at night, we
+never saw one of the painted villains who appeared curious to know if any
+person was in the rear.</p>
+
+<p>We were within a day's march of the Indian town, and had lain down in a
+thicket of spruce bushes after having looked in vain for some signs of a
+prisoner, as we had done during each of the four days while we were
+directly behind the band and at no time more than two miles distant.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob's face was wrinkled, or so it seemed to me, with lines drawn by
+sorrow because we had not succeeded in getting a glimpse of his father,
+and it was evident that the lad was beginning to fear, as did I, that the
+savages, finding a prisoner too troublesome, had tortured him to death;
+for if Master Sitz was yet alive and in the keeping of Brant's followers,
+why had we not got a glimpse of him?</p>
+
+<p>"There is no reason why you should grieve so deeply, lad," Sergeant Corney
+said, as if he could read the boy's thoughts. "I'll answer for it that
+your father is as much alive as we are."</p>
+
+<p>"How can you be certain of that?" Jacob asked, moodily.</p>
+
+<p>"We have seen every one of their camps, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," Jacob replied, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"An' have you noted any sign of a prisoner's havin' been tortured--meanin'
+a half-burned tree, a pile of rocks near the fire, or sich other like
+thing?"</p>
+
+<p>Jacob shook his head; he could not bring himself to speak calmly of such a
+possibility.</p>
+
+<p>"No, you haven't, an' we know without bein' told that when sich devils as
+follow Joe Brant get a prisoner in their clutches, they never kill him
+without torture. Now, 'cordin' to my way of thinkin', we can count to a
+certainty that he's alive."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why haven't we come across him?" Jacob demanded, fiercely. "This is
+the fourth time we've had their camp in full view, an' if he was with 'em
+we ought to have seen somethin' of him."</p>
+
+<p>"I allow you're right, lad, an' that's why I've come to believe that he's
+been sent on ahead to the village."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I must be movin'!" Jacob cried, springing suddenly to his feet. "I
+should have had sense enough to guess that before!" And he made as if he
+would leave us; but Sergeant Corney pulled him back by the coat-sleeve.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a bit. It was on my tongue's end to propose somethin' of the same
+kind; but we can't afford to take the chances of makin' a move till yonder
+nest of snakes has settled down for the night. An hour from now, an' we'll
+all pull out."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob could not well have made complaint after this, and he settled down
+with his back against a tree to wait with so much of patience as he could
+summon, until the old soldier should give the word.</p>
+
+<p>It surprised me that Jacob was not utterly cast down by the possibility
+that his father had already been carried to the Indian village, for once
+there we could not hope to effect a rescue; but since this thought had,
+apparently, never come into his mind, it was not for me to add to his
+distress by suggesting it.</p>
+
+<p>Well, we remained in the thicket until the red villains had quieted down
+for the night, and then Sergeant Corney led us toward the south, that we
+might make a long circle around the encampment, when would come the most
+dangerous portion of our task.</p>
+
+<p>Thus far we had done as Jacob would have us, and at the same time
+performed our full duty as Minute Boys, for our task was to learn what
+Brant counted on doing, and as to that we could not be certain until he
+was in the village.</p>
+
+<p>But now that the old soldier was leading us around the encampment to the
+end that we might gain a position between Brant's force and those at
+Oghkwaga, I said to myself, with many an inward shudder, that we were like
+to join Jacob's father after a different fashion than we had counted on.</p>
+
+<p>It was as if Sergeant Corney had no fear as to what might happen, for he
+plunged into the gloom of the forest like a man who walks among friends,
+and Jacob followed carelessly, all his thoughts on the possible
+whereabouts of the prisoner he was so eager to see.</p>
+
+<p>Apparently I was the only member of the party who gave heed to his steps,
+and so timid had I become through looking into the future for danger, that
+it was only with difficulty I repressed a cry of alarm when Sergeant
+Corney came to a sudden halt, as if he had stumbled upon an enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob, wrapped in his own gloomy thoughts, halted without showing signs of
+curiosity or surprise; but I pressed forward eagerly until standing close
+behind the old soldier, and then I understood full well why he had
+stopped.</p>
+
+<p>Not thirty paces from where we remained hidden in the thicket, it was
+possible to see the gleam of a camp-fire, and to hear the faint hum of
+voices, as if a large party was near at hand.</p>
+
+<p>After vainly trying to peer through the foliage, Sergeant Corney moved
+cautiously forward two or three paces, and, as a matter of course, I
+followed close at his heels, far enough to see the reflection of four or
+five other fires, as if those around them had no fear of being discovered.</p>
+
+<p>"They must be Britishers!" I whispered, and Sergeant Corney gripped my
+hand as if to say that he was of the same idea.</p>
+
+<p>It was our duty, however, to know exactly who it was encamped so near
+Brant's village, and, after telling Jacob in a whisper of what we had
+seen, the old soldier made his way swiftly through the thicket, my comrade
+and I copying his every movement.</p>
+
+<p>Then, when I had decided that we were dangerously near a large force of
+the king's soldiers who had come to join Thayendanega in his murderous
+work, Sergeant Corney called out in a loud tone:</p>
+
+<p>"In the camp! Here come friends who were like to have run over you!"</p>
+
+<p>In a twinkling the command was aroused, and before I had fully gathered my
+wits, which had been scattered by the old soldier's hail, I found myself
+in the midst of a large body of men, many of whom I had seen in my uncle's
+home at Cherry Valley.</p>
+
+<p>And now, that I may not dwell too long on a commonplace story when I have
+so much of adventure to relate, let me say that we had stumbled on
+upwards of three hundred men belonging to the patriot army, who, under
+command of General Herkimer, were bent on paying a friendly visit to the
+Indian village.</p>
+
+<p>As we soon learned, General Herkimer, having been intimately acquainted
+with Brant, hoped by an interview to persuade the sachem to join the
+patriots, or at least to remain neutral, and to such end had invited the
+chief to meet him at Unadilla for a powwow. At the same time that General
+Herkimer had set out to find Brant, Colonel Van Schaick, with one hundred
+and fifty men, went to Cherry Valley, even as poor Lieutenant Wormwood had
+announced, and the remainder of the American force in the vicinity was
+encamped at the proposed rendezvous lest the treacherous chief accept the
+invitation simply in order to work mischief.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll march with this company," Sergeant Corney said, in a tone of
+satisfaction, "an' it will be possible to have a look at the village
+without runnin' too many chances of losin' our hair."</p>
+
+<p>And thus it seemed to me that all our troubles were over, for I doubted
+not but that General Herkimer could induce the savages to give up their
+prisoner, and we would soon be on our way home with Peter Sitz as a
+companion; but, instead, we were just at the beginning of our
+difficulties.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch02"></a>Chapter II.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Powwow.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>When we had learned all that our acquaintances among the command could
+tell us, Jacob insisted that Sergeant Corney see General Herkimer without
+delay, in order to learn if that officer would so far interest himself in
+the fate of Peter Sitz as to make inquiries of Thayendanega regarding him,
+in case the opportunity offered.</p>
+
+<p>At first the old soldier was not inclined to ask for an interview with the
+commander, claiming that his own rank was not sufficiently high to warrant
+his making such a request; but those of the force who were listening to
+our conversation insisted that the general was not a stickler for rank,
+and would receive a private soldier with as much consideration as the
+commander of a brigade.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was that, after being alternately urged and entreated for
+half an hour, Sergeant Corney agreed to do as Jacob desired, and
+straightway set about seeking the leader, which was no difficult task,
+since his camp was a lean-to of fir boughs standing hardly more than fifty
+feet from where we were sitting.</p>
+
+<p>After the old man had left us, one of the soldiers asked if we had seen
+any Tories with Thayendanega's band, and I told him that, so far as I had
+been able to learn, the only white man among them was Peter Sitz, although
+we had not been so fortunate as to see him.</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you want to know?" Jacob asked, with mild curiosity, and the man
+replied:</p>
+
+<p>"It struck me that if any of the Mohawk Valley Tories were with Brant,
+General Herkimer would stand little chance of doing anything to aid the
+prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you say that the general would hardly be able to do anythin' of
+the kind?" I asked. "Surely to one so high in command Brant would listen,
+when he might refuse even to speak with one of less rank."</p>
+
+<p>"The thought was not in my mind that Thayendanega himself would be opposed
+to our commander; but if you know what was done last year, it is easy to
+understand my meaning."</p>
+
+<p>To me the soldier was speaking in riddles, and I asked for an explanation,
+whereupon he told us that more than a year ago, when the Johnsons had
+collected a large force of men nearabout Johnson Hall, and among them
+fully three hundred well-drilled Scotch soldiers, General Schuyler marched
+with nearly three thousand militia to within four miles of the settlement,
+demanding that Sir John surrender all arms, ammunition, and warlike stores
+in his possession, together with the weapons and military accoutrements
+then held by the Tories and Indians under his command. In addition to
+which, the baronet was required to give his parole of honor that he would
+not attempt any act against the patriot cause.</p>
+
+<p>Sir John was at first furious because such a demand had been made; but,
+badly frightened by General Schuyler's display of force, he finally
+consented, since he could do nothing better, and the colonists marched to
+Johnson Hall, where the surrender was made.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that General Herkimer was detailed to disarm the Tories in the
+valley, and while carrying out such orders quite naturally made enemies of
+the majority of them.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was, according to the belief of the soldier, that General
+Herkimer would have little or no weight with Brant so far as rescuing
+Peter Sitz was concerned, if there chanced at the moment to be Tories near
+at hand to whisper in his ear.</p>
+
+<p>Just now it seems necessary for me to set down that which happened after
+Sir John Johnson's surrender, if so it could be called, to General
+Schuyler, and I can best do it by copying that which I have seen in a
+printed sheet concerning our troubles in the Mohawk Valley:</p>
+
+<p>"It soon afterward became evident that what Sir John had promised, when
+constrained by fear, would not be performed when the cause of that fear
+was removed. He violated his parole of honor, and the Highlanders began
+to be as bold as ever in their oppressions of the Whigs. Congress thought
+it dangerous to allow Johnson his liberty, and directed Schuyler to seize
+his person, and to proceed vigorously against the Highlanders in his
+vicinity. Colonel Dayton was entrusted with the command of the expedition
+for the purpose, and in May (1776) he proceeded to Johnstown. The baronet
+had friends among the Loyalists in Albany, by whom he was timely informed
+of the intentions of Congress. Hastily collecting a large number of
+Scotchmen and other Tories, he fled to the woods by the way of the
+Sacandaga, where it is supposed they were met by Indians sent from Canada
+to escort them thither, for a certain time afterward, in one of his
+speeches, Thayendanega said: 'We went in a body to the town then in
+possession of the enemy, and rescued Sir John Johnson, bringing him
+fearlessly through the streets.'</p>
+
+<p>"Amid perils and hardships of every kind the baronet and his companions
+traversed the wilderness between the headwaters of the Hudson and the St.
+Lawrence, and after nineteen days' wanderings arrived at Montreal. Sir
+John was immediately commissioned a colonel in the British service; he
+raised two battalions of Loyalists called the Johnson Greens, and declared
+himself the bitterest and most implacable enemy of the Americans."</p>
+
+<p>Now it must be borne in mind that from information which we had received,
+there was every reason to believe Brant had come to place himself and his
+following under Sir John's command, and that before many days were passed
+we might expect the Mohawk Valley would be overflowed by all the Tories
+who had previously fled to Canada. Thus it can be understood that there
+would be such bloodshed and deeds of violence as had never before been
+known in the Province of New York.</p>
+
+<p>With this in mind, one can better understand why Sergeant Corney made the
+reservation which he did when promising Jacob he would do all within his
+power, up to a certain point, to aid in the rescue of his father.</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier returned from his interview with General Herkimer at about
+the same time our newly made friend finished his recital of what had been
+done in and around Johnson Hall, and, observing the look of satisfaction
+on the sergeant's face, I understood, even before he spoke, that his
+mission had been, at least in a certain degree, successful.</p>
+
+<p>"It is all right, lads," he said, seating himself by my side. "The general
+will do what he can; but whether that be much or little depends upon the
+way in which Thayendanega receives him."</p>
+
+<p>"Are we to march with this command to the village?" Jacob asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, an' remain with it so long as suits our purpose."</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me we could not in reason ask for anything more; that we
+were now in the best possible position to learn what Brant's purpose was,
+and at the same time to aid Peter Sitz, therefore I laid down to rest,
+contented in mind as I was wearied in body; but poor Jacob, feeling as if
+he might in some way wrong his father by seeking repose, paced to and fro
+near the camp-fire until my eyes were closed in slumber.</p>
+
+<p>The soldiers were astir at an early hour next morning; but before the
+column could be set in motion an Indian strode gravely into the encampment
+waving a bit of white cloth, and, on being questioned by the sentinels,
+announced himself as a messenger sent by Thayendanega with words to
+General Herkimer.</p>
+
+<p>The fact of his early arrival was sufficient to prove that the wily sachem
+had known of the movements of the soldiers for a certain length of time,
+--perhaps several days,--and this might explain why his march from Cherry
+Valley had been so steady and swift.</p>
+
+<p>It goes without saying that every man in the encampment was eager to know
+why this painted messenger had come, and I confess to crowding my way
+among the foremost of the curious in order to hear, if possible, all that
+was said.</p>
+
+<p>The Indian stood like a statue before the shelter of fir boughs, looking
+neither to the right nor the left until General Herkimer appeared and
+said to him, questioningly:</p>
+
+<p>"You have come from Captain Brant?"</p>
+
+<p>It is hardly necessary for me to set it down that, some time before this,
+Thayendanega had been given a commission in the British service.</p>
+
+<p>The messenger nodded gravely, and, after pausing until one might have
+counted ten, said:</p>
+
+<p>"Thayendanega asks why so many white soldiers are encamped near his
+village?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have come to see and talk with my brother, Captain Brant," General
+Herkimer replied, with the same stiff manner as that assumed by the
+messenger.</p>
+
+<p>"And do all these men want to talk with the chief, too?"</p>
+
+<p>"They have come to bear me company; they are my followers, as Captain
+Brant has his."</p>
+
+<p>"And do they also call Thayendanega 'brother'?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, and they hope he <i>is</i> a brother to them."</p>
+
+<p>The Indian turned slowly in what I thought a most offensive manner, as he
+looked around at the faces of those who completely encircled him, and then
+would have moved away, but that General Herkimer asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Is Captain Brant in his village?"</p>
+
+<p>"He will tell his white brother where he may be found, after I can run
+five miles."</p>
+
+<p>"Meaning that you will go from me to him, and return?" the general asked;
+but it was as if the Indian did not hear the question, for he said, in a
+tone which to me was one of menace:</p>
+
+<p>"You will come no nearer Oghkwaga until Thayendanega shall give his
+permission."</p>
+
+<p>Having said this, he turned slowly about until facing the direction where
+I knew Brant and his followers encamped the night previous, when he
+stalked slowly away, giving no more heed to those who pressed closely to
+him than if he was the only person in that vast wilderness.</p>
+
+<p>To Jacob this enforced halt, at a time when he believed it was vitally
+necessary he should be making search for his father, was most painful, and
+despite all Sergeant Corney and I could say or do to relieve his distress
+of mind, the poor lad paced to and fro, as I was told he had during the
+long hours of the night, in a nervous condition pitiable to behold.</p>
+
+<p>When half an hour or more had passed, the old soldier said to me, in a
+more kindly tone than I had ever suspected he could use:</p>
+
+<p>"The lad is eatin' his heart out, an' all to no purpose. Can't you quiet
+him a bit, Noel?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have said all within my power, an' he turns a deaf ear," I replied,
+sadly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I shall try my fist at it," and the old man went up to my comrade,
+taking him gently by the hand, and leading him into the thicket just
+beyond view of the encampment.</p>
+
+<p>There the two seemingly conversed for a long time, and I was left
+comparatively alone, until the soldier who had told us of General
+Herkimer's doings nearabout Johnson Hall, came up.</p>
+
+<p>Eager to get some idea of what the commander might be able to do with this
+Joseph Brant, whose name stood in my mind for all that was horrible in the
+way of cruelty, I asked how it was that General Herkimer could hope to
+influence one who was such a great enemy to the Whigs of the Mohawk
+Valley, and, in fact, to all white men save those who wore the uniform of
+the British king.</p>
+
+<p>He told me that at one time, before Thayendanega had become so powerful a
+sachem, he and General Herkimer were near neighbors, and quite intimate
+friends.</p>
+
+<p>It seems, from the story this soldier told me, that Sir William Johnson,
+Sir John's father, sent the Indian boy to school, and after he had
+received a good education gave him employment as secretary. During three
+years this now bloodthirsty savage acted as missionary interpreter, and it
+was said he did very much for the religious instruction of his tribe. When
+the colonists revolted against the oppressive rule of the king, Brant took
+the same side as did his patron, and having received a commission--some
+have said it was a captaincy, and others that it was a colonelcy--he
+became one of the most vengeful enemies we, who were devoted to the cause,
+had.</p>
+
+<p>Now, because of the past, General Herkimer hoped to turn him aside from
+his chosen path when he was just coming into power, and, boy though I was,
+it seemed to me a well-nigh hopeless task--one which had better never have
+been attempted, since in case of failure it would show to Thayendanega
+that the Whigs of the valley believed him an enemy who should be placated
+rather than resisted.</p>
+
+<p>However, that was none of my affairs, and I was not so forward as to air
+my views then when I was only a hanger-on by the sufferance of the
+commander.</p>
+
+<p>In two hours from the time he left our camp, the Indian messenger
+returned, still carrying the bit of white cloth, and came among us as if
+expecting we would bow before him.</p>
+
+<p>He was barely civil when General Herkimer advanced to receive him, and,
+without greeting the commander, he pointed toward a clearing in the
+wilderness half a mile or more away, as he said:</p>
+
+<p>"There will Thayendanega meet his brother, the white chief, and without
+firearms."</p>
+
+<p>"To-day?" General Herkimer asked.</p>
+
+<p>"When the next sun is three hours old Thayendanega will come with forty of
+his people, and his white brother will bring no more than that number."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well," General Herkimer replied, and it pleased me that he held
+himself yet more stiffly than did the messenger. "Say to my brother,
+Captain Brant, that we also will come without arms, and he and I shall
+meet as we met years ago, when there was no need to light the pipe of
+peace, because neither of us had listened to the songs of wicked men."</p>
+
+<p>The Indian stalked away as before, and when he was gone Jacob, who, with
+Sergeant Corney, had come up to hear what was being said, laid his hand on
+my shoulder affectionately.</p>
+
+<p>"I am goin' to be more of a man, Noel, havin' come to understand that
+nothin' can be gained by ill-temper or impatience; but it is hard to
+remain here idle when perhaps my father may at this moment be suffering
+torture."</p>
+
+<p>"If it was some one else's father, Jacob, you would say that there was no
+danger anything of the kind would happen while Brant is makin' ready for
+the interview with General Herkimer. Until that has come to an end your
+father is safe, an' perhaps when the powwow is over we shall have him with
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"So Sergeant Corney has been tryin' to make me believe, an' it must be
+true."</p>
+
+<p>During the remainder of the day Jacob did not give words to the sorrow
+which was in his heart, and perhaps it would have been wiser had he not
+tried to hold his peace, for, strive as he might, again and again I could
+see how earnestly he was struggling to remain silent.</p>
+
+<p>It is useless for me to attempt to set down all that we did or said while
+awaiting Thayendanega's pleasure. As a matter of course we indulged in
+much speculation regarding the outcome of the matter, and discussed at
+great length the possibility of General Herkimer's being able, even if he
+failed in other desired directions, to set free the prisoner whom Joseph
+Brant doubtless intended should suffer death at the stake.</p>
+
+<p>We passed the time as best we might, many of us finding it quite as
+difficult as did Jacob to restrain our impatience, and not a few openly
+declaring their belief that Brant was holding us idle simply that he might
+the better carry out some murderous scheme.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, it did seem to me no more than prudent General
+Herkimer should send out scouts to discover what the Indians were doing,
+and it was whispered about the encampment that one of his officers had
+suggested that such a precaution be taken; but the commander flatly
+refused, stating as his reason that it might prove fatal to all his hopes
+if the sachem should learn he was in any way suspicious because of the
+delay.</p>
+
+<p>"We must take our chances, remaining here idle and ignorant of what they
+may be doing, or it were better we faced about on the homeward march at
+once," the general was reported to have said, and after that he would have
+been a bold man indeed who suggested any other course.</p>
+
+<p>Well, the day passed, and so did the night, as all days and nights will
+whether one possesses his soul with patience or frets against that which
+he cannot remedy, and General Herkimer stood in the opening of his fir
+camp gazing at the men as if trying to decide whom he should take with him
+to the powwow, when Jacob stepped out in full view in order to attract the
+commander's attention.</p>
+
+<p>I knew that he made this move with the hope of being numbered among those
+who would leave camp to go to the rendezvous; but at the same moment I
+feared lest the general might be displeased because of his forwardness.</p>
+
+<p>Anything can be forgiven in a lad who burns with the desire to aid his
+father, however, and General Herkimer beckoned for my comrade to approach.</p>
+
+<p>I could not hear what was said during the brief conversation; but it was
+easy to guess the purport when Jacob came toward me with sparkling eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"We have the general's permission to go with him to meet Brant," he cried,
+and I asked with, perhaps, just a tinge of jealousy:</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' you an' Sergeant Corney, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"The three of us, so the general said."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did he happen to count me in?"</p>
+
+<p>"He asked how many had come with Sergeant Corney, an' when I told him, he
+said that all three of us could go with the detachment."</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of course we went, taking our stations at the head of the
+column just behind the commander, and when the word to march had been
+given I began to regret having thus been favored, for never one of us
+carried a weapon of any kind, and if Brant was in the humor he could have
+us all butchered before those whom we had left behind would get an inkling
+of what was going on.</p>
+
+<p>When we had come to the edge of the clearing which had been pointed out by
+the ill-mannered messenger, our further advance was stopped by two Indians
+who were rigged out in all the bravery of feathers, beads, and
+robes,--nothing missing in their toilet save the war-paint,--and told to
+remain at that spot until the sachem and his party arrived.</p>
+
+<p>It was treating General Herkimer rather shabbily, so I thought, to force
+him to wait like a child until the master was ready to put in an
+appearance; but there was nothing else to be done, and we squatted on the
+ferns and rocks a full half-hour before the man who was soon to be the
+great sachem of the Six Nations was pleased to show himself.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega had gotten himself up especially for the occasion, and a more
+gorgeous redskin I never saw.</p>
+
+<p>He had forty or more savages with him, and strutted on at their head as if
+he was a king, and we who had been waiting so long no more than the dirt
+beneath his feet.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly, as if until that moment he hadn't the slightest idea
+General Herkimer was anywhere in the vicinity, he sent one of his company
+to our commander, he himself continuing to move on until he stood in the
+very centre of the clearing. His followers ranged themselves behind him
+in a half-circle, remaining ten or twelve feet in the rear, and when the
+general went to meet his high mightiness our people took up their stations
+much as had the savages, thus completely surrounding the two leaders.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob and I stood where we could see all that was taking place, and hear a
+portion of what was said.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega began with compliments, and after General Herkimer had
+replied in much the same strain, the murdering villain asked bluntly why
+he had come.</p>
+
+<p>"To meet my old neighbor and friend," General Herkimer replied, whereupon
+Brant asked:</p>
+
+<p>"And have all those behind you come on a friendly visit, too? Do they also
+want to see the poor Indian? It is very kind."</p>
+
+<p>The general changed the subject of the conversation by speaking of the
+past, and wound up by hinting that it might be to Thayendanega's advantage
+to take sides with the colonists against the king; but he must soon have
+seen that he was not making much headway, for the sachem began to show
+signs of anger, and, after quite a long confab, said sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"We are with the king, as were our fathers before us. The king's belts are
+yet held by us, and we cannot break faith. You are resolute now in your
+rebellion; but before many days the king's soldiers will humble you to
+the dust."</p>
+
+<p>When this had been said, Colonel Cox, who was one of the general's party,
+cried sharply, and heeding not the fact that his voice was raised high:</p>
+
+<p>"We did not come here to listen to threats, and if we are humbled it will
+not be by such as those who follow Joseph Brant!"</p>
+
+<p>Unfortunately every Indian in the clearing heard the words distinctly, and
+in a twinkling the savages were running to and fro, giving vent to shrill
+war-whoops, while they called for those at the main encampment to bring
+their weapons.</p>
+
+<p>The colonel's incautious words were as a lighted match to gunpowder, and
+for the instant I firmly believed we would pay for his indiscretion with
+our lives.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch03"></a>Chapter III.</h2>
+
+<h3>Disappointment.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>During this time of confusion, when the life of every white man in the
+clearing was literally trembling in the balance, General Herkimer passed
+the word from one to another that we were all to stand firm without show
+of fear, and at the same time making no move which might be construed as
+in enmity.</p>
+
+<p>It was no easy matter to remain silent and motionless while the painted
+villains were running to and fro making a hideous outcry, and, as we knew
+full well, aching to strike us down.</p>
+
+<p>I know that, as for myself, I trembled like a leaf upon an aspen-tree--so
+violently that at times I feared the howling wretches would see the
+quivering of my limbs, and understand that already was I getting a
+foretaste of the death which they would have dealt out but for the
+restraining presence of Thayendanega.</p>
+
+<p>It was but natural I should look toward Sergeant Corney, and surely if
+there was one man in that clearing who obeyed General Herkimer's command,
+it was he! A graven image could not have been more stolid; one would have
+said that the uproar everywhere around was as the rippling of waters to
+him, and the Indians of less consequence than the dancing shafts of
+sunlight flickering amid the leaves when they are stirred by the morning
+breeze.</p>
+
+<p>I question if Jacob realized anything of what was going on around him. All
+his thoughts were centred upon the one idea of rescuing his father while
+there was yet time, and the lad waited eagerly for the conference between
+the leaders regarding the prisoner to be begun, heeding the remainder of
+the howling gang hardly more than did Sergeant Corney.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Cox, the cause of all this disturbance, was even more terrified
+than I, as could be told by the expression on his face, and the
+finger-nails pressed deeply into the palms of his hands that he might
+control himself in obedience to orders, while as for the others, I know
+not how they deported themselves.</p>
+
+<p>At that instant my world was of small dimensions, consisting of only so
+much earth as that impassive red man and the open-hearted, honest patriot
+officer stood upon.</p>
+
+<p>Like bees the angry Indians swarmed to and fro between the encampment and
+our place of meeting, until all were armed with rifles, and it needed but
+the lightest word to convert that sunlit clearing into a theatre of the
+bloodiest deed in the history of the tribe whose wildest delight was the
+shedding of blood.</p>
+
+<p>Not until his followers were in such a frenzied condition that it seemed
+impossible another's will could restrain them, did Thayendanega speak, and
+then in a few words of the Indian language, uttered in so low a tone that
+I could not distinguish a single syllable, he calmed the tempest on the
+instant, until those who had been howling for our lives became like lambs.</p>
+
+<p>When all was hushed once more, the sachem said to General Herkimer,
+speaking calmly, almost indifferently:</p>
+
+<p>"The war-path has been opened across the country as far as Esopus, and the
+Tories of Ulster and Orange will join with the braves of Thayendanega's
+tribe to quell this revolt against the king, who is their father."</p>
+
+<p>Now it was that General Herkimer spoke earnestly, pleadingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not allow so weighty a question to be settled without further
+consideration, Captain Brant. Why should not you and I discuss it calmly,
+as we have in the olden days many a matter which was not so grave?"</p>
+
+<p>"You have seen how well inclined my young men are toward anything of that
+kind," Brant said, with a cruel smile. "Were I to say at this moment that
+we would consider the matter in council, it might not be possible even for
+me to restrain them, because their decision has already been made. The
+hatchet is raised!"</p>
+
+<p>"But surely you and I, Captain Brant, may talk of it among ourselves?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that can be done," Thayendanega replied, indifferently, "and if it
+gives you pleasure to indulge in what can be of no profit, we will meet
+here again to-morrow morning; but now it were wiser my young men went back
+to the encampment."</p>
+
+<p>Then the sachem turned as if to move away, and General Herkimer,
+remembering what he had promised Sergeant Corney and Jacob, said, in a
+friendly tone:</p>
+
+<p>"Wait one moment, Captain Brant. I would make inquiries concerning a
+prisoner from Cherry Valley, whom it is said your people hold at this
+moment."</p>
+
+<p>"I know of no prisoner in our encampment," Brant replied, stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us not quibble on words, captain. Whether he be in your camp here, or
+at Oghkwaga, makes no difference. I ask if you will tell me concerning one
+Peter Sitz, who, but a few days since, when Lieutenant Wormwood of the
+American army was killed in ambush, your people made a prisoner?"</p>
+
+<p>"My young men may be able to tell you somewhat concerning him. I will ask
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"And will you, as a favor to a neighbor and an old friend, do whatsoever
+you may toward releasing the unfortunate man?" General Herkimer insisted.</p>
+
+<p>"I will ask my young men," was all the reply Brant would make, and then
+the powwow was brought to a sudden close as the sachem stalked toward the
+encampment, followed by all his people, and we of General Herkimer's party
+were left alone in the clearing.</p>
+
+<p>Now the word was given that we rejoin the main body quietly, and in double
+file, with no man straying from the ranks; but Sergeant Corney and I led
+Jacob between us, for the lad was well-nigh frantic with grief because no
+satisfaction concerning his father had been obtained from Thayendanega.</p>
+
+<p>We two said all we could in order to cheer the sorrowing lad, and that all
+was little. Neither he, nor we, nor General Herkimer himself, could effect
+anything whatsoever, save through the favor of the Mohawk sachem, and that
+was withheld for at least four and twenty hours, with the chances that at
+the expiration of such time we would receive nothing better from the wily
+savage than a refusal to answer any questions.</p>
+
+<p>I shall not attempt to set down very much concerning this long time of
+waiting for the second powwow, when it was doubtful if we would be allowed
+to leave the encampment without a bloody battle.</p>
+
+<p>Even General Herkimer had lost all hope of being able to dissuade Joseph
+Brant from the course he had already marked out for himself, and shared
+with his men the suspicion that before the second interview was come to
+an end we would be the victims of the sachem's treachery. This last we
+knew from the information which was whispered about the encampment, to the
+effect that the general had charged one of the soldiers--a man by the name
+of Wagner--with the duty of selecting two others, that the three might
+stand directly behind him at the next meeting with the Indians, and at the
+first show of hostilities shoot down Brant and the two sachems next him in
+authority.</p>
+
+<p>Wagner selected George and Abraham Herkimer, nephews of the general, and
+these three were prepared to face the most cruel of deaths, for certain it
+was that if they were obliged to make an attack upon the Mohawk chieftain,
+every Indian under his command would strive most earnestly to take them
+prisoners in order that they be made to suffer death by torture.</p>
+
+<p>How the day passed I hardly know. The soldiers talked among themselves in
+whispers, as men do in the presence of death. No one strayed beyond the
+limits of the encampment; but all waited in painful suspense for that hour
+to come when it should be known whether Joseph Brant was of the mind that
+we might return to our homes for the time being, or if he sought
+immediately to compass our death through treachery.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney and I spent our time in trying to soothe Jacob, who
+alternately reproached himself for remaining idle at the moment when he
+should be straining every nerve to aid his father, and relapsing into
+moody silence, which to me was far worse than the angry words.</p>
+
+<p>When another day had come we again marched into the clearing, the three
+who had been selected for the dangerous duty of protecting our leader in
+case of an outbreak, keeping close by his side.</p>
+
+<p>As I look back now upon what was afterward done throughout the length and
+breadth of that peaceful valley of ours, I regret most sincerely that
+those young men did not violate the unwritten laws and usages which the
+Indians themselves were ever ready to cast aside when it suited their
+purpose, and kill the bloodthirsty Brant whether his men showed signs of
+enmity or not.</p>
+
+<p>On this occasion we had not long to wait.</p>
+
+<p>Gathering in a semicircle behind General Herkimer as before, we were
+hardly in position when Thayendanega, clad in all the bravery of his
+savage garb, and, what was most ominous, bedecked in war-paint, strode
+into the enclosure, followed by such members of his party as had
+accompanied him the day previous.</p>
+
+<p>He did not wait for greetings, but began boastfully, while his painted
+fiends were yet taking their places, by saying, abruptly:</p>
+
+<p>"I have five hundred warriors with me, armed and ready for battle. You are
+in my power; but as we have been friends and neighbors, I will not take
+advantage of you."</p>
+
+<p>Then he made a gesture with his hand, and on the instant there burst from
+amid the foliage a seemingly endless number of savages, all painted for
+battle, who, coming down swiftly upon us as if to make an attack, uttered
+wild war-whoops as they discharged their rifles in the air.</p>
+
+<p>It was as hideous and terrifying a sight as I ever witnessed, and that our
+little company stood its ground is much to the credit of every man among
+us.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega remained half-turned from General Herkimer, and within two
+feet of the three men whose duty it was to shoot him with the rifles they
+had concealed under their blankets in case an absolute attack was made,
+and there watched the antics of his painted crew until perhaps five
+minutes had passed, when the savages sank down upon the ground as if
+exhausted, looking like so many images of demons.</p>
+
+<p>What Thayendanega said when the uproar was thus stilled, I cannot rightly
+set down, for my brain was in such a whirl, and fear so strong in my
+heart, as to prevent me from taking due heed of all that was passing--I
+realized only that death was literally staring us in the face.</p>
+
+<p>As Sergeant Corney afterward told me, Brant advised General Herkimer to go
+home, thanked him for having come to pay the visit, and said that at some
+near day he might return the compliment.</p>
+
+<p>"But the prisoner?" General Herkimer cried, when the sachem would have
+stalked away with a great assumption of dignity.</p>
+
+<p>"My young men will make no reply to my questions," Brant answered,
+unblushingly, although he must have known beyond a peradventure that we
+understood full well he was lying.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Peter Sitz yet alive?" General Herkimer asked, sternly.</p>
+
+<p>"There has been no prisoner put to death by my people since they left
+Cherry Valley," Thayendanega replied, as if irritated by the general's
+persistence, and, making another gesture with his hand, he sent back into
+the cover of the forest all his motley crew.</p>
+
+<p>Then he also walked away, as if fearing our commander would detain him
+with yet further questions, and the powwow, to take part in which three
+hundred men had marched so many miles, was come to an end without other
+result than the knowledge that the Mohawk chief would harry us of the
+valley to the best of his wicked powers.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega had hardly gained the shelter of the thicket before black
+clouds overspread the heavens, and it seemed as if in a twinkling the rain
+came down in torrents; sharp flashes of lightning zigzagged across the
+ominous-looking sky, and more than one around me declared it was a
+portent, a sign, a token of the tempest which was about to break upon our
+peaceful homes.</p>
+
+<p>When we were in camp once more, and General Herkimer was making his
+preparations to set off on the return march, Jacob declared that he alone,
+if we did not accompany him, would go into the Indian village, and there
+make inquiries for his father.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney and I spent a long hour persuading the lad of his folly,
+for after the powwow had come to such an abrupt end there was no question
+whatsoever but that Thayendanega would kill or make prisoner of every
+white man who crossed his path.</p>
+
+<p>For a time it was absolutely necessary that we two hold Jacob by force to
+prevent him from leaving us, and then gradually the boy came to understand
+that for his father's life he could only hope in the mercy of God, since
+even had General Herkimer been willing to risk a battle, in which he would
+have been greatly outnumbered by the savages, there was no hope he might
+effect the release of Peter Sitz.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney had an interview with the general after we had succeeded
+in quieting Jacob to a certain degree, and the commander advised that we
+return home without delay in order to give information as to what we had
+seen; but he did us three the honor of requesting, in case our services
+should not be needed immediately at Cherry Valley, that we would rejoin
+his force, which was to be stationed at the mouth of Oriskany Creek,
+without delay.</p>
+
+<p>He promised that we should have every opportunity of serving the patriot
+cause, and in order that we might be allowed to leave Cherry Valley again,
+he sent a written message to my uncle, of the purport of which I was then
+ignorant.</p>
+
+<p>We--meaning Sergeant Corney, Jacob, and myself--set off as soon as the
+conference with General Herkimer was at an end, on the long journey to our
+homes, knowing that the advance must be slow and cautious, for we had
+heard from Thayendanega's own lips that he was fully committed to the work
+of harrying the patriots.</p>
+
+<p>As I look back upon it now I wonder that we succeeded in traversing the
+wilderness, when Brant's force was so near at hand, without mishap; but,
+as it proved, we had more difficulty in persuading Jacob to accompany us
+than in eluding the foe whom we believed might spring upon us at any
+moment, and when we arrived home it was to learn that the danger to the
+inhabitants of the Mohawk Valley was more imminent even than when
+Thayendanega stalked away from the interview with General Herkimer.</p>
+
+<p>And this was the situation, as I afterward read it in printed letters:</p>
+
+<p>"A few days after this conference with General Herkimer, Brant withdrew
+his warriors from the Susquehanna and joined Sir John Johnson and Col.
+John Butler, who were collecting a large body of Tories and refugees at
+Oswego, preparatory to a descent upon the Mohawk and Schoharie
+settlements. There Guy Johnson and other officers of the British Indian
+Department summoned a grand council of the Six Nations.</p>
+
+<p>"They were invited to assemble to 'eat the flesh and drink the blood of a
+Bostonian'--in other words, to feast on the occasion of a proposed treaty
+of alliance against the patriots, whom the savages denominated
+'Bostonians' for the reason that Boston was the focus of the rebellion.
+There was a pretty full attendance at the council; but a large portion of
+the sachems adhered faithfully to their covenant of neutrality made with
+General Schuyler, until the appeals of the British commissioners to their
+avarice overcame their sense of honor.</p>
+
+<p>"The commissioners represented the people of the king to be numerous as
+the forest leaves and rich in every possession, while those of the
+colonies were exhibited as few and poor; that the armies of the king would
+soon subdue the rebels, and make them still weaker and poorer; that the
+rum of the king was as abundant as the waters of Lake Ontario; and that if
+the Indians would become his allies during the war, they should never want
+for goods or money.</p>
+
+<p>"Tawdry articles, such as scarlet cloths, beads, and trinkets, were then
+displayed and presented to the Indians, which pleased them greatly, and
+they concluded an alliance by binding themselves to take up the hatchet
+against the patriots, and to continue their warfare until the latter were
+subdued. To each Indian were then presented a brass kettle, a suit of
+clothes, a gun, a tomahawk and scalping-knife, a piece of gold, a quantity
+of ammunition, and a promise of a bounty upon every scalp he should bring
+in. Thayendanega was thenceforth the acknowledged grand sachem of the Six
+Nations, and at once commenced his terrible career in the midst of our
+border settlements."</p>
+
+<p>I had no more than time to tell my mother what I had seen, when my
+comrades were ready to set out for Oriskany Creek, counting to make their
+way over much the same ground we had just traversed.</p>
+
+<p>My uncle, Colonel Campbell, gave his consent to our departure after
+reading General Herkimer's message, and congratulated me, who deserved no
+praise, because I had succeeded in so far winning the confidence of a
+thorough soldier that he should make a personal request for the services
+of myself and my companions.</p>
+
+<p>It was not in our minds that we would remain very long with our new
+commander. Sergeant Corney believed General Herkimer had some especial
+matter in hand in which he thought we three might be of particular
+service, and when that was done we would be allowed to return home.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was that we still counted ourselves Minute Boys of the Mohawk
+Valley, and left our company in charge of John Sammons, who was to act in
+my stead until I came back.</p>
+
+<p>It pleased Jacob that we were to return to that portion of the country
+where we would be near Brant's forces, for he still cherished the hope of
+being able to aid in the rescuing of his father, if peradventure Peter
+Sitz yet remained in this world.</p>
+
+<p>Our stay in Cherry Valley was of no more than two hours' duration; but we
+learned much concerning the war in that time. Our little settlement seemed
+overrun with people because of the soldiers quartered there, regarding
+whom I have already written, and the inhabitants from miles around who had
+come to find a place of refuge.</p>
+
+<p>Already had word been brought in that there were then gathered at Oswego
+seven hundred Indians and four hundred British soldiers, under command of
+Sir John Johnson and Colonel Claus, and at Oswegatchie, or, as it is now
+called, Ogdensburg, were six hundred Tories ready to join Johnson's force.</p>
+
+<p>All that stood between these enemies and the broad bosom of the Mohawk
+Valley was Fort Dayton, that poor apology for a defence, and Fort
+Schuyler, not yet completely built and illy manned. That this last named
+fortification could withstand an assault by such an army as Sir John was
+evidently making ready to bring against it, few believed, and all with
+whom I talked during the short time of our stay at home, were looking
+forward to the future with the gravest fears and keenest anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>When, already weary and footsore, we took up our line of march to traverse
+the same paths over which we had just come, my company of Minute Boys
+insisted on accompanying us during the first half-dozen miles of the
+tedious journey; but it was not in triumph or rejoicing that we, all lads
+of Cherry Valley, left the little settlement. Our elders were disheartened
+and afraid, therefore we could well be excused for gloomy looks and timid
+whisperings, as we spoke of what might take place before I was able to
+resume command of the company which Sergeant Corney had spent so many
+hours in drilling.</p>
+
+<p>When the afternoon was well-nigh spent, and we had come to a halt that we
+might take leave of our escort, Sergeant Corney seemed to think it
+necessary he should do what he might toward putting courage into the
+hearts of those who had accompanied us, by saying, as if haranguing a full
+army:</p>
+
+<p>"You lads are looked upon in the settlement only as boys, and yet already
+have two of your number shown that they could stand steady, facing the
+gravest danger without flinching. Now is the time when you may prove
+yourselves men, as I believe you are in courage and ability. If you are
+called upon to confront the enemy, remember that there is nothing more
+glorious than to die in defence of your homes and your country. There is
+no way by which you can earn more honor than to have it said of you, 'He
+gave up his life for those he loved.' Better be shot down at the opening
+of an action, than to live through it in such a manner that your neighbors
+can point the finger of scorn at you, saying, 'There goes a coward!'"</p>
+
+<p>The old man ceased speaking abruptly, turned about without word or sign,
+and plunged into the thicket, Jacob and I following close at his heels.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch04"></a>Chapter IV.</h2>
+
+<h3>On the Oriskany.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>As we three plodded wearily on day after day, all our senses quickened by
+knowledge of the many dangers with which we were surrounded, it seemed to
+me that we had begun our work in behalf of the Cause backward--as if this
+going to and fro over the same ground was a wilful waste of time when
+every hour was so precious.</p>
+
+<p>I said to myself again and again, that if General Herkimer really needed
+such services as we could render, it would have been better had we
+remained with him, rather than spend so many days and be forced to such
+severe labor as was required for the march to Cherry Valley and back.</p>
+
+<p>We had accomplished nothing of importance by going home. Colonel Campbell
+knew even more regarding Brant's movements than we could tell him, and it
+was by no means necessary he should be informed immediately as to the
+result of General Herkimer's interview with the Mohawk sachem.</p>
+
+<p>As the days passed, and our every effort was needed to enable us to
+advance without absolutely running into the arms of the savages, for it
+seemed as if they were everywhere in the wilderness, Jacob became more
+resigned, or so it appeared, since he ceased to insist that this or that
+impracticable move be made. I did not suppose he no longer mourned for his
+father, but believed and hoped he had come to understand we could not do
+anything toward effecting a rescue until all the circumstances were
+favorable.</p>
+
+<p>One day's march was much like another, and many passed before we were with
+General Herkimer again. We always camped in a thicket, taking good care
+not to leave a trail leading up to the place, and in this last task we did
+not consider the time spent as wasted, for on every hand could be seen
+signs of the enemy, therefore the utmost precaution was needed.</p>
+
+<p>All of us gave ourselves over to slumber as soon as we were stretched out
+on the ground, for however careful a watch might have been kept, it would
+not have availed if the enemy was bent on surprising us.</p>
+
+<p>In the early light of the new day either Jacob or I went out in search of
+small game, for it goes without saying that we could not have brought from
+home a sufficient amount of food to sustain us during all the time we
+spent roaming to and fro between Cherry Valley and the Oriskany.</p>
+
+<p>If we were fortunate enough to get so much meat as would serve for one or
+more meals, we cooked it by digging a hole in the ground, building therein
+a fire, and screening the smoke as best we might with boughs and ferns.
+That done, we satisfied our hunger while creeping slowly onward,
+oftentimes forced to spend an hour or more in making a d&eacute;tour around some
+particularly dangerous locality.</p>
+
+<p>If, as often happened, we failed of finding game, we buckled our belts the
+tighter and went on, consoling ourselves with the hope that fortune would
+favor us before nightfall.</p>
+
+<p>More than once would we have run upon a party of savages--Thayendanega's
+scouts or hunters--had it not been for the almost excessive precautions
+Sergeant Corney insisted on taking, and in such case there was no other
+course than to hide as best we might, and wait until the enemy was pleased
+to move on.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately we did not come face to face with the redskins, therefore a
+detailed story of our march would be dull reading, for it could only be
+the same thing over and over again until the hour arrived when we entered
+General Herkimer's camp on the Oriskany, receiving there such a greeting
+from the commander himself as caused me to believe he really needed us for
+some important task.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done well to get back alive!" he cried, with a laugh. "It is
+pleasing to know that lads can do what many of their elders would balk at.
+So Colonel Campbell was willing to give you up to me?"</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "'You have done well to get back alive!'"]</p>
+
+<p>"He made no protest, sir," I replied, after waiting an instant for one of
+my companions to act the part of spokesman. "An hundred and fifty soldiers
+are quartered at Cherry Valley, and they, with the many who have made of
+the settlement a place of refuge, are in such numbers that three would
+neither be needed or missed."</p>
+
+<p>"That would depend on what stuff the three were made, according to my way
+of thinking. I have some work here which you can do better than any one
+else of whom I know, and the only question is whether you are willing to
+lay your shoulders to the wheel when there's a good bit of danger in so
+doing?"
+
+"We have come, sir, to do whatsoever offered, an' if the task which you
+have in mind could be performed with safety, then we might as well have
+stayed at home," I replied, and Sergeant Corney nodded to show that we
+were of one mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Since I last saw you the enemy has gathered in strong force about Fort
+Schuyler, and it is necessary we get some word to the commandant, who is,
+in fact, besieged."</p>
+
+<p>"That shouldn't be sich a terrible hard job, sir," Sergeant Corney said,
+speaking for the first time since we were received by the general.</p>
+
+<p>"True for you, but the reason why I haven't sent any of my own men before
+this is, that if the messenger should be discovered while trying to get
+inside, Joseph Brant would know for a certainty that we on the outside
+believed the garrison to be hard pressed, which would probably work no end
+of mischief, for at present the enemy has every reason to suppose Colonel
+Gansevoort has all the men and stores he can possibly need."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should he think differently if one of us was captured while tryin' to
+communicate with the besieged, sir?" Sergeant Corney asked, curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Because you have every reason for going there, even though you had never
+heard that the fort was invested."</p>
+
+<p>I could not repress a look of surprise, for it was much as if the general
+was speaking in riddles, and, seeing the question on my face, he
+continued:</p>
+
+<p>"It is only natural that you from Cherry Valley should be searching for
+Peter Sitz, and the Indians, in case you were captured, would perforce
+believe such a story--"</p>
+
+<p>"Is my father in their camp, sir?" Jacob cried, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, so I believe, otherwise I would not think it important you
+should act as my messengers. One of our scouts brought in word that
+Brant's immediate followers had a white prisoner with them, and it is
+reasonable to suppose him to be Peter Sitz, for, since we saw those
+scoundrels, they have kept out of mischief because of being in camp with
+the British and Tory soldiers."</p>
+
+<p>There was no need now of urging Jacob to undertake the mission; since he
+had what seemed like positive information of his father's whereabouts, he
+would have gone in the direction of the besieged fort whether General
+Herkimer so desired, or opposed it.</p>
+
+<p>As for my part, having really given up all hope of seeing Peter Sitz again
+in this world, the probable fact of his being alive quickened the blood in
+my veins until I forgot that our services were required for anything save
+the rescue of the prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney gave no token either of joy or indifference; he kept in
+mind only the duties of a soldier, and prepared himself for the dangerous
+mission by asking:</p>
+
+<p>"Can you tell me, sir, what force the enemy have in front of Fort
+Schuyler?"</p>
+
+<p>"Near one thousand seven hundred men--regulars, Tories, and Indians. St.
+Leger is in nominal command; but it is reasonable to believe that Sir John
+Johnson and Brant have much the same authority as he. Certain it is that
+they and none other can control their followers. Colonel Gansevoort has
+nearly a thousand men, with a six weeks' supply of provisions and
+ammunition for the small arms; but there is in the fort no more than four
+hundred rounds for the cannon, which is his most important means of
+defence. The situation is not yet critical, but may become so very soon,
+and we have more chance now for communicating with the commandant than is
+likely to be the case a week hence, when the besiegers have settled down
+to their work."</p>
+
+<p>"When shall we set out, sir?" I asked, as the general ceased speaking.</p>
+
+<p>"As soon as you have recovered from the fatigue of the journey. There is
+no time to be lost, unless you are eager to encounter more danger than is
+absolutely necessary."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no reason why we shouldn't set off at once," Jacob said,
+quickly. "We are not women, to be tired out by a bit of marchin'."</p>
+
+<p>I fancied from the expression on the general's face that it pleased him
+because my comrade showed himself so eager, and there was a tinge of
+bitterness in my heart as I understood that, whatever good to the Cause
+might be the purpose of our task, the commander was, in a certain degree,
+trading on Jacob's love for his father.</p>
+
+<p>It was not for me, however, to criticize, even in my own mind, anything of
+a military nature which might be on foot. I had had ample time since the
+powwow with Thayendanega to decide whether or no I would serve under
+General Herkimer, and, having come to a decision, it stood me in hand to
+do whatsoever lay before me without question.</p>
+
+<p>I held much the same opinion as did Jacob, however, although not because
+of the same reason.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me a most dangerous undertaking, this attempt to get a
+message into a fort which was besieged by so large a body of men; but
+since it must be done, unless we were willing to show the white feather,
+then I was eager to be at it, for danger appears greater when one stands
+idly by looking at it from the distance, than when it is actually
+encountered.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney, who had evidently been turning the matter over in his
+mind, said, after a time, to the commander:</p>
+
+<p>"It strikes me, sir, that we should get all the information we may
+concernin' the whereabouts of the enemy before settin' out. Not that I am
+askin' for any long delay," he added, quickly, observing a faint
+expression of displeasure on the general's face. "I would mingle among the
+men, to learn what they may know, from now until sunset, when, as it seems
+to me, our journey had best be begun. By startin' at that time we shall
+arrive before sunrise, an' thus have all the day in which to lay our plans
+for approachin' the fort."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob's eyes twinkled with satisfaction when he heard this proposition,
+and I believed he was thinking that if we lay in hiding a full day in
+front of the fortification, he might have opportunity to learn something
+concerning his father.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall leave to you who are most deeply concerned in the matter, the
+method of doing the work. Pick up all the information you can, and when
+you are ready to set out come to me for the final instructions."</p>
+
+<p>Then the commander half-turned, as if to show that the interview was at an
+end, and Sergeant Corney beckoned Jacob and me to follow him, reminding
+us, when we were comparatively alone, of the promise made at the time we
+first set out.</p>
+
+<p>"The day we left Cherry Valley on Brant's trail, you lads agreed to follow
+me without questionin', even when it seemed as if I might be goin' wrong,
+an' now has come the time for you to keep that well in mind."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no reason why we should not do so," I replied, promptly. "I
+doubt not but that you, who are versed in military matters, could direct
+such a task better than any in this encampment."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not takin' that much praise to myself, lad; but do claim, because of
+havin' had more experience, to be better fitted for the work, after we are
+once arrived, than are you. I will go even so far as to say that on the
+trail or in the thicket you are my superiors, owin' to havin' been brought
+up to work which, except in this country, would be considered almost
+unsoldierly. Here is my first order: Mingle with the men of this
+encampment with the idea of fillin' your stomachs with food, an', that
+done, lie down to sleep until I shall summon you."</p>
+
+<p>"Sleep!" Jacob exclaimed, angrily. "Think you it would be possible for me
+to sleep now, when we know that the moment has come in which I may be able
+to aid my father?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, but you must, whether you will or no. You can work for him best
+by preparin' your body for whatsoever of fatigue we may be called upon to
+undergo, an' since there is little chance we shall gain any rest durin'
+four an' twenty hours after leavin' here, it stands us all in hand to be
+prepared for the exertion."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you countin' on sleepin'?" Jacob asked, fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>"I am more accustomed to keepin' my eyes open durin' a long time than are
+you; but if it so be I have the chance, you may be certain I shall take
+advantage of it. Now, remember, eat an' sleep until I seek you out."</p>
+
+<p>Then the old man left us, and, watching for a moment, we saw him enter
+into conversation with this soldier and that, until it seemed as if he was
+bent on making the acquaintance of every member of the force.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob and I had little difficulty in finding as much food as we needed,
+after having explained why we had come into the encampment. The men were
+more than willing to divide their rations with us, and we might literally
+have gorged ourselves with the best in the camp had such been our desire.</p>
+
+<p>It was one thing for Sergeant Corney to say that we must sleep, and quite
+another for us to obey the command.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me that my eyes were never open wider than when I threw
+myself down upon the ground by the side of Jacob, striving my best to
+cross over into Dreamland. The thought of attempting to force our way
+through such an army as General St. Leger had under his command; of the
+possibility that we might, perhaps, come across Peter Sitz; the chances
+that Colonel Gansevoort would be forced to surrender even before we could
+arrive with information that reinforcements were near at hand, and, in
+fact, the numberless happenings which might occur to change the entire
+situation, served to drive sleep so far from my eyelids that I despaired
+of being able to summon it until sheer exhaustion should come.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob was lying, with closed eyes, so still that I half-believed he had
+succeeded in obeying Sergeant Corney's commands, and, bent on moving
+around among the men in the hope of thereby changing the current of my
+disagreeable thoughts, I crept softly from his side lest I awaken him.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you goin'?" he asked, quietly, in a tone which told me he had
+been no nearer slumber than I.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot sleep, an' that's a fact. Perhaps after walkin' around a bit I
+shall feel more like it."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go with you," Jacob said, rising to his feet. "There is no hope I
+can sleep, although I am willin', if needs be, to make it appear as if I
+was unconscious."</p>
+
+<p>Taking heed not to go near Sergeant Corney, whom we could see in the
+distance, Jacob went from one group of soldiers to the other, and, as may
+be supposed, the chief topic of conversation everywhere was the
+possibility that Fort Schuyler could hold out against the large number of
+men who were besieging it, as well as the chances of General Herkimer's
+command being able to enter the place.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it was we learned that among Brant's following were savages from all
+the various tribes of the Six Nations, except the Oneidas, who remained
+faithful to their agreement to be neutral during the war. It was said that
+the besiegers were well supplied with everything necessary for the
+accomplishment of their purpose, including a large amount of ready money,
+and General St. Leger was willing to pay liberally for the services of
+those who would join him.</p>
+
+<p>It was also reported--the information having been brought in by
+scouts--that on the second day of the siege the British commander had sent
+to the fort a messenger, who, with many high-sounding words, recited the
+love of the king for those who remained loyal to him, and the punishment
+which would be inflicted upon those who continued in rebellion. This
+stream of bombast was concluded by direst threats in case the garrison
+held out against the demand for surrender, the sum and substance of which
+was that the savages would be allowed to commit every act of barbarity
+their ingenuity could devise, if an assault should become necessary.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly all the defenders of the fort laughed these threats and promises to
+scorn, and it was believed that Gansevoort's men would hold out to the
+bitter end.</p>
+
+<p>We heard very much in addition, which was really no more than camp gossip,
+and it is not necessary I set it down here.</p>
+
+<p>Before the close of the day both Jacob and I really succeeded in going to
+sleep, and the shadows of night were beginning to lengthen when we were
+aroused by Sergeant Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon I've heard all that the men in camp have to tell," he said, when
+I stood upright in obedience to the pressure of his hand upon my shoulder.
+"It only remains to get our instructions from General Herkimer before
+makin' the attempt to have speech with those in the fort."</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't you seen him yet?" I asked, in surprise, for it had been in my
+mind that the old man would make every preparation before summoning us.</p>
+
+<p>"No, lad. This is a venture in which we share the dangers equally, an'
+it's no more than right you should hear all which may pass between the
+general an' me. Therefore let us bring the business to an end as speedily
+as may be."</p>
+
+<p>Well, we presented ourselves before the commander, announcing that the
+time had come when we were to leave camp, and, considering all the risks
+which were to be run, it seemed to me as if the message he would have
+delivered was exceeding brief and unimportant, as compared with what might
+result from the attempt at delivery.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not give you a written message, lest you fall into the hands of
+the enemy," he said, speaking in a kindly tone, and looking at us, as I
+fancied, pityingly, much as one would at those who had been selected as
+sacrifices. "It is in the highest degree necessary you get speech with
+Colonel Gansevoort, and to such end make disposal of yourselves so that
+should one, or even two, be taken or killed, the second or third may press
+on. Having arrived, say to the commandant that I shall leave this camp
+to-morrow morning, marching slowly toward the fort, and immediately after
+he has received the information he is to fire three cannon in rapid
+succession, thus notifying me that he understands the situation. You will
+not, under the most favorable circumstances, finish the journey in less
+than four and twenty hours, and by that time I shall be where the reports
+of the guns can be heard. Once the signal has been given, it is my purpose
+to attack the enemy, and Colonel Gansevoort is to make a sortie at the
+same time, when it is to be hoped our forces can be united."</p>
+
+<p>Having said this, the general insisted that each of us repeat the
+instructions so that he might know we understood them thoroughly, and
+then, clasping us by hand in turn, he bade us "Godspeed."</p>
+
+<p>I wish I might be able to say that my heart was stout when we left the
+encampment and were swallowed up by the shadows of the thicket; but such
+was not the case.</p>
+
+<p>I realized only too well all the dangers which were before us, and the
+odds against our being able to obey the general's orders. At the same time
+I knew that in event of failure there would be no possibility of retreat;
+but we would find ourselves in the hands of an enemy whose greatest
+delight consists in the most fiendish murder.</p>
+
+<p>As I figured it, out of a hundred chances we had no more than one of
+getting into the fort, and there remained ninety and nine in favor of our
+falling victims to Brant's crew.</p>
+
+<p>We had but just set out when I observed that Sergeant Corney had left
+behind him every superfluous article of clothing, and all accoutrements
+save the knife in his belt, whereupon I asked the reason for thus laying
+himself bare to the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"You lads have each a rifle, which are all the weapons we need, for it can
+avail us nothing to make a fight. If we win it must be by strategy, not
+force, and in case of success it will be a small matter to provide
+ourselves with other arms."</p>
+
+<p>"At the same time it gives me courage to know that I have something with
+which to defend myself," Jacob said, with a laugh which had in it nothing
+of mirth.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, so I counted, otherwise I had advised that you follow my
+example. It can do no harm to take whatsoever you will, for that which
+hinders may readily be cast aside. Now let us come to an end of
+tongue-waggin', for silence is our safest ally."</p>
+
+<p>As the old man had said, either Jacob or I should have known more of
+woodcraft than did he, but on this night I dare venture to assert that
+there were not above a dozen in Joseph Brant's following who could have
+made their way through the thicket with less noise and in a more direct
+course than did he.</p>
+
+<p>From General Herkimer's encampment in an air-line through the forest to
+Fort Schuyler was not more than seven or eight miles, and, despite our
+slow progress, for one cannot travel rapidly when striving to advance
+without so much as the breaking of a twig, we counted on arriving in front
+of the enemy's lines by midnight. And this I believe we did.</p>
+
+<p>The first intimation we had that our journey was approaching a close came
+when we suddenly saw, directly in our line of advance, a faint light amid
+the thicket in the distance, and Sergeant Corney, who had been leading the
+way, halted quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"You lads are to remain here while I find out what portion of St. Leger's
+force is in front of us," he said, in a whisper, and then it was that I
+ventured to dispute his authority, having, as I believed, good reason for
+so doing.</p>
+
+<p>"You yourself have admitted that either Jacob or I could beat you out at
+work of this kind. Let me go, an' do you stay here."</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that Jacob insisted on performing the most dangerous portion
+of the work, and would have passed by me in the darkness to avoid a
+controversy, but that I clutched him by the arm, and Sergeant Corney
+whispered:</p>
+
+<p>"You lads shall lead the way, and I will follow at your heels; but
+remember what General Herkimer impressed upon us--that one <i>must</i> get
+through, therefore if he who leads is captured, the other two shall leave
+him to his fate, for the life of a single human being is not to be counted
+when we are tryin' to save hundreds."</p>
+
+<p>It was not a time nor a place for argument, and in token of agreement with
+him I took up the lead.</p>
+
+<p>I did not attempt to go forward rapidly; but, half-lying upon the ground,
+I crept onward inch by inch, removing carefully with my hands every twig
+or dry leaf which might be in the path, lest by the lightest rustling of
+the branches I give warning to the quick-eared enemy of our approach.</p>
+
+<p>In such manner it was not possible to make other than slow progress, and I
+believe fully half an hour was spent in traversing the distance of a dozen
+yards, when we were come to where could be had a view of that which had
+attracted our attention.</p>
+
+<p>Nine Indians were lounging, on the opposite side of a river that we knew
+to be the Mohawk, around a small fire, over which were being cooked slices
+of fresh meat. They were talking earnestly among themselves meanwhile, for
+these red sneaks of the forest do not, when alone, maintain that silent
+dignity with which so many writers, ignorant of their customs, try to
+invest them.</p>
+
+<p>They were members of Brant's own tribe, as I knew from the language, with
+which I was reasonably familiar, and after a few moments it was possible
+to gather from the conversation that St. Leger had interfered in some way
+with their plans, or thwarted their desires.</p>
+
+<p>The stream was not so wide at this point but that we could hear fairly
+well what they said. It seemed necessary I should learn all I might before
+we crept past the small encampment, and, never dreaming how much of
+anguish the listening might cause my comrade, I remained silent and
+motionless, until enough had been said to convince me that their grievance
+consisted in the fact that they had not been allowed to indulge in the
+amusement of torturing a prisoner during that same evening.</p>
+
+<p>Then it flashed upon me that it was Peter Sitz of whom they spoke, and
+involuntarily I moved backward, the one thought in my mind being to
+prevent Jacob from hearing; but the vigor with which he clutched me by the
+leg told that it was too late. The lad had heard as much as I, and to his
+mind the prisoner spoken of could be none other than his father.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment I ceased my efforts at retreat, and then, realizing that if
+we would take Jacob with us to the completion of General Herkimer's
+commands, he must not be allowed to hear anything more, I would have
+backed away rapidly.</p>
+
+<p>To my dismay and sorrow, however, he held me as if in a grip of iron, and,
+despite all silent efforts on my part, I was forced to remain.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch05"></a>Chapter V.</h2>
+
+<h3>Divided Duty.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>I could not find it in my heart to blame Jacob for being eager to learn
+all he could regarding his father, and it certainly seemed as if we might
+hear that which would at least tell us who this prisoner was that they
+were so keen to torture; but surely we were not warranted in lingering for
+the possible saving of one human life, when by our delay hundreds might be
+placed in gravest danger.</p>
+
+<p>However, I could not retreat, because Jacob held me firmly in his clutch,
+from which I would have been unable to release myself save at the cost of
+betraying our whereabouts.</p>
+
+<p>With the hope that the lad might soon come to realize that we must be
+attending to General Herkimer's business, I remained silent and
+motionless, straining my ears to hear what the painted snakes were saying,
+and at the same time expecting to receive a silent protest from Sergeant
+Corney because of remaining inactive when the moments were so precious.</p>
+
+<p>In less than a single minute I knew that the savages were speaking of
+Peter Site, and the tightening of Jacob's grip told that he too was aware
+of the fact.</p>
+
+<p>Because I can understand only a few words here or there of Brant's native
+tongue, it would be impossible to set down exactly what the villains said;
+but I caught enough to understand that the prisoner in whom we were so
+deeply interested was not far distant,--probably at the main
+encampment,--and Thayendanega was protecting him at least from the
+torture. Why the sachem had taken such an interest in the unfortunate man
+I could not make out; most likely the savages themselves were ignorant on
+that point.</p>
+
+<p>It appeared to me, from the conversation, that there was much hard feeling
+on the part of the Indians because they were not allowed to indulge in an
+amusement which had been countenanced by more than one officer of the
+British army, and I fancied that Thayendanega, great sachem though he now
+was of the Six Nations, would have no little trouble in holding his
+precious followers in check.</p>
+
+<p>When I had learned as much as has been set down here, I felt a tugging at
+my shirt, and knew, without seeing him, that Sergeant Corney was not
+willing to remain at this point any longer.</p>
+
+<p>The savages had begun to speak of St. Leger, and what he might succeed in
+doing so far as the siege was concerned, therefore it did not seem
+probable we would hear more regarding Peter Sitz.</p>
+
+<p>This much Jacob must have understood as well as I, for when I forced
+myself backward, pushing vigorously against him, he gave way, and we thus
+slowly retreated until having gained such a distance from the feasting
+murderers that it seemed safe to rise to our feet.</p>
+
+<p>"To what were you listenin'?" Sergeant Corney asked, in a whisper, and
+with no slight show of anger because I had lingered so long.</p>
+
+<p>In the fewest words possible I told him what we had heard, and when I was
+come to an end of the brief recital, Jacob asked, as if believing that now
+all our plans would be changed:</p>
+
+<p>"What are we to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"That for which we came," Sergeant Corney replied, decidedly.</p>
+
+<p>"But we know that my father is near at hand, and, if Thayendanega grows
+careless or indifferent, will be tortured to death."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, an' I could be no more sorry if Peter Sitz was my brother; but
+we cannot now do anything to aid him, even though the way lay clear before
+us," and the old man laid his hand on Jacob's shoulder as if to give
+emphasis to the words. "We are to push on toward the fort, an' must not
+heed any other duty."</p>
+
+<p>"But we stand as much chance of rescuing my father as we do of gettin'
+speech with Colonel Gansevoort, an' surely you will not leave a friend to
+be tortured to death?" Jacob said, pleadingly, and speaking incautiously
+loud.</p>
+
+<p>"Lad, we have no choice in the matter. If General Herkimer was in your
+father's place I would turn my back on him until after our work had been
+done. Can't you see that by loiterin' now we may be sacrificing all those
+brave fellows who are making ready to march from the Oriskany in the hope
+of aiding in holdin' the fort?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is your final word?" Jacob asked, sharply, and Sergeant Corney
+replied, feelingly:</p>
+
+<p>"It cannot be otherwise. We are bound first to obey orders, even though a
+dozen of our best friends were bein' led to the stake, an'--"</p>
+
+<p>"Then you will obey them without me," Jacob said, in a tone which I knew
+full well betokened a purpose from which he would not be turned by words.
+"Two will stand a better chance of gainin' the fort than three, an' <i>my</i>
+duty calls me to Thayendanega's camp."</p>
+
+<p>"But surely you will not attempt to go there alone!" I cried, in horror.
+"Even though you should come face to face with your father, you could not
+hope to set him free!"</p>
+
+<p>"I would rather die by his side than have him believe I remained idle
+while he was in such terrible danger."</p>
+
+<p>"If you cannot be persuaded, we must leave you, an' that without delay,"
+the old man said, sadly. "God knows I would do all a man might to aid
+Peter Sitz; but if he was here at this minute, knowin' that the stake was
+bein' made ready for him, he would say that we were bound to keep on
+toward the fort regardless of his fate."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall go to him," Jacob replied, quietly, and Sergeant Corney turned
+aside with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>But that I knew beyond a peradventure it was useless, I would have said
+all in my power to keep him with us; but his mind was fixed, and, to tell
+the truth, I could not well blame him for doing as I would have done,
+regardless of any duty I might owe to General Herkimer.</p>
+
+<p>"We can say nothing more, lad?" Sergeant Corney said to me, inquiringly,
+and I shook my head, for so great was the grief in my heart that just then
+I could make no reply.</p>
+
+<p>I believe Jacob understood how keen was my sorrow at thus parting, when
+the chances were that we would never meet again in this world, for, as if
+to put an end to the agony, he turned abruptly, not even stopping to press
+my hand, and in an instant was lost to view amid the gloom of the forest.</p>
+
+<p>Already had our venture, so it appeared to me, cost the life of one of our
+small party, and mentally I reproached myself bitterly for having left
+Cherry Valley to take service with this General Herkimer, who could as
+well have sent some other in our place, for surely all in his command were
+not known to Thayendanega's following. I, as captain of the Minute Boys
+stationed at Cherry Valley, could not have been accused of refusing to aid
+the Cause had I failed to serve under the general, so far from my post of
+duty.</p>
+
+<p>As it was, however, we had come a long distance from our friends, and
+already sacrificed a life uselessly, so it seemed to me then in my
+bitterness of spirit.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, lad," Sergeant Corney whispered, shaking me roughly by the shoulder
+as if he would drive from my mind the painful thoughts. "We cannot do as
+Jacob would have us, and there is an end of that matter. Get to work, and
+it may be that 'twixt now an' morning but one of us will remain to carry
+the message."</p>
+
+<p>I had never before heard the old man speak in so despondent a tone, and it
+seemed an evil omen, coming as the words did when we were ready to plunge
+into the most dangerous portion of the work.</p>
+
+<p>In silence I led the way once more, making such a d&eacute;tour as I thought
+would carry us safely past that party of savages from which we had gained
+such painful information, and perhaps half an hour was spent in advancing
+at a snail's pace; but in the direction where we supposed the fort stood.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was I realized that some one well acquainted with the locality
+should have been sent with us, for we were obliged to go on blindly, as it
+were, trusting that chance, and what we might see of the disposition of
+the enemy's forces, would bring us to the point we desired to gain, for
+neither of us had ever visited Fort Schuyler.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of half an hour I came to a sudden standstill, for we were
+within a few paces of half a dozen white men, as could be told even in the
+darkness by the outlines of their clothing.</p>
+
+<p>These last appeared to be stationed at that point, for none of them made
+any attempt to go away during the two or three minutes I remained
+motionless, although why so many should have been placed there as
+sentinels, when one would have served the purpose, I failed to understand,
+and it perplexed me not a little, for it was necessary that we should know
+whether we were inside the lines, or simply confronting their outlying
+pickets.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing for it, however, but to crawl backward half a dozen
+yards, and then make another d&eacute;tour, and while this was being done
+Sergeant Corney had only a single question to ask, which was as to whether
+I had seen white men or Indians.</p>
+
+<p>"White men," I replied, "and no less than half a dozen standing in a
+group, as if stationed there."</p>
+
+<p>The old man paused an instant, as if quite as much perplexed as I, and
+then whispered:</p>
+
+<p>"Go on. We are like to run across more than one such snag, an', what is
+worse, don't have a clear idea of whether we shall come plump on to the
+fort, or go a considerable distance to one side of it."</p>
+
+<p>Again I advanced, making an even wider d&eacute;tour than before, and in ten
+minutes, perhaps, we were come upon a single sentinel,--a soldier,--who
+stood leaning against a tree as if half-asleep, and I was less careful in
+passing him because he did not appear to be particularly on the alert.</p>
+
+<p>Again and again we nearly stumbled upon a squad of men, small parties of
+Indians, or a single sentinel, until it seemed to me as if all St. Leger's
+force must be distributed throughout the thicket, and I began to despair
+of ever making our way through.</p>
+
+<p>Now we were where it seemed as dangerous to retreat as to advance, and I
+strove manfully to keep from my mind all thoughts of the perils that
+surrounded us, lest I grow faint-hearted at the very time when all my
+courage was needed if we would save our lives.</p>
+
+<p>To do this it was only necessary I think of Jacob and his hazardous
+venture, which could serve no good purpose even though he succeeded in
+avoiding the enemy, therefore my mind dwelt on the perils which confronted
+him, causing me in a measure to forget where I myself stood.</p>
+
+<p>To go on in such a manner was most wearisome, and I was well-nigh at the
+end of my strength when a faint lightness in the eastern sky gave warning
+that the day was near at hand.</p>
+
+<p>At the same moment I observed this fact, the sergeant gripped me by the
+arm, and, understanding he would have speech with me, I halted.</p>
+
+<p>"It is time we went into hidin', lad, although I did count we would come
+within sight of the fort before bein' obliged to call a halt."</p>
+
+<p>"Where can we hide here?" I asked, bitterly, and, strange as it may seem,
+I began to realize, for the first time since the general had explained
+what he would have us do, that we must remain concealed from view during
+all the hours of daylight, and that while we were literally surrounded by
+the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"We must take our chances in the first dense thicket, wherein may be found
+a stout tree, that we come across," he replied, "an' now instead of tryin'
+to get a sight of the fortification, turn all your efforts toward findin'
+a hidin'-place."</p>
+
+<p>This promised to be as difficult a task as I had ever undertaken, for how
+would it be possible in the darkness to say whether one thicket was denser
+than another, and, without spending precious time in the examination, to
+learn if there was a stout tree within any certain clump of bushes?</p>
+
+<p>Because the sergeant had said we were to halt where was a tree, I believed
+he proposed spending the day amid the branches, and any one who has ever
+been in a forest can readily understand how few there are of such
+hiding-places.</p>
+
+<p>However, we were there, and within another hour must be screened from view
+after some fashion, therefore it was useless to grumble, or say this or
+that movement was impossible; but rather I should do the best I might, and
+trust to the chapter of accidents that I did not lead my companion into
+what would prove to be a trap.</p>
+
+<p>All the thicket looked dense in the night, but when I was finally come to
+a clump of bushes through which it was difficult to force my way, I
+stopped and whispered to Sergeant Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"This seems to be such a place as you would have; but who can say whether
+it will answer our purpose?"</p>
+
+<p>"So much the worse for us if it does not," the old man replied, grimly.
+"Make your way in, an' if there be no tree to give us a roostin'-place, we
+must take our chances on the ground, for the day is comin' on apace."</p>
+
+<p>And indeed he said no more than the truth; already was it possible for me
+to see surrounding objects, dimly, to be sure, but more clearly than when
+we first began searching for a place of refuge.</p>
+
+<p>Unless we were concealed from view within half an hour, we might as well
+march straight to the nearest sentinel and give ourselves up as prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>There was much to be desired in this thicket which we had chosen by
+chance, as was learned when we were well within it. Several large trees
+grew amid the clump of bushes, to be sure; but the foliage was not so
+dense that one who passed near at hand with reasonable alertness would
+have failed to discover us lurking there.</p>
+
+<p>"It is better than the open country," Sergeant Corney said, when I would
+have found fault with our blind choice. "We will burrow amid these small
+bushes until daylight, an' then, if necessary, go to roost."</p>
+
+<p>I had in my pocket a small piece of corn bread, and, when I would have
+divided it with the old man, he showed me about the same quantity, which
+he had saved in event of just such an emergency, and we munched the dry
+food with no very keen appetites, but eating at this the first
+opportunity, in order to keep up our strength for the struggle which must
+ensue before we gained speech with those in the fort.</p>
+
+<p>My sorrow because Jacob had left us on a venture from which I did not
+believe he could ever return, was so great that I felt no desire for food,
+but ate it from a sense of duty, even as I had turned my back on my
+comrade when he needed aid.</p>
+
+<p>One does not make haste with such a meal, and when I had swallowed the
+last dry crumbs, which were like to have choked me, the day had fully
+come.</p>
+
+<p>It can readily be imagined that we crept even nearer the edge of the
+thicket than was really safe in order to get some idea of our position,
+and to my great surprise and delight I found that we had come in as direct
+a course as if we had followed a blazed trail.</p>
+
+<p>There before us, and less than three hundred yards distant, was the
+fortification over which was floating the flag made from Capt. Abraham
+Swartwout's cloak, and because we were on high ground it was possible to
+see the Americans moving about within, bent on this task or that duty.</p>
+
+<p>After one hasty glance we crept back into the middle of the thicket, and
+there, surrounded by hundreds of enemies, we two held a whispered
+conversation regarding the situation.</p>
+
+<p>It was only natural we should first congratulate each other on our good
+fortune in having come unwittingly to the very spot we most desired to
+gain, and then I said, simply giving words to the thoughts which had
+entered my mind as I gazed upon the fortification:</p>
+
+<p>"He who crosses the clearing between here and the fort, even though it be
+in the night, needs to wriggle along like a snake, else will one of
+Thayendanega's painted beauties lift his scalp."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a bit open jest in front of here; but I took note that further to
+the westward was a little more of green," Sergeant Corney said, half to
+himself, and I knew he was picturing in his mind the two of us making the
+attempt where was not a blade of grass to give shelter, for the "green" of
+which he spoke was nothing more than the fragment of a bush near the
+stockade.</p>
+
+<p>"How are we to attract their attention, providin' we succeed in creepin'
+up under the wall?" I asked, after a long pause, and he replied, grimly:</p>
+
+<p>"I'll answer that question after you've told me how we're goin' to stop
+'em shootin' at us while we're tryin' to get across."</p>
+
+<p>Then it was I understood that even though the enemy did not see us while
+we were making our way over the plain, the sentinels in the fort were
+doubtless on the alert against just such an attempt on the part of the
+Indians, and there was little question but that they would fire at any
+moving thing which came within their line of vision.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me that we'll be between two fires," I said, with a feeble
+attempt to speak in a jovial tone, and Sergeant Corney's reply was much
+like a bucket of cold water full in my face.</p>
+
+<p>"That's exactly the case, lad, an' I'm countin' that betwixt 'em we'll be
+peppered in fine shape, else there are some mighty poor marksmen
+hereabouts."</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you tell the general that we couldn't carry his message?
+Didn't you think of all this at the time?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, it was pictured in my mind much as we see it now; but he said we
+were to do the job, an' it wasn't for me to point out the danger."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not, if you felt certain we would be shot?" I cried, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Because a soldier has good reason when he enlists to expect he'll stop a
+bullet, else what would be the need of powder an' ball?"</p>
+
+<p>Having said this, the old man relapsed into silence, as if he was trying
+to figure out how the work might be done with less of danger, and I sat
+staring at him in a rage, for to my mind he had much the same as
+compassed his own death and mine by not speaking of all the perils in our
+path.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was that I almost envied Jacob his position. It is true the odds
+were strongly against his being able to make his way through the camp
+without being captured, yet it was possible for him at any time to give
+over the attempt and retrace his steps, whereas we were absolutely penned
+up in the thicket, where retreat was even more perilous than advance.</p>
+
+<p>Fume and fret as I might, it was not possible to mend matters, and I
+stretched myself out at full length under the bushes, with the idea in
+mind that it would be better if we were captured at once, for then we
+would be spared just so much suspense, yet when Sergeant Corney suggested
+that we were not as well hidden from view as we should be, I was alarmed
+on the instant.</p>
+
+<p>How that day was passed by us I can hardly say even now, when I look back
+calmly upon all the incidents which were then so terrifying.</p>
+
+<p>We had eaten the last crumb of our corn bread in the morning, without
+appeasing the hunger which assailed us, and now could only chew the twigs
+of the bushes, striving to make ourselves believe we extracted nourishment
+therefrom.</p>
+
+<p>More than once straggling soldiers or Indians passed near where we were
+hidden; but no one thought of searching the thicket for those who were
+friendly to the garrison, because none save idiots like ourselves would
+thus have ventured into the lion's mouth.</p>
+
+<p>Screened as we were from the lightest breath of wind, it was cruelly hot
+in that hiding-place. Tiny streams of perspiration ran down my face,
+wetting the leaves beneath my head, and I chewed them in the vain hope
+that the suspicion of moisture might serve to quench my thirst.</p>
+
+<p>I rejoiced when the sun began to sink in the west, even though it was, as
+I believed, bringing the hour of my death so much the nearer; but I soon
+came to understand that Sergeant Corney was not disposed to make the
+perilous venture without first having taken all possible precautions for
+our safety.</p>
+
+<p>When the day was within an hour of its close, I suddenly became aware that
+the old soldier was stripping the fringe from his shirt, and immediately I
+sat bolt upright, fancying for the moment that he had lost his reason.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you doin'?" I asked, sharply, and he replied, with a faint
+smile:</p>
+
+<p>"If the sentinel who stands on the wall of the fort facin' us is 'tendin'
+to his business as a soldier should, then there's a chance I can let him
+know these 'ere bushes shelter decent people."</p>
+
+<p>While speaking he had been cutting cautiously with his knife one of the
+longer branches which helped to screen us from view, and when it had been
+severed he trimmed it with infinite care, as if our welfare depended upon
+its being smooth and clean.</p>
+
+<p>When this had been done to his satisfaction, and it seemed to give him
+greatest pleasure to keep me in suspense as to his purpose, he tied to the
+smaller end of the stick the fringe from his shirt.</p>
+
+<p>"You're goin' to creep out an' wave that!" I cried, in the tone of one who
+has made a great discovery.</p>
+
+<p>"You can set it down as a fact that I won't creep very far out," the old
+man replied, with a smile. "It's only the ghost of a chance that anybody
+will take heed of it, an' yet there's no harm in the tryin'."</p>
+
+<p>When finally he crept cautiously out toward the edge of the thicket, I
+watched him as eagerly as if all our troubles would be over in case we
+succeeded in attracting the attention of those in the fort, whereas, no
+matter how many of our friends might see the waving fringe, we would still
+be in the same danger of getting a bullet from the besiegers.</p>
+
+<p>"It ain't any ways certain that some of these sneakin' Injuns don't see my
+signal before one of the garrison does, in which case we won't have to
+puzzle our heads about gettin' into the fort; but if they should jump on
+me, you'd best take to your heels. There's a bare chance you might give
+'em the slip in the squabble, for I shouldn't knock under while there was
+any fight left in me."</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and
+fro"]</p>
+
+<p>Then, peering through the branches, I could see the sentinel on the wall
+near the sally-port, and it goes without saying that I watched with my
+heart in my mouth for some gesture which might tell that he understood
+what was of so much importance to us.</p>
+
+<p>It was fortunate that we had blindly stumbled upon a hiding-place a few
+yards in advance of the enemy's line of watchers, otherwise the scheme
+could never have been successful. Even as it was, I expected each instant
+that some painted snake would take it into his wicked head to wander
+around in front of the thicket, when the game would come to a speedy end.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and fro in such a manner
+that the dull color of the deerskin might offer a contrast against the
+green of the foliage, and when five minutes or more had passed without any
+movement on the part of the sentinel, I said to myself that there was no
+possibility we could catch the man's eye.</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier was not one easily discouraged. During ten minutes more he
+continued his efforts, now moving the stick to and fro, and again giving
+to it an up-and-down motion, and then, at the very moment when all hope
+had fled from my heart, I saw the man straighten himself suddenly, as he
+shaded his eyes with his hand.</p>
+
+<p>Then there could be no doubt but that Sergeant Corney had succeeded in his
+purpose, for the soldier waved his hand twice, and bent over as if
+speaking to some one on the inside.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was that I expected the old man would return to my side and chuckle
+over our good fortune; but he remained at the edge of the thicket while I
+might have counted twenty, and then a second member of the garrison had
+clambered up beside the first.</p>
+
+<p>Another hand was waved in reply, and then, having finished his task in
+good shape, Sergeant Corney crept back to me as he whispered, gleefully:</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon we needn't fear that any of the garrison will shoot at us this
+night, an', what's more to our advantage, we won't be called on to lay
+behind the walls very long tryin' to attract attention."</p>
+
+<p>"It was a great plan!" I replied, as if all our troubles were at an end,
+and then again came the thought that it would be necessary for us to creep
+out from the thicket under the very noses of those who were on guard, and
+straightway all my fears returned.</p>
+
+<p>It no longer seemed to me as if we had gained any great advantage from the
+old man's efforts.
+</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch06"></a>Chapter VI.</h2>
+
+<h3>Between the Lines.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst
+and the hunger which had assailed me. So great was the fear in my mind
+because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed
+as nothing.</p>
+
+<p>It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances
+were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be
+killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet
+the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I
+have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.</p>
+
+<p>The only thing in our favor was that the night promised to be dark.
+Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger,
+and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be
+covered as with a black veil.</p>
+
+<p>After having succeeded in attracting the attention of the sentinels,
+Sergeant Corney crept back to my side, lying there at full length and in
+silence. I believed his anxiety as to the outcome of this mad venture was
+so great that he did not dare indulge in conversation, and because of such
+idea was I even more cast down in spirit.</p>
+
+<p>I tried to count the seconds in order to have some knowledge of the
+passage of time; but could not fix my mind upon such a simple act.</p>
+
+<p>When it seemed to me as if the night was considerably more than
+half-spent, I whispered tremblingly to my companion:</p>
+
+<p>"Have you given over tryin' to gain the fort?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why should you think so, lad?" he asked, as if in surprise. "We had best
+make the venture after midnight, rather than now while the enemy is
+astir."</p>
+
+<p>So great was my fear as to what the future might have in store for us that
+I had failed to hear the hum of voices, until my attention was thus
+attracted, and then I realized that it was yet quite early in the evening,
+instead of well toward morning, as I had supposed.</p>
+
+<p>Because he did not speak again I understood that Sergeant Corney was not
+inclined for conversation, and I lay there motionless and silent until it
+was as if twice four and twenty hours had passed, when the old man, rising
+to a sitting posture, whispered, cautiously:</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon, lad, that the time has come for us to make a try at deliverin'
+the general's message. As I figger it, we had best bear off to the
+westward, strikin' the fort on that side nearabout where the fragment of a
+bush stands, than to push on for the main gate. It seems reasonable the
+enemy will watch that part of the works closer than any other, in order to
+guard against a sortie, an' if Colonel Gansevoort has been told of our
+signals, every sentinel will be on the alert for us."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" I asked, as he ceased speaking for an instant.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll do the trick after this fashion: You shall go ahead, an' I'll keep
+two or three paces in the rear."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you propose such a plan as that?" I asked, suspiciously, and the
+old man replied, hesitatingly, as if averse to having his reasons known:</p>
+
+<p>"In case they see us before we are well on our way, he who is in advance
+stands the best show of escapin'."</p>
+
+<p>"But why should my chances be made any better than yours?" I asked,
+angrily, for even though I was afraid of the venture, it was not in my
+mind to be treated like a child, as seemed to be the case when the old man
+was considering my safety rather than his own.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, lad, there are two reasons, 'cordin' to my way of figgerin', but
+the last is the strongest. First off, I have a much shorter time to live
+in this world than you, therefore, if one life is taken, it had best be
+mine, so far as the patriot cause is concerned. Then agin, an' this has
+weight to it, in case we are chased you should be able to run faster than
+me, an' we must bear in mind the fact that to deliver the message is the
+one important thing--our lives amount to very little compared with that."</p>
+
+<p>I could not well make protest after this explanation, and, in fact, it
+seemed to me that there was little choice of position. If the enemy
+discovered us at any time while we were between the lines, our fate was
+well-nigh certain, and he who was three paces in advance would have no
+more show of escaping the bullets than the one who remained in the rear.</p>
+
+<p>"Are we to go now?" I asked, striving earnestly to prevent my voice from
+trembling.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, I reckon it's time," and the old man tightened his belt as he
+spoke. "Throw away your rifle, or strap it on your back where there's no
+chance it will hinder the progress, an', once havin' started, keep your
+mind well on the fact that we must get there, heedin' not what lies
+behind."</p>
+
+<p>Then he gently forced me to the edge of the thicket, where we halted an
+instant to make certain there was no one in the immediate vicinity, after
+which was begun such an advance as I hope never to be forced into again,
+for of a verity it was nerve-shattering.</p>
+
+<p>Strive as I might it was impossible, during the first two or three minutes
+of the painful journey, to prevent myself from fancying that half a dozen
+of Thayendanega's painted wolves were creeping up close behind me,
+enjoying the mental torture caused by my suspense, and then suddenly my
+mind was cleared of fears, even as the heavens are of clouds after a
+storm, as I ceased to think of what lay behind, remembering that my
+efforts <i>must </i> be successful else patriot blood might flow in streams.</p>
+
+<p>We were lying flat upon the ground, pulling ourselves painfully along by
+our hands, and pushing with our toes whenever it was possible to get a
+leverage on the hard earth, moving perhaps no more than twelve inches each
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>Had St. Leger's sentinels kept the strict watch which the siege demanded
+of them, we would not have gone a dozen paces before being discovered.</p>
+
+<p>But that we did move out from the thicket without causing an alarm was, as
+I believe, due to the fact that the enemy contented themselves with
+watching the main gate of the fort, fancying that only from such quarter
+could any danger menace them. They had so many scouts out between the fort
+and Oriskany that it probably seemed to be an absolute impossibility any
+of the patriots could come through their lines undetected.</p>
+
+<p>However it may be, we did succeed in crossing that open space without
+being seen by those who would have delighted in torturing us to death; but
+it was as if I lived a full lifetime before coming within the deep shadows
+cast by the walls on the west side, at the point decided upon by Sergeant
+Corney.</p>
+
+<p>Some moments before we arrived I understood, and my heart literally
+bounded with joy, that those on the inside were already aware of our
+approach, and waiting to receive us, for we heard subdued voices from the
+sentinels on the walls, as if they were giving information to those below
+of our progress.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a big thing we have done, lad," Sergeant Corney said, as he drew
+himself up by my side while both of us hugged the earthworks as limpets do
+a rock. "It stands to reason we'll be in danger many a time before we go
+out from this world, unless it so chances that we come to grief here; but
+I dare venture to say we'll never be nearer death than we have been since
+leaving the thicket."</p>
+
+<p>The relief of mind was so great, and the knowledge that we had come thus
+far undetected under the very eyes of a watchful enemy was so
+overpowering, that I could not for a moment make reply, and by the time I
+had gathered my scattered senses--scattered through very joy--we heard
+voices from the inside which told that the men were seeking to learn
+exactly where we were.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep right on till you come to the horn-works," I heard a voice whisper,
+and the words had little or no meaning to me, for I was not familiar with
+the names of different portions of a regular fort; but the sergeant seemed
+to understand the command, for he began to creep in a southerly direction,
+still keeping within the shadow of the wall, until we arrived where was a
+stockade.</p>
+
+<p>This, as I afterward came to know, was the "horn-works," which as yet was
+in an unfinished condition, and protected by a stockade of logs, between
+each of which last were spaces, in some cases two or three inches wide.</p>
+
+<p>By lying with our faces against these narrow openings, it was possible to
+hold converse with those on the inside almost as well as if we were within
+the walls.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you, and where did you come from?" a voice asked, and Sergeant
+Corney took it upon himself, much to my relief, to act as spokesman.</p>
+
+<p>"Messengers sent by General Herkimer, who have come from Oriskany."</p>
+
+<p>"When did you leave there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>"We thought the woods were overrun with Indians and Tories."</p>
+
+<p>"So they are; but by some lucky chance we have come through thus far in
+safety, and would have speech with the commandant."</p>
+
+<p>"I am Colonel Gansevoort. My people saw your signal this afternoon, and I
+myself have been watching for your arrival, but supposed you to be
+fugitives, for I never dared hope there was a possibility of
+reinforcements so near at hand. Will you make an attempt to get in by the
+sally-port?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any other entrance, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but the enemy have been keeping sharp watch there since noon, as if
+thinking something of this same kind might be attempted."</p>
+
+<p>"We will deliver our message, sir, and then decide what to do," the old
+man said, grimly. "The words had best be repeated now, for we may be
+unable to utter them half an hour later."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sergeant Corney delivered the message with which we were charged, and
+during a full minute after he ceased speaking the commandant remained
+silent.</p>
+
+<p>When he spoke again, it was to say:</p>
+
+<p>"It would be folly to give him now the signal of your arrival, since to
+discharge one of the cannon when there is no direct target in sight would
+be to apprise St. Leger of all the facts. If it were possible for you to
+return, I would say that we will signal the moment my men are ready for
+the sortie."</p>
+
+<p>"I am of the mind that there will be no more danger in going back than in
+trying to enter the fort," Sergeant Corney said, half to himself.
+"Doubtless the enemy are watchin' the sally-port so closely that we would
+be seen tryin' to gain it, for on that side the shadow is less than here,
+and if there be large numbers posted to prevent an entrance, then must we
+come to grief."</p>
+
+<p>"Meaning what?" Colonel Gansevoort asked, with no slight tinge of
+impatience in his tone, as if he did not care to hear the old soldier
+summing up all the situation.</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' that we are runnin' no greater risks in goin' back to General
+Herkimer, or at least not many more, than by tryin' to gain admission to
+the fort."</p>
+
+<p>"It will simplify matters if you choose to return; but I would not ask any
+man to do so, in view of all the danger."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you say, lad?" Sergeant Corney asked, laying his hand on my
+shoulder, and, although I would have given anything I possessed to have
+been at that moment behind the walls, I was not minded to show that my
+courage was less than his, therefore I replied:</p>
+
+<p>"It is for you to say, accordin' to the agreement we made."</p>
+
+<p>"But I would not set off against your wishes, because of the danger in the
+road, although I claim it would be quite as great if we attempted to enter
+the fort at once."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it is decided you will return to General Herkimer," Colonel
+Gansevoort said, quickly, as if fearing lest we might repent of our
+decision. "Tell him that within five minutes after giving the signal we
+will make a sortie from the main gate in the direction of Oriskany."</p>
+
+<p>"An' if it should be that we didn't get through alive?" Sergeant Corney
+said as if to himself, and the commandant replied, quickly:</p>
+
+<p>"In such case, without means of knowing what has happened to you, we shall
+make the sortie and shed much blood uselessly. Is there anything I can do
+for you before you start?"</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier hesitated, as if unable to think of anything we needed,
+and I, remembering the hunger which had assailed us while we lay hidden in
+the thicket, replied:</p>
+
+<p>"If it so be you could spare us a bit of corn bread, we would be the
+better able to make a hurried journey."</p>
+
+<p>"That you shall have, and in plenty," the commandant said, as if relieved
+at knowing our wants could be gratified with so little trouble, and
+Sergeant Corney added:</p>
+
+<p>"Only so much as we can put in our pockets, for this is not the time to
+encumber ourselves even with provisions."</p>
+
+<p>Some of the soldiers who had been standing near by hurried away, returning
+a few moments later with as much bread as would have served to satisfy our
+hunger for a week at least.
+
+When such a quantity as we needed for one meal had been pushed out between
+the logs of the stockade, my companion whispered to the commandant:</p>
+
+<p>"We shall strike into the thicket to the westward, making a circle to the
+south around the fort, until coming to the road leading to Oriskany,
+crossing the river just below here, and now, sir, if you have no further
+demands, we will go."</p>
+
+<p>"May God have you in His keeping," the colonel said, fervently, and
+without waiting to hear more the old soldier set off, this time leaving
+it for me to bring up the rear.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was I came to understand that the rain was beginning to fall; the
+wind came in spiteful gusts, betokening a storm, and I could have hugged
+myself with glee at the thought that the elements were favoring us in the
+attempt which, at the outset, had seemed doomed to failure.</p>
+
+<p>Before we had traversed half the distance from the fort to the thicket on
+the westerly side, the rain was falling heavily, and the wind whistling at
+such a rate as to have drowned any ordinary noise we might make in forcing
+our way through the foliage.</p>
+
+<p>Never had a storm, which promised much bodily discomfort, been so warmly
+welcomed by me; never had one been more sadly needed by those who fought
+against the king and his savage followers for the cause of American
+liberty.</p>
+
+<p>It is well known that Indians, like cats, are averse to exposing their
+bodies to rain, and when we set out on the return I had but little fear,
+believing that every one of Thayendanega's followers would be hugging his
+lodge closely, while the Tories would find it difficult to discern us from
+any great distance as we lay prone upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Lest I spend too many words in the telling of it, let me say, in short,
+that we gained the thicket without causing an alarm, and, what was really
+strange, made our way through it in a westerly direction for fully a mile
+without meeting any living being.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that Sergeant Corney came to a halt, and, taking the corn
+bread from his pocket, began to munch it greedily as he said to me,
+speaking indistinctly because of the fulness of his mouth:</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon, lad, we've passed the Britishers' lines, an' can begin to
+circle southward from this point."</p>
+
+<p>While we were creeping away from the fort, beginning the second journey
+before having had time to rest from the first, I had said to myself again
+and again that it was the act of madmen for us to make any attempt at
+gaining General Herkimer's forces. In the first place there was no real
+necessity for such dangerous labor, because the signal could have been
+given by Colonel Gansevoort at a reasonably early hour next morning, and
+thus our commander would have known that the message was delivered. We
+were risking our lives foolishly, and when the old soldier spoke of making
+a circle from that point, in a tone which told that he was very well
+contented with himself and what he had done, I lost my temper, and
+replied, sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, we have got through the lines safely because of the storm, which was
+a lucky chance in our favor, and one we could not have foreseen when you
+were so foolish as to propose that we go back to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"It would have pleased you better had we made the attempt to get into the
+fort?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ten times over, for then instead of roaming these woods, taking a
+fool's chances of bein' shot down, we might be comfortable and in safety."</p>
+
+<p>"An' remained there so long as pleased Colonel Gansevoort, for once inside
+that fort we placed ourselves under his command."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, and why not?" I asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Because it does not please me to linger when there is other work to be
+done."</p>
+
+<p>"But there was no real need of undertakin' this task," I said, with
+irritation.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet it gave us an excuse to which he would listen for leavin', when, had
+we told the truth, I question if he had not tried to stop us."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what is the truth?" I cried, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"Is there nothin' in your mind that we are bound to do, now the message
+has been delivered?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to aid Jacob?" I asked, as a sudden light began to dawn on
+me.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, all of that. Neither you nor I would have let him gone alone in
+the hopeless task of rescuin' his father, had it not been that duty
+demanded of us to keep our faces turned toward yonder fort. Now we have
+done that which General Herkimer required, we can set out to fulfil our
+duty toward the lad, an' this goin' back on the road to Oriskany is but
+little more than we would be forced to do in order to gain the spot where
+we parted with him, for I'm countin' that he was then near by the place
+where his father is held prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>I could have hugged the old man, but that he might have fancied I had
+lost my senses.</p>
+
+<p>When we parted with Jacob there was no thought in my mind that Sergeant
+Corney had the slightest idea of joining in what was a most desperate
+venture, and I even fancied he felt a certain sense of relief in having
+such a good excuse for not sticking his nose into the Indian encampment.
+But now I understood that all the while he held firm to the determination
+to do whatsoever he might toward aiding Peter Sitz, and I began to feel
+real affection for the noble old man.</p>
+
+<p>Whether we might be able to find Jacob or not, and the chances were that
+he had already been made prisoner, we could say to ourselves that the poor
+lad was not deserted by us in his hour of need, and, if the worst
+happened, it would be no slight satisfaction to us in after years.</p>
+
+<p>The storm increased each moment, and we were soon wetted to the skin, but
+hardly conscious of the discomfort because of the safety which this
+downpour brought to us.</p>
+
+<p>I had never given Sergeant Corney credit for any great knowledge of
+woodcraft, because he came to us from over the seas where his life had
+been spent fighting battles in the open, and could not be expected to cope
+with the savage foe, as did our people who had always been accustomed to
+the skulking methods of warfare practised by the redskins.</p>
+
+<p>Now, however, I was forced to give him credit for being wiser than I in
+the forest, since in the darkness and amid the tumult caused by the wind
+and rain he made the d&eacute;tour as if a broad trail stretched out before him
+under the sunlight, and we half-circled around the fortification, at the
+distance of a mile or more, without varying, so far as could be told, a
+single hair from the true course.</p>
+
+<p>Not until we were come to the trail which led to Oriskany did the old man
+halt, and then it was to say to me:</p>
+
+<p>"From this on I'm allowin' we had better be cautious how we move."</p>
+
+<p>"But surely there is no danger of meetin' any of the savages now," I said,
+like a simple, and he replied, with a laugh:</p>
+
+<p>"True for you, lad; but General Herkimer was to begin an advance on the
+mornin' after we left camp, and he should be nearabout. To run upon his
+sentinels in the darkness might not be agreeable."</p>
+
+<p>From that on, until half an hour had passed, we pressed forward
+cautiously, and well it was that we did so, for suddenly I came upon a
+levelled musket, which would have been discharged but for my crying out
+quickly, as I swerved to one side:</p>
+
+<p>"We are messengers for the general! We are friends!"</p>
+
+<p>"You come from an odd direction if that be true," was the reply, and at
+the same instant a vigorous hand seized me by the shirt-collar.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that Sergeant Corney stepped forward, as he asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Are you of General Herkimer's force?"</p>
+
+<p>"How much will it benefit you to get such information?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, nay, friend; there is no need of bein' overcautious with us. We are
+two of the three messengers who left camp at Oriskany to go to Fort
+Schuyler, and are now returnin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Returnin'?" the soldier said, for it was indeed one of General Herkimer's
+sentinels whom we had come upon. "It must please you to skulk around among
+the Tories and savages, if, after having once gained the fort, you come
+back."</p>
+
+<p>"That is exactly what we have done, my friend," Sergeant Corney replied,
+gravely, "and for the good reason that Colonel Gansevoort had a message
+for us to deliver to the general. You are right in questioning us, for
+under such situations a soldier had best be overcautious than too
+credulous. But now we ask to be sent to the commander."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen any of the enemy near at hand?" the man asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I can swear there are none within half a mile."</p>
+
+<p>"Then come with me," and the sentinel deserted his post to lead us into
+camp, a proceeding which called forth harsh criticisms from Sergeant
+Corney, despite the fact that he was being benefited thereby.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch07"></a>Chapter VII.</h2>
+
+<h3>Insubordination.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>It was near to daybreak when we followed the soldier to where General
+Herkimer lay under a shelter of pine boughs; but owing to the storm the
+gloom was quite as profound as at any time during the night.</p>
+
+<p>To my surprise, the general came out from his poor apology for a tent on
+hearing our voices, although we spoke cautiously low, and even then I
+could but ask myself why it was that an experienced soldier such as he was
+not giving more heed to his bodily welfare, for men on the eve of
+encountering a strong enemy surely need all the repose which can be had.</p>
+
+<p>I was soon to understand why the commander slept so lightly, and to learn
+for the first time that even patriots may be insubordinate.</p>
+
+<p>General Herkimer did not at first recognize us in the gloom; but when
+Sergeant Corney made himself known, the leader said, in a tone of bitter
+disappointment:</p>
+
+<p>"Then you did not succeed in getting there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that we did, sir," the old soldier replied, emphatically; "but
+Colonel Gansevoort had the desire to send a message to you, and we have
+brought it, hopin' to be excused from further duty for a short time."</p>
+
+<p>"What had Gansevoort to say?" General Herkimer asked, impatiently, and
+Sergeant Corney repeated the message twice over, in order that there
+should be no misunderstanding as to its meaning.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. We will be on the alert if these hotheads can be restrained,"
+the general replied, and his words were a riddle to me until half an hour
+later.</p>
+
+<p>Then he asked what the old soldier meant by wishing to be excused from
+duty, and the sergeant, in the fewest words possible, gave him an account
+of our proceedings since leaving the camp at Oriskany, concluding by
+saying:</p>
+
+<p>"There is no question but that Jacob Sitz will make his way through the
+Indian encampment, if it can be done by any person. Yet the lad is blinded
+by love for his father, an' will take altogether too desperate chances,
+unless there be some one at hand who can restrain him."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it in your mind that the prisoner may be taken out of Thayendanega's
+camp?" General Herkimer exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"We do not count on any such good fortune; but follow the lad simply that
+he may know he has not been forgotten. If it so be you need us, sir, we
+will wait until you have gained the fort before making any effort to join
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, it was not from such motives that I spoke," the general
+interrupted, hastily. "With a force as large as this two men would not
+make much of a count either way. Go where you please, Sergeant Braun, and
+when you are once more at liberty report to me."</p>
+
+<p>"We reckon on resting our legs a bit, sir, before settin' out. You will
+not advance for some time to come, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"How far do you count we are from the enemy's pickets?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not above two miles, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we shall remain here, unless matters get beyond my control, until
+having heard the signal."</p>
+
+<p>Having made this, to me, odd remark, the commander disappeared from view
+inside the shelter of boughs, and Sergeant Corney led me a dozen yards or
+more from what might by courtesy have been called "headquarters," when he
+halted to say, gravely:</p>
+
+<p>"It appears that things are not just as they should be in this camp, lad."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you mean?" I asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"You heard what the general said?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, who of his men are making the trouble?"</p>
+
+<p>Before I could so much as make a guess at the proper answer, I must needs
+be told that there was trouble, for, through having failed to understand
+exactly what the commander meant, I had not suspected that there was
+anything serious brewing. But Sergeant Corney, experienced as he was in
+such matters, seemed to know as if he had been informed in so many words
+that insubordination was rife in the camp, and at a time when it was in
+the highest degree necessary the men should move in harmony.</p>
+
+<p>Since I could not even so much as hazard a guess, the old man, forgetting
+his weariness and the need of gaining repose, led me out to where he had
+been halted by the sentinel, and, finding him at his post, began his
+investigations by saying:</p>
+
+<p>"We two have just come from Fort Schuyler, an' knowin' full well how
+strong a force is in front of the place, have a better idea of the kind of
+work in hand than you who haven't seen the enemy."</p>
+
+<p>"Did the general send you over here to tell me that?" the man asked, in a
+certain tone of irritation, and Sergeant Corney replied, soothingly:</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it, my friend; but while we were having an interview with
+the commander it struck me that matters here were not just as pleasant as
+they should be, an' instead of awakenin' some one who might need more
+slumber, we thought to come to you for an explanation."</p>
+
+<p>"Of what?"</p>
+
+<p>"That we cannot say; but there is a question I would ask you, as between
+man and man, for mayhap the lives of us all depend upon the general sense
+of good fellowship. Tell me plainly, is there insubordination in the
+camp?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know not if you may call it by that name," the sentinel said, somewhat
+moodily; "but certain it is we would have relieved the fort four and
+twenty hours ago had General Herkimer not held us back. With such a force
+as we have here, it cannot be a hard matter to do about as we please. Look
+you," the man continued, growing more confidential, "the general has no
+less than eight hundred men under his command, and what may not a company
+of that number do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very much, my friend; but your eight hundred would be weak indeed unless
+the advance was made at the proper time and in a soldierly fashion. So
+your people have been complaining because the commander holds them back?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, and with good cause. When Colonels Cox and Paris say openly that it
+is cowardly for us to loiter here, surely there must be some reason in
+their words. A full third of this force believe we should have come in
+front of Fort Schuyler yesterday mornin', an' think you all those can be
+mistaken, an' only General Herkimer stand in the right?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then it <i>is</i> insubordination!" Sergeant Corney said, sadly, and the
+sentinel replied, angrily:</p>
+
+<p>"It is only common sense and a desire to aid the Cause. If we are eager to
+begin a battle which will drive the Tories and their painted allies from
+the valley, surely that man is a criminal who would hold us back."</p>
+
+<p>"If you had been where this lad and I have just come from, able to see
+what was seen by us, you would talk in a different strain," the old
+soldier said, hotly. "Why, man, Colonel Gansevoort himself sent us back to
+request that you remain here until he signals, so that everything may be
+prepared for your comin', and we, knowin' how important it was you delay
+until the proper moment, risked our lives twenty times over in the effort
+to bring the word."</p>
+
+<p>"Then Colonel Gansevoort is as great a coward as General Herkimer, for we
+are of sufficient strength to march whithersoever we will."</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney turned as if to go, and then suddenly wheeling upon the
+sentinel, said:</p>
+
+<p>"I do not read my Bible, as a man should; but yet I remember that in it
+can be found these words: 'Fools die for want of wisdom,' an' I'm
+allowin', my friend, if you have any desire to linger in this 'ere world,
+that you take the statement home mighty strong."</p>
+
+<p>With this cutting remark, which for a moment I feared would provoke a
+downright quarrel, Sergeant Corney strode off into the darkness, I
+following meekly at his heels.</p>
+
+<p>"Surely there can be nothing which would work harm in this desire of the
+men to go forward," I said, when the sergeant had come to a halt,
+throwing himself down under a tree as if to rest. "It should be a good
+sign when soldiers are eager to go into battle."</p>
+
+<p>"Insubordination, wherever you find it, is the most dangerous condition of
+affairs that can be figgered out. When a man puts himself under a leader,
+whether to fight or to till the land, an' then sets up his opinions
+against those of the one who is supposed to know best, else he wouldn't be
+in command, matters have come to a mighty dangerous pass. Instead of
+helpin' the men inside the fort, this regiment is likely to bring them to
+grief, unless things are changed, an' that right soon. Now get what sleep
+you can, lad, before the encampment is astir," the old man added, changing
+his tone very suddenly, and before I could obey he drew out his rifle from
+the hiding-place where he had left it when we set off for the fort.</p>
+
+<p>I laid myself down by his side; but it was not to sleep, for I realized
+that the old soldier would not have spoken in such a tone unless matters,
+according to his belief, had been in a most serious condition.</p>
+
+<p>I was still speculating upon the situation, sorrowing because the men
+would, at such a time, while the lives of so many depended upon concerted
+action, set up their individual opinions against those who had been put in
+authority over them, when a bustle on every side told that the soldiers
+were awakening to a day of noble struggle for their country, or worse
+than criminal bickerings.</p>
+
+<p>If Sergeant Corney had really closed his eyes in slumber, which I doubted,
+he was now awakened by the many noises, and a plan of action must have
+been presented to him in his dreams, for he spoke like one who is
+determined upon some decided course, as he said to me:</p>
+
+<p>"Now, lad, we'll fill ourselves up with one good hearty meal, if it so be
+this mutinously inclined army has a proper store of provisions, and then
+it is for us to decide whether we stay among those who are like to come to
+grief if they have their own way, or push out for ourselves."</p>
+
+<p>I did not understand fully what he meant; but it was sufficient for me
+that he was no longer in doubt as to what was best, and right willingly
+did I obey his orders, for my stomach was uncomfortably empty.</p>
+
+<p>There was no lack of food in this command which seemed to be divided
+against itself, and the breakfast would have been to me most enjoyable but
+for the sauce with which it was served.</p>
+
+<p>Every man's tongue was loosened as if its owner was the only man amid all
+the company who knew exactly which was the wisest course to pursue, and I
+dare venture to say never a commander had under him at a critical moment,
+such as this certainly was, so many pig-headed recruits.</p>
+
+<p>Only once during the brief meal was Sergeant Corney asked for
+information, although the word had passed around the encampment that he
+and I were but just come from Fort Schuyler, and then it was that the old
+soldier gave those insubordinate men such a tongue-lashing as they
+deserved and I dare say had never before received; but, storm as he might,
+it seemed as if all the arguments he brought up in favor of General
+Herkimer's carrying out the plans suggested by Colonel Gansevoort, only
+served to make those imitation soldiers more fixed in their opinions.</p>
+
+<p>And for all this unseemly wrangling, when it was almost a crime to raise
+one's voice against an order of the commander, I lay the blame upon the
+two colonels, Cox and Paris, who, instead of holding their men firmly in
+check, as was their duty, openly declared that General Herkimer was in the
+wrong; thus fomenting what promised to be a most serious disturbance, and
+what was finally paid for over and over again in blood.</p>
+
+<p>It was perhaps half an hour after daybreak when Colonel Cox, the same
+officer who by injudicious use of his tongue had well-nigh compassed the
+death of us all during the powwow with Thayendanega, approached General
+Herkimer while the latter was walking slowly around the encampment as if
+on a tour of inspection, and said, in a tone so loud that all in the
+vicinity might hear it:</p>
+
+<p>"Are we to go forward, sir, as men should who set out to relieve a
+besieged fort, or must we loiter here until the enemy has worked his
+will?"</p>
+
+<p>For an instant the general made no reply, and Sergeant Corney whispered to
+me, angrily:</p>
+
+<p>"That man deserves to be shot, an' all the more so because he is high in
+command. I've seen troops in many a tight place durin' my life, but never
+before heard any thin' that quite come up to that."</p>
+
+<p>When, after a pause of fully a moment, General Herkimer spoke, it was to
+ask:</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know that messengers have come from Gansevoort, asking that we
+hold our hands until he shall give the signal?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard that it is pretended such a message has come," Colonel Cox
+replied, in a most offensive tone, and I could see Sergeant Corney
+clenching his fists tightly, as if thereby the better to hold himself in
+check, for surely were we two entitled to make reply to such an implied
+accusation.</p>
+
+<p>"The garrison will make a sortie immediately after giving the signal, and
+we can thus go into action with some hope of success," General Herkimer
+said, mildly and firmly. "To advance before Gansevoort is ready would be
+to imperil the lives of all this command."</p>
+
+<p>"Speaking more particularly for yourself, sir, I suppose," Colonel Paris
+said, with a sneer, and it would have given me the greatest pleasure to
+have struck him down for that insult.</p>
+
+<p>Then the three officers, still disputing, or, I should have said, the two
+colonels still insulting their commander, who continued to bear with them
+beyond that point where forbearance ceases to be a virtue, passed out of
+earshot for the time being, and the men in the immediate vicinity took up
+the subject, until, to my surprise, I found that nearly all of them sided
+with the insubordinate colonels.</p>
+
+<p>Five minutes later the three officers had approached so near where
+Sergeant Corney and I were sitting that we could hear their words once
+more, and then, to my indignation and the old soldier's anger, Colonel Cox
+cried, in a fury, as he planted himself directly in front of the
+commander:</p>
+
+<p>"You are not only a coward, sir, but a Tory!"</p>
+
+<p>I shall always hold that General Herkimer was a brave man, because, after
+a severe effort which was evident to us all, he so far mastered his
+righteous anger as to say, quietly:</p>
+
+<p>"I am placed over you as a father and guardian, and shall not lead you
+into difficulties from which I may not be able to extricate you."</p>
+
+<p>Unless the soldiers of the command had been literally beside themselves,
+such words would have brought them to a proper frame of mind; but as it
+was, the temperate reply seemed to inflame their anger, and on the moment
+there was a very babel of outcries, amid which it was only possible to
+distinguish the demand that the force be led toward Fort Schuyler without
+delay, regardless of any message which the sergeant and I might have
+brought.</p>
+
+<p>I could see, rather than hear, for the tumult was exceeding great, that
+the two colonels continued to demand that the commander follow their plans
+rather than adhere to his own, and it was a veritable fishwoman's squabble
+during twenty minutes or more, when General Herkimer apparently lost his
+temper for the first time, and cried, in a tone so loud that the words
+could be distinctly heard all over the encampment:</p>
+
+<p>"I will give the command to march forward, and you shall soon see that
+those who have been boasting loudest of their courage will be the first to
+run on meeting the enemy."</p>
+
+<p>"I was afraid it would come to that," Sergeant Corney whispered to me,
+with a sigh. "It don't stand to reason that any man could hold his temper
+a great while under such a tongue-lashin' as those curs gave the
+commander, an' I'm predictin' that every mother's son of 'em will rue this
+mornin's work."</p>
+
+<p>Immediately the unwilling permission for them to do as they pleased had
+been given, the men set about making ready for the advance as if each
+moment was of the greatest value, and in an incredibly short time after
+General Herkimer had been bullied into agreeing to that which his better
+judgment told him to be wrong, the company was ready for the march.</p>
+
+<p>"Are we to go with them?" I asked of the sergeant, believing for the
+moment that it would be wiser for us to form an independent command of
+two.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, I'm thinkin' that we had best stand by the general, for he may
+be needin' us before this mornin's work is done, an' we sha'n't be takin'
+a great deal of time from Jacob, because, in case of arrivin' before
+Colonel Gansevoort is ready for us, the scrimmage will soon be over."</p>
+
+<p>The two colonels, who were responsible for this unsoldierly method of
+conducting a campaign, busied themselves with getting the men into lines,
+and all the while telling what it was possible for them to do to St. Leger
+and his force, as if anything of value could be done when the idiots did
+not have sufficient sense to make inquiries of those who could give them
+full information regarding the strength of the enemy whom they were so
+soon to meet.</p>
+
+<p>Even had Sergeant Corney not decided to follow the commander before the
+line of march had been arranged, he would have done so later, because
+General Herkimer beckoned us to approach when he took his place at the
+head of the column.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you counting on coming with me, despite the unnecessary danger which
+we know will be encountered?" he asked, and Sergeant Corney replied,
+promptly:</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, sir, that we are, and had already settled it in our own minds."</p>
+
+<p>"Which portion of the besieging troops are we likely to meet first, if we
+follow the trail?" the general asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Thayendanega's camp lies southeasterly from the fort; but how far it may
+be from the trail, I cannot say."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment the report of a rifle from the direction of where the
+outermost sentinels were stationed startled every one, including those
+bloodthirsty colonels, and for a moment all stood silent and motionless,
+waiting to learn the cause of the alarm.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that the sentinel with whom the sergeant and I had already
+spoken, came running into camp, for it seemed a favorite trick of his to
+desert a post of duty whenever inclination prompted.</p>
+
+<p>It was Colonel Cox who asked, advancing:</p>
+
+<p>"Did you fire that gun?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, sir; I saw two Indians in the thicket, coming as if from the
+direction of this camp."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you kill either of them?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think I even scratched 'em. The wood is too dense for much good
+shooting."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Cox wheeled around as if the information was of no especial
+importance, when even a boy like me understood somewhat of its import,
+and, carelessly saluting the commander, reported that the troops were
+ready for the word to march.</p>
+
+<p>The general, who was mounted, spurred his horse on to the head of the
+column, Sergeant Corney and I following as best we might, and once in the
+lead he gave the command.</p>
+
+<p>"Is nothing to be done toward finding out whether the Indians whom the
+sentinel saw, succeeded in getting back to their own camp?" I asked of my
+companion, and he replied, grimly, with what was very like a smile of
+satisfaction on his wrinkled face:</p>
+
+<p>"These officers who have so much wind to spare in camp cannot afford the
+time to consider such trifles as a few scouts skulkin' around to make
+certain of what we are doin'."</p>
+
+<p>"An' we are like to find ourselves ambushed!" I cried, in dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that's what we are, lad, an' I'm thinkin' there will be no way out of
+the difficulty until some of these insubordinates are killed off, which
+will be greatly to the advantage of the command, accordin' to my way of
+thinkin'."</p>
+
+<p>I will set down here that which I read in a book several years after the
+day Sergeant Corney and I followed General Herkimer on what we believed to
+be a most ill-advised and hazardous march, in view of Colonel Gansevoort's
+request, and from the words it will be seen that I am not the only person
+who lays blame of all that happened upon those loud-mouthed, imitation
+soldiers who were so soon to show themselves cowards.</p>
+
+<p>"The morning was dark, sultry, and lowering. General Herkimer's troops,
+composed chiefly of the militia regiments of Colonels Cox, Paris,
+Visscher, and Klock, were quite undisciplined, and their order of march
+was irregular and without precaution. The contentions of the morning had
+delayed their advance until about nine o'clock, and the hard feelings
+which existed between the commander and some of his officers caused a
+degree of insubordination which proved fatal in its consequences.... A
+deep ravine crossed the path of Herkimer in a north and south direction,
+extending from the high grounds on the south to the river, and curving
+toward the east in semicircular form. The bottom of this ravine was
+marshy, and the road crossed it by means of a causeway of earth and logs.
+On each side of the ravine the ground was nearly level, and heavily
+timbered. A thick growth of underwood, particularly along the margin of
+the ravine, favored the concealment of the enemy."</p>
+
+<p>All the colonels of this small army were on horseback, a fact which caused
+me no little astonishment, for I had heard my uncle say again and again,
+and there can be no question but that he was a brave and skilful soldier,
+that the man who went in the saddle to meet savages was courting his own
+death.</p>
+
+<p>So great was my indignation against these men who had badgered the
+commander that I mentally hugged myself with delight because of their
+folly, not only in thus riding, but in moving the column without scouts
+ahead to learn the whereabouts of the enemy, or to ascertain what might be
+in front of, or on either side of them.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that Colonel Visscher's regiment was detailed as a rear-guard,
+and I question if even such a precaution would have been taken but for the
+fact that the provision and ammunition wagons, which were not able to move
+at as rapid a pace as the men, needed something in the way of protection.</p>
+
+<p>It was not until we had advanced half a mile or more that I bethought
+myself of the position in the column which Sergeant Corney and I occupied
+because of attempting to follow General Herkimer closely.</p>
+
+<p>In event of an ambush being prepared for our reception, and I confidently
+expected that such would be the case after the sentinel had seen Indians
+lurking nearabout the camp, we two would be in a most dangerous position,
+and I made mention of that which was in my mind to the sergeant.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, you may be right, an' yet I am questionin' whether we shall be
+any worse off here than further in the rear, for if it so be
+Thayendanega's sneaks count on ambushin' us, I can tell you to a dot just
+where it'll be done. They will let this gang of men--you can't call 'em
+soldiers after what we have seen--get well into the ravine before makin'
+any attack. Consequently it will be about the centre of the line that
+suffers most."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean that if trouble comes it will be at the ravine over which is
+the causeway?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, an' there's no question about our gettin' it hot there!"</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch08"></a>Chapter VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Ambush.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>I am willing to confess that I grew more and more frightened as we neared
+the ravine, and but for the disgraceful scenes of insubordination which
+occurred earlier in the morning, I would have cried out against the folly
+of thus going blindly into such trap as Thayendanega's murderers had
+probably prepared for us.</p>
+
+<p>As it was, however, I would not let these mutinous men who called
+themselves soldiers see that we from Cherry Valley would question a
+commander's orders, whatever might be the situation, and I held my peace,
+but with much effort and inward fear.</p>
+
+<p>There was little attempt made by these representatives of the Tryon County
+militia to hold in military formation during the march, each man trying to
+outstrip his neighbor, as if this advance upon a foe of superior strength
+could have no more serious consequences than that some might be left
+behind, and when one of the company came up to my side with words of
+complaint because the general would not move faster than a walk, I said,
+angrily:</p>
+
+<p>"It can make but little difference if you are not killed at the first
+volley, for the savages will have ample time to finish us all off after we
+have walked into their trap."</p>
+
+<p>"So you are one of the weak-kneed, eh?" the man cried, with a sneer, and
+my anger was too great to permit of my making reply; but Sergeant Corney,
+who had heard the insulting words, said, sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"You may talk to that lad about bein' weak-kneed after you have shown the
+courage he has within the past four an' twenty hours. You an' your
+mutinous comrades prate loudly of bravery when there is no enemy in sight;
+but I'll lay odds that not one out of an hundred like you would dare go
+alone from here to the fort!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you are the messengers who claim that Colonel Gansevoort asked us to
+remain idle until he should give the signal, eh?" the fellow said, in an
+offensive tone, and Sergeant Corney raised his rifle clubwise, as if to
+strike him down, but held his hand as he said, slowly, and in a tone which
+was full of menace:</p>
+
+<p>"But that you are already so near your death at the hands of the enemy, I
+would make certain you never again questioned my word! We did go to the
+fort, while you were engaged in the manly sport of badgerin' your
+commander, an old soldier who knows his business, an' had you been with us
+it is certain you'd never made the attempt to get back. Go on to your
+death, you fool, an' I'll hope it don't come so soon but that you'll have
+time to realize you did all in your power to bring it about the more
+speedily."</p>
+
+<p>By this time we were well within the ravine which has already been
+described, and the old soldier had hardly ceased speaking when from amid
+the foliage ahead and on every side came a circle of fire like unto the
+lightning's flash, followed by the crackling of firearms, which served to
+drown the death-cries from every portion of our lines.</p>
+
+<p>We had marched like children into the ambush, and on the instant a blind
+rage took possession of me because I had followed the mutineers when I
+knew full well to what they were hastening.</p>
+
+<p>Even as the flashes of light sprang out from among the leaves, I saw
+Colonel Cox, he who was responsible for all that flood of death, leap high
+in the air, only to fall back dead, and at the same moment General
+Herkimer's horse reared and screamed in a death-agony.</p>
+
+<p>It was as if every second man of the command fell before that withering
+fire, and in the midst of the tumult of groans, screams, and savage
+war-whoops could be heard shouts behind us, telling that the rear-guard,
+who a few moments previous were prating of their bravery, had turned and
+fled like cowards that they were.</p>
+
+<p>More than the rear-guard would have beat a retreat at that moment, but for
+the fact that the baggage-wagons hemmed us in so that flight was
+well-nigh impossible.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as if I lived a full hour during the terrible ten seconds that
+elapsed after the first volley was fired by the hidden foe, and then I
+heard Sergeant Corney crying in my ear, his voice sounding as if afar off:</p>
+
+<p>"It is for you an' I, lad, to look after the general! He is wounded!"</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that I realized the commander was pinned to the earth by his
+dead horse, and, without being really conscious of my movements, I ran to
+his side.</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier and I had no more than bent over General Herkimer to learn
+how we could best release him from his dangerous position, when a second
+volley came from amid the foliage, and those alleged soldiers of the
+command who were yet alive ran wildly to and fro like frightened chickens,
+seeking some way of escape, rather than standing up like men to battle for
+their own lives.</p>
+
+<p>Without really seeing it, I was conscious that all this was taking place
+around us, and then I heard Sergeant Corney say to the general, in a
+matter-of-fact tone:</p>
+
+<p>"That's a bad wound in your knee, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, but there's no time to think of ourselves just now. The cowards must
+be brought to their senses, or every one of them will be shot down," was
+the reply of the man whom his own soldiers had taunted with cowardice not
+an hour previous.</p>
+
+<p>Acting under Sergeant Corney's commands, for the old man was as cool as if
+he had been born amid just such scenes of carnage, I helped raise the body
+of the horse until it was possible for General Herkimer to roll himself
+out from beneath the dead animal, and, while we worked to aid him, the
+commander was crying to his men to stand firm if they would save their own
+lives.</p>
+
+<p>"Rally, there!" he shouted, yet lying, unable to move, upon the ground.
+"Stand firm, and we yet have a good chance of holding our own!"</p>
+
+<p>All the while Sergeant Corney and I worked over him he continued to cheer
+the frightened men, until, by the time we had dragged him to where he
+could sit upright with his back against a huge tree, placing his saddle
+beneath him to serve as a prop, the men were beginning to understand that
+the only chance for life was to fight desperately.</p>
+
+<p>The wagons in the rear, and the horde of savages which had closed in upon
+us, prevented any save those who had first fled, from retreating, and by
+the time a full third of the command had been killed or disabled, the
+remainder understood that it would be well to turn to the man they had so
+lately reviled, for possible safety.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney and I gave no heed to what was going on around us until we
+had bound up the general's knee in such a manner that there was no longer
+danger he would bleed to death, and when this had been done I noted that
+our people had taken shelter behind the trees, where they could strike a
+blow in their own defence.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians, understanding that the first daze of terror had passed away,
+leaving their intended victims in condition to do considerable execution,
+fell back a short distance to where they could find shelter, and thus,
+thanks to General Herkimer, it was no longer a massacre, but a battle.</p>
+
+<p>When Sergeant Corney and I had done all we could to render the commander
+more comfortable, we took our share in the fight, remaining close beside
+General Herkimer meanwhile, lest the Indians make an attempt to take him
+prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>Within half an hour from the time the first volley had been fired, our
+people were doing good execution, and yet the enemy's line was closing in
+upon us slowly but surely.
+
+"Tire 'em out, lads!" the general shouted, encouragingly. "You never yet
+saw a painted snake who could take much punishment, an' it's only a
+question of holding your own awhile longer. Make every bullet count, for,
+although we have ammunition in plenty, there is no good reason why we
+should waste any."</p>
+
+<p>Then the commander, most likely in order to set his men an example of
+coolness, rather than because he needed the fumes of tobacco, quietly
+lighted his pipe, and, seeing this, our people cheered at the same time
+they shot down every feather-bedecked form that was exposed to view.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "'Tire 'em out, lads!' the General shouted"]</p>
+
+<p>A few moments later General Herkimer gave the word that our force form a
+circle, in order to meet the foe at every point, and after this had been
+done the enemy were the better held in check.</p>
+
+<p>Even at the moment I was surprised when I found myself thinking of the
+danger to which Jacob must be exposed, rather than of my own desperate
+plight. While on the alert for a living target, I speculated whether he
+was yet free, and if he had discovered the whereabouts of his father.</p>
+
+<p>I had no idea as to the flight of time, and could not have told whether we
+had spent ten minutes or sixty in that struggle for life, when, without
+warning, the floodgates of heaven were opened. The rain came down
+literally in torrents; it seemed as if the water descended in solid sheets
+rather than drops, and, no matter how bloodthirsty a man might have been,
+he could no more have continued the battle than if he had been neck-deep
+in the river.</p>
+
+<p>Savages as well as white men were forced to cease their efforts to kill,
+and for a time we crouched beneath such poor shelter as the trees
+afforded, but drenched to the skin in a twinkling.</p>
+
+<p>General Herkimer was in no better plight than those who were the most
+exposed. The fire in his pipe was drowned out; but he continued to hold it
+between his teeth as he said, in a low tone, to Sergeant Corney:</p>
+
+<p>"Pass the word quietly for our people to close in where it will be
+possible to hear what I say. Thus far I've noted that the savages have
+watched until a rifle has been discharged, when they rush up and use their
+hatchets. We can put an end to that kind of butchery."</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier did as he had been bidden, moving to and fro without fear
+of exposing himself, for the downpour was so great that no man could have
+loaded a musket with dry powder, and even while the storm continued the
+circle was contracted until the commander was enclosed by a living hedge.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that orders were given for the men to take their stations in
+couples, and, when one had discharged his rifle, the other was to wait
+until the Indians came up to kill the supposedly defenceless soldier, when
+a second bullet would be ready for them.</p>
+
+<p>Much to my surprise, I heard General Herkimer say that a full hour had
+elapsed from the time the first volley had been fired, and it stiffened
+the courage of all to learn that we had been able to hold the foe in check
+so long.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately the summer storm had so far sub-sided that the weapons could
+be loaded, the battle was continued, raging with even more fury than
+before, as the enemy tried to overwhelm us by a sudden rush, and in a very
+few seconds the painted fiends came to understand that it was no longer an
+easy matter to tomahawk a man immediately after he had fired a shot.</p>
+
+<p>When the savages found that their tactics were guarded against, it seemed
+as if they lost courage, and gradually fell back a little, having had
+quite as much of Whig marksmanship as was pleasing.</p>
+
+<p>Because we could no longer see as many targets before us, the fire was
+slackened considerably, and then some one on the outer lines of our
+defensive circle shouted:</p>
+
+<p>"They are bringin' up the Tories! Here come the Johnson Greens!"</p>
+
+<p>Although I was standing well in the centre of our force, it was possible
+to see the uniforms of that band of renegades which Sir John had armed and
+equipped that they might kill their neighbors, as the men came up to take
+the place of the retreating redskins, and, if anything had been needed to
+stiffen the backs of our people, surely they got it when seeing those whom
+they had once called friends, moving into line to compass their death.</p>
+
+<p>I had thought that the men under General Herkimer's command fought bravely
+after the cowards were weeded out, and those who were left understood
+that, but for the mutiny in camp, the ambush would not have been
+successful; but now they seemed like veritable tigers as the Tories came
+into the battle.</p>
+
+<p>There was no longer any thought of fighting from behind trees, but each
+man pushed forward intent only on vanquishing the renegades, until none
+save Sergeant Corney and I were left to guard our wounded commander.</p>
+
+<p>I will set down here that account of the battle from this point, which I
+found some time since in a book containing the story of the fight in the
+ravine, sometimes called the Battle of Oriskany:</p>
+
+<p>"Major Watts came up with a detachment of Johnson's Greens to support them
+(the savages), but the presence of these men, mostly refugees from the
+Mohawk, made the patriots more furious, and mutual resentments, as the
+parties faced and recognized each other, seemed to give new strength to
+their arms. They leaped upon each other with the fierceness of tigers, and
+fought hand to hand and foot to foot with bayonets and knives."</p>
+
+<p>While this portion of the battle was at its height, we suddenly heard the
+reports of firearms from the direction of the fort, and my heart leaped
+into my throat, for I understood that Colonel Gansevoort was making the
+sortie for which we should have waited.</p>
+
+<p>Nor was I the only one who thus realized that the Britishers and their
+painted allies were at the end of their rope, so far as this fight in the
+ravine was concerned, for our people pressed the foe yet more hotly, and
+in a short time the savages raised the cry of "Oonah! Oonah!" which told
+that they had had enough of the battle.</p>
+
+<p>So far as my experience goes, and I have had considerable from first to
+last, Indians are only brave when they have the advantage; but, let the
+tide turn against them, and they are veriest cowards.</p>
+
+<p>Hemmed in as we were, our ranks thinned by death and the desertion of the
+rear-guard, it should have been possible for the enemy to cut us down to a
+man, and yet the retreating cry of the savages sufficed to send all that
+force back to the encampment, leaving us in possession of the field, even
+though we might not rightly be called victors.</p>
+
+<p>Some of our people, upon whom the fever of battle had fastened more
+firmly, would have pursued the cowards, even though it might have been to
+come directly upon the main army, who were then, doubtless, engaged in
+checking the sortie from the fort; but General Herkimer sent a squad of
+the cooler soldiers after them, with the result that the valiant Johnson
+Greens were allowed to continue their retreat unmolested.</p>
+
+<p>And it was high time we had a breathing-spell. More than two hundred of
+General Herkimer's force lay dead among the trees, while even a larger
+number were so seriously wounded as to be unable to defend themselves,
+therefore it was impossible for us to act in concert with those who were
+making the sortie, and the commander issued orders to fall back.</p>
+
+<p>The contents of the baggage-wagons were thrown out to make room for our
+wounded, and, while the uproar of the battle near the fort rang in our
+ears, we retreated from that valley of death.</p>
+
+<p>Now those who had raised their voices against the general, accusing him of
+cowardice, did all within their power to make atonement by their care of
+him, and willing hands bore him on a litter that he might be spared the
+pain of transportation in the lumbering wagons.</p>
+
+<p>It was a sorry train that left the ravine, not stopping to bury the dead
+because of the certainty that St. Leger's army would come to finish the
+bloody work as soon as the force from the fort had been driven back, and
+when it was in motion Sergeant Corney gripped me by the arm, as he said:</p>
+
+<p>"Our road is not in that direction, lad. Yonder men may take the repose
+which they do not deserve after havin' brought about all this disaster;
+but we must face danger once more, an' perhaps for the last time."</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' that we're to go back in search of Jacob?" I asked, feeling for
+the moment as if it would be impossible for me to voluntarily turn my face
+in the direction of the enemy, now that I was no longer animated by the
+fever of battle.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, our duty is now toward him, havin' done all we may under General
+Herkimer's command. As I figger it, we're free to do as we choose, for we
+can no longer aid those who are goin' back when, but for rankest mutiny,
+they might have entered the fort amid the cheers of victory. If Colonel
+Gansevoort is forced to surrender, it can all be set down to the credit
+of those who howled so loudly this mornin' that they could march straight
+through the enemy's lines."</p>
+
+<p>"There is little hope we can find Jacob after so long a time has passed,"
+I said, thinking of the perils that must necessarily await us while we
+tried to make our way through Thayendanega's camp.</p>
+
+<p>"I grant you that, lad, an' yet we are bound to make the venture, or let
+it be said that we deserted a comrade when he needed us."</p>
+
+<p>"We did that same when we pressed on toward the fort," I suggested,
+feebly.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, an' because we were in duty bound to carry the general's message. Now
+that work has been done, we are free."</p>
+
+<p>I could not well say anything more against his plan without laying myself
+open to a charge of cowardice,--and at that moment I really was a
+coward,--therefore I stood ready to follow him.</p>
+
+<p>There were provisions in plenty strewn on the ground, having been thrown
+out of the wagons to make room for the wounded, and from such store
+Sergeant Corney gathered up as much as would serve us during four and
+twenty hours.</p>
+
+<p>This we stuffed into the pockets of our shirts; filled our powder-horns
+and bullet-pouches from the ammunition on the dead bodies, and then we
+were ready to leave that valley of death.</p>
+
+<p>All this while it was possible to hear the din of that battle which was
+being fought near the fort; but as we advanced it became evident that the
+conflict was subsiding.</p>
+
+<p>It would have been folly for the besieged to do other than beat a retreat,
+when it could be seen that General Herkimer's men were not in a position
+to take advantage of the sortie, and as soon as might be the brave fellows
+sought the shelter of the fort once more, leaving twenty of their comrades
+between the lines as victims of the mutiny among the Tryon County
+militiamen.</p>
+
+<p>Much to my surprise, Sergeant Corney appeared sadly disappointed when the
+tumult of battle died away, and I asked if he believed that the people
+from the fort should have made an attempt to inflict more punishment upon
+the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it, lad," the old soldier replied, promptly. "They have
+already done more than could have been expected; but yet I had a hope that
+the scrimmage would have lasted a bit longer."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" I asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Because we stand a better chance of circlin' around to where we left
+Jacob, while the villains have somethin' to keep 'em busy. Now there's no
+longer any need to fight, they'll likely keep sharper watch. Yet I count
+that Peter Sitz, if they haven't killed him already, has a bigger show of
+livin' a spell longer than he had last night."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it stands to reason that Thayendanega's beauties have taken more
+than one prisoner, an' will have a better supply of livin' material for
+the stake than before. Peter may be lucky enough to keep his hair a spell
+longer; but there'll be many a poor wretch who'll taste of torture this
+night."</p>
+
+<p>"An' perhaps Jacob may be one of them!" I cried, in an agony of
+apprehension, and from that moment it was not necessary the old soldier
+urge me forward, for I burned with the desire to do all I might to find
+our comrade before it should be too late.</p>
+
+<p>When we left the ravine in search of the lad, it was necessary we advance
+over much the same course as when we carried General Herkimer's message,
+and it was slightly in our favor that we knew fairly well at how great a
+distance from the general encampment of the enemy we must keep in order to
+avoid running into the Indians.</p>
+
+<p>Then, again, it seemed probable we had a better chance of making our way
+around this circle than when we first traversed it, because just at this
+time Thayendanega's villains had received such a drubbing at the hands of
+the patriots as would most likely prevent them from having any keen desire
+to come upon more white men.</p>
+
+<p>It was also probable, as Sergeant Corney had suggested, that they had
+taken a number of prisoners during the fight with the garrison of the
+fort, as well as at the ravine, and the murderous scoundrels would be so
+occupied with making preparations for torturing such poor unfortunates as
+to neglect their duties as St. Leger's allies.</p>
+
+<p>When I had thus viewed the situation, it did not appear such a difficult
+matter for us to gain a station to the southward of Thayendanega's
+encampment; but coming across Jacob was quite a different proposition.
+Finding a needle in a hay-stack seemed much more simple than running upon
+a lad who was doing his best to remain hidden from view, unless,
+perchance, he had already been captured.</p>
+
+<p>"It ain't any easy job, figger as you will," Sergeant Corney said, when I
+had put the situation before him from my point of view. "But I'm reckonin'
+that we're goin' to come somewhere near succeedin'. We can count on doin'
+pretty much as we please from now till to-morrow mornin', providin' we
+don't stick our noses into the camps of the Britishers or Tories, for you
+can set it down as a fact that every red-faced wretch will have
+considerable on hand this night. The only trouble will be that we may have
+to keep within cover while they're torturin' some poor fellow under our
+very shadows. You'll have to keep in mind that Peter an' Jacob Sitz are
+the only white men we're after, an' shut both eyes an' ears to every one
+else."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose Jacob has been made prisoner? Would you risk your life to save
+him?"</p>
+
+<p>The old man made no reply until I had repeated the question, and then he
+said, slowly:</p>
+
+<p>"If there was any show of bein' able to work the trick, you could count
+on me to the end; but if he <i>has</i> fallen into their clutches, unless some
+wonderfully big turn of affairs comes in our path, we would be only
+throwin' away the lives of both without chance of helpin' him. I've heard
+long-tongued boasters tellin' how they'd rescued a prisoner from an Indian
+camp, but I never believed anything of the kind, for it ain't to be done
+more'n one time in a thousand, an' then you'd have to find a lot of
+red-skinned idjuts to work on."</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney had used a good many words in replying to my short
+question, and I believed he had done so to the end that I might not fully
+understand what he meant.</p>
+
+<p>As I made it out, however, he would turn his back on poor Jacob in case
+the savages had him in their power, and I asked myself again and again
+what course I should pursue in such a situation.</p>
+
+<p>We made a long d&eacute;tour around the battle-field in order to avoid as much as
+possible the danger of stumbling upon the enemy's scouts, and, when the
+afternoon was half-spent, had come, as nearly as we could guess, to a
+point due south from Thayendanega's camp.</p>
+
+<p>"How far do you reckon we are from St. Leger's force?" I asked, when
+Sergeant Corney threw himself on the ground within shelter of a clump of
+bushes, as if for a long halt.</p>
+
+<p>"Three miles or more from their lines of sentinels, if they've got any
+out, an' we're none too far away, 'cordin' to my figgerin'. After sunset
+we'll work in toward 'em; but there needn't be any hurry, for I'm
+reckonin' that we don't want to do much work till after midnight. If Jacob
+is still free to do as he pleases, there's little danger he'll come to
+grief 'twixt now an' mornin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Unless he should see them torturin' his father, an' then it's certain
+he'd make a fight, no matter how great the odds against him," I suggested,
+thinking of what I would be tempted to do under similar circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>"In that case we're better off where we are. I don't allow that a lad has
+any right to deliberately throw away his own life, an' that's what Jacob
+would be doin' if he showed himself when the villains had his father at
+the stake."</p>
+
+<p>"He couldn't stand still an' see it done."</p>
+
+<p>"True for you; but, no matter how he might feel, it's his duty to think of
+his mother, an' surely she would say that it was better one came home,
+than for both to be killed."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a mighty hard outlook," I said, with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"You're right, an' at the same time you ain't makin' matters any better by
+chewin' it over. A man don't fit himself for a fight by figgerin' out all
+the possible horrors."</p>
+
+<p>"An' you think we'll have a fight before this venture is ended?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll leave it to you if somethin' of the kind don't seem reasonable,"
+the old man replied, grimly, and then he set about making a dinner from
+the supply of provisions we had found in the ravine.</p>
+
+<p>After that I made no more effort to keep up a conversation, and tried very
+hard to force from my mind any speculations regarding Jacob and his
+father, but with poor success. It seemed as if every subject had some
+bearing upon the matter, and so disagreeable was the constant harking back
+to what was beyond my control, that I really felt glad when the shadows of
+night began to lengthen, for almost any kind of action was better than
+remaining there in hiding, eating one's heart out.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney gave no sign that he realized night had come, until I
+called his attention to the fact, and then he said:</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, the time is drawin' nigh; but I reckon that we'll be wise to
+hold on as we are a spell longer."</p>
+
+<p>Then he lay back as if bent on going to sleep, and I held my peace,
+determined to say no more even though he remained there until sunrise.</p>
+
+<p>It must have been ten o'clock before he showed signs of life, and then he
+rose to his feet as he said:</p>
+
+<p>"I allow that we'd better be movin', though there ain't any great need of
+hurryin'. We'll be able to cover three miles in an hour, an' even then be
+a bit early for good work."</p>
+
+<p>"How will you set about findin' Jacob?" I asked, giving words to the
+question which had been in my mind ever since we came to a halt.</p>
+
+<p>"Our only chance is to keep movin' nearabout Thayendanega's camp, an'
+trustin' to accident for comin' across him."</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney strapped his rifle on his back, as if believing he would
+have no use for it; but he made certain his knife was loose in its sheath,
+and I understood that if we had trouble it would be at close quarters.</p>
+
+<p>At last we were ready, and this time the sergeant did not propose that I
+lead the way.</p>
+
+<p>He strode off in advance, with never a glance backward to see if I was
+following, and in silence we went on toward the danger-point at a swift
+pace, until the old man halted to say, in a whisper:</p>
+
+<p>"There should be sentinels nearabout, unless Thayendanega believes he has
+killed all the decent men in the Mohawk Valley; so have your wits about
+you, lad, for a mistake now will cost us dearly."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch09"></a>Chapter IX.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Indian Camp.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>I claim that it is nothing to my discredit when I say that there was a
+great fear in my heart while we advanced at a snail's pace, after having
+come to that point where we might reasonably expect the Indian sentinels
+would be posted.</p>
+
+<p>In the darkness, moving amidst the dense foliage, where it required the
+utmost care to avoid betraying one's whereabouts, advancing blindly into
+you knew not what peril, was well calculated to make even the most
+courageous feel a bit timid.</p>
+
+<p>At any moment we might literally stumble over a party of warriors in such
+numbers that there could be no possibility of making our escape, and in
+case we should come face to face with no more than four or five of the
+enemy, it would be well-nigh useless to show fight, because of the
+hundreds everywhere around who could be summoned to the assistance of
+their comrades.</p>
+
+<p>Before we had advanced an hundred paces, I became convinced that it was
+impossible we should be able to reconnoitre the camp and return to the
+point from where we had set out without being killed, or, what was worse,
+taken prisoner, and yet, had I known for a certainty that such fate
+awaited us, I would not have let Sergeant Corney know of my unwillingness
+to follow him.</p>
+
+<p>Sorely did I blame Jacob for having forced us into such a position of
+danger, when there was little hope any good could be effected by our
+coming, and more than once I promised myself that, if by any fortunate
+chance I succeeded in arriving at Cherry Valley again, no one could tempt
+me to leave it.</p>
+
+<p>It was useless, however, to mourn over what could not be cured. We had
+come there voluntarily, and, unless both of us were willing to write
+ourselves down as cowards, must perform the task.</p>
+
+<p>It was well-nigh midnight before we heard anything of the enemy, and then
+a faint hum of voices in the distance told that Sergeant Corney had led
+the way truly and wonderfully well. Never again would I say that he was
+not thoroughly versed in woodcraft.</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier gripped my arm to make certain I understood that we had
+come near to the enemy, and then inch by inch we moved forward, halting a
+few moments every time we incautiously caused a rustling among the
+foliage.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a
+huge fire"]</p>
+
+<p>How long that slow progress continued I cannot rightly say; but it seemed
+to me as if the morning was near at hand when we were arrived, having
+miraculously passed such stragglers, scouts, or sentinels as might have
+been in the vicinity, at a point where we could have a view of this
+particular portion of the encampment.</p>
+
+<p>Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a huge fire,
+while half as many more were feasting, preparing their own food by cutting
+it from the carcasses of two oxen which lay near at hand, and broiling it
+on the live coals.</p>
+
+<p>I knew sufficient of savage customs to understand that, if there had been
+any torturing of prisoners during the evening, such fiendish work was at
+an end, and that which we were witnessing was but the ending of the
+barbarous sport.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was that I mentally thanked Sergeant Corney for having delayed so
+long before starting, for it would have been agony indeed had we been
+forced to witness the horrible spectacle of a white man suffering under
+the knives and by the fire of these wolves in human form.</p>
+
+<p>We remained there stretched out at full length on the ground, with no
+possibility of gaining information which might be of service to us in the
+future, ten minutes or more, and then, suddenly, I was forced to exert all
+my will-power to prevent a scream of fear from escaping my lips, for what
+was unmistakably a human foot had been planted directly upon my leg.</p>
+
+<p>Like a flash, after I succeeded in restraining myself from giving an
+alarm, came the knowledge, I know not how, that he who had stumbled upon
+me was no less frightened than I, and, clutching Sergeant Corney's leg
+nervously to attract his attention, I sprang upon the newcomer, believing
+him to be some Indian straggler whom it was absolutely necessary we should
+silence in order to save our own lives.</p>
+
+<p>So quick had been my motions that the fellow had no opportunity to get
+away, save at the cost of betraying himself to us, and by what seemed to
+be the most fortunate chance, I succeeded, when leaping blindly forward,
+in gripping him by the throat.</p>
+
+<p>We went down together, I on top striving most earnestly to strangle him to
+death, and he fighting quite as strenuously to throw off my hold.</p>
+
+<p>Before one could have counted ten I began to realize that this stranger
+who was at my mercy appeared quite as much afraid of making a noise as did
+I, and involuntarily my grasp was loosened ever so slightly, for I
+understood that had it been an Indian he would have done his best to
+attract the attention of those near the camp-fire.</p>
+
+<p>With this thought came the knowledge that I had beneath me one clad much
+like myself, and not the half-naked body of such villains as marched in
+Thayendanega's train.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was, and just as Sergeant Corney came up to us, that I loosened my
+grasp entirely in order to pass my hands over the stranger's face and
+head.</p>
+
+<p>There were no feathers, no daubs of paint, which should have been
+apparent to the touch, and I whispered, with my mouth close to the
+fellow's ear, while yet pinioning his arms in such a fashion that he could
+not well move:</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"A white man," came the reply, the words sounding thick and muffled
+because of the squeezing which the speaker's throat had received.</p>
+
+<p>Then like a flash came to me that which I should have suspected before!</p>
+
+<p>It was my comrade for whom we had been searching that I was grappling
+with, and, just as the old soldier knelt by my side knife in hand to put
+an end to the struggle, I whispered, for the darkness was so intense that
+I could not even see the face which was but a few inches from my own:</p>
+
+<p>"Are you Jacob Sitz?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay; an' you?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is the sergeant an' Noel, lad, an' right glad am I that we came to
+know each other just as we did, else would your blood have been on our
+hands."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob apparently gave no heed to the close shave which had been his, so
+great was the delight at knowing we were with him once more, and we three
+sat with our heads close together in order that we might question and be
+questioned without fear of betraying our whereabouts.</p>
+
+<p>"Where have you been all this time?" I asked, and Jacob replied, softly:</p>
+
+<p>"Hangin' around this camp. Twice have I come near bein' discovered, an'
+of a verity I believed, when you clutched my throat, that this was the
+last--the endin' of it all."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen your father?" Sergeant Corney asked, and the lad replied,
+triumphantly:</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, an' had speech with him."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"In a lodge near Thayendanega's, an' until to-night there has been no
+great danger he would be tortured, as I believe because of the sachem's
+promise that he shall not be killed."</p>
+
+<p>"How did you get to speak with him?" I asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Within three hours after leavin' you I was hereabout, an' saw him. That
+night I crept through the village undiscovered, for even the dogs failed
+to bark at me, I know not why, an' there talked with my father as I now
+talk with you."</p>
+
+<p>"If you got away, why could not he have done the same?" I asked, surprised
+that Jacob should have succeeded in making his way among the lodges.</p>
+
+<p>"I urged him to make the attempt, but he claimed that there was no hope we
+two could leave the village undiscovered. First he was bound hand an'
+foot, an', although I might have cut my way through the lodge to release
+him from the fetters, he forbade it because of the risk, sayin' I must not
+endanger my life on account of mother, an' insistin' that at some future
+time escape would be more easy than then. He ordered me to go home at
+once, providin' I could not find you, an' I would have done so this night
+but for the battle of the mornin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did that stop you?" I asked. "Surely you had no part in it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; but the savages were so infuriated that I feared even Thayendanega
+himself would be unable to prevent the wretches from leadin' my father to
+the stake, therefore I remained on watch. Three prisoners have been
+murdered in a most barbarous manner, but yet he was left unmolested in the
+lodge. Have you somethin' to eat?"</p>
+
+<p>I took from my pocket all the food remaining, and the lad devoured it like
+one famished, whereupon Sergeant Corney asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Have you had nothin' to eat since we left you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I gathered some roots an' berries, but not enough to satisfy my hunger."</p>
+
+<p>"An' yet you would have stayed here longer in danger of starvation?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, until havin' satisfied myself that father was as safe as one can be
+who remains in the power of such as are encamped here. Did you come for no
+other purpose than to find me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothin' more," I said, not minded to let him know that if he could show
+any reasonable chance of rescuing Peter Sitz it was our purpose to give
+him aid.</p>
+
+<p>"Where have you been all this while?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is too long a story to tell now," Sergeant Corney interrupted. "If
+the savages are not likely to do more than dance from now till mornin', we
+may as well find a shelter in which to spend the morrow, an' then I'm of
+the opinion that the three of us had best make tracks for Cherry Valley,
+as Jacob's father advised."</p>
+
+<p>As he ceased speaking, Sergeant Corney would have led us out of the
+thicket; but Jacob whispered, softly:</p>
+
+<p>"Not half a mile away is a small cave--no more than a hole in the
+hillside, an' there we may remain hidden durin' the hours of daylight."</p>
+
+<p>"Lead the way, an' we will follow," the old man said, in a tone of
+command, and straightway Jacob did as he was thus ordered.</p>
+
+<p>Knowing, as the lad did, very nearly where the Indians might be found, we
+advanced with reasonable rapidity, until having come to the place of which
+he had spoken.</p>
+
+<p>It was indeed no more than a hole in the ground, and so small that when we
+three were lying at full length inside with our heads toward the opening,
+it would have been a very small cat who could have found a chance to lie
+down comfortably with us.</p>
+
+<p>Some bushes and a tangle of creeping vines hid the entrance most
+admirably; but, after we were once inside, I questioned to myself whether
+we had not been reckless in coming directly to this place without taking
+precautions to cover our footprints, for, should a keen-eyed savage chance
+to see our trail, there was good reason for believing he would follow it
+up.</p>
+
+<p>However, we were there, and the mischief might not be undone readily,
+therefore I held my peace, saying mentally that if Sergeant Corney and
+Jacob were satisfied with having taken no especial precautions, then of a
+verity ought I, the least experienced in woodcraft of the three, be
+content.</p>
+
+<p>When Jacob had eaten all the small store of provisions which I gave him
+without having apparently satisfied his hunger, he insisted on our telling
+him what we had done since he left us, and I related the story much as it
+is set down here, spending a full hour in the recital.</p>
+
+<p>When I had finally come to an end, the old soldier proposed that as soon
+as another day had passed we should turn our faces toward Cherry Valley,
+for, after receiving the commands of his father, Jacob could do no less
+than go home.</p>
+
+<p>I understood full well that the lad would have encountered any danger or
+suffered every privation rather than leave this place where his father was
+held prisoner, even though there was little or no hope he could aid him;
+but yet he did not argue against the plan, and thus was it settled that
+when night came again we would start on our journey.</p>
+
+<p>"Save for the fact that father himself insisted I should go, no one could
+force me to leave here," Jacob said, after a long pause, and Sergeant
+Corney added, soothingly, saying that which I question if he himself
+really believed:</p>
+
+<p>"You can do no better, lad. If Thayendanega has given his word to save
+your father's life, so will it be, despite all the howlin' wolves in his
+followin'. But if you should stay here and be discovered tryin' to rescue
+him, there is little doubt that it would result in the death of both."</p>
+
+<p>With that we fell silent once more, and I was right glad of an opportunity
+to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob insisted that the old soldier and I give ourselves up to slumber
+while he kept guard, for he did not need the rest as much as we.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was that I slept soundly and sweetly until a full hour past
+noon, and when I awakened the sergeant was peering out through the leafy
+curtain in front of the cave, while Jacob was enjoying his turn at sleep.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you see the camp?" I asked, wriggling forward until my head was close
+beside his, and then it was not necessary he should make reply, for we had
+from this place of vantage a fairly good view of the red-skinned portion
+of St. Leger's army.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that the trees and bushes screened certain portions of the
+encampment, but the greater number of the lodges were in a clearing, and
+Sergeant Corney pointed out to me that shelter which Jacob had told him
+was the one where his father was confined.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians were lounging about lazily, some stretched at full length
+sleeping, others gathered in little companies, squatting on the ground as
+they smoked and talked, and not a few moving slowly to and fro; but never
+one who appeared to have any business on hand.</p>
+
+<p>There were both women and children in the camp, which struck me as being
+odd, for when savages set off on the war-path it is not customary for them
+to take their families; but I explained this peculiar state of affairs to
+myself by the supposition that the women had been brought that they might
+do the work, which is deemed unfitting a warrior.</p>
+
+<p>"Jacob counts on payin' one more visit to his father before we start,"
+Sergeant Corney said to me, when, having wearied with gazing at the scene,
+I turned away.</p>
+
+<p>"To what end?" I asked, with somewhat of irritation, for it did not seem
+to me wise the lad should run the chances of capture when nothing was to
+be effected by taking such risks.</p>
+
+<p>"Only that he may speak with him."</p>
+
+<p>"But it is folly!" I said, sharply. "It has been possible for him to go
+into the village twice; but of a certainty it cannot be done many times in
+safety."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, lad, an' yet how can we refuse him? Fancy if your father
+was in the same tight place, an' ask yourself if, when about to turn your
+back on him, perhaps forever, the desire to hold converse with him once
+more would not be stronger than the fear of disaster?"</p>
+
+<p>To this I could make no reply, as a matter of course; yet I was still
+firmly convinced that it was a foolhardy venture. If there had been a
+possibility of his doing the prisoner any good, then would I have said
+that we would stay on until further efforts were of no avail. As it was,
+however, Peter Sitz himself had said it was wiser for Jacob to go, and
+surely he, the most interested and the most experienced in such matters,
+should be the judge.</p>
+
+<p>I held my tongue, even though rebelling against the scheme, because of
+knowing that the lad was prompted only by love, and yet my heart grew
+heavy within me, until I had become convinced that something of evil would
+follow.</p>
+
+<p>So disturbed was I in mind that it was impossible to close my eyes in
+slumber again, even though knowing that my best preparation for the
+journey would consist in getting all the rest I could.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney had fallen into what seemed to me a moody silence; I
+looked out now and then at the painted forms of those human wolves, who
+would lay waste our happy valley, and wished most fervently that I had the
+power to destroy them all with one blow.</p>
+
+<p>When one has seen, as have I, women and children butchered in the most
+fiendish manner which a wicked man can devise, he cannot consider
+bloodthirsty the person who would, if he could, wipe out the entire race.
+It would only be an act of mercy to the colonists, who lived in momentary
+fear, not so much of sudden death as of barbarous torture.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob slept until nightfall, and when he awakened the first thought in his
+mind was to set off on his dangerous and useless venture; but Sergeant
+Corney advised that he wait until the night was well advanced, and to this
+I agreed, although chafing against the expenditure of time, because he
+would but have ensured his own capture had he ventured among the wretches
+while the entire encampment was astir.</p>
+
+<p>We did not have supper for the very good reason that we had no provisions,
+but buckled our belts a bit tighter, because already was hunger beginning
+to assail us.</p>
+
+<p>As we waited for the lengthening of the night, Jacob went over in detail
+his experiences while Sergeant Corney and I were with General Herkimer,
+and this served to make the time seemingly pass more swiftly.</p>
+
+<p>The savages evidently had no fiendish sport on their programme for this
+evening, most likely because of having exhausted themselves the night
+previous, and at a reasonably early hour this portion of St. Leger's army
+was in a comparative state of quietude.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, if ever, is the time when you can go, lad; but remember that I
+advise against it, as would your father," Sergeant Corney said, gravely.
+"I am not minded to argue you out of what your heart is set upon, but ask
+that you give the matter due weight before goin' so far that retreat will
+be impossible."</p>
+
+<p>"I must speak with my father once more," Jacob said, in a tone so piteous
+that I did not have the heart to make any protest.</p>
+
+<p>"Then God go with you," the old soldier said, solemnly, and in a twinkling
+my comrade had slipped out of the cave, being lost to our view almost
+immediately amid the foliage near at hand.</p>
+
+<p>When we were thus left alone a silence fell upon us. Because of the
+forebodings in my heart I was not inclined for conversation, and I dare
+venture to say the sergeant held his peace for much the same reason.</p>
+
+<p>During half an hour, perhaps, we listened intently, fearing each instant
+lest we hear those sounds which would betoken the capture of Jacob, and
+then did it seem probable he had succeeded in the venture, at least so far
+as gaining the village was concerned.</p>
+
+<p>Regarding him I had no further anxiety, and, without being aware that
+slumber was weighing heavily upon my eyelids, I fell asleep.</p>
+
+<p>I could not have been unconscious many moments, for it seemed as if my
+eyes had but just closed, when I was aroused by the pressure of Sergeant
+Corney's hand upon my arm, and as I would have sprung up he forced me
+down, whispering:</p>
+
+<p>"The savages are comin' this way, an' it looks to me mightily as if they
+counted on stoppin' hereabouts."
+
+Involuntarily I parted the vines at the mouth of the cave, for I had been
+lying with my head close upon them, and gazed down the side of the small
+hill, where it was possible to see, even despite the gloom of the night,
+no less than ten forms coming up the incline as if following a trail.</p>
+
+<p>"They have taken Jacob, an' he has told them where we are," I said on the
+impulse of the moment, not meaning to cast reproach upon the lad, but
+knowing what fiendish means those wretches employed in order to extort
+information.</p>
+
+<p>"We would have heard the noise of a squabble if he had been captured, an'
+I have stood watch ever since he left," Sergeant Corney said, decidedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Can they be followin' our trail in the darkness?" I cried, and my
+companion replied, grimly, drawing his rifle nearer to him:</p>
+
+<p>"It makes no difference to us, lad, why or how they are comin'. The
+question is whether, in case they find this place, we shall fight to the
+death or submit without resistance."</p>
+
+<p>It was a question I could not answer. I knew full well that we could not
+hope to hold the cave any considerable length of time, and that if, during
+the fight, we killed any of the villains, our end at the stake would come
+before morning, even though Thayendanega himself should do all he might to
+prevent it.</p>
+
+<p>I remained silent, the Indians approaching nearer and nearer each instant,
+and, when they were half-way up the hill, within perhaps thirty yards of
+the mouth of the cave, the sergeant said, as if speaking to himself:</p>
+
+<p>"All we can hope for, if we should put up a fight, is to die with weapons
+in our hands, for death in some form would come to us within a few hours.
+While there's life there's a chance."</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' that we had best give ourselves up?" I asked, in alarm.
+
+"Ay, lad, that is my idee, unless you can show me something better."</p>
+
+<p>There was little time for reflection. Already were the Indians so near
+that I fancied I could hear them breathing. I knew that the cave had no
+other outlet than this one at which we crouched, but also that two
+determined men might hold half an hundred in check as long as their
+ammunition lasted--but then?</p>
+
+<p>The foremost of the red-skinned snakes were within a dozen feet of us when
+I whispered, with tremulous voice:</p>
+
+<p>"It shall be as you say, sergeant!"</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "With upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of
+foliage"]</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch10"></a>Chapter X.</h2>
+
+<h3>Prisoners.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>I believe if at that critical moment I had decided it was best we hold the
+cave against the foe, regardless of the ultimate consequence, Sergeant
+Corney would have done my bidding. But immediately I declared myself
+willing to act as he thought best, the old man threw down his rifle, and,
+with upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of foliage into the
+very arms of those who were coming up the slope.</p>
+
+<p>Just for one instant there was in my mind the thought that I might slink
+back into the further end of the cave, and possibly escape detection,
+unless it so chanced that the savages knew exactly how many were hidden
+there. But, fortunately, before there was time to do anything so cowardly,
+a realization of what it meant to thus hang back when I had spoken the
+words which sent my comrade forward came upon me with full force, and I
+followed him so closely that he could not have had any suspicion of that
+which, for the merest fraction of time, found lodgment in my heart.</p>
+
+<p>It was too dark for me to see the look of triumph on the faces of our
+captors; but I knew they wore such expressions, because of the cries of
+satisfaction and shouts of delight which burst from them when we, unarmed,
+stood in their midst.</p>
+
+<p>I was satisfied in my own mind that they had seen the trail, even in the
+darkness, which had been made when we three entered the cave, or by Jacob
+as he went out, and had followed it rather from curiosity than the belief
+that white men were in the vicinity.</p>
+
+<p>This idea of mine, although there was in it nothing favoring to us, gave
+me no little relief of mind, for it led to the conclusion that Jacob was
+yet free.</p>
+
+<p>After the first outburst of rejoicing at having taken two captives at a
+time and in a place where they least expected to find them, the Indians
+set about securing us in the most businesslike manner.</p>
+
+<p>Some one of the party brought strips of rawhide, by which our hands and
+arms were bound tightly to our sides, and with so large a surrounding that
+it would have been impossible to escape even had we been unfettered, they
+led us down to the village, where we were greeted by the squaws and the
+children with fiendish cries of delight.</p>
+
+<p>I knew enough of savage customs to understand that we would be forced to
+submit to a certain amount of ill-treatment from the female portion of the
+band before the warriors decided upon our fate, and nerved myself to bear
+it as best I might, realizing that any show of weakness at such a time
+would work to our disadvantage later.</p>
+
+<p>We were tied to a tree, Sergeant Corney on one side and I on the other,
+within twenty paces of Thayendanega's lodge, where the light of the
+camp-fire shone full upon us.</p>
+
+<p>The braves of the tribe seated themselves in a circle, as if holding a
+council to determine our fate, while the squaws and the young boys amused
+themselves by holding stout sticks in the fire until one end was a living
+coal, and then placing these against our hands, until the pain was so
+great that only by summoning all my strength of will could I prevent
+myself from screaming.</p>
+
+<p>Even at such a time, when our lives were literally hanging in the balance,
+I found somewhat of comfort in the thought that Sergeant Corney was with
+me, and not very far away Peter Sitz could probably see us.</p>
+
+<p>It may be difficult to understand why knowledge of that kind should serve
+to cheer one at such a horrible moment, and I myself cannot explain it. It
+simply remains a fact that I seemed in less danger of being murdered than
+if I had been the only prisoner in the encampment.</p>
+
+<p>"It's plain that Jacob was not captured, else we would see him near by,"
+Sergeant Corney said to me, and I tried my best to enter into conversation
+with him, to the end that I might in some slight degree take my mind from
+the torture which, perhaps, was but a foretaste of what I would be forced
+to suffer.</p>
+
+<p>"He will be overcome with grief on knowin' that by lingerin' to speak once
+more with his father we were captured, an' I fear the lad may be led to
+some foolishly reckless move," I said, at the same moment trying to stifle
+a groan.</p>
+
+<p>"If he will but stop a moment to rigger the matter out, he'll understand
+that only by keepin' clear of this camp can he hope to help us," the old
+man replied, and I asked, sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really believe, sergeant, that any one can aid us now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Tut, tut, lad; do not give yourself up for dead yet awhile. So long as
+there's life there's a chance. Peter Sitz has been in the clutches of
+these villains many a day, an' yet, 'cordin' to Jacob's story, he's as
+sound an' hearty as when he left Cherry Valley."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay; but his life has been saved because Joseph Brant knew him before the
+dream of bein' made great sachem of the Six Nations turned that redskin
+into the most bloodthirsty of savages."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet had you been in Peter Sitz's place when he was first taken prisoner,
+your despair would likely have been as great as it seems to be now."</p>
+
+<p>I knew that Sergeant Corney would say many things which he himself did not
+believe, if he thought thereby he might strengthen my courage for the
+terrible ordeal which was probably before us; therefore his words of
+cheer had less weight than might otherwise have been the case.</p>
+
+<p>Not until it seemed to me every square inch of my hands had been burned to
+a blister, and there was a livid, red mark across my forehead, where an
+old hag had scorched me with a burning brand, did the squaws tire of their
+cruel sport, and then we were left comparatively alone, with sufficient of
+pain to keep us so keenly alive to the situation that weariness of body
+did not make itself apparent.</p>
+
+<p>"We came to aid Jacob, and now ourselves are standing in need of
+assistance," I said, bitterly, for this seemed like the irony of fate.</p>
+
+<p>"True for you, lad, an' yet we won't look at it in that light. But for
+marvellous good luck we would have been made prisoners before this,
+therefore let us reckon it simply as the fortune of war, and not count
+Jacob the cause of our trouble."</p>
+
+<p>I would have replied yet more bitterly than before, but for the fact that
+at the moment it so chanced my eyes were fixed upon the lodge wherein our
+comrade had said his father was held prisoner, and I saw the flap pulled
+cautiously aside.</p>
+
+<p>Then the face of a man could be seen close to the ground, and I said,
+eagerly, to my companion, who, perforce, had his head turned in the
+opposite direction:</p>
+
+<p>"Peter Sitz is lookin' at us."</p>
+
+<p>"I would he had remained ignorant of our whereabouts," Sergeant Corney
+muttered, and I asked, in surprise:</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because, in addition to his own sufferin', he must believe that we've
+been brought to this plight through tryin' to aid him, an' it only serves
+to make his troubles greater, without lessenin' ours."</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney was rapidly becoming a hero in my eyes, for surely it is a
+brave man who, when he stands in most imminent danger, can think rather of
+others than himself.</p>
+
+<p>We spoke but little from this time on, the sergeant and I. The rawhides,
+which were tied so tightly as to nearly stop the circulation of blood,
+were eating their way into our flesh, and the pain thus caused became
+greater than the smarting of the blisters raised by the burning brands.</p>
+
+<p>We knew that those who formed that circle of painted forms but a short
+distance away were deciding whether we be put to torture immediately, or
+reserved for some especial time of rejoicing, and there grew upon me such
+a fascination as is sometimes brought about by keenest peril, until I
+almost forgot the desperate situation as I watched those who held our fate
+in their hands, trying to discover from the expression on their hideous
+faces what might be the result of the conference.</p>
+
+<p>As the moments passed I sank into a sort of apathy, until it was as if
+some other lad's fate trembled in the balance, and I myself was looking
+down upon the encampment from a secure place of refuge.</p>
+
+<p>The fires burned dim. One by one Thayendanega's heathens stalked away to
+his lodge, until the council was finally brought to a close; a deep
+silence came over the encampment, as if all, save that white face which I
+could see just beneath the flap of the lodge in front of me, and we two
+who were bound to the tree, were wrapped in slumber.</p>
+
+<p>"We can count on remainin' alive at least until to-morrow night," Sergeant
+Corney said, as if imparting some cheering information, "for these
+wretches do not torture a prisoner in the daytime."</p>
+
+<p>"Unless some change is made speedily I will not be in their power, for of
+a verity I am dyin', Sergeant Corney," I said, and he, thinking, of
+course, to cheer me, laughed almost merrily as he replied:</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, lad, you are a long ways from bein' dead. I allow your body is
+numbed, but that's all. If these strips of rawhide were slackened a bit,
+you'd soon find yourself feelin' as well as ever, save, perchance, for the
+blisters upon your hands."</p>
+
+<p>"If we <i>could</i> stretch them a bit," I cried, trying vainly to change the
+position of my arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, but you can't, lad, an' by makin' the effort you'll only cause them
+to bind the tighter."</p>
+
+<p>How that long night passed I cannot well say. The agony of mind, together
+with the bodily pain, benumbed all my senses until I was like one in a
+trance, hearing nothing, seeing nothing, save the gleam of that white
+face beneath the flap of the lodge where Peter Sitz kept mournful watch
+upon us.</p>
+
+<p>The morning came, and like one under the influence of some hideous
+nightmare I became aware that the savages were loosening the rawhide
+thongs. Faintly, with but little curiosity regarding the matter, I
+wondered if we were to be killed at once, regardless of the usual customs
+of such wretches.</p>
+
+<p>When the bonds had been removed the sergeant and I sank down upon the
+ground helpless, unable to move hand or foot, and in that condition we
+were dragged into the lodge where was Jacob's father.</p>
+
+<p>There we were bound quite as securely and cruelly as before, the thongs
+cutting fresh welts into our wrists and ankles; but the relief caused by
+the change of position was so great that it seemed as if I had every
+reason for thankfulness.</p>
+
+<p>Here, when our captors had made certain we could not by any possibility
+escape, we were left alone with Peter Sitz, and his first question was as
+to why we had ventured within reach of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney, minded to save our neighbor from the self-reproach which
+might be his if he knew we were in such plight through desire to aid his
+son or himself, replied that we had been sent into the vicinity by General
+Herkimer, and then explained how we came across Jacob, as well was the
+manner in which we had been taken prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>"Will they torture us to death?" I asked, giving words to that question
+which had been uppermost in my mind from the moment we saw the painted
+sneaks approaching the cave, and Master Sitz replied, with a painful
+effort at cheerfulness:</p>
+
+<p>"It's for you to believe that they won't, lad. Remember how long I've been
+in their power, an' yet have come to no real harm, so far as life is
+concerned, although this bein' trussed up like a chicken ready for the
+roastin' is by no means pleasant or comfortable."</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that Sergeant Corney, minded as I now believe only to change
+the subject of conversation, asked Master Sitz why it was we had failed to
+see him during the march from Cherry Valley to the Indian village.</p>
+
+<p>The explanation was simple, and at the same time served to show, to my
+mind at least, that Jacob's father would not be led to the stake.</p>
+
+<p>It seems that when he was first captured, at the time Lieutenant Wormwood
+was killed, he came face to face with Thayendanega, and that savage
+recognized him at once, speaking in such a friendly tone that Master Sitz
+immediately appealed for mercy.</p>
+
+<p>The sachem declared that if he remained with the war party it might be
+impossible to save him, and even went so far in his friendliness as to
+explain that it were better he be sent ahead to the Indian village, for,
+having once arrived at that place, there was little fear of the warriors
+demanding his death until on some especial occasion.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore, within half an hour after having been made prisoner, Master
+Sitz was being hurried forward to Oghkwaga, under charge of two savages,
+and was well on his journey before we started.</p>
+
+<p>When, immediately after the interview with General Herkimer, Thayendanega
+hurried his tribe on to join St. Leger's forces, he so far submitted to
+the demands of his followers as to allow them to take Peter Sitz on the
+war-path with them.</p>
+
+<p>"More than once have the red devils insisted on torturin' me; but each
+time Joseph Brant has prevented them, although I question if he could have
+done so but for the unfortunate men who were captured in the battle with
+General Herkimer's troops."</p>
+
+<p>Peter Sitz ceased speaking very suddenly, and I had not the courage to ask
+him how those prisoners suffered; I could imagine that they came to a most
+horrible end, and knew that my worst picturing of it would fall far short
+of the reality.</p>
+
+<p>Then Jacob's father spoke of the possibility that we might escape with our
+lives; but it was evident he did so with an effort, and I had it in mind
+that he only tried to cheer me, while he was convinced that his end, as
+well as ours, would come at the stake before the siege was finished.</p>
+
+<p>And now I do not propose to make any effort at giving in detail all that
+occurred while we lay cruelly bound, during a greater portion of the time,
+in this lodge, situate almost in the centre of the Indian camp.</p>
+
+<p>For eight days we were kept thus close prisoners, without a ray of hope,
+and then came the unexpected.</p>
+
+<p>At least once in every twenty-four hours, and sometimes twice, the bonds
+were taken from our arms that we might feed ourselves on such food as
+savages cast to their dogs. Perhaps thrice in that long term of captivity
+were we permitted to walk around the lodge, and, save for that short
+respite from our suffering, I believe of a verity we would have lost the
+use of our limbs.</p>
+
+<p>Half-starved, suffering oftentimes the keenest pangs of thirst, and
+believing that all this torture was the preface to something yet worse, it
+can well be imagined that we were indeed a sorry party. Even Sergeant
+Corney ceased trying to animate us, for despair had seized upon him.</p>
+
+<p>When we did hold converse among ourselves, it was usually regarding Jacob.
+We had neither seen nor heard anything of the lad since the hour he left
+us in the cave to get speech with his father, and it was to me wondrous
+strange that he who had been so eager when there was but one prisoner, had
+apparently lost all desire to render aid after two more had been captured.</p>
+
+<p>During the first two or three days we believed he was skulking around
+somewhere near at hand, with the vain hope that he might be able to effect
+our escape; but as the time passed on it became certain that such could
+not be the case, otherwise he would have succeeded in making his way to
+the lodge, as he had done when his father was the only occupant of it.</p>
+
+<p>So far as I could make out, there was no more vigilant guard kept after we
+were taken than before, and the lad must have succeeded in getting speech
+with us had he made the effort during those times when the savages gave
+themselves up to dancing or feasting, as occurred at least once in every
+eight and forty hours.</p>
+
+<p>Then we decided he had gone in search of General Herkimer's men, thinking
+to enlist a sufficient number of them in our behalf; but if such had been
+the case we should have heard something from him, at least when eight days
+were passed, and after that time we made no mention of the lad, believing
+he had been discovered near the encampment and killed outright.</p>
+
+<p>And now it must be understood that during all this time St. Leger's army
+was laying close siege to Fort Schuyler, and, strange as it may seem, we,
+closely confined in that lodge of skins, had a fairly good idea of what
+was happening.</p>
+
+<p>More than one of the Indians spoke English, and, not unfrequently, the
+Tories or British officers came to visit Thayendanega in his own lodge,
+when we could overhear a goodly portion of the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it was we knew that Colonel Billinger and Major Frey, officers from
+General Herkimer's force, who had been taken prisoners by some of the
+British during the battle of Oriskany, had been compelled, under threats
+of torture, to write a letter to Colonel Gansevoort, misrepresenting St.
+Leger's strength, and advising him to surrender.</p>
+
+<p>We also knew that this letter, written under pressure, was delivered by
+Colonel Butler, who went to the fort with a flag of truce, and, when the
+commandant flatly refused to surrender, the Tory officer threatened that,
+in case it became necessary to take the fortification by force, the women
+and children inside would be delivered over to the mercies of the Indians.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately Colonel Gansevoort was too brave a man to be frightened by
+such threats, and when Colonel Butler told him that Burgoyne had already
+taken possession of Albany, he became thoroughly well convinced that the
+officer was deliberately lying to him.</p>
+
+<p>At all events, he refused to surrender, and two days later General St.
+Leger sent a written demand, the reply to which contained the emphatic
+statement that it was Colonel Gansevoort's determined resolution with the
+force under his command, to defend the fort to the last extremity.</p>
+
+<p>We learned also, through different friendly visits which were paid to
+Joseph Brant by the officers, that General St. Leger was continuing the
+siege in true military fashion, advancing by parallels slowly but surely,
+and it was the belief of all our enemies that they must of a necessity
+soon succeed in their purpose.</p>
+
+<p>The information which we thus obtained did not tend to make us feel any
+more comfortable in mind. In case the fort was taken, the utmost we could
+hope for would be to escape death, but at the cost of remaining, no one
+knows how long, as slaves to the savages.</p>
+
+<p>If, however, the garrison made such a resistance as we believed they
+would, and then were finally overcome, the Indians being allowed to wreak
+vengeance until their thirst for blood was satisfied, then was it probable
+we would go to the stake with a goodly company and little chance of
+escape.</p>
+
+<p>However, I am not minded to set down here all our fears. One can readily
+understand how many and great they were, and how we twisted and turned
+each additional bit of information which we gathered by eavesdropping,
+until it seemed as if matters which had no bearing whatsoever on our
+condition were a direct and deadly menace.</p>
+
+<p>I have said that we were eight days closely confined in this one lodge,
+and then came the night when we were lifted from out the mire of despair
+into which we had fallen, so suddenly as to make us literally dizzy with
+hope.</p>
+
+<p>During the afternoon of this day Thayendanega's warriors had spent their
+time laying on an unusual quantity of paint, and arraying themselves to
+the last feather of their finery, therefore we knew that something of
+considerable importance was on foot. When they marched out of the
+encampment, the medicine-men leading the way, with the beating of drums
+and blowing of horns, we believed a council of war was to be held, in
+which these wretches, most likely to tickle their vanity, had been invited
+to take part.</p>
+
+<p>When, just as they were setting out, the rain began to fall heavily and
+the wind to blow in a manner which betokened a summer storm, I found the
+wildest delight in picturing to myself the discomforts which would be
+theirs unless St. Leger had tents sufficient to provide them all with
+shelter.</p>
+
+<p>At another time I would have given little heed to such a trifling matter,
+but now it seemed of so much importance that I spoke to my companions in
+misery regarding it, picturing the bedraggled condition of the fine
+feathers after they had become thoroughly saturated, and was talking with
+more of animation than at any time since having been made prisoner, when
+suddenly a sound, as of some one scratching on the skin of the lodge,
+caused my heart to bound until it seemed positive its furious beatings
+could be heard a long distance off.</p>
+
+<p>"It is Jacob!" I cried, speaking incautiously loud.</p>
+
+<p>A warning hiss from Peter Sitz brought me to my senses, and in a fever of
+suspense I listened for the sound which had first attracted my attention,
+to be repeated.</p>
+
+<p>The silence remained unbroken, save for the lightest rustling of the
+skins, until, in the dim light to which my eyes had been so long
+accustomed, I saw Jacob's head and shoulders inside the lodge.</p>
+
+<p>It was only with difficulty I restrained myself from crying aloud with
+joy, for now it seemed, even surrounded by enemies though we were, that
+because my comrade had come were we rescued.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch11"></a>Chapter XI.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Escape.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>So great was my delight at seeing Jacob slowly working his way into the
+lodge, that there was no room in my heart for surprise. I entirely forgot
+to be astonished because after so long a time he had returned, or to
+question why it was he dared venture within the encampment.</p>
+
+<p>Only the fact that he was there presented itself to my mind, and I gave no
+heed to anything else.</p>
+
+<p>I struggled violently to reach the dear lad, intent on throwing my arms
+around him in order to show how deeply I felt this devotion of his which
+had brought him back, perhaps, to a terrible death; but Master Sitz and
+Sergeant Corney remained silent and motionless until Jacob was well within
+the lodge. Then his father said, conveying reproach even in the whisper:</p>
+
+<p>"Why have you come here after once having gotten well away from the place?
+You can do us no good, an' only hope to add to the savages' list of
+victims."</p>
+
+<p>"They have not got me yet," Jacob replied, cheerily, and I understood
+that his courage had been greatly stiffened since the night he crept out
+from the cave. "There's a big powwow goin' on over at St. Leger's camp,
+an' no one is on guard hereabouts. This is the time when, if ever, you can
+escape."</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me as if the lad talked the veriest nonsense in speaking of
+our escape by simply crawling away from the lodge, situate as it was in
+the very midst of the encampment; but Jacob had the whole plan in his
+mind, and was not to be disheartened, however much cold water we might
+throw upon it.</p>
+
+<p>It may seem strange, but such is the fact, that even when thus surrounded
+by danger my curiosity was so great that I asked him, even before he had
+time to explain how he hoped to effect our rescue, where he had been so
+long.</p>
+
+<p>"At Cherry Valley," he replied, as if a journey there and back was the
+most simple thing imaginable.</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' that you have been home since the night you left the cave?" I
+repeated, in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, no less than that."</p>
+
+<p>"But why did you do it?" I cried, speaking so loudly as to call forth a
+warning groan from Sergeant Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"Because I believed it might be possible for you to escape, providin' we
+had help enough near at hand," he replied, and I said, even more
+mystified than before:</p>
+
+<p>"Surely you could not expect to get help for us from Cherry Valley?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay; and that is just what I did."</p>
+
+<p>"Is my uncle here?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed; he believed my scheme to be so wild that he would hardly
+listen to me, and said you three had the same as come to your death
+already, therefore it was useless to raise a finger in your behalf while
+there were so many hundred people near at hand needin' assistance."</p>
+
+<p>"Who then did you expect would come to our aid?" I asked, and Jacob
+replied, with what sounded very like a chuckle of satisfaction:</p>
+
+<p>"Who else, save the Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley?"</p>
+
+<p>But for the rawhide ropes which held me so cruelly immovable, I would have
+leaped to my feet in astonishment; as it was, I involuntarily gave so
+violent a start as to cause myself considerable pain, and then asked, in
+great heat:</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you play upon our hopes, so lately raised, by declaring that the
+company of lads is here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of play about it, Noel," Jacob replied, in so cheery a tone
+that my heart became wondrously light. "Four an' twenty of our company,
+with John Sammons still acting as captain, are within an hundred yards of
+this lodge, an', what is more, we count on takin' you away with us before
+another day shall dawn."</p>
+
+<p>Then it was as if Jacob believed he had satisfied our curiosity so much as
+was necessary at such a time, for without delay he moved from one to the
+other, deftly cutting the rawhide which held us motionless, and three
+minutes had not elapsed from the time he first showed himself inside the
+lodge until our limbs were freed.</p>
+
+<p>We were no longer bound, but yet remained helpless. I could move neither
+hand nor foot, struggle as I might. It was as if my limbs were dead while
+my body yet remained alive; but Jacob, who had in his wild plan considered
+just such a probability, set about chafing my arms and legs until the
+feeling began to return.</p>
+
+<p>He performed the same office for Sergeant Corney, I aiding in the task
+before it was finished; but a good ten minutes elapsed before we had
+command of our limbs, and then it was that even Master Sitz began to
+believe it might be possible for us to escape from the encampment.</p>
+
+<p>While he worked over us, Jacob, understanding that we were being literally
+overwhelmed with curiosity regarding his movements during the long
+absence, explained that he was but a short distance from the cave when we
+were made prisoners, and at first almost gave way to despair because of
+what seemed to him the hardest stroke which an ill fortune could deliver.</p>
+
+<p>During that night he kept us in view, until learning that we would not be
+put to death immediately, and then the lad searched in his mind for some
+plan which might give promise, however slight, of success.</p>
+
+<p>He could not hope that those in the fort, closely besieged as they were,
+would be willing to make a desperate venture in order to aid three men,
+when so many hundred were in peril, and, even though the chances might be
+in favor of Colonel Gansevoort's being ready to make a sortie in our
+behalf, they were decidedly against Jacob's being able to communicate with
+the garrison.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was he bethought himself of the Minute Boys, who were not
+absolutely needed in Cherry Valley after the hundred and fifty soldiers
+were quartered there, and, without knowing how they might be able to aid
+him in the almost hopeless task, he set off at full speed for our home,
+travelling by night as by day, with no more halts than were absolutely
+necessary in order to recruit his strength.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Campbell, my uncle, was much averse to Jacob's wild plans. He
+believed that, because of the danger which threatened all the inhabitants
+of the Mohawk Valley, it was in the highest degree foolhardy to make any
+such effort toward saving the lives of three people as might jeopardize an
+hundred times that number. However, while saying flatly it was a boy's
+scheme, and not worthy the attention of men, he stated that he would not
+put any obstruction in the way of those who chose to make the hazard,
+save to state openly that whosoever left on such a mission was but
+hastening his own death.</p>
+
+<p>It quickened the sluggish blood in my veins when Jacob said that, after he
+had summoned the Minute Boys and explained to them in what peril we three
+were, never one showed the slightest disinclination to do as he proposed.</p>
+
+<p>John Sammons, the lad who was acting as captain in my absence, insisted
+that it was plainly the duty of every member of the company to do
+whatsoever he might in our behalf, and the result was that the lad had
+been in Cherry Valley no more than half an hour before every member of the
+company was armed and outfitted for the perilous venture.</p>
+
+<p>At the very last moment, however, eight or ten of the number were
+dissuaded by their parents; but the remainder started hotfoot for Fort
+Schuyler, arriving an hour before this last day had dawned.</p>
+
+<p>The only plan which Jacob had formed in his mind was to get speech with us
+as speedily as possible after arriving. Then, if needs be, he would make a
+dash upon the encampment, and trust to the Minute Boys fighting their way
+out with us in their midst.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately, however, he saw very speedily after daybreak that something
+of import was taking place, and wisely waited until it could be seen that
+every warrior was making ready for a grand powwow.</p>
+
+<p>Now, so he told us, the Minute Boys were waiting hardly more than an
+hundred yards distant, and, if it should be possible for us to make our
+way through the encampment to that point, it was the determination of
+every lad to fight to the best of his ability, with the hope of being able
+to retreat meanwhile in case the Indians were aroused.</p>
+
+<p>He who would not have done his best at escaping after all Jacob's work,
+and in face of the pluck shown by our comrades, deserved of a verity to
+remain prisoner even until he was led to the stake; but, as can well be
+imagined, neither of us three hung back from the hazard, for surely it was
+better to die fighting than be tortured as Thayendanega's wolves could
+torture a human being.</p>
+
+<p>Master Sitz made one stipulation, however, which was that Jacob should
+lead the way as we crept out from the lodge, and, in event of our attempt
+at escape being discovered while we were yet within the encampment, the
+lad was to save himself without giving heed to us.</p>
+
+<p>"There shall not be another victim added to our number," Jacob's father
+said, in a tone of determination. "Strike out for your comrades, in case
+the alarm is given, my boy, and if we are taken again leave us to our
+fate."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob made no reply to this; but I believed that if the need arose he
+would disobey his father's command without compunction.</p>
+
+<p>There was no time to linger. At any moment the powwow might be brought to
+an end, or some warrior return to the encampment, therefore it stood us in
+hand to move quickly, and so we did.</p>
+
+<p>Not until Jacob was well outside the lodge did either of us three make any
+move to follow him, and then Sergeant Corney would have pushed me under
+the skins, which he raised slightly, but that I hung back, declaring it
+was Master Sitz's place to go first; but the old man forced me forward.</p>
+
+<p>How my heart beat when for the first time in eight days I had full command
+of my limbs, and wriggled myself out into the clear air! It seemed as if
+every movement of my arms or legs caused so much noise that the few who
+remained in the lodges must be alarmed, and that I moved at even less than
+a snail's pace, when every muscle was being strained in the effort to
+advance rapidly.</p>
+
+<p>The perspiration came out upon my forehead in great drops, caused, not by
+the heat, but by the mental anguish, and again and again I said to myself
+that Jacob had labored for naught, since it would be impossible I could
+crawl undetected even over the short distance.</p>
+
+<p>And when, in my excited frame of mind, it seemed as if the escape was but
+just begun, I found myself in the thicket amid those lads who had been my
+playmates since I could remember, while each strove to show in silence
+how delighted he was that I had come safely.</p>
+
+<p>Then ensued another time of keenest suspense, when we strained our ears to
+hear the lightest sound which should betoken that the squaws of the
+encampment had been alarmed, and once more our hearts leaped up in joy as
+Master Sitz came behind the screen of bushes.</p>
+
+<p>Now we had only to wait for Sergeant Corney, and, having seen what he
+could do in the wilderness, I had no doubt but that he would succeed in
+his purpose, which he soon did.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps no more than half an hour had passed from the time we first saw
+Jacob until we three, so lately prisoners, were surrounded by that brave
+band of lads who, by calling themselves "Minute Boys," had excited the
+mirth of the elders of Cherry Valley, and yet never one who was not
+prepared to sacrifice his own life for the welfare of the others.</p>
+
+<p>"What are we to do?" Sergeant Corney said, turning to me, as if I should
+resume command of this company of mine, and I replied, promptly, with
+never a thought of claiming my rights as captain:</p>
+
+<p>"It is for you to lead, sergeant, an' we will obey. There's not one in
+this company so well fitted as you to take us out from amid the dangers
+which surround us."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet my idea of what is safest may seem to the rest of you like veriest
+folly," he replied, as if he would shirk the responsibility, and Master
+Sitz said, eagerly:</p>
+
+<p>"It all seems to me like a piece of folly, Sergeant Corney, even though
+because of it are we brought out from the power of our enemies. You can do
+no more hairbrained things than has already been done by my son."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, if the command be left to me, we shall make our way into Fort
+Schuyler, provided that be possible."</p>
+
+<p>"Fort Schuyler!" I cried, in dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, an' we shall be there before another day dawns if we live,
+provided we make the start."</p>
+
+<p>"But why not put as many miles between us and this place as is possible?"
+I cried, with no slight show of irritation, for the imminence of the
+danger set every nerve tingling until I could think of nothing save the
+most hurried flight.</p>
+
+<p>"It stands us in hand to go there, first, because they are in need of our
+help, and, secondly, because we shall stand a better show of finally
+escaping from the savages."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you make that out?" John Sammons asked, and I understood from his
+tone that he was not inclined for the hazard.</p>
+
+<p>"Think you Thayendanega's wolves will lose the prisoners whom they counted
+on seeing at the stake, without some effort to retake them?" the old man
+asked, sharply, and John Sammons replied:</p>
+
+<p>"All that we understand; but reckon on puttin' a goodly distance between
+us an' yonder encampment before to-morrow mornin'. Unless there is an
+accident the escape will not be known for many hours, and then should we
+have so much the lead that we could count with some degree of assurance
+upon gaining Cherry Valley."</p>
+
+<p>"In that I do not agree, lad, an' for many reasons. We cannot advance at
+full speed, because it will be necessary to spend some time in learnin'
+whether there be an enemy in the road; but the savages followin' the trail
+may come as fast as their legs can bring them, therefore will they travel
+three miles to our two."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay; but we should be able to hold in good play as many as may overtake
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"That must be accordin' to the fortunes of war. It is hardly to be
+reckoned that we could fight a pitched battle without losin' some portion
+of our company, and I would have this brave rescue of yours accomplished
+with as little cost as may be. Therefore have I in mind to enter Fort
+Schuyler."</p>
+
+<p>I cannot truly say that Sergeant Corney convinced us his plan was the
+best; but certain it is we were silenced, as was no more than proper,
+since it stood to reason he knew best about such affairs.</p>
+
+<p>After this, having made up our minds that we must attempt the perilous
+task, came the question of how it should be done, and on this point the
+old soldier gave us very little opportunity for discussion.</p>
+
+<p>"It is my plan that we circle around the encampment, even beyond St.
+Leger's quarters, in order to get a general idea of what may be goin' on,
+an', havin' arrived at the road westward of the fortification, you lads
+shall get in hidin' while I try once more to open communication with the
+garrison."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should you go alone?" I asked. "We might remain in a body, and thus
+save just so much time. If one can do the trick, then may it be possible
+for two, or a dozen."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, to make one's way across the open country, I grant you; but
+remember, lad, how long it would have taken to gain admission when we were
+there before had the garrison not been warned that we were in the
+vicinity. This time they will look upon us as enemies until we are near
+enough to make ourselves known, and such a force as is here would appear
+to them like an attackin' party."</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant was right, as I now understood full well, and, although I
+craved not the dangerous work, because my comrades were near at hand I
+desired they should see that I shirked not peril.</p>
+
+<p>However, all seemed to understand that, if the sergeant's plan was to be
+carried out, he should arrange the details, and therefore I held my peace.</p>
+
+<p>In order to gain the westerly side of the fort from the Indian encampment,
+in the vicinity of which we then were, and learn what might be going on
+at St. Leger's headquarters, it would be necessary to cross the river and
+traverse at least two-thirds of a complete circle around the
+fortification.</p>
+
+<p>Much time might have been saved had we crossed the Mohawk to the
+southward, without venturing near the camps of the British.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney seemed to consider that it was more important to get a
+general idea of the disposition of St. Leger's forces before entering the
+fort, than to save ourselves so much labor, therefore he led the way
+eastwardly half a mile or more, until we were come to the narrowest part
+of the river, when we swam over, afterward heading directly for the main
+encampment of the besiegers.</p>
+
+<p>Still acting under Sergeant Corney's directions, the greater part of the
+company kept at a respectful distance when we were come within the
+vicinity of St. Leger's headquarters, while he, Jacob, and I crept forward
+to reconnoitre.</p>
+
+<p>Because of the many fires and the apparent confidence of the enemy that no
+attempt would be made to surprise them, we had ample opportunity to see
+all that was required.</p>
+
+<p>The biggest kind of a feast, or powwow, or council, or whatever it might
+have been called, was in progress, and so deeply interested were the
+Britishers, Tories, and Indians alike that I believe of a verity we could
+have approached within fifty feet and not been discovered save by purest
+accident.</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever they've got on hand seems to be somethin' that'll last well
+through the night," Sergeant Corney said, as he lay amid the bushes
+watching the various groups of men, both white and red. "If Colonel
+Gansevoort could only know what's goin' on at this minute, I allow he'd
+make such a sortie as would raise this siege in quick order. We couldn't
+have a better night for enterin' the fort, an', if we don't succeed, it'll
+be our fault, or through the blundering of some fool sentinel."</p>
+
+<p>To one who had not been in this vicinity, as had I, the old soldier's
+words might have induced the belief that we were really not exposed to
+danger in making the proposed venture; but I knew full well he believed,
+as did I, that, however many might be feasting and dancing in the
+encampment, there were a certain number watching the fort, and if one of
+them should catch a glimpse of us the business would be at an end right
+speedily.</p>
+
+<p>When Sergeant Corney had satisfied himself with a scrutiny of the camp, he
+led the way to the northward, where the Minute Boys were in hiding, and,
+arriving there, explained in few words the situation, to the end that they
+might be encouraged for that which was to come.</p>
+
+<p>I question if, after showing the bravery they already had, the lads needed
+any words to stiffen their backs; but it pleased the old soldier to make
+it appear as if we had clear sailing before us, and did no real harm.</p>
+
+<p>Then we started on the march, which would be long because it was
+necessary, after passing the encampment, to make considerable of a d&eacute;tour
+in order to avoid, first, a battery of three guns, then one of four
+mortars, and, lastly, a battery of three more guns, all of which extended
+northwesterly from St. Leger's headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>After this distance had been traversed, we passed within less than two
+hundred feet of the line of trenches which had been begun as an approach
+to the fort, and then bore to the southward again, crossing the Albany
+road.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, at perhaps two o'clock in the morning, we arrived at a broad
+elevation, the easternmost slope of which came very near to the outer
+walls of the fort.</p>
+
+<p>Here it would be necessary to advance without cover for perhaps an hundred
+yards, and it was this last and most dangerous work that Sergeant Corney
+insisted on doing himself.</p>
+
+<p>My company found fairly good hiding-places in the thicket near at hand,
+Jacob and I creeping out to the edge of the foliage in order to keep watch
+upon the old soldier as he made his way like a snake over the plain, which
+was almost entirely destitute of vegetation.</p>
+
+<p>He set off without delay, for, owing to the lateness of the hour, there
+was no time to be wasted, and our hearts were literally in our mouths as
+we watched him make his way slowly along, at imminent danger each second
+of being fired upon by the sentinels inside the fort.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch12"></a>Chapter XII.</h2>
+
+<h3>In the Fort.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>Everything was in our favor on this night, otherwise Sergeant Corney's
+attempt would not have been the simple matter which it appears as set down
+by me.</p>
+
+<p>True it is we had previously visited the fort, and that while many of the
+enemy's sentinels were on the alert; but because a task has once been done
+is no proof that it may be accomplished a second time. In fact, it is by
+trying a hazardous venture again and again that it becomes yet more
+dangerous, or, in other words, "The pitcher that goes often to the well
+will one day return broken."</p>
+
+<p>I question if there could have been found in the entire Mohawk Valley a
+man who would have performed the task better than did Sergeant Corney. The
+night was not particularly dark, and we who were watching from the
+undergrowth knew exactly where to look for him, but yet there were many
+times when I failed utterly to distinguish his form, although, as I have
+already said, there was nothing in the way of vegetation to screen his
+movements.</p>
+
+<p>Only when he half-raised himself to make certain he was advancing in a
+direct course could we see him, and when, after perhaps twenty minutes of
+such stealthy approach, the deeper shadow cast by the fortification itself
+had been gained, he was entirely lost to our view.</p>
+
+<p>Then was come the time when I feared most for his safety, although, if the
+sentinel had failed to see him making his way across the open space, we
+might have reasonable hope that the remainder of his scheme, less
+dangerous, could be worked without mishap.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me as if an hour elapsed from the time he disappeared before
+we saw any sign of him again. The minutes passed laggingly, although while
+there was no outcry we knew full well he had come to no harm; but yet I
+trembled with anxiety until we finally saw a figure upon the wall waving
+its arms, and I said to Jacob:</p>
+
+<p>"That is the signal for us to advance."</p>
+
+<p>"Advance where?" he asked, in perplexity. "Surely it is not possible for
+us to get in at any point."</p>
+
+<p>"We can at least hold communication with those inside if we creep to the
+new portion of the fort, which as yet is only a stockade--the same place
+where the sergeant and I had converse with Colonel Gansevoort."</p>
+
+<p>It appears, as I finally learned, that the sergeant believed I would have
+sufficient sense to understand it was at this place we must effect an
+entrance, if anywhere, and I ought to have known at the time, for, after
+waving his arms to attract attention, he walked along the wall,
+disappearing near what was known as the "horn-works," which as yet were
+enclosed only by a stockade of logs.</p>
+
+<p>To summon the Minute Boys and bring them to the edge of the clearing was
+but the work of a few moments, and then was done that which I venture to
+say has seldom been accomplished during such a siege as was then in
+progress.</p>
+
+<p>For an armed party of nearly thirty to cross an open plain, supposedly
+under the very eyes of the enemy's sentinels, without being discovered, is
+something of which to boast, yet we Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley did
+it without raising an alarm.</p>
+
+<p>When the foremost of us, among whom I was, gained that portion of the
+fortification of which I have already spoken, the sergeant was lowering a
+long ladder over the stockade, and up this we clambered without delay, the
+entire party getting inside the fort within two minutes after the ascent
+was begun.</p>
+
+<p>What a time of congratulation that was! The garrison pressed around to
+praise us and pat themselves on the head, because we had come at what was,
+for them, an opportune time. Not only was the fort reinforced by no
+inconsiderable number, but we brought with us fairly good information as
+to the condition of affairs in the enemy's camp.</p>
+
+<p>The men were yet praising and thanking us for having come at such a time,
+when an officer approached with the word that Colonel Gansevoort wished to
+speak with the leaders of the party.</p>
+
+<p>"That means you, Noel," the sergeant said, patting me on the shoulder.
+"The colonel quite rightly believes that we can give him valuable
+information, an' is eager to have it."</p>
+
+<p>"But I am not the leader of the party," I said, finding time to be a bit
+bashful, now that the imminent danger was passed.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is, if not the captain of the company?" the old man asked, with a
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>"You, an' you always were when we were at home, Sergeant Corney, therefore
+are you doubly the leader now, after having brought us safely in from the
+encampment."</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier flatly refused to present himself as being in command of
+the Minute Boys, and there is no saying how long we might have wrangled
+among ourselves had not Colonel Willett, impatient to see us, come up just
+at that moment.</p>
+
+<p>After asking a few questions, he settled the matter by saying:</p>
+
+<p>"If you lads who have accomplished so much which men might well have
+feared to attempt, are not willing that one should have more praise than
+another, let all those who have been in command at different times present
+themselves to Colonel Gansevoort, and then, mayhap, we shall hear that for
+which we are so eager."</p>
+
+<p>I am free to admit that it was childish in any of us to hang back at such
+a moment, but, thanks to Colonel Willett, the matter was arranged as he
+suggested, Sergeant Corney, John Sammons, Jacob, and I going to the
+commandant's quarters, escorted by the colonel and the messenger who had
+been sent for us.</p>
+
+<p>There was no real occasion for us to have been timid regarding the
+interview with the commandant of Fort Schuyler, for a more pleasantly
+spoken, neighborly-like man it was never my good fortune to come in
+contact with.</p>
+
+<p>One would have said that he was interested personally in each and every
+one of us, from the questions he asked concerning our having organized a
+company of Minute Boys, how we had been drilled, and such like homely
+matters.</p>
+
+<p>Then, having shown himself to be a friend, as it were, he began getting
+that information which was necessary for the safety of the garrison. First
+he was eager to learn regarding the battle of Oriskany, for those inside
+the fort knew nothing whatsoever of that disastrous ambush, save such as
+could be guessed by the reports of the firearms and the bearing of the
+Indians after they beat a retreat.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney flatly refused to tell the story, insisting that I was the
+better able to do so, and, in the presence of Colonel Gansevoort and all
+his principal officers, I related the events of that day when an able
+soldier and a brave man was forced by the prating of cowards to lead his
+soldiers where he knew, almost beyond a peradventure, he had no hope of
+winning a victory.</p>
+
+<p>Then Jacob and I in turn gave an account of what had been done, bringing
+our story up to the time when Sergeant Corney took the lead in the attempt
+to gain the fort, and the old man could not well refuse to describe what
+he had seen that night regarding the disposition of the enemy's forces.</p>
+
+<p>That Colonel Gansevoort and his officers were deeply interested in our
+recital may be understood by the fact that day had fully come before we
+were at an end of our stories, and yet never one of them had shown the
+slightest impatience or a desire to cut us short.</p>
+
+<p>"I know of no greater favor which could have been done the garrison, save
+that of bringing in additional stores and larger reinforcements, than what
+has come to us through you," Colonel Gansevoort said, when we had imparted
+all our information. "I hope you will not regret having made this effort
+to aid us, and, if it so be an opportunity ever offers, I will see to it
+that, so far as is within my power, the Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley
+shall receive substantial credit from their country-men because of
+services rendered. We will give you as good quarters as we have; but if
+the rations seem scanty now and then, you must remember that we are not in
+position to get all we may require in the way of eatables."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you answer me one question, sir, an' not deem it impertinent?"
+Sergeant Corney asked, with a degree of humility such as I had never
+before seen him exhibit.</p>
+
+<p>"An hundred if you please. We can hardly refuse anything to those who have
+given us so much encouragement this night as have you and your comrades."</p>
+
+<p>"I would like to know, sir, simply from curiosity, an' not because it
+would make any difference with my desire to go or stay, if you have a good
+show of holdin' the fort against so strong a force as is under St. Leger's
+command?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe we have," the colonel replied, thoughtfully. "At all events, I
+promise you that we will not surrender; but, if the worst comes to the
+worst, I shall sally out at night with the idea of cutting my way through
+the enemy's lines. Our provisions are running low; the enemy has advanced
+by parallels within an hundred and fifty yards, and the store of
+ammunition is by no means as great as we could wish. Our only hope is that
+General Schuyler may be able to succor us."</p>
+
+<p>"If a company of thirty boys can move through Thayendanega's camp, spy
+upon the British, and force their way into this fort unharmed, then of a
+surety can I do half as much," Colonel Willett said, vehemently. "I will
+undertake to make my way to General Schuyler, setting out when another
+night shall have come."</p>
+
+<p>"And I will go with you!" an officer, whom I afterward came to know was
+Lieutenant Stockwell cried heartily, whereupon the sergeant, puffed up
+because of what we had already done, declared that Jacob, he, and I would
+act as messengers.</p>
+
+<p>"It is enough for you to have shown us that the task can be accomplished,"
+Colonel Willett said with a smile. "I have been the first to volunteer for
+such service, and claim the right to go."</p>
+
+<p>At this point the commandant suggested in the most friendly manner that
+perhaps we who had lately arrived might be in need of food, and I fancied
+he made this suggestion in order to be rid of us while he and his officers
+discussed the proposition.</p>
+
+<p>At all events, we left headquarters and were conducted by Lieutenant
+Stockwell to a portion of the barracks which was set aside especially for
+the Minute Boys, to the end that we might all be together.</p>
+
+<p>"Rations shall be served you at once," the lieutenant said, as he turned
+to leave us, and, although he kept his word, it was past noon before we
+had an opportunity to break our fast, because it seemed as if nearly every
+man in the garrison was eager to hold personal converse with us in order
+to learn what he might concerning the besieging army.</p>
+
+<p>No matter however much we as a company might succeed in doing in the
+future, certain it is we could not be petted or praised more than we were
+during that first day in the fort.</p>
+
+<p>We had not accomplished anything remarkable, so far as I could see; aided
+by all the circumstances, and particularly by the fact that St. Leger's
+force had concluded to hold a powwow with the Indians on that certain
+night, we had come across the plain when, at another time and under other
+conditions, we might have made an hundred attempts without succeeding.</p>
+
+<p>It was, as Sergeant Corney would put it, the fortune of war, or the
+accident of war, which enabled us to do as we had done, and only the old
+soldier himself could take personal credit for our being there.</p>
+
+<p>If the garrison was on short allowance, we never would have suspected it
+during the first four and twenty hours of our stay, for every man inside
+the walls who had anything in the way of food which he thought might tempt
+our appetites, offered it to us, and the wonder of it all is that we were
+not so puffed up with pride as to behave very foolishly.</p>
+
+<p>Late in the afternoon, on the day after we arrived, Colonel Willett came
+to our quarters, and, sitting down among us regardless of his rank and
+high attainments as a military officer, talked in the most neighborly
+fashion with us concerning the surrounding country, the different routes
+we had pursued when coming to or going from the fort, and, particularly,
+concerning what we might have heard regarding the movements of the enemy
+between Fort Schuyler and Oswego.</p>
+
+<p>Of course to this last question we could give no satisfactory reply; but
+certain it is that he gained very much of useful information which would
+serve him in his attempt to reach General Schuyler. Having come to an end
+of his inquiries, he told us that it had been determined between himself
+and the commandant that on the next stormy night he and Lieutenant
+Stockwell would make an effort to leave the fort on their way to
+Stillwater, where it seems he believed the general would be found.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney begged hard to be allowed to accompany the two officers,
+but the colonel said, laughingly:</p>
+
+<p>"You will remain where you are, sir, unless it is in your mind to leave
+here because of the danger which threatens. Already have you done enough
+in the way of scouting."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you do not think, sir, that I would run away because of anythin'
+like that?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, my man, I am quite certain you never would; but you are not to gain
+all the credit in this siege, for I count on taking some of it myself,
+unless, peradventure, the enemy treat me worse than they did you."</p>
+
+<p>Then the colonel left us, and right glad was I that he had not accepted
+the sergeant's offer, for I might in some way have been dragged into the
+venture, and of a verity I had had enough in that line of work to last me
+so long as I might live. It is all very well when a fellow is beyond reach
+of danger to speculate upon what might be done to gain a name for himself;
+but quite another matter to take his life in his hand any oftener than may
+be absolutely necessary.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning I presented myself to the commandant with a
+complaint, having been prompted thereto by Sergeant Corney. We had not yet
+been assigned to any duty, and each member of the garrison seemed
+particularly averse to allowing us to even help ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>There was not a member of our company who wished to remain there idle, and
+I visited headquarters to ask that we might be called upon for the regular
+garrison work, the same as if we were enlisted men.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Gansevoort very kindly assured me that there was no real reason
+why we should do duty while the force was so large; but promised, if we
+insisted upon it, to consider us when making a detail, exactly as he would
+any of the others.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Willett had not long to wait before beginning his perilous
+journey. By noon of the second day after our arrival the wind veered
+around into the south, bringing heavy clouds across the sky, and even the
+poorest weather prophets among us knew that a summer storm was close at
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>Once during the afternoon the colonel passed near where I was furbishing
+up my rifle, and halted to say:</p>
+
+<p>"The lieutenant and I count on leaving the fort shortly before midnight.
+If you and your friends have any desire to see us set out, go down to the
+new works at about that time."</p>
+
+<p>By the "new works" he meant the stockade over which we had come, and I
+hastened to impart the information to Sergeant Corney and Jacob, knowing
+full well that they would be as interested in the venture as was I.</p>
+
+<p>The volunteer messengers could not have asked for a better night. When the
+day had come to an end the storm burst with no inconsiderable fury, and it
+was safe to predict that it would not clear away before sunrise.</p>
+
+<p>Had I been going on the venture I would have set out much before the
+appointed time, because while the rain came down so furiously there was
+little chance the enemy's sentinels could see what might be going on at
+the southerly end of the fortification, and it seemed as if my opinion was
+shared by Colonel Willett, for he and the lieutenant were ready to leave
+at about ten o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>I considered it very friendly in him to send us word as to his change of
+plans, that we might not miss seeing them set forth, and thus it was we
+beheld the two brave men as they imperilled their lives voluntarily and
+solely in the hope of aiding their comrades.</p>
+
+<p>They carried no weapons save spears, wore no clothing except what was
+absolutely necessary for comfort, and, stripped to the lightest possible
+marching trim, they went out into the blackness of the night like true
+heroes, with a smile and a jest upon their lips.</p>
+
+<p>There were not above twenty of us who witnessed the departure, but it is
+safe to say that no more fervent prayers for their safety could have been
+offered up if the whole garrison had bent the knee.</p>
+
+<p>The darkness of night had literally swallowed them up, and the downpour of
+rain drowned every noise that might have been made by their advance. It
+was a brave venture, more particularly because, without chance of being
+accused in the slightest degree of cowardice, they might have yielded
+their places to others.</p>
+
+<p>During half an hour or more we remained exposed to the storm, as we
+listened with painful intentness for some sound which should tell us that
+they had been discovered, and when at the end of that time we had heard
+nothing, it was believed they were on their way in safety.</p>
+
+<p>Later in the day we learned that it was Colonel Willett's intention to
+push on to German Flats, and there, procuring horses, ride at full speed
+down the valley to General Schuyler's headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>Having once got clear of the fort and its vicinity, as we believed to be
+the fact, the only thing which might prove the undoing of the venture was
+that the general had gone to some other section of the country, and they
+would not succeed in finding him until St. Leger had accomplished his
+purpose.</p>
+
+<p>Well, we settled down to garrison duty, taking our turn with the squads of
+from fifty to an hundred men who remained constantly on the alert to shoot
+such of the enemy as might be sufficiently obliging as to show themselves,
+and ready to give warning of any signs of an attack.</p>
+
+<p>This last was not believed probable. The officers of the garrison argued
+that neither the Indians nor the Tories could be depended upon to make a
+direct assault on such a fortification as Fort Schuyler, and that all St.
+Leger's efforts would be directed toward advancing his parallels until he
+was sufficiently near to mine.</p>
+
+<p>And yet how true is the old maxim that "it is always the unexpected which
+happens!"</p>
+
+<p>On the third morning after we had entered the fort Sergeant Corney and I
+were on duty as sharpshooters, and, before we had been upon the walls many
+moments, I called his attention to what seemed like an unusual hurrying to
+and fro on the part of the enemy. It was as if they were making ready for
+some important movement, and, according to my way of thinking, that could
+only mean an assault, improbable as our officers believed it to be.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of course, we gave immediate information to the officer of the
+day of what we fancied had been discovered, and within half an hour more
+there could no longer be any doubt but that St. Leger had made up his mind
+to see what might be accomplished by a direct attack.</p>
+
+<p>I was disposed to make light of the matter, not believing it possible the
+enemy could effect anything of importance, but lost somewhat of my
+confidence on observing the grave expression on the faces of the officers.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" I asked of Sergeant Corney. "Do they fancy for a moment
+that, even though the Indians should be willing to take part in the
+assault, the fort could be carried?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, lad, I reckon they're not sich fools as that; but it has come to my
+ears that ammunition for the cannon is runnin' mighty low, an' to repel an
+attack, even though there be no danger come from it, will be a serious
+matter."</p>
+
+<p>Even then I failed to understand what the old soldier meant, and asked him
+to explain more fully, which he did.</p>
+
+<p>Then I came to realize that to expend our ammunition for the big guns at
+that time might result disastrously for us later, when, the parallels
+having been brought nearer, an assault would be vastly more menacing.</p>
+
+<p>However, St. Leger had the right to do whatsoever he might, and he could
+not have chosen a wiser course had he known exactly the amount of powder
+in our magazine.</p>
+
+<p>The gunners were sent to their stations, the remainder of the force
+disposed here or there as they might be the most useful, we Minute Boys
+being stationed near the sally-port, which, as Sergeant Corney said, was a
+great compliment, because at about that place might the hottest work be
+expected.</p>
+
+<p>It was not pleasant, this making ready for a battle. When we went into
+action with General Herkimer it was done quickly; we suspected something
+of the kind might happen, but were not certain of it. Now there could be
+no question but that, in a short time at the most, we would be striving to
+kill human beings, and unable, except at the cost of being branded as
+cowards, to do anything toward saving our own lives.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch13"></a>Chapter XIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Assault.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>If I have not spoken of Peter Sitz since he was rescued by the Minute
+Boys, it is because he did not remain in the barracks with us from Cherry
+Valley, but messed with some of his acquaintances from German Flats,
+therefore we saw very little of him until the garrison was mustered to
+repel the threatened attack.</p>
+
+<p>Then I noted that Colonel Gansevoort had entrusted to him the charge of a
+certain portion of the wall nearly opposite where the Minute Boys were
+stationed, and because he had been placed in command, even though it was
+of course only temporary, I judged, and truly, that Jacob's father was
+accounted an able assistant in such work as we most likely had before us.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney remained with the Minute Boys, as was his duty. I believe
+of a verity my company would have grumbled almost as loudly as had General
+Herkimer's men on the morning before the fight at Oriskany, had the old
+soldier taken station elsewhere, and yet it would have been but natural
+for him to go into the fight side by side with those of the garrison who
+were most experienced in warfare.</p>
+
+<p>As I have said, we were given a post which had in it no inconsiderable
+honor, since it was at that point where the most fighting might be
+expected, and from where we stood it was possible to have a fairly good
+view of the plain immediately surrounding the fort.</p>
+
+<p>Within twenty minutes after the alarm was first given, we could see the
+British and Tory soldiers forming in line, while to the southward, below
+the bend in the river, the Indians were crossing hurriedly, which last
+fact caused me to say to the sergeant:</p>
+
+<p>"I am of the mind that the savages count on attacking the stockaded
+portion of the fortification," and the old man replied:</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, an' one might have guessed that without stopping to see from
+which direction they were comin'. Thayendanega may prate as much as he
+pleases about the bravery of his warriors, but he cannot find a corporal's
+guard among the whole crowd that would dare march up to a direct assault
+upon earthworks."</p>
+
+<p>"What portion of the force is on duty in the stockade?" Jacob asked, but
+none of our company could answer him. It was reasonable to suppose Colonel
+Gansevoort had stationed there those of his men who were most experienced
+in savage warfare, and we whose duty it was to hold the walls in the
+vicinity of the sally-port had no need to trouble our heads concerning
+them.</p>
+
+<p>The one thing which puzzled me was as to why St. Leger was making this
+attack, since he had begun to approach the fort by parallels. I was eager
+to have some expert opinion as to whether the British were apparently
+abandoning the slow method of reducing the fortification, or if, having
+learned perchance that we were running short of ammunition for the big
+guns, they were making an attack in order to provoke us to waste powder
+which would be more sadly needed at some later day. Therefore it was that
+I asked Sergeant Corney what his belief was regarding the matter.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks to me much as if Colonel Willett an' Lieutenant Stockwell had
+been captured."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you figure that out?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because an assault is evidently about to be made. If they are not
+prisoners, the enemy has learned that they left the fort."</p>
+
+<p>I was still in darkness as to why he arrived at such conclusion, but found
+the reason exceedingly plain when he said:</p>
+
+<p>"If St. Leger knows that a man of Colonel Willett's rank was eager to take
+the chances of leaving the fortification to summon assistance, he must
+believe the garrison is in sore straits, an' therefore it is that I
+believe the mistake was made in allowin' him to go out when there were
+plenty of others here willin' to take the chances."</p>
+
+<p>It grieved me sorely to think that the brave officer might be at that
+moment in the hands of the savages, or, what amounted to much the same
+thing, in the custody of the Britishers, for it was charged openly that,
+in order to keep the Indian allies in good temper, prisoners taken by his
+Majesty's troops were often delivered over to the red-skinned wolves for
+torture.</p>
+
+<p>However, there was but little time left me in which to speculate upon this
+painful matter, for even as Sergeant Corney and I spoke together the
+British troops, supported by the Johnson Greens, came out into view from
+amid the encampment, marching directly toward the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"There is more in this than an ordinary assault," I heard the sergeant
+mutter, as he looked to the priming of his musket. "St. Leger would not
+expose his men to the slaughter which must follow without good and
+sufficient cause. I'm not overly given to praising the Britishers; but we
+must admit that he who's in command here is a thoroughly good soldier."</p>
+
+<p>Under ordinary circumstances I would have been conscious of a certain
+chill along my spine, and felt my knees trembling beneath me at the
+certainty of soon being engaged in a life or death struggle; but after my
+experience as a prisoner there was but one thought in my heart, and that
+of repaying the enemy for some of the sufferings I had undergone.</p>
+
+<p>The desire for revenge was greater than the fear of death.</p>
+
+<p>Before many moments passed Sergeant Corney hit upon what I firmly believed
+was the true answer to my question of why an assault was to be made at
+this time.</p>
+
+<p>The Britishers and Tories advanced in good order until facing the
+northerly and westerly sides of the fort, within musket-shot range, and
+from that distance poured their bullets into us without doing much
+execution; but calling for strict attention on our part lest a charge be
+made, for the ditch was not so wide or deep but that a body of trained
+soldiers could have overcome the obstacle.</p>
+
+<p>Only twice were the guns, which could be trained in that direction,
+discharged, and then we inflicted no slight injury upon the foe; but
+Colonel Gansevoort soon showed that he was far too prudent a commander to
+shoot away all his powder at one time, even though it was possible to
+punish the enemy severely.</p>
+
+<p>It looked much as if the king's forces were bent on continuing the battle
+with small arms at short range, for they discharged their pieces as
+rapidly as it was possible to reload them, making a great din even though
+the execution was slight.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that Sergeant Corney hit upon the meaning of this odd move.
+Without a word he leaped down from the wall where he had been stationed,
+running swiftly toward the unfinished portion of the fortification, and
+was gone no more than three or four minutes when he returned with more
+show of excitement than I had ever known him to exhibit.</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder Britishers and renegades are but holding our attention in order to
+give Thayendanega's wolves a chance to scale the stockade," he said,
+hurriedly. "The force there is all too small. I will take half of the
+company, at risk of disobeying orders, to that point, while you go with
+all speed and tell the commandant what I have learned."</p>
+
+<p>I understood the situation without further explanation, and, realizing the
+necessity for haste, went as rapidly as my legs would carry me to the
+northeast bastion, where I had last seen Colonel Gansevoort.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately for my purpose he was still there, giving directions as to the
+firing of the guns, and in a twinkling I had acquainted him with the
+situation as described by Sergeant Corney, at the same time explaining
+that half the Minute Boys had been withdrawn from near the sally-port.</p>
+
+<p>"The sergeant has done well," the commandant replied. "Ten of your number
+should be more than sufficient there, if matters are as they seem. Tell
+Sergeant Braun I will join him as soon as possible."</p>
+
+<p>Then I ran with all speed to my company, and, explaining to John Sammons
+my purpose, took with me half the number remaining under his command.
+With this small force I set off at full speed, and we arrived none too
+soon at the place where the most desperate fighting was going on.</p>
+
+<p>At the beginning of the action no more than forty men had been stationed
+in the "horn-works," and it seemed to me as if the entire stockaded
+portion was surrounded by a dancing horde of howling, maddened Indians,
+who, bringing with them tree-trunks or stout branches, were throwing up
+such a heap of odds and ends as admitted of their gaining the top of the
+logs despite the fire which our people were pouring upon them.</p>
+
+<p>It must be set down here that there were no cannon in this unfinished
+portion of the fortification. The so-called rebellion against the king had
+broken out before this very necessary adjunct to the strength of the fort
+could be completed, and, consequently, it was the weakest portion of our
+defence.</p>
+
+<p>When I arrived with my comrades at this point, our people were engaged in
+a hand-to-hand struggle with the savages, three score or more having
+succeeded in effecting an entrance, and it needed no experienced eye to
+say that unless the onrush could be speedily checked, the capture of the
+fort might be effected at a time when we had believed St. Leger was simply
+making a feint.</p>
+
+<p>Exactly what happened during the next half-hour I am unable to state of my
+own knowledge, for I had no sooner entered the horn-works than it became
+necessary to put forth every effort in the saving of my own life.</p>
+
+<p>A gigantic savage discharged his musket with seemingly true aim directly
+at my head; but, strangely enough, missed the target, and then he came at
+me, hatchet in hand, with such fury that for an instant it seemed as if I
+was at his mercy.</p>
+
+<p>So excited was I that my bullet, which should have found lodgment in his
+heart, went as wild as had his, and then was I forced to use a clubbed
+musket for defence.</p>
+
+<p>Had any one asked me on that morning if I believed it possible to
+withstand the attack of an Indian, the two of us using the weapons I have
+just described, my answer would have been a decided "no," and yet now I
+held him in good play, although realizing that each moment I was growing
+weaker and he gaining the advantage.</p>
+
+<p>Already were my eyes becoming suffused with blood; my brain was in a
+whirl, as I leaped here or there, parrying with the butt of the musket the
+blows of his hatchet, and all the time he continued to press me nearer and
+nearer toward the wall, where my resistance would have been overcome
+within a very short time.</p>
+
+<p>I wondered why it was that Colonel Gansevoort delayed in the coming, and
+could see, without looking in any direction save at my foe, that the
+number of savages inside the stockade was increasing each moment.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "The painted villain sank down upon the ground"]</p>
+
+<p>Only a brief delay now on the part of the commandant, and they would gain
+so great an advantage that such portion of the garrison as could be
+withdrawn from the walls where the Britishers were making the pretended
+attack, would not be able to dislodge them.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly, at the very moment when it seemed impossible I could
+struggle any longer, the painted villain sank down upon the ground as if
+having received his death-blow, and I dimly heard Sergeant Corney cry,
+cheerily:</p>
+
+<p>"That was a narrow squeak, lad, an' we'll hope there'll be many more of
+'em before the last one comes! Keep yourself well in hand, for of a verity
+our work is cut out for us here!"</p>
+
+<p>Now it was I knew that a shot from the old soldier's musket had put an end
+to the combat in which I was most deeply interested, and I strained every
+nerve to gather myself together as he had commanded.</p>
+
+<p>By this time I dare venture to say no less than two hundred of the howling
+demons had scaled the stockade, and we who were defending this weakest
+portion of the fortification were pressed back and back until we stood
+massed against that opening which gave entrance to the main fortification.</p>
+
+<p>We were in good position for the enemy to mow us down with bullets, and in
+such close formation that only those in the outermost ranks could use
+their weapons to advantage.</p>
+
+<p>"It is all over," I said to myself, realizing that within a very few
+moments we must be killed or disabled under such a fire as Thayendanega's
+scoundrels were pouring upon us. Then from our rear I heard ringing
+cheers, the trampling of many feet, and realized that assistance had come
+at the most critical moment.</p>
+
+<p>Sixty seconds later we had all been slain like sheep in the shambles!</p>
+
+<p>"Give way, give way, lads in front!" I heard Colonel Gansevoort shout,
+and, hardly understanding the words, instinctively we surged either side
+of the passage, having hardly done so before a shower of grape-shot came
+hurtling between our ranks, dealing death to scores of the
+feather-bedecked wretches.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand to your muskets, you Minute Boys!" Sergeant Corney shouted, and the
+sound of his voice stiffened my courage wonderfully. "Now is the time to
+pay back some of our old scores, and every bullet should cut short a life
+from among those who would harry us of the valley."</p>
+
+<p>He had hardly more than ceased speaking when a great uproar could be heard
+from the distance, and, without turning my head, I understood that the
+British regulars and the Johnson Greens were pressing the attack on the
+west and the front, in order to hold our men at the walls that we might
+not be able to regain possession of the stockade.</p>
+
+<p>Now the fight was on in good earnest, and a bloodier one or a more
+desperate struggle I hope never to see again.</p>
+
+<p>After the single cannon which Colonel Gansevoort had caused to be brought
+in was discharged, the reinforcements betook themselves to their muskets,
+for our frontiersmen were more accustomed to the use of small arms than
+big guns, and the tide surged this way and that, with the fate of the fort
+trembling more than once in the balance, until I had before my eyes only
+great billows of feathered forms, which rose and fell, advanced and were
+forced back, until I was well-nigh bewildered.</p>
+
+<p>Before this portion of the fighting had come to an end, fully half the
+garrison was engaged in repelling the attack of Thayendanega's forces, and
+during such time the white portion of the enemy's army might have made a
+successful assault upon the walls, I verily believe, but for the cowardice
+displayed by the Tories.</p>
+
+<p>How long we struggled there hand to hand, stumbling now over the lifeless
+forms of our comrades, and again finding our way checked by the dead
+bodies of the savages, I cannot say; but certain it is that we finally
+drove the last of the hated foe over the stockade, and gave Thayendanega's
+boasting braves such a lesson as they would not need to have repeated for
+many days.</p>
+
+<p>I was not less wearied with the carnage than those around me. Even
+Sergeant Corney, to whom such scenes were not strange, leaned against a
+portion of the earthworks as if for support while he dashed the
+perspiration from his eyes, and then we knew by the sounds that the battle
+was being waged severely over against the sally-port.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was I called for the Minute Boys to follow me, as I ran at the
+best pace possible in that direction, for there was our post of duty.</p>
+
+<p>Now Colonel Gansevoort no longer husbanded his store of ammunition
+intended for the cannon, and every piece in the northern and eastern
+bastions was being worked with the utmost rapidity, sending among the
+Tories such a shower of iron as their cowardly hearts could not hold out
+against, and, when they turned with cries of fear to flee, the British
+regulars, understanding that they were too few in number to effect
+anything against us, joined in the retreat.</p>
+
+<p>The assault had come to an end, and we of the garrison were triumphant,
+but at such an expense of life that we could not well afford many more
+such victories.</p>
+
+<p>During that night we buried our dead,--four and twenty men,--committing
+them to the dust under cover of darkness lest the enemy see how much
+injury he had inflicted, and, thank God, never a member of my company who
+could not answer to the roll-call.</p>
+
+<p>There were forty-one so seriously wounded that it was necessary a certain
+force be told off from among the garrison to play the part of nurses, and,
+when to the number of disabled is added those who were to care for them,
+it can be seen that St. Leger struck us a severe blow, even though he did
+not succeed in his purpose.</p>
+
+<p>We buried our comrades in the horn-works, just under the stockade they had
+defended so gallantly, and threw over the fence of logs fifty-two of
+Thayendanega's wolves who would take no further part in murder and rapine.
+It is positive that there must have been many wounded among the Indians,
+some so severely that it would have been impossible for them to accompany
+their fellows in the retreat; but yet we found none that had any life in
+them when we searched among the ghastly evidences of the fight for our own
+people.</p>
+
+<p>Peter Sitz declared that he had seen one of the wounded savages
+deliberately kill himself with a knife, when it was seen that the assault
+had failed, and I doubt not but that several did the same rather than fall
+into our hands. Then, also, it is possible, in the heat of battle, and
+remembering what these human wolves had done to the women and children of
+the settlements which had been attacked, some of our men had sent more
+than one of the helpless wretches to the Happy Hunting Grounds. I count
+myself as tender-hearted as any other, and yet it would not have troubled
+my conscience had I put a few wounded villains out of the world, rather
+than let them live to commit yet more murders.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning after the assault a white flag was raised over the fort,
+and when St. Leger sent in hot haste a messenger to learn what we wanted,
+thinking, most like, we had made up our minds to surrender, he was
+informed that Colonel Gansevoort was willing to grant an hour's truce that
+the British and Indian dead might be buried.</p>
+
+<p>This the enemy accepted, and I was surprised to see that never one of
+Thayendanega's beauties came forward to carry off the slain of his tribe.
+I had always heard it said that the redskins would brave any danger rather
+than allow a dead Indian to fall into the hands of an enemy; but certain
+it is that on this day the rascally Tories dragged away the bodies, with
+not even a squaw to help them.</p>
+
+<p>Within the time set we were rid of the ghastly evidence of the battle,
+which might have proven a menace to the health of the garrison had the
+corpses been allowed to remain unburied while the weather was so warm, and
+during all the coming night we could hear distinctly cries of lamentation
+from the Indian camp. It was as if every brave, squaw, and papoose howled
+his or her loudest in token of sorrow, and three of us within the fort had
+a very good idea of what would have been our fate had we not been rescued
+before the assault.</p>
+
+<p>"This would have been our last night on earth, had the Minute Boys not
+come to the rescue," Peter Sitz said to me, as we stood near the
+sally-port for an instant, listening to the wild cries, and, strong man
+though he was, I took note of the fact that his face shone pale in the
+faint light.</p>
+
+<p>It did not need that I should strain my imagination very much to paint a
+mental picture of our condition at that time, if we had remained in the
+power of the savages. Of a verity we would have tested their keenest
+torture before death came to our relief.</p>
+
+<p>"It would seem as if that company of ours had been formed to some purpose,
+an' not all of them were children," I said, minded that he who had laughed
+most heartily at what he was pleased to call our "pretensions," should
+give credit where it was due.</p>
+
+<p>"If I live to see home again, there is never a man in Cherry Valley who
+shall not hear from me what I owe to you lads!"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't forget that I had no part in the rescue, Master Sitz, for surely I
+was trussed up as stoutly as either you or Sergeant Corney."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet but for your persistence we would never have thought of enlisting the
+boys to aid in our defence, therefore must you take your portion of the
+praise, an' more especially since it is said by Sergeant Corney himself
+that you have proven yourself a man at every time when danger threatened."</p>
+
+<p>"Sergeant Corney has no idea how my knees shook beneath me when, as he
+believed, I was stout-hearted," I replied, with a careless laugh that
+served to cloak the feeling of pride which rose in my bosom when he gave
+good words to the Minute Boys.</p>
+
+<p>While weeping over our dead, and rejoicing because of having beaten back
+the enemy when it seemed as if the assault was about to be successful,
+fear regarding the safety of Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell lay
+heavily upon our hearts. It was the belief of nearly all the garrison that
+the two officers had been captured, and, if such had been the case, there
+could be no question but that they suffered a terrible death at the stake
+while the savages were mourning over their loss.</p>
+
+<p>Those among us who felt convinced that the messengers had succeeded in
+their attempt, and Colonel Gansevoort was one of the hopeful ones,
+insisted that if the Indians had tortured any prisoners to death, we must
+have heard yells and shouts of triumph; yet the night wind had brought to
+our ears nothing more than the cries of sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>Viewing the situation in the brightest light possible, many days must of a
+necessity elapse before we could hope for any good results from their
+brave venture, and if in the meantime the enemy pressed us sharply, we
+would be in hard straits, more particularly since so much of our
+ammunition had been expended in defending the fort against that first
+assault.</p>
+
+<p>When a large number of men are confined in a limited space, and exposed to
+danger, it needs but the lightest word to make cowards of the more
+faint-hearted, as we soon had good proof.</p>
+
+<p>On the day following the truce, after the enemy had buried their dead,
+work on the parallels was continued, and it gave me no little satisfaction
+to see that the Tories were forced to perform the greater portion of the
+labor.</p>
+
+<p>As I have already said, these trenches extended within an hundred and
+fifty yards of the fort by this time, and we knew only too well that it
+was not within our power to prevent their being advanced as near as the
+enemy saw fit to carry them.</p>
+
+<p>After a certain time mining would probably be begun, and then, if our
+supply of ammunition had not been replenished, the end must be near at
+hand, when St. Leger would have opportunity to carry into execution his
+threat of allowing Thayendanega's murderers to work their cruel will.</p>
+
+<p>All this was talked over and commented upon by our people as the days wore
+on, and the more timid seemed to find delight in picturing what would take
+place if the fort was captured.</p>
+
+<p>"Why must they keep harpin' on that possibility all the time?" I asked,
+angrily, of Sergeant Corney, when I had turned away in disgust from a
+group of men who were painting horrible word-pictures, and the old soldier
+had followed me to the parade-ground beyond sound of such words.</p>
+
+<p>"It is all as plain as the nose on your face, lad," the old man said,
+grimly. "Look about, an' you'll see that them as are makin' the howl over
+what the Injuns may do are the faintest-hearted among us. It's all done
+for one purpose."</p>
+
+<p>"What can that be?" I asked, in surprise. "How do they suppose any good
+can come of conjuring up everything horrible?"</p>
+
+<p>"They're of the same kidney that drove General Herkimer into the ambush,
+an' are tryin' to force the colonel to surrender."</p>
+
+<p>"That can't be possible!" I cried, sharply. "There's never one among them
+who does not know full well what the result will be if Colonel Gansevoort
+surrenders the fort! St. Leger's promises would be as the idle wind when
+Thayendanega's followers wanted victims for the stake!"</p>
+
+<p>"True for you, lad, an' yet these cowards are ready to howl for
+capitulation rather than fight as men should, in the presence of such an
+enemy, to the last ditch," the sergeant replied, bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>I could not believe that among the entire garrison might be found one
+soldier who would willingly consent to a surrender, and said as much to
+the old man, who replied, grimly:</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't been around here for the past four an' twenty hours with my
+eyes shut an' my ears filled with moss. Take a turn about the works,
+listenin' to all that is said, an' you'll find I'm not wrong in my
+figgerin'. The colonel knows as well as do I what's in the wind, an' I'll
+agree never to eat sweet-cake agin if he ain't makin' ready for trouble
+inside the fort as well as outside."</p>
+
+<p>I remained silent a full minute, horrified by the bare possibility, and
+then asked, in a voice which trembled despite all my efforts to render it
+steady:</p>
+
+<p>"Think you they can force him against his will, as the militia did General
+Herkimer?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is my belief that he'd shoot down a round dozen before consentin' to
+give us all over to death; but there's no knowin' what a man may be forced
+into when pressure enough has been brought to bear upon him."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Jacob came up, looking like his old self now that his
+father was safe, at least, for the time being, and to him I put the matter
+much as I had had it from the sergeant.</p>
+
+<p>"Within the hour I have heard the same word from my father. He believes
+there are a full hundred of the garrison who, when they have worked
+themselves up to just such a pitch, will howl for surrender."</p>
+
+<p>Even then I refused to believe in what was as yet no more than a
+suspicion, and Sergeant Corney said, impatiently:</p>
+
+<p>"It won't cost you much time to find out for yourself, lad. Take a couple
+of turns around, an' I'll guarantee you'll agree that Peter Sitz an' I are
+not tryin' to make mountains out of mole-hills."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go with you," Jacob said, promptly, and straightway we set out,
+keeping our ears open whenever we came within speaking distance of a
+group of men who appeared to be talking earnestly upon some particular
+subject.</p>
+
+<p>It was not necessary that we should go twice around the inside of the
+fortification, for before we completed the first circuit I had heard
+enough to convince me that Sergeant Corney, instead of exaggerating the
+matter, had not made his statements strong enough by one-half.</p>
+
+<p>As it seemed to me, a full third of the garrison were arguing in favor of
+surrender, giving as their reasons the scanty supply of powder for the
+cannon, and the probability that St. Leger's army would constantly
+increase as the Tories from the Mohawk Valley got wind of what was going
+on.</p>
+
+<p>I was sick at heart and literally faint with fear when this knowledge was
+forced in upon me, for I knew only too well how idle would be all the
+promises of St. Leger if the savages were inclined to massacre the
+prisoners that were surrendered on promises of fair treatment.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch14"></a>Chapter XIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>Mutiny.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>I had thought that we would never again be called upon to witness such a
+scene as that in General Herkimer's encampment on the morning when those
+who, later, were the first to show the white feather, literally drove him
+into a place where he, as a soldier, knew it was not safe to venture until
+all the arrangements for a sortie from the fort were completed.</p>
+
+<p>Now, however, it seemed to me that we were to be treated to a second dose
+of mutiny, and this one more serious than the first, for, in case these
+fools in the fort succeeded in badgering Colonel Gansevoort as the others
+had the general, then would nearly a thousand men be given over to the
+savage foe, whom we knew full well would show no mercy.</p>
+
+<p>To me the strange part of it all was that these very simpletons who were
+howling so loudly for surrender would be among those counted as prisoners,
+and I failed utterly to understand how they could figure themselves as
+being better off in the power of Thayendanega's wolves, than in the fort
+where they had a chance of fighting to the death.</p>
+
+<p>Even to this day it seems so strange that I would not dare set it down as
+a fact unless those gentlemen who write history had spoken of it so
+plainly.</p>
+
+<p>"You can make up your mind that those fellows who are lettin' out the most
+noise are the ones who've got a cowardly streak in 'em somewhere,"
+Sergeant Corney said, when Jacob and I, having satisfied ourselves that
+mutiny was rife in the fort, went to him for the purpose of talking the
+matter over.</p>
+
+<p>"The greater the cowards the less inclined they should be to surrender, as
+it seems to me," I replied, in perplexity.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, that's the way it looks to a decent man; but sich fellows as
+these here who are makin' a row, are the ones who're always lookin' ahead,
+thinkin' matters may be bettered, an' regardin' not the possibility of
+their growin' worse. Here they are, like to come on short allowance, an'
+obleeged to take their turn at bein' shot at now an' then, consequently,
+not havin' the heart to endure even the lightest sufferin', they say we
+can't be any worse off, an' ought to surrender."</p>
+
+<p>"But they know the nature of Thayendanega's wolves as well as do you or
+I."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, they did know yesterday; but now, because their stomachs are not
+quite full, they're ready to admit that every redskin is an imitation
+angel."</p>
+
+<p>"Think you they can badger the colonel?" Jacob asked, thoughtfully, thus
+repeating my question in different words.</p>
+
+<p>"I will say to you as I did to Noel, that they're like to get the rough
+end of it before drivin' him into a mistake. We who are not inclined to be
+mutinous can help him out a good bit in this matter."</p>
+
+<p>"How?" I asked, in perplexity.</p>
+
+<p>"By standin' out stiffly against their fool talk, though there ain't much
+chance you can convince 'em with words; but if one, or half a dozen, for
+that matter, gives me an openin', I'll see if the weight of my fist can't
+beat some sense into them."</p>
+
+<p>It is not agreeable to set down the details of such a disgraceful scene as
+we witnessed during the next four and twenty hours, and more than painful
+to describe how the mutiny was finally checked. It must be done, however,
+if I would write fairly the part which we Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley
+took in the troubles and triumphs round-about Fort Schuyler; but I will
+give the story in as few words as possible.</p>
+
+<p>It so chanced that during this day the rations dealt out to us were
+smaller than before, and this gave the fool croakers an opportunity of
+airing their grievances in fine style.</p>
+
+<p>Those who should have been steadily attentive to their duties, with never
+a thought in their minds of anything save besting the motley crew that
+besieged us, began to talk openly of starvation, as if there was no
+question whatsoever but that we had come nearly to the end of our
+provisions, and thus, as I believe, they brought over to their way of
+thinking many who never would have listened to such wild talk, but for the
+fact that it seemed probable the hour of surrender must be near at hand.</p>
+
+<p>I saw to it that none of the Minute Boys sided with these malcontents,
+while Sergeant Corney and Peter Sitz moved here and there throughout the
+day, trying to persuade the men to do only that which was for their own
+good, but without success.</p>
+
+<p>The longer such talk ran through the garrison the stronger it became,
+until shortly before sunset the mutiny was so well advanced that the
+commandant could do no less than take serious notice of it, and it pleased
+me that he did not delay.</p>
+
+<p>Save for the sentinels on the walls, the entire garrison was called out as
+for parade, and, having been clumsily formed in a hollow square, Colonel
+Gansevoort, surrounded by his staff of officers, undertook to still the
+rising tempest.</p>
+
+<p>He began by saying that it was the opinion of himself and his staff that
+the men ought to know exactly the condition of affairs, lest they be led
+astray by idle fears, and to that end he called upon the quartermaster for
+a detailed statement of the amount of eatables then on hand.</p>
+
+<p>When this had been given, and it required some time to read the entire
+list, he announced the number of men, women, and children which were
+inside the walls of the fort, figuring out that by slightly decreasing the
+size of the rations it would be possible to provide every person with food
+during three weeks at least.</p>
+
+<p>True it is the supply was not large enough to admit of our gorging
+ourselves; but I dare venture to say that many there would have lived on
+much less had they been thrown upon their own resources in their own
+homes.</p>
+
+<p>Then he told how many times the big guns had been fired during the late
+assault, and stated that we had two hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition
+remaining for the cannon. He claimed that it was possible for us to hold
+the fort even though we did not use the heavy weapons, and showed that we
+could yet put up as much of a fight as St. Leger's army would be able to
+stomach.</p>
+
+<p>After all these details, he described to the men what would likely be
+their fate in event of surrender, declaring that we had every reason and
+the ability to hold the fort if we were so minded, and urged us to be men
+rather than cowards.</p>
+
+<p>It was a good speech, and one which should have put heart into the veriest
+white-livered militiaman that ever pretended to be a soldier; but, to my
+surprise, I could see on the faces of those who had talked surrender the
+loudest, an expression telling that the words passed by them as does the
+wind.</p>
+
+<p>When we were dismissed the contention was greater than before the colonel
+spoke, and I began to believe it would have been better had he held his
+peace, for surely it seemed as if they believed his words of cheer were
+but proof that he shared their fears.</p>
+
+<p>During the evening one of the bolder poltroons declared it was the duty of
+all the garrison, in order to save their lives, to force Colonel
+Gansevoort to do as they desired, and while the talk was the hottest
+Sergeant Corney "broke loose," as he afterward expressed it.</p>
+
+<p>"This lad an' I," he said, laying his hand on my shoulder, after
+attracting the attention of all within sound of his voice, "have within a
+short time seen just such scoundrelly curs as you are provin' yourselves
+to be. We have heard them cry out against a commander who was fitted to
+lead brave men, and their blood is not yet dry on the banks of the
+Oriskany. They forced General Herkimer into an ambush against his better
+judgment,--against his will,--an' at the first volley from Thayendanega's
+painted wretches they turned tail. Until that time I had thought an Indian
+was the meanest specimen of humanity on the face of the earth; but I have
+come to know different, an' am yet gettin' fresh proof. If you talk so
+boldly of what St. Leger's promises are worth, why don't you put 'em to
+the test? If you believe death by starvation awaits you here, an' that all
+the heart of man can desire is to be found among yonder yellin' imps, why
+don't you make an exchange? The garrison would be the stronger for your
+absence, an' if it so be any man here wants to consort with the red
+wolves, I, who pride myself on never yet havin' disobeyed a military
+order, will stand by an' help him to leave the fort."</p>
+
+<p>For a moment after the old man ceased speaking I fully expected he would
+be set upon and ill-treated by those whom he had so severely lashed with
+his tongue.</p>
+
+<p>That no move toward open violence was attempted simply gave proof that
+they were the cowards he had accused them of being; but I believed it was
+possible to see in their faces that his ironical advice might bear fruit,
+and so I told him when the opportunity came.</p>
+
+<p>"More than one of them has had it in his mind to desert an' go over to the
+enemy," I said, whereupon he replied, as if the possibility gave him great
+satisfaction:</p>
+
+<p>"I wish they might! It's true I said more than I meant when declarin' my
+willingness to help 'em get away; but I promise you, Noel Campbell, that
+my hand never will be raised to stop them, if they try any sich fool
+trick."</p>
+
+<p>When my lads were together in the barracks once more, and had settled down
+for the night, none of us having been detailed for guard-duty, the thought
+of what I fancied I saw on the faces of the mutineers troubled me not a
+little, and, instead of lying down to sleep with the majority of my
+comrades, I called Peter Sitz and Sergeant Corney aside, urging that one
+or the other go to Colonel Gansevoort for the purpose of telling him what
+it was possible some of the garrison might attempt to do before morning.</p>
+
+<p>Peter Sitz claimed that, since he was not a soldier, he had no right to
+make what might seem to the commandant like a suggestion, and shoved all
+the responsibility on the sergeant.</p>
+
+<p>The old man declared, as he had previously, that the men might do as they
+pleased; that if it was possible to stop them by a single word his lips
+should remain closed.</p>
+
+<p>Whereupon I suggested that if the men should desert, in however small
+numbers, they might leave some portion of the fortification unguarded,
+which would work to the peril of all, and insisted, if the sergeant would
+not do what he might to prevent the desertion, it was at least our duty to
+so act that the remainder of the garrison would not be put in jeopardy
+because of their folly.</p>
+
+<p>Not until I had spoken at some length would the old soldier give any heed,
+and then, upon a suggestion from Peter Sitz, he said:</p>
+
+<p>"This much I'm willin' to do, an' no more: from now till mornin' I'll make
+it my business, although clearly I am goin' beyond the bounds of ordinary
+duty, to move to an' fro around the fort, an' will summon the Minute Boys
+in case any point is left unguarded."</p>
+
+<p>Both Jacob and I proposed to share the labor with him; but he would have
+none of it.</p>
+
+<p>"Stay where you are," he said, "for I'm not minded you shall do that which
+may disgruntle the commandant. When he learns that we took it upon
+ourselves to look after the safety of the garrison without orders from
+him, there'll be a good chance for a row. I'll stand the brunt of it
+alone, without draggin' you lads into the scrape."</p>
+
+<p>I knew from the expression on his face that any attempt at argument with
+him at the time would be useless, therefore held my peace; but had it in
+mind that by thus interfering he might be committing an offence such as
+the commandant would not readily forget.</p>
+
+<p>If any number of men should desert on this night, there could not be any
+question but that we, having had an inkling of it, might justly be held
+accountable, but yet I was not pleased at the thought of doing or
+suffering to be done that which the old soldier had set his face against.</p>
+
+<p>However, as has been said, I could have done nothing to change matters
+save by going to the commandant, and therefore remained in the barracks,
+mightily uncomfortable in mind, but trying my best at holding conversation
+with Jacob on indifferent subjects.</p>
+
+<p>The majority of my company had no idea of what might be done that night,
+therefore they lay down to sleep as usual, Jacob and I seeking the open
+air after we found it was impossible to take interest in any subject save
+that which lay, just at that time, nearest our hearts.</p>
+
+<p>We paced to and fro in front of the barracks, taking good care not to
+disturb the sleepers, until perhaps half an hour before midnight, and then
+the sergeant came up, looking much like a man who has just settled a very
+disagreeable question.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it's done," he said, abruptly, "an' to-morrow at this time I reckon
+there'll be less fools in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" I cried, excitedly, for, although expecting to hear
+that a certain number of men had deserted, I could not but feel
+astonishment when the suspicions thus became a certainty.</p>
+
+<p>"Five of the cowards have deserted, countin' that St. Leger will receive
+'em with open arms. They had a good deal to say about the need of
+somethin' to fill up their stomachs, an' I reckon that within four an'
+twenty hours sich a question as that won't give 'em any further trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"How did they go?" Jacob asked, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Out through the horn-works, an' over the stockade."</p>
+
+<p>"How did it happen that only five started?"</p>
+
+<p>"The rest of the mutinous ones were not quite sich fools when it came to
+the last pinch, an' I'm allowin' we're well rid of those who have gone,
+save that they can carry information to St. Leger of a kind he'll be glad
+to receive."</p>
+
+<p>That was a possibility which I had failed to realize until this moment,
+and immediately the knowledge came I understood clearly that it was our
+duty to have notified the commandant at once of what we suspected, for, if
+the enemy learned that we were on short allowance and with a scarcity of
+ammunition, as he certainly would from these men who were bound to make
+matters appear as bad as possible, we might expect more than one vigorous
+assault within a very short time.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you stand quietly by while they went?" Jacob asked, in a tone of
+reproach.</p>
+
+<p>"I wasn't quite sich a fool as that, lad, even though I did advise 'em to
+go. I kept my eye on the gang, however, an' was hidden in the horn-works
+when they made the final plans. Those who had been left behind seemed to
+be frightened, an' I reckon there'll be less show of mutiny in this 'ere
+fort to-morrow mornin' than we've seen in the past four an' twenty hours."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob and I would have insisted that the old soldier tell us more
+regarding the desertion, although it was evident he had imparted all the
+information at his command; but he, bent on getting some rest before
+morning, entered the barracks, and we could hardly do better than follow
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Although it had not seemed possible I would close my eyes in slumber that
+night, with so much which was disagreeable to keep me awake, I did fall
+asleep, and that right soon after I lay down by the side of Jacob.</p>
+
+<p>We were astir very early next morning, through some whim of Sergeant
+Corney's, who insisted that the Minute Boys should be the first to make an
+appearance, and I left the barracks fully expecting to find a scene of
+confusion outside.</p>
+
+<p>Matters were much as they had been the night previous, and I came to the
+conclusion, that as yet the commandant was ignorant of the fact that five
+of his men had gone over to the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>However that may have been, no signs of disquietude among the officers
+were apparent until the sun was two hours or more high, and then half a
+dozen men belonging to the same company as those who had deserted, were
+summoned to headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>"You might save the commandant a good bit of trouble by telling him what
+you know," Jacob suggested to Sergeant Corney, and the latter replied,
+grimly:</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not sich a fool. It's one thing to let a lot of sneaks get away when
+you think the garrison will be the better off without 'em, an' quite
+another to own up to your superior officer that you've winked at
+desertion. I'll keep a close tongue in my head, an' so will them as are my
+friends."</p>
+
+<p>With this the old man walked away, leaving us gazing at each other in
+something very like astonishment, for we understood by his tone that he
+was much the same as threatening us in case we should take it upon
+ourselves to tell what we knew regarding the matter.</p>
+
+<p>Before ten o'clock all of the garrison were aware that five of the force
+had deserted, and those men who had been loudest spoken regarding the
+wisdom of surrendering, were now moving about very uneasily, doubtless
+fearing they might be called upon to answer for some of the unsoldierly
+remarks in which they had indulged.</p>
+
+<p>There was no real confusion in the fort, but a general air of disquietude
+and apprehension, which I thought quite wholesome, since it caused every
+man to do his duty more promptly and more thoroughly than I had ever seen
+it done.</p>
+
+<p>When those who had been summoned to headquarters appeared on the
+parade-ground once more, they were surrounded by eager comrades, all
+anxious to know what had been said to them; but they could give very
+little definite information, and were unwilling to talk openly regarding
+the matter, for the reason, as I fancied, that some of them, being privy
+to the desertion, had denied such fact to the officers.</p>
+
+<p>Well, by noon it seemed as if the matter had entirely blown over.
+Everything went along much as on the day previous, save that, according to
+my idea, there was a more healthy tone among the men, because we no longer
+heard talk of surrender, and I suggested that perhaps Colonel Gansevoort
+was as glad to be rid of his mutinous soldiers as Sergeant Corney had been
+to see them depart.</p>
+
+<p>It goes without saying that all of us, whether on duty or not, kept a
+sharper lookout over the enemy's encampment than ever before, for there
+was good reason to expect that St. Leger would order another assault; but
+not one of us dreamed of that horrible spectacle which was to be
+presented, much as if Thayendanega's murderers were of a mind to give
+would-be deserters such a lesson as could never be forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>The afternoon passed quietly and without unusual incident; but when the
+sun was just about to set we observed the Indians crossing the river from
+their encampment to the meadow at a point near the creek, where it was
+possible for us to hold them in plain view, while they were yet beyond
+range of any except the heavier guns, which could not be brought to bear
+upon them.</p>
+
+<p>The first movement was made by a party of a dozen or more, who seemed to
+be carrying heavy burdens on their backs, and this was such an unusual
+thing for a redskin to do that we were keenly curious.</p>
+
+<p>This first squad was followed by a veritable swarm of the painted
+murderers, and I said nervously to Sergeant Corney, who was standing near
+me at the moment:</p>
+
+<p>"The savages are goin' to try their hand at an assault, an' we're like to
+have warm work before mornin'."</p>
+
+<p>"There's little fear anything of that kind will happen, lad. The painted
+devil never lived who was willin' to stand up an' fight face to face,
+man-fashion."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why are they goin' out of their encampment like a swarm of bees?"</p>
+
+<p>"There's some mischief afoot, though what it is I can't rightly make out.
+Perhaps St. Leger has summoned 'em to another powwow, in order that they
+may know of our condition, as has been told by the deserters."</p>
+
+<p>In a very few moments it was positive that this guess was not correct,
+for, instead of crossing the creek to approach the British encampment, the
+Indians halted when they were about midway between the fort, the camps of
+the British soldiers, and the quarters of the Tories.</p>
+
+<p>It was at a point where every man on either side could see what was being
+done, and yet so far away that, save by a sortie, no one could molest
+them.</p>
+
+<p>I dare venture to say that every man in the garrison, save perhaps the
+officers, was watching intently the movements of Thayendanega's gang, and
+it was as if the knowledge of what was about to be done burst upon us all
+at the same instant.</p>
+
+<p>A low murmur of horror involuntarily came from our lips, and men said in
+whispers, one to another, the blood suddenly leaving their bronzed faces:</p>
+
+<p>"The Indians are going to torture prisoners!"</p>
+
+<p>By this time we could see that two stout posts had been set firmly in the
+earth, and around them were heaped piles of light wood, such as the squaws
+and children were bringing up in great quantities.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega's bloodthirsty crew was bent on showing us what would be our
+fate if we fell into their clutches.</p>
+
+<p>When the first shock of horror had passed away in a measure, there came
+the question as to who might be the victims, and then those who had talked
+mutiny and urged their fellows on to rankest insubordination turned pale
+as death, while many of them walked totteringly away as if unable to
+control their limbs. We all believed, and with good reason, that those
+unfortunates who were to suffer death at the hands of the most
+cruel-minded men God ever made, were none other than the deserters from
+our ranks.</p>
+
+<p>During the assault not one of the garrison had been taken prisoner, and
+certain it was that the besiegers had not left the vicinity of the fort
+for such length of time as would be sufficient to enable them to procure
+captives elsewhere, therefore did we know beyond a peradventure who the
+victims would be, but why only two were to suffer was something at which
+we could not even so much as guess.</p>
+
+<p>I saw Colonel Gansevoort and several of the officers come out from
+headquarters, having most likely been informed as to what was going on,
+and, when they stood where it was possible to have an unobstructed view of
+the horrible preparations, the entire garrison of Fort Schuyler were
+assembled as spectators.</p>
+
+<p>"Cannot something be done for the poor fellows?" I heard a man behind me
+ask in a quavering tone, and, turning, I saw one who had declared most
+vehemently but a few hours previous that if we would surrender the fort we
+could be assured beyond question of such treatment as civilized people
+give to prisoners of war.</p>
+
+<p>No one answered his question, and in a whisper I repeated it to Sergeant
+Corney, whereupon he shook his head decidedly.</p>
+
+<p>"The commander who would make a sortie for the purpose of savin' only two
+lives would be guilty of criminal folly," the old soldier said,
+emphatically. "If those who are to suffer were Colonel Gansevoort's
+nearest friends, still must he remain here idle rather than put in
+jeopardy all the garrison. As it is, those painted devils are givin' us
+sich a lesson as will cause every man here to fight until the death,
+rather than so much as hint that we might trust to the enemy's promises.
+It's a harsh remedy--the harshest man could imagine; but yet there are an
+hundred or more lookin' on at this minute who need it."</p>
+
+<p>I cannot make the feeblest attempt at describing the horror which took
+possession of me as I realized that we could make no effort toward saving
+the unfortunate men, who were not the less to be pitied because they had
+brought about their own misery, and, unable longer to gaze at what was so
+soon to be such a terrible scene, I turned away with a mind to shut myself
+up in the barracks.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch15"></a>Chapter XV.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Torture.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>There was one odd thing I noted while turning away, sick at heart, which
+was that those friends of the deserters, the men whose voices had been
+raised highest against Colonel Gansevoort because he would not surrender
+the fort at St. Leger's bidding, had no word to say now that their friends
+were in such dire distress, while those who had struggled to quell the
+mutiny were asking loudly if it were not possible to do something toward
+saving the lives of the unfortunate men.</p>
+
+<p>Twenty or more of the bolder spirits, among whom was Sergeant Corney, were
+making ready to ask permission of the commandant to their creeping out of
+the fort on that side nearest the river, and then trying by a sudden dash
+to rescue the prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>Even the slight experience which I had had in savage warfare was
+sufficient to show me that there was nothing which we could do in behalf
+of the wretched men, and any plan, however promising, could not fail of
+exposing the entire garrison to the keenest peril.</p>
+
+<p>There could be no question but that the enemy hoped we might be so
+venturesome as to sally out, and I doubt if there was a man within the
+fortification who did not feel convinced that St. Leger's troops were
+ready to swoop down in assault at the first show of our having sent away
+any portion of our force.</p>
+
+<p>All knew that we inside the fortification were powerless to aid those who
+had wilfully gone to their doom, and none better than those same brave
+fellows who were ready to risk their lives in behalf of comrades who would
+have worked disaster to the entire garrison, yet they could not stand idle
+without at least a show of willingness to face danger in the hope of
+saving life.</p>
+
+<p>The one lesson which all of us learned at this time was as to how much
+dependence might be placed upon the word of the British commander. He had
+declared that he would protect all who came to him promising to serve the
+king, and yet, when the five foolish cowards from our garrison presented
+themselves, they were given over to the merciless savages, much as honest
+people give play-things to their children.</p>
+
+<p>I had turned away from the scene sick with horror, even though the
+fiendish work had not yet begun; but as I stood near the barracks,
+trembling in every limb, the thought came that perhaps our deserters were
+not the ones for whom the stakes were intended. Of course, it would be
+equally terrible to see any human being tortured to death; but at the
+moment it seemed as if the frightfulness of it would in some degree be
+lessened if it were strangers who suffered, and straightway I went back to
+the walls, taking station by the side of Jacob, as I strained my eyes to
+see who the Indians led out.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the sergeant?" I asked, in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"Gone, in company with a dozen others, to ask permission of the commandant
+to leave the fort for a short time."</p>
+
+<p>"Do they want to compass their own death?" I asked, angrily. "I dare
+venture to say every Tory in yonder encampment is ready to cut off any
+who, from motives of mercy and pity, venture beyond the walls."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, so my father believes. He says that Colonel Gansevoort cannot, in
+justice to the remainder of the force, allow such a sacrifice of life as
+would result from a sortie."</p>
+
+<p>"But we are not yet certain that it is our deserters who are to be put to
+death," I suggested, and at the moment a hoarse cry went up from all that
+company of heart-sick spectators.</p>
+
+<p>Accompanied by war-songs from the warriors and hoots and yells from the
+squaws and fiendish children, the unfortunate men were being brought
+across the river in triumph, and then a deep hush fell upon our garrison,
+as every person within the walls bent forward anxiously to get a glimpse
+of those who were being carried to the theatre of a terrible death.</p>
+
+<p>The unfortunate prisoners were yet too far away for me to distinguish
+their features, when a soldier standing near by, a man whom I recognized
+as one of those who had howled most loudly for surrender, cried with a
+groan as of mortal agony:</p>
+
+<p>"There is Seth Morton!"</p>
+
+<p>This was the name of one of the deserters, and there was no longer any
+hope but that the savages were ready to show us how our own people could
+die.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment the party with whom Sergeant Corney had gone to the
+commandant for permission to attempt a rescue came up, and but one glance
+at their faces was needed to show that the request had been denied.</p>
+
+<p>"He wouldn't let you go?" I whispered, as the old man stood by my side.</p>
+
+<p>"No, lad, an' we should have had better sense than to ask him. A
+commandant who would agree to sich a plan has no right to expect his
+troops can rely upon his showin' good judgment in a tight fix."</p>
+
+<p>"What did he say?"</p>
+
+<p>"He talked like a gentleman who speaks with his friends. Instead of
+roarin' out that we were all kinds of idjuts, as another commander might
+have done, he told us exactly what would be the result if any of us
+attempted to leave the fort, an' wound up by sayin' that if his own
+brother was in the hands of the red devils, he would not consider it doin'
+justice by the garrison even to let one man venture forth. He only told us
+the truth, an' I'm not sorry I went to him, even though nothin' came of
+it, for it ain't cheerful to stand still without makin' a little bit of a
+try while sich work as that yonder is goin' on."</p>
+
+<p>When the prisoners had been taken across the stream the savages lost no
+time in setting about their terrible work, and, although so many years
+have elapsed since then, I cannot bring myself to set down that which I
+know was done.</p>
+
+<p>While the poor fellows were being bound to the stakes, Jacob and I ran
+into the barracks, where we remained, trying to shut out from our ears the
+yells and whoops which told of what was going on.</p>
+
+<p>"And I would have suffered the same bitter death but for what you did,
+dear lad!" I said, hardly able to control my voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't think of it, Noel," he replied, soothingly, as he pressed my hand.
+"An', above everything, don't give me the credit. All our company had a
+part in that rescue."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, yet they'd never known of our peril but for you, an' it was you
+alone, when they were arrived, who braved the danger of coming across the
+encampment to the lodge."</p>
+
+<p>"Talk of somethin' else, Noel Campbell!" Jacob cried, fiercely. "Even
+though the colonel knows best what should be done, it seems cowardly for
+us to be sittin' here in safety while those poor fellows are sufferin' all
+that men can!"</p>
+
+<p>I tried to do as he would have me; but one can readily understand that at
+such a time it would be well-nigh impossible to think of anything save
+that which was being done within sight of all the garrison.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me like a very long time before the sergeant joined us, and
+then I knew that the unfortunate men were out of their misery at last.</p>
+
+<p>"They have paid a fearful price for their folly," the old man said,
+solemnly; "but by thus dyin' they've ensured the holdin' of this fort, for
+there's not a man within the walls who wouldn't delight in drawin' his
+last breath at the post of duty rather than take the chances of sich
+protection as St. Leger has shown he's ready to give. We'll have no more
+mutiny, an' all hands will be starved to death before the enemy gets
+possession of the fortification."</p>
+
+<p>"What about the other three men?" Jacob asked, in a whisper, not daring to
+trust his voice lest it should betray the fear in his heart.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon their turn will come soon--perhaps to-morrow night.
+Thayendanega's 'noble red men' can't afford to waste their victims. But,
+hark ye, lads, it won't do for you to moon over what is enough to turn any
+man's blood to water. Take a brisk walk up an' down the parade-ground for
+half an hour, an' then come to bed. I'm thinkin' we may have a bit of
+work cut out for us within the next four an' twenty hours."</p>
+
+<p>"Of what kind?" I asked, not inclined to follow the old man's advice so
+far as to venture out while the howling Indians were making night
+something of which to be afraid.</p>
+
+<p>"It stands to reason that before the deserters were turned over to the
+painted wolves St. Leger got from them all the information concernin' this
+fort which they could give. The British general now knows that we haven't
+any too much ammunition for the cannon, an' it'll be odd if he don't give
+us a chance to spend a good bit more of it."</p>
+
+<p>This seemed a plausible line of reasoning, and yet I was not in the
+lightest degree troubled by the possibility; I had known so much of horror
+during the past few hours that an assault, however desperate, was
+something to be courted rather than feared.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney smoked his pipe long and furiously that night as he sat in
+the barracks, giving no heed as to whether we followed his advice, and we
+two lads sat side by side with little inclination to indulge in
+conversation.</p>
+
+<p>One by one our boys, pale-faced and trembling, entered the
+sleeping-quarters, some even going so far as to lie down, but positive am
+I that never an eye was closed in slumber during all that night, and every
+one of us welcomed the first rays of the rising sun as if years had
+passed since he last showed his face.</p>
+
+<p>Before another six hours passed we had good proof that those who deserted
+gave all the information at their command to General St. Leger regarding
+the condition of affairs at the fort, and yet never a word was spoken
+against them, because of the frightful punishment which followed their
+treachery.</p>
+
+<p>From what our party of Minute Boys had seen up to this time, the work of
+the siege was not pushed vigorously by the Britishers, and even the little
+which was done had been performed by the Tories. It is true that the
+parallels were run unpleasantly near the fort, yet, had the besiegers so
+desired, there would have been twice as much to show for their efforts.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning after two of the deserters had been tortured to death, it
+began to look as if our people would have little time for idleness.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy's trenches were filled with men,--regulars as well as
+Tories,--all of whom worked with a will, and at different points
+sharpshooters were stationed to pick off our sentinels.</p>
+
+<p>"Now this is somethin' like business," Sergeant Corney said, as if the
+sense of additional danger was most pleasing to him. "Barry St. Leger has
+just found out that there's a chance of takin' this fort by storm, an'
+from now on we'll have our hands full."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob and I were in the barracks trying to sleep when the old man burst
+in upon us with the remark I have set down, and as he spoke he began
+furbishing up his rifle with unusual care.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you any especial work on hand?" I asked, looking curiously at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, that's what I have. This 'ere garrison ain't in any very great
+danger of runnin' short of ammunition for the small arms, an' we're goin'
+to give the enemy lead in the place of iron for a spell."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" I asked, somewhat petulantly, for it seemed as if the
+old man was making sport of me.</p>
+
+<p>"Only that we've given the enemy's sharpshooters a chance all the forenoon
+without interferin' to any great extent, an' now we're countin' on takin'
+our turn. Fifty men have been detailed to pick off as many of St. Leger's
+force as we can draw a bead on. I reckon workin' in the trenches won't be
+a healthy job from this time on. Colonel Gansevoort allows to show the
+Britishers that he can stir his stumps if needs must."</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant left the barracks without giving us further information; but
+we soon learned that our people were to be kept sharply up to their work,
+instead of being allowed to spend five hours out of every six in lounging
+around.</p>
+
+<p>The force of sharpshooters to which Sergeant Corney was assigned had been
+stationed on the north and east sides of the fort, where they could
+command a view of the British and Tory encampments and the trenches.</p>
+
+<p>Another company of fifty was told off especially for the horn-works, while
+we Minute Boys were ordered to keep at least ten of our number constantly
+on watch over the sally-port, from which point the best view of the Indian
+encampment could be had.</p>
+
+<p>Yet others of the force were detailed to go from one division to another
+of those I have named, in order to lend a hand in case it might become
+necessary, and thus it was we no longer had any loungers on the
+parade-grounds or near the barracks.</p>
+
+<p>The orders were that every effort be made to pick off such of the enemy as
+offered themselves for targets, and before the day had come to an end St.
+Leger's men must have begun to understand that the siege of Fort Schuyler
+was no longer the one-sided affair which it had been.</p>
+
+<p>My lads could not have been stationed in any other position where they
+would have been as well satisfied, for thus were they fighting the savages
+who had threatened to ravage the Mohawk Valley, and every time we made a
+successful shot it was much as if we struck a blow in defence of our
+homes.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega's so-called braves did not give us very much opportunity to
+display our skill as marksmen, however. Within five minutes after the
+curs discovered that we were straining every effort to reduce their
+number, they hugged the encampment mighty snug, and I am of the opinion
+that General St. Leger would have found it difficult to make them obey any
+order which might necessitate their coming within our line of fire.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to this slow method of whipping a large force, I noted the
+fact that twenty men or more were at work moving one of the guns in the
+northwest bastion, and was not a little puzzled to make out why such a
+piece of work should be done at a time when we could not afford to use the
+cannon any more than was absolutely necessary.</p>
+
+<p>My surprise was not lessened when the laborers with great difficulty
+transferred the big gun directly to our station, mounting it almost
+directly over the port, after which six rounds of ammunition were brought
+from the magazine and placed where it could be got at handily.</p>
+
+<p>"Does the commandant think we lads can handle that cannon properly?" I
+asked of the corporal who was superintending the work, and he replied,
+with a laugh of satisfaction:</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon he wasn't thinkin' very much about you when he gave orders to
+have the gun moved. That's to help out on our surprise-party; it'll carry
+a ball farther an' with truer aim than any other piece in the fort, as I
+know, havin' had somewhat to do with all of 'em."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean by a surprise-party?" I asked, in perplexity. "An' why
+should the best gun be brought here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see, lad, the chances are them bloody sneaks will soon try to
+work the same deviltry which we had to look at idly last night, for it
+stands to reason that all who deserted from this fort fell into their
+clutches. The next time they start in to kill a man by inches, believin'
+they're out of range, we'll plump a ball into the middle of the gang
+that'll make em' hop a bit."</p>
+
+<p>I laughed in glee at the prospect of turning the tables on the
+bloodthirsty wretches, but very shortly came the thought that the
+unfortunate prisoners would be in as much danger as the savages, and this
+I suggested to the corporal, whereupon he said, gravely:</p>
+
+<p>"We'll hope the first shot kills as many as are trussed up to the stakes,
+lad, because a quick death is the only favor we can do for the poor
+fellows."</p>
+
+<p>It would indeed be a mercy to kill the prisoners, if we could not save
+their lives; but of a verity we were come to hard lines when it was to be
+hoped our missiles would slay those who had been our comrades.</p>
+
+<p>I believed all the garrison were better content, now that Colonel
+Gansevoort was finding work for every man. Certainly there was less chance
+for searching out bugbears when they were busily engaged, and each of us
+felt a grim satisfaction at knowing that we inflicted some punishment on
+the enemy, however slight.</p>
+
+<p>It must not be supposed that our sharpshooters found all the targets they
+desired, else had we wiped St. Leger's force out in a twinkling; but there
+were in the white portion of his army a sufficient number who scorned to
+show fear of what we might be able to do, and these kept our men so
+engaged that the reports of the rifles were ringing out almost without
+intermission.</p>
+
+<p>As I have already said, we Minute Boys had but little opportunity to show
+our skill after the first hour, because the savages kept so close within
+their lodges; but now and then we had a crack at a painted figure, and
+seldom missed our aim.</p>
+
+<p>As the day wore away it became evident that the Indians counted on
+torturing the remainder of their prisoners as before, and, instead of
+suffering from the sickness of horror, as I had twenty-four hours
+previous, there was in my mind a most pleasing anticipation of what would
+be the result.</p>
+
+<p>Half an hour before sunset they began setting up new posts, a fact which
+told that St. Leger had indeed turned over to them all the deserters.</p>
+
+<p>Word was passed around the fort that the commandant counted on putting an
+end to their cruel sport, if perchance the distance was not greater than
+he had estimated, and by sunset every person inside the walls, save those
+who were acting as sentinels on the westerly side, had their faces turned
+in the direction of the Indian encampment.</p>
+
+<p>It was claimed that the corporal with whom I had previously spoken was the
+best gunner in the command, and to him had been entrusted the work of
+sighting the cannon.</p>
+
+<p>He had already charged it heavily, and when the savages began setting up
+new posts he knew the time had come to look for the proper range.</p>
+
+<p>The corporal had no need to call for a crew to aid him. An hundred pairs
+of hands were out-stretched eagerly whenever he signified the desire to
+have this thing or that done, and he was more like to suffer from a
+surplus of helpers than a lack.</p>
+
+<p>It looked much as if Colonel Gansevoort feared that, while our attention
+was attracted toward the fiendish work of the savages, the British and
+Tory soldiers might make an assault, for he ordered the number of
+sentinels doubled and all the spectators to be in line, weapons in hand,
+that no time might be lost in case it became necessary to move them from
+one point to another.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega's wolves did not count on keeping us waiting very long; but
+as soon as the sun had set began crossing the river with their unfortunate
+prisoners, singing and shouting, as if the capture and torturing of these
+unarmed men was some signal act of bravery.</p>
+
+<p>The corporal told off a certain number of those nearest to act as crew
+for the gun, explaining to them just how they should set about the task of
+recharging when once it had been discharged, and then the remainder of the
+spectators, save we Minute Boys who were entitled to remain at our
+stations, were forced to fall back that they might not impede the work
+after it was once begun.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Colonel Gansevoort himself had come up, and thus we
+understood that he was to direct the firing. If our cannon could carry a
+missile to the place of torture, then certain it was the red-skinned
+brutes would receive a lesson well calculated to surprise those who were
+left alive after the piece had been discharged.</p>
+
+<p>The commandant did not wait until the horrible work was begun; but, once
+the stakes were surrounded by the howling, screaming, dancing mob as they
+placed the prisoners in the desired positions, the corporal got the word
+for which he had been eagerly waiting.</p>
+
+<p>A puff of dense white smoke, a report which was almost deafening to those
+of us standing near by rang out.</p>
+
+<p>Then we could follow the flight of the missile in the air until it struck,
+as it seemed to me, within a dozen paces of those bloodthirsty villains
+who stood on the outside of the throng, and, rebounding as does a flat
+stone when a boy drives it along the surface of the water, it plunged into
+the very midst of the fiendish crew.</p>
+
+<p>I could see that one of the posts had been carried away by the ball, but
+whether or no the prisoner was killed could not be told from so great a
+distance and while he was surrounded by such numbers.</p>
+
+<p>It was to be hoped the poor fellow had gone to his final account without
+pain, as would have been the case had the huge shot struck him.</p>
+
+<p>The gunners did not wait to see the result of their work; but instantly
+the cannon was discharged every man sprang to the task allotted him, and
+the savages had not yet recovered from the first surprise before a second
+shot came hurtling among them, striking down half a score before it
+rebounded.</p>
+
+<p>I do not believe forty seconds elapsed before the gunners were ready for
+the third discharge. In order to save time they did not wait to swab out
+the piece, and the only preparation make by them was to clear the interior
+of smoke.</p>
+
+<p>To tell it in the fewest possible words, the corporal had for his target
+nearly the entire number of Indians who had attempted to witness the
+torture, while we fired four shots, and not until then did the
+panic-stricken crew get their wits about them sufficiently to beat a
+retreat.</p>
+
+<p>But the gun was discharged twice more while they were crossing the river,
+and I know for a certainty that one boat was swamped, while the ground in
+the vicinity of the posts set up for the prisoners seemed literally
+strewn with the dead and the dying.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment, while we were making the air ring with our shouts of
+triumph, I saw a figure emerge from that sinister pile of dead and maimed
+and come limpingly in the direction of the fort, moving evidently with
+great effort and slowly.</p>
+
+<p>At first I believed it was a wounded Indian, who was so crazed with pain
+or fear as not to be aware of the direction in which he was proceeding,
+and then a cry went up from the soldiers nearabout me:</p>
+
+<p>"Reuben Cox! Reuben Cox!"</p>
+
+<p>"Was he one of the deserters?" I asked of the corporal, who, his work
+having been done, was leaning out over the wall to watch the frightened
+sneaks as they scuttled into their lodges out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that he was," the corporal replied, "an' it looks much as if he stood
+a chance to gain the fort before those painted beauties dare stick their
+noses out from cover."</p>
+
+<p>As we watched it was possible to see that the man's arms were tied behind
+him, while it seemed as if his legs were fettered in some way; yet he was
+able to take short steps, and in his eagerness to make better speed he
+fell to the ground again and again, rising only with difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>The fugitive was a deserter from the fort, one who had doubtless given
+such information to the British general as might work serious harm to all
+of us; but yet never a cry was heard from our garrison, save such as
+expressed hope that he might escape the terrible doom from which we had at
+least temporarily saved him, and all appeared eager for him to gain the
+fortification.</p>
+
+<p>Even Colonel Gansevoort seemed to lose sight of the fact that if this man
+came among us once more it would be necessary to treat him as a deserter;
+but to check, if possible, pursuit from the British and Tory soldiers, he
+lined the walls with men under command to fire without waiting for the
+word, upon any of the enemy who might approach within range.</p>
+
+<p>The crews of the guns in the northeastern bastion were sent to their posts
+of duty, in order that the pieces might be used in case an opportunity
+presented itself, and, in fact, every possible effort, save the absolute
+sallying out of a relief party, was made to preserve the life of the man
+who by all military laws deserved death.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me as if I did not breathe while that poor, struggling
+creature was straining every effort to find a place of refuge among those
+whom he had wronged. It was as if the distance increased even as he came
+toward us, and I found it difficult to remain silent while he stumbled,
+fell, rose, and fell again during his painful flight.</p>
+
+<p>Fifty men or more ran to the sally-port, ready to open the gates if he
+should draw near, and Colonel Gansevoort made no effort to check them.</p>
+
+<p>I believe at the moment that he entirely lost sight of the fact that this
+man could no longer claim the right of entrance, having forfeited it when
+he went over to the enemy. He, and all within the walls, saw before them
+only a wretched prisoner, striving to escape from those who would torture
+him to death, and had he been a dear friend no greater anxiety could have
+been shown for his safety.</p>
+
+<p>Not until he was within fifty yards of the walls of the fort did a shot
+come from the direction of the Indian encampment, and then the bullet sped
+wide of its mark.</p>
+
+<p>From the camp of the Tories a squad of men dashed out, as if intent on
+cutting off the poor fellow even after he was close under the walls, but a
+gun from the northeastern bastion hurled a shot uncomfortably near,
+sending them flying back beyond range, and five minutes later Reuben Cox
+was in our midst, as nearly dead from wounds and fatigue as he ever would
+be again until his final moment had come.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch16"></a>Chapter XVI.</h2>
+
+<h3>Short Allowance.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>Five men had deserted from the fort trusting to the promises made by
+General St. Leger, and one had returned, after having suffered more than
+death, rejoicing because he was able to be once again with those whom he
+had betrayed.</p>
+
+<p>At the moment, however, we had no thought of the deserter, but saw before
+us only a former comrade who had come out from the very jaws of death to
+claim protection.</p>
+
+<p>The poor fellow had been cruelly cut on the legs and arms by the savages
+while they were bringing him across the river, and had lost much blood.
+His face and hands were covered with huge blisters, and it was not
+necessary either Sergeant Corney or I should ask how he came by them, for
+we knew through bitterest experience what the squaws and children would do
+when a white man was at their mercy.</p>
+
+<p>Not until a full hour had passed could Reuben Cox tell his story, and even
+then he was in such a sorry plight that it was possible for him to speak
+only a moment at a time; but before morning came--before we were able to
+do very much toward relieving his sufferings--we had a fairly good account
+of all that had occurred from the moment the five foolish men clambered
+over the stockade until our cannon had done its work of mercy.</p>
+
+<p>It seems that the deserters, after getting outside the fort, decided to
+make their way as nearly to St. Leger's quarters as might be possible, and
+to that end made a long d&eacute;tour to the westward. The sun had risen before
+they came upon a sentinel, and he was, fortunately, as it seemed to them,
+one of the British regulars.</p>
+
+<p>Their story was soon told; no attempt was made to hide the fact that they
+had deserted, for all believed that such a statement would ensure their
+receiving a hearty welcome from the commander.</p>
+
+<p>Much to their surprise, however, the British soldiers treated them with
+the utmost contempt and no slight degree of harshness. The Tories were the
+only white men who appeared particularly pleased with what had been done,
+and they gave the fellows a friendly reception only because, being
+renegades themselves, it gladdened them to know there were others in the
+valley who could be so contemptible.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of course they were soon taken before the commander that he
+might question them; but even he evidently looked upon them with no slight
+disgust, for he forced them to remain standing while in his presence, and
+failed to give any instructions as to how they should be quartered or fed.</p>
+
+<p>Reuben Cox admitted, with many a groan and plea for mercy, that he and his
+companions had given St. Leger all the information concerning the fort
+which was in their power, and even made our situation appear more
+desperate than really was the case; but when they asked for permission to
+serve the king under his command, he roughly told them to present
+themselves to Sir John Johnson, declaring that the regulars would not
+receive them as companions-in-arms.</p>
+
+<p>Just at that moment it was impossible for them to find Sir John, and, more
+hungry than they had ever been inside Fort Schuyler, they wandered about
+until arriving face to face with a party of Indians, who had come from
+their encampment to lounge around near the white soldiers, from whom they
+begged rum and tobacco.</p>
+
+<p>That meeting sealed their fate, and the poor wretches came to understand
+what was in store for them, even before St. Leger had agreed that they
+might be turned over to the tender mercies of his savage allies.</p>
+
+<p>During an hour they did their best to escape, but only to be dragged back
+with many a kick and blow each time they endeavored to sneak out of the
+encampment.</p>
+
+<p>As nearly as the unhappy men could understand, there was a long, angry
+interview between Sir John, Thayendanega, and some of the British officers
+before the matter was settled, and then they were delivered up to the
+Indians, even the Tories shutting their ears to the prayers for mercy.</p>
+
+<p>It was not necessary I should hear what he had to say about the treatment
+the deserters received in the Indian encampment prior to being led out to
+the stake. I knew full well what suffering must have been theirs before
+the hour arrived when all was to be ended. I had had some slight
+experience as a prisoner in the power of the savages, and even then could
+not listen to another's story of similar treatment without severe mental
+pain.</p>
+
+<p>The three who were reserved for the second evening's entertainment
+suffered nearly all the agonies of death when their comrades were
+tortured, for the Indians forced them to be present as spectators, and it
+is little wonder they were half-dead with fear when their turn came to
+afford amusement for those who found their greatest delight in listening
+to screams of agony from helpless victims.</p>
+
+<p>The first shot from the fort killed two of the deserters outright and
+overturned the post to which Cox was being bound. He could not tell very
+much about the execution done by the balls, for at first he believed it
+was some new form of torture which the savages had invented; but when the
+painted crew fled across the river in abject fear, leaving him
+comparatively at liberty, he began to understand that the comrades whom he
+had wickedly wronged were doing what they could to aid him.</p>
+
+<p>He declared that there were no less than twenty dead savages lying
+nearabout the place when he started for the fort, while as many more,
+badly wounded, were putting forth every effort at escaping beyond range of
+our gun.</p>
+
+<p>All this was repeated to me by Sergeant Corney, who had heard it from
+Reuben Cox himself, and when he was come to an end of the recital I asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Now that he is here, an' likely to live, what will be done with him?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I can't say, lad, an' I'm of the belief that it puzzles the
+commandant not a little. Desertion in the face of an enemy is punishable
+by death the world over, an' rightly, for a soldier can commit no greater
+crime; but what about shootin' a man who has already suffered a dozen
+deaths?"</p>
+
+<p>I soon came to know that the question I had asked of the sergeant was
+being discussed by all the garrison, many of the men declaring that Reuben
+Cox deserved to be treated as any other deserter, while a large number
+claimed that the sufferings he had endured should be considered as having
+atoned for the crime.</p>
+
+<p>The arguments became so warm that it was evident Colonel Gansevoort would
+be forced to come to some decision regarding the matter, and so he did on
+this same day when we were called out on the parade-ground, being formed
+in a hollow square.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that the commandant laid the affair before us without comment,
+save as he declared that neither he nor his staff were willing to settle
+the question themselves, and he had decided to leave it to the
+garrison,--the men who must suffer because of the information given to St.
+Leger, if it so chanced that the British commander gained any advantage
+through it.</p>
+
+<p>"Discuss it thoroughly among yourselves," the colonel said, "and, having
+made up your minds as to what punishment should be dealt out to Cox, write
+the verdict on a bit of paper, signing your names thereto, and leave the
+same at headquarters. Whatsoever the majority of you declare just to all
+concerned, shall be done."</p>
+
+<p>Then we were dismissed from parade, and on the instant there ensued such a
+buzzing and humming that one might have thought an hundred swarms of bees
+had taken possession of the fort, as each man tried to impress upon his
+neighbor that he had the only correct solution to the painful question.</p>
+
+<p>Our Minute Boys were all of the same mind, and it gave me no little
+satisfaction to know that my company were of the mind that Cox had been
+fully punished for his wrong-doing. Without any delay we stated our views
+in few words at the top of a sheet of paper, and each member signed his
+name, after which I carried it to headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>It was Colonel Gansevoort himself whom I saw, and he asked, after glancing
+over the list of names:</p>
+
+<p>"How does it happen that you lads arrived at a decision so quickly?
+Desertion is a very serious offence, and, because of the lesson which
+others may receive, should be punished severely."</p>
+
+<p>"True, sir," I made bold to say; "but among those who signed the paper are
+two who were prisoners among the savages, and, while not havin' been
+subjected to great torture, they have a fair idea of what Cox must have
+suffered."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you speaking of yourself and the old soldier?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet because of what Cox has told St. Leger you may soon be again in
+the power of the Indians."</p>
+
+<p>"That can never be, sir," I replied, gravely. "We know full well you will
+not surrender, however sore our plight, therefore the savages must take
+their prisoners in a fight, an' one need not be captured alive."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you would rather die with a musket in your hands than fall into
+their clutches?"</p>
+
+<p>"A good many times over, if that could be, sir," and so great was the
+horror in my heart through simply calling the possibility to mind that the
+colonel must have understood I spoke no more than the truth.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my lad, I will tell you this much for the gratification of yourself
+and friends: When it comes, if it ever does, that I am convinced, because
+of lack of food, ammunition, or any other contingency, that we cannot hold
+the fort, I will lead as many of the garrison as choose to follow me in an
+attempt to cut our way through the enemy's lines. I, like you, prefer to
+die fighting, rather than at the stake."</p>
+
+<p>These words gave me greatest relief of mind, even though to do as the
+colonel promised was much like going to certain death, and I asked:</p>
+
+<p>"May I repeat to my comrades what you have said, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that you may, lad, and unless succor comes soon I shall speak quite
+as plainly to all the garrison, for to-morrow morning the rations are of a
+necessity to be cut down one-half, which will give our discontented men
+good chance to talk of starvation."</p>
+
+<p>It would have given me greatest satisfaction to ask him a few questions
+concerning our supplies, which, when he made the statement to the
+garrison, had seemed so plentiful; but, fortunately, I had sense enough to
+understand that, for a lad like me, to make searching inquiries of the
+commandant of a fort was something which the most easy-going officer would
+not tolerate for an instant.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore, thanking him for having given me the assurance which he had, I
+took my leave, going with all speed to the barracks that I might acquaint
+Sergeant Corney with what I had heard.</p>
+
+<p>"It's good news, lad, though not much different from what I've come to
+expect from sich a soldier as the commandant. Now we've nothin' in
+particular to worry about, seem's there won't be any question of takin'
+advantage of the Britisher's offer, which would be kept in the case of all
+hands much as it was when our poor fools deserted. But what is this about
+short allowance? I thought it was proven to us that we had supplies in
+plenty for many days to come?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can only tell you what the commandant said."</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon he'll explain matters when he tells us why the rations are
+short, an' that he'll have to do in order to satisfy some of the imitation
+soldiers we've got in this 'ere fort."</p>
+
+<p>Then the old man went to his post of duty, and I rejoined the Minute Boys
+over the sally-port, where every member of my company was aching to get a
+fair shot at one of Thayendanega's curs.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians were not inclined to show themselves on this morning after we
+gave our surprise-party. I fancy they had come to understand it wouldn't
+be an easy matter to get the best of us, and were having considerably more
+of fighting than was pleasing.</p>
+
+<p>Never one of the painted snakes came within range of our rifles. At some
+time during the night they had plucked up courage enough to drag off their
+wounded, and, if they visited the British or Tory camp that day, it was
+after making such a d&eacute;tour through the thicket as kept them screened from
+our view.</p>
+
+<p>In the trenches the white portion of St. Leger's army worked like men who
+feel the whip behind them, and our people succeeded in sending six to the
+hospital or their last resting-place, without receiving a scratch.</p>
+
+<p>Such a siege as had been carried on during the past eight and forty hours
+could not be cheerful amusement, and I began to have an idea that it would
+not take very much of a reverse to send the Tories flying to some other
+section of the country. If our people would only follow the example set
+them by Colonel Gansevoort, it seemed certain we could hold the fort at no
+greater cost than that of being hungry during a certain length of time!</p>
+
+<p>When another day had come, and the rations were reduced in size as the
+commandant had said they would be, there was a hum of dissatisfaction all
+over the fort, even those whom we counted as being the stoutest-hearted
+doing their full share of grumbling, and wholly because the commandant had
+so lately told them that we had sufficient of food for many days.</p>
+
+<p>They were not yet done with the business of deciding what punishment
+should be dealt out to Cox; but that was entirely lost sight of in face
+of this apparent change in the situation. It seemed as if the store of
+provisions must be very low indeed, else the rations would not have been
+cut down so soon after the statements made by the quartermaster.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that there was no mutinous talk to be heard; the fate of the
+deserters had taught the grumblers a lesson that would not soon be
+forgotten, but much was said that did not tend to improve the discipline.</p>
+
+<p>At noon word was passed among the men that the last of the votes on Cox's
+case must be in the commandant's hands within two hours, and it was
+generally understood, if not stated as a fact, that at nightfall we would
+hear the verdict. Then also, so nearly all the members of the garrison
+believed, Colonel Gansevoort would explain the reason for putting us on
+short allowance after having stated that we had food in plenty.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was the men went about their work as usual, content to wait
+until night; but the commandant would have been unwise to keep them in
+ignorance longer.</p>
+
+<p>"The only mistake that has been made in this business was when Colonel
+Gansevoort condescended to give out any statement while the men were ripe
+for mutiny," Sergeant Corney stopped to say to me, as I met him on the
+parade-ground while going to the barracks to summon some of the lads whose
+time for sentinel-duty had come. "If a dozen or more of the
+loudest-mouthed had been put under arrest, an' such as the deserters
+strung up by the thumbs, four lives might have been saved, an' there
+wouldn't be any foolish talk made now."</p>
+
+<p>I had no time to reply to the old man, for, having thus relieved his mind,
+he passed on, and I went about my duties.</p>
+
+<p>The Britishers and Tories worked half-heartedly in the trenches, the
+savages kept well out of sight, and we of the garrison watched eagerly for
+an opportunity to send home a bullet where it would do the most good,
+until nightfall, and then came the call for us to fall into line.</p>
+
+<p>The fate of Cox had been decided, and we were to be told about the
+reduction of rations, therefore nearly every man wore an expression of
+anxious expectation.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney was an exception to the general rule; he apparently had no
+particular interest in either matter, and obeyed the call as if he did so
+only because it was necessary.</p>
+
+<p>As on the previous occasion, we were drawn up in a hollow square, with
+Colonel Gansevoort and his staff inside, and without wasting many words in
+leading up to the subject, the commandant announced that the majority of
+the men had decided there was no need of further punishment for Reuben
+Cox; that the penalty which he had already paid was a sufficient lesson
+for those of us who entertained any idea of trusting to the promises made
+by the British commander.</p>
+
+<p>Then he spoke of our being put on short allowance, and straightway the men
+pricked up their ears, listening intently to the end that they might be
+able to prove the quartermaster had told a deliberate falsehood.</p>
+
+<p>"You were told that we had food sufficient with which to feed all inside
+the walls for a term of three weeks," he said, speaking slowly that there
+might be no mistake as to his words. "The statement, under the conditions
+then existing, was true; but you must bear in mind that since that time
+General St. Leger has been informed of our situation, so far as the
+deserters understood it. The result of his learning that the stock of
+provisions is not as great as it should be has been the increased activity
+of the foe, which entails much severe labor upon you, and causes him to
+guard more closely against the succor which may be sent us.</p>
+
+<p>"Therefore my officers and I have believed it wisest to say to ourselves
+that it is not reasonable to expect aid from the outside can come to us
+for four or five weeks, even if Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell
+finally succeed in finding General Schuyler, because it must arrive in
+sufficient force to break through the lines St. Leger will throw around
+us. Now in order that we may safely count on having sufficient food to
+sustain life during at least five weeks, it has been decided, after due
+deliberation, to put the entire garrison, the commandant as well as the
+men, on short allowance."</p>
+
+<p>"And what if General Schuyler has so much on his hands because of Burgoyne
+that he can't come to our relief?"</p>
+
+<p>"If when we are come to our last two rations we get no definite
+information that relief is near at hand, we will sally out at night and
+cut our way through the enemy's lines!" Colonel Gansevoort cried in
+ringing tones, and straightway Sergeant Corney set about clapping his
+hands with such vigor that, almost before the men were aware of the fact,
+they were applauding the commandant heartily.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of this involuntary token of good-will the officers very
+wisely went to their quarters, leaving us to stew over the situation in
+such fashion as best pleased us.</p>
+
+<p>Every man on the parade-ground understood full well that if he would save
+his life it stood him in hand to get back to his post of duty without
+unnecessary delay, and in a very few minutes those whose turn it was to go
+on duty were setting about the regular routine as laid down since the
+besiegers displayed unusual activity.</p>
+
+<p>That night, when Sergeant Corney should have been sleeping, he came to my
+post, and the two of us discussed the situation in all its bearings,
+coming to the conclusion that the garrison was in much better shape than
+it would have been but for the horrible lesson Thayendanega's villains
+gave us regarding their treatment of prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>Certain it was that we would hear no more about surrendering, therefore we
+need not fear another mutiny, and, as the old man said grimly:</p>
+
+<p>"If the men want more to eat, let 'em go outside to get it, for it won't
+do any good to whine after what has been said."</p>
+
+<p>During the week which followed every man did his full duty, and we heard
+very little grumbling, although I am sorry to set it down that some of the
+faint-hearted did wag their tongues more than was seemly; but on the whole
+the garrison showed themselves to be fairly good soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>Reuben Cox was able to move about on the fourth day after he succeeded in
+getting inside the fort, and as I saw this man and that, who had formerly
+been his close comrades, move aside lest he should speak to them, I
+decided that the man's punishment was far greater than any we could have
+inflicted upon him. Death, according to my way of thinking, would have
+been far preferable to being thus scorned.</p>
+
+<p>Cox must have had some such thoughts himself, for, coming full upon the
+commandant one day, the two being not above twenty paces from where I was
+stationed, he pleaded piteously to leave the fort in order that he might
+do what he could toward hurrying forward the relief for which we were
+hoping.</p>
+
+<p>"You would not live to get two hundred yards away," Colonel Gansevoort
+replied, speaking not unkindly. "The enemy are doubtless on the alert for
+some such attempt on our part, since knowing we are not overly burdened
+with food."</p>
+
+<p>"I would like to make the try, sir," Cox said, in a pleading tone, "an',
+if it so be that they get hold of me again, it'll be better to die in
+their hands than stay here where every man looks upon me as somethin' to
+be despised."</p>
+
+<p>"You can't be surprised, Cox, that the brave fellows, whose plight has
+been rendered more desperate by what you and your companions did, should
+be averse to making friendly with you."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not surprised, sir, an' I'd like to end it all by showin' that I've
+still got man enough in me to die tryin' to repair the mischief that's
+been done."</p>
+
+<p>"The only way to make atonement is by doing whatsoever comes to your hand
+here in the fort. There's like to be plenty of fighting ahead of us, and
+you should be able to do more than your share."</p>
+
+<p>"Could it be fixed, sir, so that I might give up nearly all my rations to
+those who need 'em the most?" the poor fellow asked, in a tone so pitiful
+and weak that my heart really went out in sympathy to him.</p>
+
+<p>"We will stand or fall on the same footing, my man," the colonel said, as
+he walked away, and immediately I was relieved of duty I made it my
+business to repeat the conversation to every man I came across.</p>
+
+<p>We were all so near death just then that it surely seemed as if we should
+have forgiveness in our hearts for such as Cox, lest we be denied that
+same boon in the next world.</p>
+
+<p>From that day our people showed less aversion for the repentant deserter,
+and of a verity he did the work of three men during every four and twenty
+hours thereafter while we remained in Fort Schuyler.</p>
+
+<p>In just eight days after that assault when the Indians so nearly succeeded
+in gaining a foothold in the horn-works, another attack was threatened,
+and this time it was not unexpected.</p>
+
+<p>We had been punishing so severely those who were working in the trenches,
+and had kept the savages such close prisoners in their own encampment,
+that it seemed only natural the more soldierly of the men in St. Leger's
+army should insist on being led against us.</p>
+
+<p>It was possible for us to tell by the shouts and yells that on a certain
+night Thayendanega's cowards had assembled in the British camp for a
+powwow, although they had taken good care not to let us see them going
+there, and Sergeant Corney said to me, as if he had a written programme
+of the entire proceedings:</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow we will have redcoats in plenty at which to shoot."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you say that?" I asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll eat my head if Barry St. Leger hasn't called Thayendanega's gang
+together with the idea of stiffenin' their backs so they'll be willin' to
+make an assault. The regulars have been gettin' mighty uneasy these two
+days, an' somethin' has got to be done, different from ditch-diggin', to
+keep 'em in good spirits."</p>
+
+<p>"Won't Cox fight if he gets another show at the beauties who came so near
+killing him at the stake!" I cried, giving words to the first thought
+which entered my mind.</p>
+
+<p>"He won't get the chance. The assault will be made before to-morrow night,
+an' never a feather can be seen."</p>
+
+<p>"Why are you so positive about that?"</p>
+
+<p>"They've much the same as told us. If we hadn't got 'em cowed by sendin' a
+bullet their way whenever one of the sneaks showed his nose, they'd been
+cavortin' 'round here this week past tryin' to make it lively for us. I
+tell you, Noel, we can count the painted murderers out of the game from
+this on."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you may be right," I said, with a long-drawn sigh, "for if St.
+Leger has lost as many of his army as Thayendanega's crowd represents, it
+won't be such a desperate venture to cut our way through his lines when
+we've eaten the last ration."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't stop believin' that General Schuyler will contrive to give us a
+lift. I'm countin' that he's lookin' after the matter now," the sergeant
+replied, and then he walked away whistling softly, as if the thought of
+taking part against another assault pleased him mightily.</p>
+
+<p>Before morning came I understood that Sergeant Corney was not the only one
+in the garrison who believed the enemy would soon show unusual signs of
+life.</p>
+
+<p>The howling and yelling of the savages at the powwow continued until near
+to midnight, and the noise had hardly more than died away when the
+commandant came to where I was stationed, halting a moment to gaze in the
+direction of the Indian camp before he asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen any targets in this direction lately?"</p>
+
+<p>"It has been a good many days since any of the crew gave us a chance to
+show what we could do with a bullet, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"How long are you on duty to-night?"</p>
+
+<p>"Until morning, sir. Jacob Sitz and I have thought best to stay with the
+sentinels of our company during all the hours of darkness. We catch a
+cat-nap now and then, so it isn't like doin' extra work."</p>
+
+<p>"Your lads will make good names for themselves among those who love the
+Cause, if they keep on as they've begun," the colonel said in the most
+kindly tone, and the praise made me as proud as any peacock, for I had
+hoped we might be able to show him we could do the work of men.</p>
+
+<p>For the life of me I couldn't get my wits together quickly enough to thank
+him as I should have done, and immediately he said, as if speaking to one
+of his officers:</p>
+
+<p>"See that a sharp watch be kept from now on, and do not hesitate to raise
+an alarm if anything unusual is seen, Captain Campbell."</p>
+
+<p>I am certain my cheeks reddened when he thus recognized my rank, yet I was
+such a simple that I could only stammer:</p>
+
+<p>"You must have in mind, sir, somethin' the same as has Sergeant Corney. He
+has lately been here predicting an assault for to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"The sergeant uses his ears to some purpose," the colonel said, with a
+laugh, and then he walked away, leaving me with a determination to keep
+guard as I had never kept it before.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch17"></a>Chapter XVII.</h2>
+
+<h3>Perplexing Scenes.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and
+the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my
+duty.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was
+depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or
+sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance,
+I might disappoint him.</p>
+
+<p>After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue
+prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in
+an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the
+conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other
+to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "If the
+sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege,
+then we're not likely to see much from this point."</p>
+
+<p>"But we're not certain the old man knows better than any one else; he has
+figured it out to suit himself, without havin' definite knowledge. The
+commandant has much the same as praised our company, an' we must see to it
+that he has no cause to blame."</p>
+
+<p>By this time Jacob was fully awake, and he set out along such portion of
+the wall as was under our charge, straining his eyes in the direction of
+the Indian encampment, but without seeing anything whatsoever. Not a
+camp-fire was burning, and I failed to hear even the howling of a dog,
+which was something so unusual as to cause us no little surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Can it be that Thayendanega's gang has deserted General St. Leger?" I
+asked, in a whisper. "The sergeant will have it that they are done with
+the siege, in which case it wouldn't be surprisin' if they had sneaked
+away."</p>
+
+<p>"There's no such good news as that," Jacob said, with a laugh; "but I'm
+puzzled to make out why they're so quiet."</p>
+
+<p>Had we been left to our own counsels ten minutes longer I believe I might
+have been tempted to waken the sergeant, which would have given him an
+opportunity to laugh at us because we had grown nervous over the absence
+of all danger-signs; but just then Peter Sitz approached, and I whispered
+to my comrade in a tone of relief that he and I were not the only nervous
+members of the garrison.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems as if all hands had it in mind that we need lookin' after,"
+Jacob replied, grimly, and then his father asked if we had seen anything
+unusual since the powwow came to an end.</p>
+
+<p>"It's what we've neither seen nor heard that's puzzlin' us, sir," my
+comrade said, and then he called his father's attention to the remarkable
+quiet which reigned where, ordinarily, noises of some kind could be heard
+during every hour of the night.</p>
+
+<p>Master Sitz appeared decidedly disturbed in mind, yet he made no comment,
+and, after listening in vain five minutes or more, he walked away without
+giving heed to us.</p>
+
+<p>It really appeared, before that long night had come to an end, as if every
+officer in the fort suspected something might be wrong, and, what seemed
+yet more strange to me, they all came directly to our post, instead of
+visiting those sentinels who, if the savages had really cut loose from St.
+Leger, should have been in the best positions to hear or see the first
+signs of the expected assault.</p>
+
+<p>I have set all this down at considerable length because, in view of what
+finally occurred, it was much as if our people had a premonition of that
+which was to come.</p>
+
+<p>The night passed without alarm, and I am willing to take my oath that if
+any animal as large as a dog had passed within an hundred yards of the
+sally-port we would have seen it.</p>
+
+<p>The entire garrison, even including women and children, was astir when the
+first gray light of coming day appeared in the eastern sky, and as each
+man came out upon the parade-ground I noted the fact that he had all his
+weapons with him.</p>
+
+<p>Of course these details are of no particular importance, and yet I have
+set them down in order to show how strong was the belief of every person
+in the fort that something unusual was about to happen, although, with the
+exception of the powwow held in St. Leger's camp the evening previous, we
+had seen nothing to betoken especial activity on the part of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>It was early in the morning; the men had not yet broken their fast, when
+one of the sentinels shouted:</p>
+
+<p>"Here they come! Here they come!"</p>
+
+<p>I expected to see every man spring toward the walls in order to learn for
+himself what had caused the alarm, and at any other time they would have
+done so; but so great was the sense of impending danger that instinctively
+the garrison formed in line ready for orders.</p>
+
+<p>I had not yet been relieved from duty, and therefore remained where it was
+possible to have a fairly good view of all the encampments occupied by the
+enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Near the quarters of the British regulars I could see the men drawn up in
+line as if making ready to advance, and in the Tory camp there was a
+bustle and confusion such as might have been made by half-baked soldiers,
+while trying to copy after those who knew their business; but the Indians
+gave no signs of life, save as their squaws went about the ordinary camp
+work.</p>
+
+<p>Because everything had been so suspiciously quiet in this last quarter
+during the night, I more than half expected to discover that they had
+withdrawn under cover of darkness; but the presence of the women and
+children told I was mistaken. Unless the entire gang had spent the night
+with the white men, however, it was positive these exceedingly brave
+warriors of whom Thayendanega boasted, had no idea of continuing the part
+of allies during this day at least.</p>
+
+<p>A plentiful supply of ammunition was dealt out to our men, and the big
+guns were served as if our magazine was filled to overflowing, after which
+the garrison went to quarters, Reuben Cox being the happiest member of the
+army, for he believed the time was near at hand when it might be possible
+for him to wipe out some of the stain which rested upon him.</p>
+
+<p>The Minute Boys were ordered to remain at their post over the sally-port,
+much to my disappointment, for if the Indians did not take part in the
+assault, which we had every reason to believe was near at hand, then would
+our duties be so light that we could not hope to win much credit.</p>
+
+<p>Do not let it be supposed that I had become a swash-buckler of a soldier.
+The cold chill of fear still crept up and down my spine whenever I thought
+of taking part in an engagement; but I was becoming so nearly a man as to
+desire, in case it became necessary to fight, that I might gain some honor
+for standing stiffly when really my heart was faint.</p>
+
+<p>We remained at quarters a full half-hour, expecting each instant to see
+the long lines of soldiers emerge from amid the fringe of foliage which
+partially screened their encampment, and yet the advance was delayed.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" Jacob asked, nervously, as he pressed close to my
+side.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I knew, lad," was my reply, in a voice that was not overly steady.
+"This waitin' while others are gettin' ready to try to kill a fellow is
+not to my likin'."</p>
+
+<p>"I had rather have a full hour of hot fightin' than such idleness, when we
+know that soon the bullets will be whistlin' around our ears," Jacob
+replied, and just then John Sammons came up, as he said:</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon they're goin' to bring their siege-guns with 'em this time. It
+looks to me much as if a big crowd was gatherin' in the rear of the line."</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that we could see the Tories running to and fro, each man for
+himself, and in a twinkling the line of regulars melted away. There was no
+longer any semblance of military formation to be seen, and yet certain it
+was that a few moments previous the enemy was nearly ready for an
+assault.</p>
+
+<p>We lads were not the only ones who felt disturbed because of this strange
+behavior on the part of the enemy. I could see that Colonel Gansevoort and
+all his officers were on that portion of the wall nearest the British
+camp, gazing earnestly toward it, while our men moved about uneasily, as
+if having forgotten that they had been sent to their several posts of
+duty.</p>
+
+<p>Strain our eyes as we might, it was impossible to make so much as a guess
+regarding what could be the cause of the odd proceedings, and it was in my
+mind to go in search of Sergeant Corney to ask his opinion of the
+situation, when John Sammons cried, suddenly:</p>
+
+<p>"Look there! The sneaks are comin' out at last! I reckon the Britishers
+have been waitin' for 'em!"</p>
+
+<p>But one glance was sufficient to show me that John had spoken truly. From
+the lodges I could see troops of savages pouring forth with every token of
+excitement, like a swarm of hornets, and that something unusual was afoot
+might be told by the fact that no effort was made to keep beyond range of
+our guns, as the befeathered and painted horde went swiftly toward St.
+Leger's quarters.</p>
+
+<p>I was determined that my company should remain at its post, no matter what
+might happen, until we got the word that it was no longer needed, there
+fore neither Jacob nor I could hear the speculations of the men as to
+what had happened in the enemy's encampment; but after a time Sergeant
+Corney came along as if looking for us, and, on seeing the Minute Boys
+standing in rank while all the remainder of the garrison were flitting
+here and there like flies on the scent of molasses, he said, grimly:</p>
+
+<p>"Here's a sight I never expected to see in this blessed country where
+private soldiers have the habit of commandin' their superiors! Why ain't
+you lads huntin' 'round to find out what's goin' on?"</p>
+
+<p>"We were ordered here, an' to be ready for action," I replied, not a
+little pleased to hear the old soldier's tone of approval. "This company
+will stay where it is until I have permission to break ranks."</p>
+
+<p>"It don't seem to be the military fashion for Americans to obey a command
+so strictly, an' I'm afraid you're settin' a bad example to them who
+demand that a list of the supplies be read to 'em whenever they're feelin'
+a bit out of sorts. There's a chance I'll grow proud of havin' licked you
+into shape if you don't change your ways mighty quick."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't fancy you came here just to see why we stayed on duty," Jacob
+said, with a laugh, which told me he was well pleased with what the old
+man had said.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm free to admit that I didn't expect to see anythin' quite so soldierly
+in this 'ere fort, an' that's the fact. I had been detailed to hang
+'round headquarters till the scrimmage began, but was given liberty to do
+as I pleased five minutes ago, consequently I came here to find out why
+the fight ain't on."</p>
+
+<p>"We're expectin' you to answer that question, sergeant. You've never been
+backward in findin' fault with the ways of American soldiers, an' now
+perhaps you can tell what's gone wrong with the Britishers?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I knew, lad, an' that's the fact! It looks as if they'd clean
+forgot we're waitin' for 'em, an' as for them precious babies of
+Thayendanega's, they've gone out of their heads completely. It's a puzzle
+all 'round, an' I reckon the commandant is as much in the dark as are the
+rest of us."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't you make a guess?" Jacob asked, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it, lad; but it's certain there's trouble of some kind at
+Barry St. Leger's quarters, an' I'm of the mind to find out, if you an'
+Jacob want to stir yourselves a bit."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you count on doin' it?" I asked in surprise, half-inclined to
+believe the old man was joking.</p>
+
+<p>"Look at the Indian encampment; do you think there's anybody nearabout
+that place who's keepin' an eye on this 'ere fort?"</p>
+
+<p>"Even the squaws have gone over to the British quarters; they've been
+paddlin' across the river for the last half-hour," Jacob replied, and as a
+matter of fact I failed to see a living being outside the lodges, search
+with my eyes as I might.</p>
+
+<p>"An' it's much the same over yonder," Sergeant Corney said, as he pointed
+to the other encampments. "Every blessed one of us might sneak out an' not
+attract any attention from them as are supposed to be besiegin' us."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" I asked, as the old man paused.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you an' Jacob feel like havin' a look around, I'll ask the
+commandant's permission to do a little scoutin' on our own account,
+agreein', in case we're laid by the heels, not to expect any help from
+this 'ere garrison."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to go outside the fort?" John Sammons asked, his eyes opening
+wide in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"You've guessed it the first time," Sergeant Corney replied, with a laugh,
+and I said, in a tone of conviction:</p>
+
+<p>"The commandant never will give you permission. I heard him refuse Reuben
+Cox most emphatically."</p>
+
+<p>"But that was when everythin' seemed to be runnin' smooth, an' Cox only
+wanted to get himself killed. Now I'll go bail that Colonel Gansevoort is
+more eager than we to know the meanin' of this queer business, an' will
+jump at the plan."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll know better after you've asked him," I suggested. "If he gives
+permission, Jacob an' I are with you."</p>
+
+<p>The old man sauntered away as if he had nothing of importance to do, and
+with a look on his face which told that he was certain of getting the
+desired permission without very much difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>The thought was in my mind that he would receive a very decided answer
+from the commandant without delay, and after a fashion that would not be
+pleasing to him, for it seemed to me that no sane officer could sanction
+an attempt to send out scouts across the open plain in the clear light of
+day, therefore one can imagine somewhat of my surprise when word came for
+Jacob and me to report at headquarters without delay.</p>
+
+<p>"Can it be possible that Colonel Gansevoort is seriously thinkin' of
+allowin' the sergeant to leave the fort in the daytime?" I asked of my
+comrade, as we went rapidly across the parade-ground to obey the summons.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks like it, for a fact, else why should we have been sent for? I'm
+beginnin' to think, Noel, that you said 'yes' to his wild scheme too
+quickly. There won't be any child's play in tryin' to get from the fort to
+where we can find the first show of cover."</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' that you're not willin' to make the venture?" I asked, quickly,
+hoping my comrade would flatly refuse to go, for, now that the venture
+seemed countenanced by Colonel Gansevoort, I was growing mighty
+weak-kneed.</p>
+
+<p>"I would stick my nose into a good deal of danger before bein' willin' to
+go back on a promise made to the sergeant," Jacob replied, thoughtfully.
+"If he has told the commandant that we are minded to go, there's nothin'
+for it but to tackle the job."</p>
+
+<p>I was decidedly disappointed by the reply, and yet could make no protest,
+since I was the one who had spoken for us both when the old man broached
+the subject, and in silence we walked on until having come to the door of
+the colonel's quarters.</p>
+
+<p>The sentinel on duty there had evidently received orders concerning us,
+for he announced that we were to go in at once, and I pushed Jacob ahead
+as we entered the apartment where Sergeant Corney was standing in a
+soldierly attitude in front of the commandant.</p>
+
+<p>We were not called on to wait many seconds before learning the reason for
+the summons, since Colonel Gansevoort jumped into the subject by saying:</p>
+
+<p>"So you lads are keen for a hazardous venture, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>I would have given much if at that moment I could have called up
+sufficient courage to say that I was well content to remain within the
+walls of the fort; but instead of boldly declaring myself I remained
+silent until Jacob said, with only a faint show of enthusiasm:</p>
+
+<p>"We told Sergeant Corney that we would go with him to find out what may
+be the trouble in General St. Leger's camp, if so be you gave permission,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>Now was I fully committed to a matter which was by no means to my liking,
+and, with a certain sense of being ill-treated, I listened to that which
+followed.</p>
+
+<p>"Under almost any other circumstances I would flatly refuse permission for
+any man to leave the fort; but now it seems as if it was of the highest
+importance we should know what is taking place in the enemy's camp.
+Whatever it may be is of such a serious nature as to attract the attention
+of the entire encampment so entirely that no attention whatsoever appears
+to be paid to us. I believe that, by leaving through the horn-works, you
+can make your way to the rear of the British encampment without incurring
+any very grave danger, and if it is the desire of you lads to go with the
+sergeant you have my permission."</p>
+
+<p>It was just what I didn't want, but, under the circumstances, I could do
+no less than look as if he had granted us the greatest favor possible, and
+at the same moment it would have done me solid good had I been able to
+kick the sergeant with sufficient vigor to convince him that he had made
+an ass of himself.</p>
+
+<p>Then the colonel, after receiving our thanks for permission to run our
+heads into unnecessary danger, went on to explain what he would have us
+do in case we lived long enough to get an idea of that which was going on
+in the enemy's camp.</p>
+
+<p>As he had already said, we were to scale the stockade in the horn-works,
+and then, making a d&eacute;tour to the westward, gain the cover of such shelter
+as might be found on the high lands, working well toward the ruins of Fort
+Newport before trying to strike across to and behind the line of
+earthworks which St. Leger had caused to be thrown up early in the siege.</p>
+
+<p>He had laid out a long journey for us, and one that might not be performed
+before nightfall; but it had the merit of being comparatively safe until
+we were in the vicinity of the British encampment.</p>
+
+<p>The interview was brought to a close within five minutes after it had
+begun, and then we were at liberty to make our preparations for that which
+might result in our death by torture, for it was certain that if the
+Indians laid hands on another man from the fort they would take good care
+he was neither rescued nor killed until they had worked their cruel will
+upon him.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney was inclined to boast of having succeeded when I had
+declared he must fail, and would have congratulated himself in great shape
+while we were crossing the parade-ground on our way to the barracks, but
+that I said, curtly:</p>
+
+<p>"That man who exerts himself to go into danger will one day find himself
+in a box from which his best friends can't extricate him."</p>
+
+<p>"Which is the same as sayin' that you've changed your mind about goin' out
+scoutin'?" he cried sharply, looking me squarely in the face. "There is no
+reason why you should go if the job isn't to your likin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Both Jacob an' I must keep on with you, or write ourselves down as
+cowards; but at the same time we have the right to think it a foolish
+venture."</p>
+
+<p>The words had no sooner escaped my lips than I regretted having spoken,
+and without delay I hastened to make amends by explaining that I was in
+truth frightened at the idea of venturing into that nest of snakes from
+which we had once barely gotten away with our lives.</p>
+
+<p>The old man must have understood that I spoke rather from nervousness than
+because I was really in anger, and immediately he acted as if nothing
+unpleasant had been said, but began to discuss the question of whether it
+would be wise to burden ourselves with weapons when, if brought to bay, we
+could not hope to fight our way through.</p>
+
+<p>Before we had more than gained the barracks half the men in the
+fortification had some knowledge of our intentions, and we were
+overwhelmed alike with questions and suggestions.</p>
+
+<p>But very few minutes were needed in which to make ready for the venture,
+and when we came out of the barracks all three of us had rifles strapped
+upon our backs in such a manner that they would not interfere with our
+movements in case it became necessary to trust to the fleetness of our
+feet. Three rounds of ammunition for each one, sufficient corn bread to
+make a single meal, and hunting-knives, completed the outfit.</p>
+
+<p>It would have pleased us better had we been allowed to depart unaided; but
+a full half of the garrison appeared to think it absolutely necessary to
+go with us to the very limits of the fort, and if good wishes are of any
+avail at such a time, then were we certain of returning in good condition.</p>
+
+<p>Once on the plain outside the stockaded portion of the works, Sergeant
+Corney led the way by going in a southerly direction for a distance of an
+hundred yards or more, and then striking sharply off toward the west,
+where was to be found the nearest cover.</p>
+
+<p>Having gained the line of foliage which fringed the high tract of land, it
+was possible to march off at a smart pace without need of taking
+particular heed to our steps, and we travelled rapidly until having
+arrived at a point midway between our starting-place and the ruins of Fort
+Newport.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's where I allow we'll be wise to change the commandant's plan a
+bit," the old man said, coming to a halt for the first time since we set
+out. "We can't gain very much in lengthenin' the journey by three or four
+miles, an' I'm in favor of strikin' across to the hill from here?"</p>
+
+<p>The statement was made in the form of a question, and I replied that it
+suited me to do as he thought best, for when Colonel Gansevoort mapped out
+the route I believed he was sending us on a longer d&eacute;tour than was
+necessary.</p>
+
+<p>We crossed the Albany road at that point where it bends in toward the
+hill, walking at our best pace, and, once behind the elevation, were
+screened from view of the enemy's camp.</p>
+
+<p>While we were going over the open country I kept my eyes fixed upon the
+British batteries and the redoubts thrown up to cover them, but failed to
+see any signs of human life. That the enemy had abandoned these posts even
+for a few moments seemed incredible, and yet it was all of the same piece
+with what we could see in their camp.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney led us directly into the redoubts which had made so much
+trouble for us in the fort, and, had we been disposed, we might have
+loaded ourselves down with plunder of every description, for the
+belongings of the men were strewn about as if cast aside in great haste.</p>
+
+<p>It was not safe to remain many moments where we were; in fact, I came near
+to believing the sergeant had lost his wits when he led us into the
+British nest, and we hurried out of the works, going directly toward St.
+Leger's quarters until we were sufficiently near to see men moving about
+excitedly, when he struck off for the rear of the encampment, where could
+be found such cover as stout bushes and small fir-trees would afford.</p>
+
+<p>We had advanced boldly on this last stage of the journey, emboldened to do
+so by the evidences of panic, or something near akin to it, which we saw
+on every hand, and trusting to the possibility that if seen it would be
+believed that we belonged to the encampment.</p>
+
+<p>The sun was yet an hour high in the heavens when we found a hiding-place
+overlooking the camp, and so easy of accomplishment had been our task,
+with nothing of danger attaching to it, that I was heartily ashamed of
+having displayed ill-temper in the sergeant's presence.</p>
+
+<p>Neither of us spoke when we were finally come to where we could have a
+fairly good view of the scene of confusion. The surprise at what we saw,
+and the perplexity because of it, was so great that we could do no more or
+no less than stare in bewilderment at this army, every member of which
+appeared to have suddenly been deprived of his reason.</p>
+
+<p>The foremost scene which met our wondering gaze was a group composed of
+General St. Leger himself, Sir John Johnson, Thayendanega, and a dozen or
+more leading sachems of the Six Nations.</p>
+
+<p>These men were too far away to admit of our hearing the spirited
+conversation which was going on. It appeared to me at times that the
+commander was pleading for some favor, and, again, that he threatened;
+but the savages seemed to give little heed to his words.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir John talked for several moments, apparently appealing to each of
+his companions in turn, whereupon one of the sachems spoke excitedly,
+using more gestures than I ever saw one of the scoundrels employ, and when
+he was come to an end all the savages save Thayendanega stalked off as if
+in a rage.</p>
+
+<p>Our stupefaction was complete when General St. Leger made a peculiar
+gesture, and straightway two soldiers led forward a half-grown man whose
+vacant look proclaimed him to be one of those unfortunates whom God has
+deprived of wits, and in his wake came three Oneida Indians.</p>
+
+<p>It was enough to make a fellow lose a full year's growth, thus seeing his
+Majesty's general in such company; but when the Oneidas appeared my
+surprise gave way to fear.</p>
+
+<p>We had always counted, and with good cause, on these Indians being
+friendly to our people who were struggling to throw off the yoke which the
+king had put upon us, yet the fact that they were in the encampment,
+apparently on friendly terms with our enemies, seemed to betoken still
+more trouble and misery for us of the valley.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob gripped my hand tightly as the Oneidas appeared, and I could see the
+corners of the sergeant's mouth twitching as if he had suddenly lost that
+feeling of security which had been so strong upon him until this moment.</p>
+
+<p>Then the foolish man began to tell a long story to the general, the
+Indians added a word now and then, and even Thayendanega began to wear a
+troubled look.</p>
+
+<p>It was all so strange and unnatural that I pinched my own arm more than
+once to make certain I was not in a dream.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch18"></a>Chapter XVIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>Close Quarters.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>The scenes shifted before us as if they had been painted on bubbles which
+were blown hither and thither by the wind.</p>
+
+<p>Even as we gazed at the leaders of the army while they stood listening to
+the foolish man as if believing him to be inspired, a mob of Tories and
+Indians surged toward that portion of the encampment, and in an instant
+St. Leger, Thayendanega, and Sir John Johnson were blotted out from our
+view.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing could have happened to give us who crouched amid the stunted
+bushes a more vivid idea of the change which had come over the besieging
+army than this one incident, when the commanders, at whose frowns savages
+as well as white men cringed, were treated with such utter lack of
+ceremony.</p>
+
+<p>I fully expected to hear one or the other of these three burst into a
+towering rage, and order the immediate punishment of those who had
+offended, whereas the men extricated themselves from the tangle of
+half-drunken soldiers and savages as best they could, immediately
+resuming the apparently confidential conversation with the idiot.</p>
+
+<p>I saw Sergeant Corney shrug his shoulders, as if to say that he had given
+over even trying to guess what might have happened, and then he beckoned
+for us to follow as he crept straight away from the, to us, perplexing
+scene.</p>
+
+<p>There was little need for us to give much heed to our movements so far as
+concerned making a noise, for I dare venture to say that a full company of
+men might have marched boldly past without raising an alarm, so long as
+they remained hidden from view.</p>
+
+<p>When we were twenty yards or more from where the commanders stood trying
+to hold their position against the drunken tide of reds and whites, the
+sergeant halted and looked at us lads inquiringly:</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" I said, irritably, vexed because of my bewilderment. "If you can't
+explain the situation there is no need to look at us. It beats anything I
+ever heard of or dreamed about. Have they all lost their senses?"</p>
+
+<p>"Somethin' is goin' mightily wrong!" Sergeant Corney said, impressively,
+as if he was imparting valuable information.</p>
+
+<p>"Goin' wrong!" Jacob repeated. "I should say it had already gone wrong
+with a vengeance. Can't you make some kind of a guess, sergeant?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it, lad. This 'ere business lays way over anythin' I ever
+saw in all my experience as a soldier. There's one thing certain,
+howsomever, which is that jest now an hundred of our people could walk
+through the entire encampment without bein' called upon to spill a drop of
+blood."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" I asked again, as the old man ceased speaking.</p>
+
+<p>"Colonel Gansevoort must know how mixed up is this 'ere army."</p>
+
+<p>"We can go back an' tell him," Jacob replied, promptly. "I reckon we might
+walk straight out toward the fort, an' never a man here would give heed to
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"If we knew exactly what had happened it might be as well for all three to
+go back to the fort; but there's no knowin' when matters may take a turn,
+an' we must keep a sharp watch lest through us our people are brought into
+a trap."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you say what you mean, without talkin' all around the subject?"
+I cried, nervously. "What have you got in your mind?"</p>
+
+<p>"That one of us must go back to the fort, while the others stay here on
+watch to give the alarm in case this 'ere army suddenly comes to its
+senses."</p>
+
+<p>It was not my desire to travel back alone to carry the tidings. There was
+no thought in my mind that any danger might threaten while the enemy was
+in such a state of confusion; and I was most eager to watch these
+apparently crazy people, in the hope of being able to come at a solution
+of the riddle, therefore I asked, sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"Who do you think should go back?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do either of you lads want to tackle the job?" the sergeant asked, and I
+understood by his tone that he was as loath to leave the place as was I.</p>
+
+<p>Neither of us made reply, and he went on, as if already having had the
+plan fixed in his mind:</p>
+
+<p>"Then we'll draw lots to see who it shall be. As the matter stands, we
+know full well that the commandant must be told of what we have seen. It
+won't require two hours' travelling because there's no call to make a very
+wide circuit, an', in case these fellows pull themselves together before
+midnight, them as stays on watch can warn our people."</p>
+
+<p>"Fix the drawin' of lots to suit yourself, an' he who gets the worst of it
+will set out at once," I said, curtly, and the old man broke off three
+small twigs, which he held in his closed hand.</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't taken note of which is the shortest; but, in case you might
+think I had, make your choice, an' the one which is left shall be mine."</p>
+
+<p>"He who gets the shortest goes back, eh?" Jacob asked, and I replied:</p>
+
+<p>"That is understood. Take the first choice, an' let us settle this
+business as soon as we can, for I am wild to get over yonder where I can
+see the king's army playin' the fool, if it so be that I'm not forced to
+turn back."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob drew one of the twigs without stopping to make a selection, I took
+the second, and Sergeant Corney opened his hand to show the third.</p>
+
+<p>They were all so nearly of a length that we were forced to measure each
+in order to learn who was the unfortunate, and then it was found that
+Jacob had been selected to play the part of messenger.</p>
+
+<p>Disappointed though the lad must have been, he did not make any delay, but
+asked as he rose to his feet:</p>
+
+<p>"What shall I say to the commandant?"</p>
+
+<p>"Tell him what you have seen," the sergeant replied, "an' say that with
+two hundred men at the most he can capture the whole blessed army. If
+there should be any change within the next two hours, one or both of us
+will hurry back, goin' around by way of the hill opposite the
+batteries,--the same course we came,--therefore, if he sends out a
+detachment, let it approach by that route."</p>
+
+<p>Immediately the old man ceased speaking Jacob wheeled about, and in a
+twinkling was lost to our view in the gloom.</p>
+
+<p>By this time night had fully come, and I knew the lad would be in no
+danger if he made a direct line for the fort, therefore I ceased to think
+of him as I urged my companion to return with me to where we could
+overlook the scene of confusion.</p>
+
+<p>We went back at once without giving especial heed to moving noiselessly,
+and soon were gazing upon the wildest, oddest scene that ever a military
+encampment presented.</p>
+
+<p>During the short time we were absent the men had built small fires here,
+there, and everywhere around, and now that which had at first looked like
+a panic began to present the appearance of an orgy.</p>
+
+<p>We saw directly in front of General St. Leger's camp a dozen or more
+Indians broaching a cask of rum, and hardly more than twenty feet away
+were a lot of Tories, drinking from bottles which had evidently been
+plundered from the commander's private store.</p>
+
+<p>Had the camp been in the possession of an enemy there could not have been
+greater evidences of lawlessness, and again and again I asked myself what
+could have happened to bring about such a condition of affairs.</p>
+
+<p>It would be well-nigh impossible to set down all the wild pictures we saw
+during the hour which followed. Instead of recovering from their panic,
+insubordination, or whatever it may have been, the men were momentarily
+growing more disorderly, and that the officers made no effort to preserve
+even the semblance of order, we knew from seeing them from time to time
+moving about the encampment with no heed to what was being done.</p>
+
+<p>The three commanders, however, remained beyond our line of vision, and,
+because no one save the rioting soldiery and the savages entered or came
+out of the headquarters tent, I began to suspect that the leaders had run
+away.</p>
+
+<p>As can be supposed, in a comparatively short time the Indians were
+thoroughly under the influence of the enormous amount of strong drink
+which had been consumed, and ripe for mischief of any kind.</p>
+
+<p>One of the Tories, a fellow who had been hob-nobbing with the savages,
+himself drinking until he could stand only with difficulty, was set upon
+by two of the feathered wolves, murdered and scalped before our eyes,
+without an alarm being raised.</p>
+
+<p>Then the Indians began a war-dance, waving the bloody scalp in the air
+with frenzied gestures as they circled around and around the lifeless
+body, and many of the drunken white men applauded heartily, although it
+must be set down in extenuation that they were so drunk as not really to
+understand what had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a nice kind of a tea-party," Sergeant Corney whispered to me, while
+the orgy was at its height. "If the rum holds out these villains will
+settle matters among themselves, so that Colonel Gansevoort won't find any
+to stand against him when he arrives."</p>
+
+<p>To this I could make no reply. I was literally sickened by the horrible
+scene, and began to wish most fervently that I had been the one to draw
+the shortest twig, for it was by no means agreeable to remain there idle
+while murder was being done, even though it was a bitter enemy who had
+thus been cowardly done to death.</p>
+
+<p>The savages soon brought their dance to an end as they stumbled into this
+tent and that, searching for more spirits although the cask was not yet
+empty, and I was on the point of suggesting to Sergeant Corney that it
+would be wise to move back among the bushes lest some of the drunkards
+come upon us by mistake, when a heavy body suddenly fell, or was thrown,
+directly upon my back, pinning me to the earth.</p>
+
+<p>My first thought was that the rioters had flung some heavy piece of camp
+equipage into the bushes at random, and then the blood grew cold in my
+veins as I felt two hands clutching at my throat.</p>
+
+<p>Like a flash of light came the knowledge that one of the drunkards, an
+Indian as I believed, had stumbled upon me accidentally. I expected each
+second to hear an alarm raised which would bring the murderous crew to the
+spot without delay, when there could be no question as to the result, for
+the sergeant and I could not hold out many moments against such a mob,
+even though every one of them was intoxicated to a greater or less degree.</p>
+
+<p>That which rendered my situation critical was the fact of my being
+virtually unarmed. It will be remembered that the rifle was strapped to my
+back, and even though I had been unhampered, it would have required no
+slight time in which to unsling it. My knife was quite as useless,
+because, borne to the earth as I had been, it could not be removed from my
+belt.</p>
+
+<p>To set all this down in words makes it appear as if I had ample time in
+which to think over the situation, whereas no more than five seconds could
+have elapsed before the sinewy fingers were closed so tightly about my
+throat that I could not breathe.</p>
+
+<p>At almost the same instant that the pressure began to be painful, before a
+single cry had been uttered by my assailant, a second shock was felt by
+me, while the weight which pressed me down to the earth was increased, and
+dimly I understood that the sergeant had leaped upon the back of him who
+was strangling me.</p>
+
+<p>Why the Indian made no cry for help I cannot understand, except that he
+was too drunk to realize he had within his grasp an enemy instead of one
+of his own company.</p>
+
+<p>Certain it is, however, that no alarm was raised even when the sergeant
+came to my relief, and in silence, save for the rustling of the foliage as
+we swayed to this side or that, the battle was continued until I felt the
+cruel fingers about my throat suddenly relax, while a warm liquid of a
+peculiar, salty odor poured down over my neck and head.</p>
+
+<p>When he who had been striving to kill me rolled from my back, I lay
+motionless, unable to raise a hand and gasping for breath, until Sergeant
+Corney lifted me up as he whispered in my ear:</p>
+
+<p>"Are you hurt, lad?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only choked well-nigh to death," I contrived to say, and then tried to
+struggle to my feet, but found myself yet pinned to the earth by the
+lifeless body which lay across my legs.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us get out of here," I said, after releasing myself from the sinister
+weight. "This is worse than such an ambush as we fell into on the
+Oriskany."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, I reckon you're right as to that; but it strikes me we're bound
+by the word I sent the commandant to stay here till we make certain these
+reptiles don't come to their senses."</p>
+
+<p>While he spoke the sergeant was helping me retreat yet farther among the
+bushes, for my knees bent beneath me, owing to the horror of it all, as
+well as the rough handling I had received.</p>
+
+<p>The old man was not willing to move so far away that it would not be
+possible to have a fairly good view of what might be going on; but we did
+walk to what I believed was a comparatively safe distance, and then sat
+down upon the ground on the alert for anything more of the same kind which
+had come so near to putting me out of the world.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a close shave, lad, an' ought'er be a lesson to sich fools as
+we've shown ourselves, never to carry good weapons where they can't be got
+hold of for use at a moment's notice."</p>
+
+<p>"A fellow isn't supposed to be on his guard against drunkards," I replied,
+curtly, caressing my throat, which was exceeding sore.</p>
+
+<p>"True for you, lad; but I'm free to say that, while we've had
+considerable experience in the business of fightin', I never run up agin
+quite sich a mess as this. It actually gives me a pain because I can't
+make head or tail of it."</p>
+
+<p>I was already weary with trying to solve the problem, for indeed it was
+puzzling to even make a guess at why an army of near to seventeen hundred
+men had been thrown into such a state of panic and lawlessness. Then,
+again, why were the commanders not present with their officers to check
+these proceedings? Why had they allowed the men to take part in such an
+orgy, for to my knowledge St. Leger was near at hand when the first cask
+of rum was broached?</p>
+
+<p>"It is no use to speculate as to how this thing came about," I said; "but
+it strikes me that you ought to post yourself so far as to be able to tell
+Colonel Gansevoort, or whoever he sends in command of the detachment,
+exactly where the blow may best be struck, for just now all we know is
+regardin' the row close hereabout."</p>
+
+<p>"You never spoke a truer word in your life, lad," the old man said,
+excitedly, as he rose to his feet. "I got so mixed up with this 'ere
+hubbub, tryin' to make out how it came about, as to have clean lost sight
+of all that a soldier ought to do. Jacob hasn't been gone over an hour,
+an' we have as much more time to find out how things are in the rest of
+the encampment, so let's set about it without delay."</p>
+
+<p>The scene immediately before us was so revolting that I had no desire to
+gaze at it longer, and there was a certain sense of relief in my mind when
+the sergeant, prompted by me, had thus decided upon a definite course of
+action.</p>
+
+<p>With so much of confusion and drunkenness everywhere around, it was a
+simple matter for us to go and come as we pleased, save by chance we might
+stumble upon those who yet remained sober, for all the men I had thus far
+seen, except the leaders themselves, were in such a maudlin condition as
+to be unable to distinguish friend from foe.</p>
+
+<p>We had already learned that the batteries fronting Fort Schuyler on the
+northeast had been abandoned, and it was only necessary to get a view of
+the remainder of the British encampment. There was little need to visit
+the Tory quarters, for, as it seemed to me, all those renegades were
+present, taking part in the orgy.</p>
+
+<p>With no care as to advancing noiselessly, but keeping a sharp lookout lest
+we come upon sober men, the sergeant and I moved about at will, finding
+everywhere the same condition of affairs, and when half an hour had passed
+it was positive our people might come into the enemy's lines and gather up
+prisoners by the hundreds without being molested in any way, for I
+question if their presence would have been suspected.</p>
+
+<p>During all this time of inspection we saw nothing of St. Leger, Sir John,
+or Thayendanega, and I was of the opinion that they had run away; but
+Sergeant Corney held to it that most like they were in the Indian
+encampment, proposing that we cross the river in order to hunt them up,
+but to this I would not listen.</p>
+
+<p>According to my mind, such of the Indians as remained sober, if there were
+any, would be in their own lodges, and because we had had such singular
+success in our scout thus far was no reason why we might not suddenly find
+ourselves face to face with the gravest danger, if we acted the fools by
+poking our noses among the camps of the savages.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not go to the fort?" I asked. "There is nothin' more to be learned
+here. We know to a certainty that the greater portion of all the Tories
+an' Indians are hereabout, and every one of them so drunk that the army
+will be harmless, save as to each other, until daybreak. Let us go back by
+way of the batteries, an' we can reach the fort almost as soon as will
+Jacob, if perchance he went to the northward of the hill."</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant was not inclined to leave the encampment immediately,
+although he agreed that we could learn nothing further of importance; it
+was as if the scene of confusion had a certain fascination for him. He
+finally agreed, however unwillingly, to my proposition, and we set out
+leisurely on the return, being forced to pass once more in the rear of all
+the British camps because of having continued our investigations to the
+easternmost line of tents.</p>
+
+<p>We began the return without thought of haste or of danger, and were come
+midway between headquarters and the most southerly battery, when without
+warning we arrived face to face with a party of six Tories, who, with
+their arms around each other's necks, were reeling to and fro in the most
+convivial fashion on what was probably intended to be a pleasant stroll in
+the night air.</p>
+
+<p>Just for an instant I was startled, fearing lest we might be discovered
+and find ourselves in trouble when we believed we were safest; but then,
+realizing that we had already met many who mistook us for comrades, I
+would have gone on but that Sergeant Corney halted suddenly, unslung the
+rifle from his back, and, presenting it full at the drunken renegades,
+said in a low, stern tone:</p>
+
+<p>"We are prepared to shoot one or all at a moment's notice if you make the
+slightest resistance. The orders are to gather in every mother's son in
+this encampment who has been makin' a fool of himself, an' I reckon you
+come in that class. About face, an' the first who so much as yips gets a
+bullet through the head."</p>
+
+<p>The fellows must have believed that we were acting under orders from their
+general, for, with many a laugh and good-natured quip, they obeyed the
+sergeant's order as promptly as a party of small boys would have done,
+and, still supporting each other, moved toward the fort, we two following
+directly in the rear.</p>
+
+<p>I could have laughed aloud at the comical situation. Here were two scouts
+who had gone out to spy upon an encampment of seventeen hundred men,
+marching boldly through the entire place, and taking as prisoners six
+soldiers who made no effort whatsoever to defend themselves.</p>
+
+<p>I question if in the annals of warfare there be found anything that can
+match such a situation!</p>
+
+<p>"Are you goin' to take them into the fort, sergeant?" I asked, in a
+whisper, and he replied, speaking with difficulty because of his mirth:</p>
+
+<p>"Why not, lad? It will be a rare lark, an' somethin' to tell about in the
+days to come, that we took out from almost directly in front of St.
+Leger's headquarters six men, marchin' 'em into a fort which was supposed
+to be closely invested."</p>
+
+<p>There could be little danger attending such a performance, save perchance
+we might come upon some of those who were sober, and that risk I was more
+than willing to take for the sake, as the sergeant had said, of being able
+to tell the story in the future.</p>
+
+<p>We marched our prisoners out past the batteries, they giving no heed to
+the direction we were going, evidently fancying we were taking them to the
+guard-tent, until arriving midway between the fort and the redoubts.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "'Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet
+through the back'"]</p>
+
+<p>Then somewhat of the truth seemed to dawn upon them, and this was so
+startling as to restore a portion of their befuddled senses. The entire
+party halted as if with one accord, and would have turned to look at us,
+but that the sergeant said, sharply, emphasizing the words by the click of
+his rifle-lock as he cocked the weapon:</p>
+
+<p>"Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet put through the back
+of every blessed one in the gang!"</p>
+
+<p>"But, look here, this is too much of a joke," one of them cried, with a
+drunken laugh. "We can't go very far on this course without bein' seen by
+the rebels."</p>
+
+<p>"You've been seen by 'em already, an' that's why we've got you in charge.
+We count on movin' the whole of St. Leger's force over to the fort in
+squads, an' you're the first that has been started on the road."</p>
+
+<p>By this time the renegades had a fairly good idea of the situation, and I
+fully expected they would turn upon us, but each of them was a coward. If
+they wheeled about suddenly, taking the chances that one might be killed
+in the squabble, it would have been possible to overpower us, even though
+they were without firearms; but it was the probability of our doing some
+considerable execution before knocking under that prevented them from
+escaping at the favorable moment.</p>
+
+<p>I walked with my rifle cocked and pointed at the man directly in front of
+me, prodding him with the muzzle now and then that he might know I was
+ready for action, and Sergeant Corney kept the whole party moving at a
+good smart pace, for we had no assurance that there were not sober men
+enough in the enemy's camp to play the mischief with our bold plan.</p>
+
+<p>Before we were hailed by the sentinels I came to believe that every member
+of the besieging army was more or less incapacitated for duty through
+having drank too much rum, for we heard nothing whatsoever from any one in
+the enemy's camp, although we were in fairly good view of them for no less
+than half an hour.</p>
+
+<p>When the sentinel hailed we were yet half a musket-shot distant, and my
+companion answered it by shouting:</p>
+
+<p>"Report to the officer of the day that Captain Campbell, of the Minute
+Boys, an' Sergeant Braun, unattached, are come with a few prisoners as
+sample of what may be had for the takin'."</p>
+
+<p>This reply caused some mystification among the sentinels, as we could
+understand by the hum of conversation which followed; but the old man did
+not call a halt, and we continued straight on toward the sally-port, I
+feeling more than a bit nervous lest the sergeant's loud words might have
+been heard by such of the enemy as were able to come in pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>When we had come near the gate, the Tories now well sobered by fright,
+Colonel Gansevoort himself hailed, and again the sergeant replied, but
+this time in a respectful tone, after which we heard the command to open
+the port.</p>
+
+<p>A throng of curious, laughing men crowded around as we marched in, and not
+until the uniforms of our prisoners could be seen did they believe we had
+really made a capture.</p>
+
+<p>It was a squad of Johnson Greens which we had run across so fortunately
+and accidentally, and none of St. Leger's force could have been more
+welcome to our lads than they, for that organization was made up wholly of
+renegades from the Mohawk Valley, who needed such a lesson as we were now
+in position to give them.</p>
+
+<p>With such proof as we had with us, Colonel Gansevoort could no longer
+doubt the report which had already been brought in by Jacob. He had not
+thought it possible the entire force of the enemy could be in a helpless
+condition, and it is hardly to be wondered at that he was incredulous.</p>
+
+<p>The prisoners were speedily cared for in such a fashion that there could
+be no possibility of their escaping, and then the commandant summoned all
+three of us who had visited the British encampment, to his headquarters,
+that we might tell the story to himself and the officers.</p>
+
+<p>No one could even make a guess as to what had happened within the enemy's
+lines; but there was not a man present who did not believe that now had
+come our time to raise the siege in such a manner that the fort would not
+be invested again for many days to come.</p>
+
+<p>"When your messenger came in with his report, he admitted that you had
+seen but a small portion of the encampment, therefore I hesitated to
+accept it as a fact regarding the entire army; but now, after you have
+made a tour of the works, it would be worse than folly to delay," the
+commandant said to the sergeant. "If you who have so lately returned want
+to join in the sortie, it will be necessary to make your preparations
+quickly."</p>
+
+<p>And the old man replied, grimly:</p>
+
+<p>"The advance can't be made any too soon to please us, sir."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch19"></a>Chapter XIX.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Pursuit.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>No more than three hundred men were sent out to take advantage of the
+singular state of affairs which we, the scouts, had reported as existing
+in the British camp, and when I expressed surprise because of the small
+number ordered on duty, Sergeant Corney replied, contentedly:</p>
+
+<p>"If you an' I told the truth, lad, as we know we did, then a detachment of
+three hundred is way off more than enough to take care of all St. Leger's
+army in its present condition; but if we made a mistake, or if in some way
+it turned out to be a big trick intended for our undoin',--though I don't
+see how it <i>can</i> be,--then have men in plenty been taken from the garrison
+here."</p>
+
+<p>"All of which means that you're entirely satisfied with everything this
+night?" I said, with a laugh, for the capture of the Tories had pleased me
+so thoroughly that my mouth was stretched in a grin nearly all the time.</p>
+
+<p>"That's about the size of it, lad, though in this case I couldn't find
+anythin' to be disgruntled with, however soreheaded I might be. The
+colonel is sendin' out men in plenty."</p>
+
+<p>It was Captain Jackman who led the force, and I knew full well that if it
+was possible to punish the Britishers he was the one above all others to
+tackle the job, for a braver, more cool-headed man I have never seen.</p>
+
+<p>It is well that I make the story short, so far as our own movements were
+concerned, for what we said or did before visiting the enemy's camp in
+force is of very little importance.</p>
+
+<p>We set off within an hour after Sergeant Corney and I brought in the
+prisoners, and were marched boldly across the plain on a bee-line for the
+batteries without hearing a single note of alarm. It seemed to me that
+even the noises of the orgy had died away.</p>
+
+<p>Arriving at the batteries, Captain Jackman ordered thirty of his force to
+take possession of the guns and hold them until the last possible moment,
+in case the enemy rallied sufficiently to do anything toward caring for
+their own safety.</p>
+
+<p>A few yards farther on, at the redoubts covering the batteries, thirty
+more men were left, and, since there was an ample supply of ammunition for
+the big guns as well as the small arms, we who were entering the
+encampment would have a fine support in case of trouble.</p>
+
+<p>All these precautions were proper, and the captain would have been a poor
+soldier indeed had he failed to take them; but, as was soon shown, they
+were needless.</p>
+
+<p>When we arrived near General St. Leger's quarters we saw the last of the
+army fleeing as if panic-stricken in the direction of Oneida Lake, no
+longer preserving any semblance of military formation, but each man for
+himself, and, what was yet more puzzling, their Indian allies were in
+close pursuit, striking down laggards whenever the opportunity offered.</p>
+
+<p>These so-called warriors of whom Thayendanega had been so proud, were
+taking Tory and British scalps as if they had been summoned for no other
+purpose, and during two or three minutes all our people stood as if
+suddenly turned into graven images, so much of astonishment and
+bewilderment was caused by the wonderful change in affairs.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Jackman's first act, after understanding that the enemy was
+actually in retreat, with their former allies harassing the fleeing men to
+the best of their ability, was to send a messenger in hot haste to the
+fort with the word that he counted on taking his entire force, save those
+left to hold the batteries and redoubts, in pursuit, and advising that
+nearly all the British equipment could be seized upon without fear of
+interruption.</p>
+
+<p>Then we began the pursuit, and this, like the panic in the camp, was the
+oddest ever known. British regulars and Tories running helter-skelter,
+casting aside their weapons and accoutrements lest they be impeded in the
+unreasoning flight, and close at their heels the savages, who fell upon
+every unarmed man they saw, sometimes killing him outright, but, in many
+cases which came under my personal observation, disabling and then
+scalping the poor wretch, leaving him to a lingering death.</p>
+
+<p>More than once did the frightened soldiers flee toward us for protection,
+and again and again we lent them weapons with which to defend themselves
+against their late friends.</p>
+
+<p>It is almost impossible to give any details of that pursuit, which was not
+brought to an end until we were close upon the shore of Oneida Lake,
+because it was all so confusing--more like the wildest kind of a
+foot-race, wherein each man was trying to gain the lead, and the
+hindermost frantic with fear.</p>
+
+<p>It would have been strange indeed had our people been able to hold
+anything like a military formation. Captain Jackman yelled himself hoarse
+trying to keep us together, and, when it seemed as if he was on the point
+of succeeding, some one would set off at a mad pace to save the life of a
+British soldier who had fallen at the mercy of a savage.</p>
+
+<p>At first we turned our attention to taking prisoners; but before having
+left the main encampment a mile in the rear the Indians, eager for scalps,
+began to grow careless of what we might do, and then we paid off many an
+old score, although all could not have been settled had we slaughtered
+every last one of them.</p>
+
+<p>During that time of pursuit we saw nothing of the leaders, and I had come
+to believe that they were among the first to flee, when suddenly the
+sergeant, in whose company Jacob and I had remained, pointed out amid the
+bushes what appeared to be a large portmanteau which had evidently been
+cast aside by some of the fugitives.</p>
+
+<p>In the excitement of the chase either Jacob or I would have passed it by
+as being of no particular value when there were so many things to be
+picked up; but the old man was too good and experienced a soldier not to
+realize the possibilities of the find, and, heedless of all the wild
+scenes around him, he seized upon it, breaking the lock with a rock.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was we learned that the apparently valueless case was none other
+than the writing-desk, or official portfolio, belonging to General St.
+Leger himself, and in it were not only private letters and documents, but
+all his correspondence and papers relating to the campaign, such as
+afterward served to show that the king's officers had actually hired the
+Indians to murder those whom they called "rebels."</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon we've captured the prize of the day," the sergeant said,
+gleefully, after making certain as to the contents of the case. "This is
+of more value than a score of prisoners, although there's far less
+satisfaction in seizin' it."</p>
+
+<p>A moment later the old man began to understand that if he held on to the
+prize he would be left far behind in the chase by our people, because it
+was far too cumbersome to be carried at a rapid pace, and then he
+regretted having found it.</p>
+
+<p>I believe that for a moment he had it in his mind to throw the heavy
+portfolio away, willing to lose what he believed to be the most valuable
+of all the plunder that might be found, rather than miss the excitement of
+the chase; but, fortunately, just then John Sammons came limping back with
+a wound in the leg which had been inflicted by a savage whom he afterward
+succeeded in killing.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the toughest kind of ill-fortune to be crippled just when the fun is
+the hottest," he said, after explaining how the wound had been received.
+"I can't go on, an' I don't want to miss the show when the crazy
+Britishers an' Tories arrive at the shore of the lake."</p>
+
+<p>"It looks pretty bad," Sergeant Corney said, when he had made the most
+careless examination of the wound, and I was surprised to hear him speak
+in such a tone, for it was not his custom to make much ado over any
+injury, however severe. "I reckon you'd better hobble back to the fort
+without delay, an', once there, look well to it that you wash an' bandage
+the leg well."</p>
+
+<p>"I s'pose I'll have to go," Sammons replied, with a sigh, and the sergeant
+made haste to add:</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you will, lad, an' I've got here that which will ensure you a
+warm reception by Colonel Gansevoort. Take this case to him, an' you'll
+be glad you had to go back."</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that I understood why the old man was so solicitous regarding
+John's injury.</p>
+
+<p>Sammons took up the bulky portfolio and limped back in the direction of
+the fort, the sergeant saying with a peculiar twinkle of the eyes as the
+lad passed beyond earshot:</p>
+
+<p>"Now I reckon there's nothin' to prevent us from goin' on so long as do
+the others. Strike out lively, lads; we've wasted too much time already!"</p>
+
+<p>Then we tailed on behind the crowd of our people who howled and yelled as
+if at a fair, shooting at every bunch of feathers we saw amid the foliage,
+but making no effort to capture the fugitives lest we find ourselves so
+hampered that further advance would be out of the question.</p>
+
+<p>There were many of our people who thought much as we did on that day,
+otherwise Fort Schuyler might have been crowded with prisoners before
+morning.</p>
+
+<p>When we had finally come within sight of the lake, it was to find the
+foremost of our party drawn up in something approaching military order.
+Captain Jackman had succeeded in bringing them to a halt while yet half a
+mile from the shore, and this was done because the British and Tories had
+made a stand while their boats, which had been left at that point when
+they marched to the investment of Fort Schuyler, could be put in sailing
+trim.</p>
+
+<p>We of the American army were far too few in numbers to risk an action by
+pressing on, for, no matter how demoralized the enemy had become during
+the flight, it was more than probable they would fight with desperation
+now safety was within view.</p>
+
+<p>More than one of our party cried out in anger because the captain
+displayed too much caution according to their ideas; but the
+cooler-headed, among whom was Sergeant Corney, declared that it would be
+the height of folly for us to throw ourselves upon at least a thousand men
+when no great good could come from such a venture, and much of disaster to
+the Cause might result.</p>
+
+<p>The savages had no such reason for lagging, however, nor did they intend
+to fall upon their late friends in a manner which could involve them in a
+pitched battle; but yet they did a large amount of mischief without
+putting their precious bodies in danger.</p>
+
+<p>Wherever a squad of the fugitives was withdrawn from the main body, making
+ready a boat, the painted fiends would swoop down upon it, performing
+their murderous work and getting away with a fresh supply of scalps before
+the victims' friends could rush to their assistance.</p>
+
+<p>I saw a boat laden with men, the greater number of whom were unarmed
+because of having thrown away their weapons during the flight, push off in
+company with several others; but the oarsmen of this particular craft were
+clumsy, and she drifted down the shore until beyond range of the
+remainder of the force.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that the feather-bedecked wolves began shooting at the
+helpless men until a full half of the crew were wounded, after which
+Thayendanega's beauties swam out to her, killing and scalping all on
+board.</p>
+
+<p>This is but a single instance of what the savages did during that mad
+retreat. More than once had my rifle been emptied in behalf of some
+sore-beset soldier, and I even went so far in my sympathy for the white
+men that I saved the life of a Tory who would have been killed had we not
+come up in the nick of time. After rescuing him, however, we turned the
+fellow over to a squad who were guarding twenty or more prisoners, thus
+making certain he would not be left at liberty to work mischief among our
+people.</p>
+
+<p>The following brief account of the retreat was written and printed by one
+who took every care to learn all the truth regarding the affair, and I set
+it down here that he who reads may know I have not exaggerated the story
+for the purpose of shaming the enemy:</p>
+
+<p>"The Indians, it is said, made merry at the precipitate flight of the
+whites, who threw away their arms and knapsacks, so that nothing should
+impede their progress. The savages also gratified their passion for murder
+and plunder by killing many of the retreating allies on the borders of the
+lake, and stripping them of every article of value. They also plundered
+them of their boats, and, according to St. Leger, 'became more formidable
+than the enemy they had to expect.'"</p>
+
+<p>It was late in the afternoon before Captain Jackman gave us the word to
+turn back. He would have returned sooner, but our men pleaded for
+permission to watch the fugitives until they had embarked, and he could
+hardly do otherwise than remain.</p>
+
+<p>A happy, light-hearted company it was that marched back to what had been
+the British encampment, there to find many of those we had left in the
+fort busily engaged hauling in the plunder abandoned by his Majesty's
+valiant army, to the fortification.</p>
+
+<p>Now we had ammunition in plenty, both for our own guns and those we
+brought in from the batteries, while there was such a store of provisions
+that the wagons were kept busy during the entire night transporting it.</p>
+
+<p>We feasted from sunset until sunrise, much after the fashion of the
+savages, for it made a fellow feel good to know from actual test that
+there was no longer any need of saving every scrap of food against that
+day when it might be necessary to fight and fast at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>Even though we had not thus made merry, I question if there was a man
+among us, from the highest to the lowest, who could have closed his eyes
+in slumber. The relief of mind was so great, and the wonderment because of
+what had happened so overpowering, that we were able to do nothing save
+discuss the matter again and again, but without coming to any satisfactory
+solution of the riddle.</p>
+
+<p>The Tory encampment, which was a long distance westward from St. Leger's
+quarters, presented the same scene of confusion and evidences of hasty
+departure as had the British, and from there we got a large quantity of
+plunder; but in the Indian camp was nothing left but the lodges, and these
+we carted into the fort, although they would be of little value to us. It
+was satisfying to despoil Thayendanega's snakes, even though only to a
+slight extent.</p>
+
+<p>When another day had come Colonel Gansevoort brought all us merrymakers up
+with a sharp turn, by forcing us to perform military duty once more. The
+stores of the British and Tories had all been brought in, and then we were
+called upon to level the earthworks which had been thrown up at the
+beginning of the siege, lest General Burgoyne, who had been reported as
+possibly coming our way, might be able to turn them to his own advantage
+and our discomfiture.</p>
+
+<p>It was downright hard work to handle shovel and pick hour after hour under
+the burning rays of the summer sun; but no fellow cared to show himself
+indolent after having had such rare good fortune, and we petitioned the
+commandant to let us continue the labor throughout the night, to the end
+that it might the sooner be performed.</p>
+
+<p>Within six and thirty hours after we had returned from the pursuit matters
+were so far straightened that we had nothing save ordinary garrison duty
+to perform, and we lounged around discussing the exciting and mysterious
+events which we had witnessed, until I dare venture to say that every man
+was absolutely weary with so much tongue-wagging.</p>
+
+<p>Messengers had been sent on the road toward Stillwater to learn, if
+possible, what had caused such a panic among the enemy, and Sergeant
+Corney said to Jacob and me while we were waiting with whatsoever of
+patience we could command for some definite information to be brought in:</p>
+
+<p>"We must get out of this, lads, within four an' twenty hours after the
+matter has been made plain, an' we know somewhat concernin' the movements
+of our friends on the outside."</p>
+
+<p>"How surprised the people of Cherry Valley will be when they hear all that
+we can tell them!" Jacob said, as if speaking to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"An' is it in your mind, lad, that we're to go back there rather than
+anywhere else?"</p>
+
+<p>"Where else could we go?" I asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"I've been thinkin' that we might do our people at home more good by
+marchin' the Minute Boys to where they could be of real service, than
+goin' back to let 'em loaf 'round the settlement."</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the old soldier was called away to attend to some duty,
+and Jacob and I had ample food for thought as we turned over in mind what
+he had said.</p>
+
+<p>Before the day had come to an end we had reinforcements--when we no longer
+needed them--in plenty. Company after company of soldiers marched in from
+the direction of Stillwater, and through the earliest arrivals we learned
+that twelve hundred men, under General Benedict Arnold, had been sent to
+our relief.</p>
+
+<p>To our great joy, they could give valuable information regarding the
+strange behavior of St. Leger's army, and by putting together this and
+that bit of news we had a fairly good solution to the puzzle before the
+arrival of General Arnold, who came with a small force twenty hours behind
+the main body.</p>
+
+<p>And this is the story as we heard it from one source and another until
+there could be no question but that we had all the facts with no
+embellishments:</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell succeeded in getting past the
+several encampments without being discovered, and made their way to German
+Flats. There they procured horses, and rode at full speed until arriving
+at the headquarters of General Schuyler at Stillwater.</p>
+
+<p>Now it must be understood that when General Washington heard the news of
+the fall of Ticonderoga, he sent General Benedict Arnold with as many
+troops as could be gathered, to strengthen the northern army. General
+Arnold arrived at Stillwater nearabout three weeks before Colonel Willett
+rode into that place with the request that assistance be sent as soon as
+possible to Fort Schuyler.</p>
+
+<p>Now it seems, as I have heard it said by those who knew, and, later, have
+seen it printed, that immediately the messengers from the besieged fort
+stated the purpose of their coming, General Schuyler, eager to send
+Colonel Gansevoort all the succor he might, called a council of war to
+decide upon what should be done, when, greatly to his surprise, he found
+that the members of his staff were bitterly opposed to weakening the force
+then at Stillwater by sending any away, even on so important a mission as
+that of aiding the beleaguered garrison.</p>
+
+<p>Here is what I have seen printed regarding the matter, and I will copy it
+lest any one think I may have imagined some portion of this contention,
+which, as we look at the situation now, seems so improbable, for one can
+hardly believe that any officer in the patriot army would have refused at
+such a time to aid those who were so sorely pressed as were Gansevoort's
+troops:</p>
+
+<p>[Footnote: Fiske's "American Revolution."] "General Schuyler understood the
+importance of rescuing the stronghold and its brave garrison, and called a
+council of war; but he was bitterly opposed by his officers, one of whom
+presently said to another, in an audible whisper:</p>
+
+<p>"'He only wants to weaken the army!'</p>
+
+<p>"At this vile accusation the indignant general set his teeth so hard as to
+bite through the stem of the pipe he was smoking, which fell on the floor
+and was smashed.</p>
+
+<p>"'Enough!' he cried. 'I assume the whole responsibility. Where is the
+brigadier who will go?'</p>
+
+<p>"The brigadiers all sat in sullen silence, and Arnold, who had been
+brooding over his private grievances, suddenly jumped up.</p>
+
+<p>"'Here!' said he. 'Washington sent me here to make myself useful. I will
+go.'</p>
+
+<p>"The commander gratefully seized him by the hand, and the drum beat for
+volunteers. Arnold's unpopularity in New England was mainly with the
+politicians. It did not extend to the common soldiers, who admired his
+impulsive bravery and had unbounded faith in his resources as a leader.
+Accordingly twelve hundred Massachusetts men were easily enlisted in the
+course of the next forenoon, and the expedition started up the Mohawk
+Valley.</p>
+
+<p>"Arnold pushed on with characteristic energy, but the natural difficulties
+of the road were such that after a week of hard work he had only reached
+the German Flats, where he was still more than twenty miles from Fort
+Schuyler. Believing that no time should be lost, and that everything
+should be done to encourage the garrison and dishearten the enemy, he had
+recourse to a stratagem, which succeeded beyond his utmost anticipation.</p>
+
+<p>"A party of Tory spies had just been arrested in the neighborhood, and
+among them was a certain Yan Yost Cuyler, a queer, half-witted fellow not
+devoid of cunning, whom the Indians regarded with that mysterious awe with
+which fools and lunatics are wont to inspire them, as creatures possessed
+with a devil.</p>
+
+<p>"Yan Yost was summarily condemned to death, and his brother and gipsy-like
+mother, in wild alarm, hastened to the camp to plead for his life. Arnold
+for awhile was inexorable, but presently offered to pardon the culprit on
+condition that he should go and spread a panic in the camp of St. Leger.</p>
+
+<p>"Yan Yost joyfully consented, and started off forthwith, while his brother
+was detained as a hostage, to be hanged in case of his failure. To make
+the matter still surer, some friendly Oneidas were sent along to keep an
+eye upon him and act in concert with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Next day St. Leger's scouts, as they stole through the forest, began to
+hear rumors that Burgoyne had been totally defeated, and that a great
+American army was coming up the valley of the Mohawk. They carried back
+these rumors to the camp, and, while officers and soldiers were standing
+about in anxious consultation, Yan Yost came running in, with a dozen
+bullet-holes in his coat and terror in his face, and said that he had
+barely escaped with his life from the resistless American host which was
+close at hand.</p>
+
+<p>"As many knew him for a Tory, his tale found ready belief, and, when
+interrogated as to the numbers of the advancing host, he gave a warning
+frown and pointed significantly to the countless leaves that fluttered on
+the branches overhead."</p>
+
+<p>[Footnote: Lossing's "Field Book American Revolution."] "The Indians were
+greatly agitated. They had been decoyed into their present situation, and
+had been moody and uneasy since the battle of Oriskany. At the moment of
+Yan Yost's arrival they were engaged in a religious observance,--a
+consultation, through their prophet, of the Great Spirit, to supplicate
+his guidance and protection.</p>
+
+<p>"The council of chiefs at the powwow at once resolved upon flight, and
+told St. Leger so. He sent for and questioned Yan Yost, who told him that
+Arnold, with two thousand men, would be upon him in twenty-four hours.</p>
+
+<p>"At that moment, according to arrangements, the friendly Oneida who had
+taken a circuitous route approached the camp from another direction with a
+belt. On his way he met two or three straggling Indians of his tribe, who
+joined him, and they all confirmed the story of Yan Yost. They pretended
+that a bird had brought them the news that the valley below was swarming
+with warriors.</p>
+
+<p>"One said that the army of Burgoyne was cut in pieces, and another told
+St. Leger that Arnold had three thousand men near at hand. They shook
+their heads mysteriously when questioned about the numbers of the enemy,
+and pointed, like Yan Yost, upward to the leaves.</p>
+
+<p>"The savages, now thoroughly alarmed, prepared to flee. St. Leger tried
+every means, by offers of bribes and promises, to induce them to remain,
+but the panic and suspicion of foul play had determined them to go. He
+tried to make them drunk, but they refused to drink. He then besought them
+to take the rear of his army in retreating; this they refused, and
+indignantly said:</p>
+
+<p>"'You mean to sacrifice us. When you marched down, you said there would be
+no fighting for us Indians; we might go down and smoke our pipes; whereas
+numbers of our warriors have been killed, and you mean to sacrifice us
+also.'</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing more was needed to complete the panic. It was in vain that Sir
+John and St. Leger coaxed and threatened the savages. They were already
+filled with fear, and while a certain number deliberately ran away, taking
+their squaws with them, others drank rum until they were drunk, and began
+to assault the officers."
+
+That is the story as has been set down by others, and I have already told
+what we ourselves saw. All which seemed so unaccountable to us at that
+time, would have been as plain as the sun at noon-day had we possessed the
+key to the seeming riddle.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch20"></a>Chapter XX.</h2>
+
+<h3>Enlisted Men.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>On the morning after General Arnold's arrival, when we learned that the
+reinforcements which had been sent to us at Fort Schuyler were to be
+marched directly back to the main army then at Stillwater, the Minute Boys
+held a conference to decide what should be done, for it was in my mind
+that each member of the company had a right to discuss freely the question
+that must be settled without delay.</p>
+
+<p>We knew that Peter Sitz was to return to Cherry Valley as soon as he could
+make ready for the journey, and I was of the belief that Jacob desired to
+accompany his father; but never a word had passed between us on the
+subject.</p>
+
+<p>From all we could hear concerning affairs in the Mohawk Valley, it seemed
+much as if the senseless panic among St. Leger's force had resulted in
+breaking up the combination between the British and the Indians, in which
+case Thayendanega would not be able to ravage the country nearabout Cherry
+Valley, as he had doubtless counted on.</p>
+
+<p>When I considered the matter, with a sickness for home in my heart, it
+seemed much as if my proper place was with my parents, and there, if
+trouble should come, I would be able to strike a blow in defence of those
+I loved; but while listening to the conversation of the soldiers, and
+being brought to understand how sorely the colonists needed the aid which
+should come from their midst, I said to myself that strong, hulking lads
+like our Minute Boys ought to be ashamed to do other than remain in the
+service, doing their part in showing the king that we would have no more
+of his misrule.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me that Sergeant Corney was averse to talking with any of us
+concerning the future, for, as soon as it was known that we must decide at
+once upon some course, he kept aloof whenever he heard two or three
+discussing the question of what we Minute Boys ought to do, now that we
+were no longer needed at Fort Schuyler.</p>
+
+<p>I have thus set down that which was in my mind at the time, not that it is
+of any especial importance, but to the end that he who reads may
+understand how undecided I was as to what my company had best do at such a
+time; and I believe every person will realize that a lad's love for
+country must be great when it prompts him to turn his back on home and
+loved ones after having passed through as many dangers as had our boys
+from Cherry Valley.</p>
+
+<p>During the evening previous I had notified all the members of the company
+that we would meet in the barracks at eight o'clock in the morning to
+decide what course should be pursued, and considerably before the time
+set every lad was in waiting; but Sergeant Corney did not put in an
+appearance.</p>
+
+<p>We had come to consider him as the head and front of the Minute Boys, and
+his absence at such an important time seemed odd, to say the least.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe he has it in mind to join General Arnold's force," John Sammons
+said, when the hour for the conference had come and passed without the
+sergeant's having shown himself, and the idea of such a possibility
+brought a strange sensation of loneliness to my heart.</p>
+
+<p>Then Jacob suggested that the old man might have been detained against his
+will at headquarters, and I proposed that the lad go at once to learn if
+such was the case.</p>
+
+<p>He did not absolutely refuse to obey what might have been considered as an
+order from the captain, but tried to shift the duty by saying:</p>
+
+<p>"It would be of more avail for you to go, Noel, if so be the old man
+really has it in mind to enlist under General Arnold. You have ever been a
+favorite of his, whereas I am little more than an outsider, who has caused
+you an' he much trouble an' sufferin'."</p>
+
+<p>The lad did not really believe his own statements, but made them simply to
+shift the duty to my shoulders, for it was a bold and might be considered
+an impertinent act for us to presume to advise or urge one of so much and
+so varied experience as Sergeant Corney.</p>
+
+<p>I set off without further parley, and to my great surprise found the old
+man on the parade-ground talking idly with Peter Sitz.</p>
+
+<p>"Had you forgotten that the company was called together at eight o'clock
+this mornin'?" I asked, as if in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it, lad."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why didn't you come to the barracks?"</p>
+
+<p>"I knew you lads had somewhat of importance to decide, an' wasn't countin'
+on goin' where I might be said to have influenced you."</p>
+
+<p>"But don't you reckon yourself as belongin' any longer to the company?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't count on bein' able to pass myself off for a boy, even among
+blind men," the old soldier said, with a laugh, and I cried, hotly:</p>
+
+<p>"That isn't answerin' my question, sergeant. Is there any good reason why
+you should stand stiffly here while we're tryin' to make up our minds what
+to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, lad, I believe there is."</p>
+
+<p>"What may it be, if you're willin' to tell us?"</p>
+
+<p>"It shouldn't be hard to guess. All my life long I've followed soldierin'
+as another man follows a trade, an' I'm not the one who ought to speak
+when lads are makin' up their minds as to the future, lest I say that
+which pleases me, an' may not be the best thing for them."</p>
+
+<p>"Answer me one question squarely, Sergeant Corney, without beatin' about
+the bush. Do you think we're too young to enlist as soldiers, if it so be
+the lads decide that the Minute Boys ought to do all they can for the
+Cause?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it; it strikes me your company has shown that it may be of
+value in any army, an' I'll go bail Colonel Gansevoort will agree with me.
+What say you, Peter Sitz?"</p>
+
+<p>"Speakin' for my Jacob, he's shown that his services are not to be
+despised in sich warfare as we're like to have in the valley; but it must
+be for him to say what he'll do, without word or look from me."</p>
+
+<p>Now it was that I began to understand what these two were driving at. They
+were minded that we of the company should decide the question before us
+without aid from them, and it was not difficult to guess that, in their
+opinion, the Minute Boys ought to remain where they could do the best
+service for the colony.</p>
+
+<p>However, I was determined that they should be present while we discussed
+the matter, and by dint of much coaxing finally succeeded in my purpose.</p>
+
+<p>When we were all together I put the matter before the lads to the best of
+my ability, asking each to say if he was minded to go home at once, or
+whether he would be willing to regularly enlist in the American army, and
+before any other could speak John Sammons made a suggestion which showed
+him to be a lad of rare good sense.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me that it would be a good idea to first learn whether we're
+wanted in the army. There's hardly one among us of an age to be taken as a
+recruit, an' if they won't let us enlist as a full company, allowin' our
+own officers to remain in command, I for my part would rather go home."</p>
+
+<p>There could be no question but that very many of us shared John's ideas,
+and then came the question as to how we might learn what we wanted to
+know.</p>
+
+<p>This we could not determine upon until Peter Sitz said, quietly:</p>
+
+<p>"Most likely Colonel Gansevoort can tell you in short order; but, if he
+can't, he won't be long in findin' out from General Arnold."</p>
+
+<p>This was just the suggestion we needed, and then came the question as to
+who would go to the commandant. I flatly refused, because it would look
+too much as if I was eager to hold my rank as captain, and after
+considerable tongue-wagging it was decided that Jacob should tackle the
+job, his father agreeing to go with him to headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>While these two were absent we talked much among ourselves, and I soon
+learned that every member of the company was willing to remain in service
+if it could be done as regularly enlisted men, holding together as a
+separate company.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney would take no part in the discussion. He flatly refused
+to give an opinion until after the matter had been fully decided; but I
+knew full well the old man would remain with us, even though we were only
+a company of boys.</p>
+
+<p>Then Jacob and his father returned, and there was no need of further talk.</p>
+
+<p>"The commandant says that we have only to present ourselves before General
+Schuyler in order to be enlisted as we desire," Jacob reported. "He
+promises to write a letter to the general at once, telling him of how much
+service we have been here in the fort, an' agrees to provide us with
+provisions for the march, with two baggage-wagons to haul the stores.
+We're to have from the plunder gotten out of St. Leger's camp all we may
+need in way of an outfit, so that we'll really show up before the
+commander equipped for service without cost to the colonies."</p>
+
+<p>Thus the matter was settled. With such a generous offer from the
+commandant never a member of the company could have hung back had he so
+desired; but I am proud to say that each and every one of them was eager
+to join the army, since it might be done as regular soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that Sergeant Corney had his say, and he was by no means
+niggardly with words.</p>
+
+<p>First he congratulated us on having performed such good service that the
+commander under whom we served was pleased to do all in his power to give
+us a good send-off, and then declared that he had rather enlist with us
+than in any regiment of the army. If we had decided to go to Cherry
+Valley, it was his purpose to join General Arnold's force; but now that he
+could remain with the Minute Boys he was content.</p>
+
+<p>We were proud lads that day, for it seemed as if every officer and soldier
+in the fort was eager to give us some word of praise, and those with whom
+we had served watched jealously when our equipment was being selected from
+the plunder of the British camp, lest we might not get the best of
+everything.</p>
+
+<p>We had our hands full of business making ready for the march, when Reuben
+Cox came shyly up to where Sergeant Corney and I were looking after the
+stowage of goods in the wagons, and said to me in a half-whisper, as if
+fearing others might hear him:</p>
+
+<p>"I don't reckon your company is any place for a man who has shown himself
+sich a sneak as I am, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Would you like to go with us?" I asked, in surprise, and pitying from the
+bottom of my heart the man who was so deeply repentant.</p>
+
+<p>"That I would, Captain Campbell. It may be in time I can live down my
+record, providin' there be any one who'll look to what I may do, instead
+of always thinkin' of what I have done."</p>
+
+<p>"But the men in the fort have been kind to you of late, Cox?" I said,
+questioningly.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that they have, considerin' what I've done, an' how nearly I came to
+workin' the worst of harm to all hands here; but I can see by their eyes
+that they're always thinkin' I may play the same dirty game agin, though
+God knows I'd stand at the stake with never a whimper till the life was
+burned out of me rather than do one of them another wrong."</p>
+
+<p>Had I felt at liberty to decide the matter then and there, Cox would have
+been a member of the Minute Boys without further parley; but it was only
+right I should consult the others, therefore I told him to come again
+within an hour, when I would give him an answer.</p>
+
+<p>He thanked me humbly, and was about to go away, when Sergeant Corney took
+him by the hand as he said:</p>
+
+<p>"What's in the past can't be brought back for the fixin'; but we've got in
+our own keepin' the shapin' of the to-morrows. I'm thinkin' you won't go
+astray agin, Reuben Cox, an' whenever I see a chance to speak a good word
+for you it shall be said."</p>
+
+<p>The man's face lighted up wonderfully, and in my heart I thanked the old
+sergeant over and over for having been thus kind to one who, having
+committed the worst crime possible for a soldier, stood ready to give up
+his life cheerfully to the end that he might atone.</p>
+
+<p>I called the lads together without loss of time, repeating to them what
+Cox had said, and again was I made glad when they agreed without
+hesitation to take him among us.</p>
+
+<p>John Sammons was sent to bring up the new member of the company, and
+Sergeant Corney said, grimly, as he tried without avail to pucker his
+wrinkled face into a frown:</p>
+
+<p>"At this rate you'll soon lose the right to call yourselves Minute <i>Boys</i>,
+because this 'ere company is fast becomin' a refuge for the aged and
+outcast."</p>
+
+<p>There was to be mourning as well as gladness among us on this the last day
+we were to spend in Fort Schuyler.</p>
+
+<p>Toward noon a messenger from the general commanding came in, bringing with
+him the sad news that General Herkimer was dead of his wounds, or, perhaps
+I should say, because of his wounds.</p>
+
+<p>As we were told, the general was safely taken to his home after the
+battle, being carried on a litter the entire distance. The weather was
+very warm, and soon the wound became gangrenous. Nine days after his
+arrival, a young French surgeon who had been with General Arnold's force
+visited the house, and claimed that the injured limb should be cut off
+without delay, as the only means of saving the sufferer's life.</p>
+
+<p>The family doctor objected very strongly; but the general's family had
+faith in the Frenchman, although it is claimed he had evidently been
+drinking heavily, and the leg was cut off. The operation was performed so
+unskilfully that it was impossible to entirely check the flow of blood,
+and the Frenchman, indulging in more wine, became so badly intoxicated
+that, even had he known how, it would have been beyond his power to take
+the proper measures.</p>
+
+<p>There was no other surgeon to be had, and toward the close of the day,
+when the brave old general came to understand that his end was very near,
+he asked for the Bible, from which he read aloud the thirty-eighth psalm,
+immediately afterward sinking back upon the pillow dead.</p>
+
+<p>"Murdered if ever a man was!" Sergeant Corney cried, when the sad story
+had been brought to an end, and I was of the same opinion.</p>
+
+<p>There are several forms of mutiny, and some of them are called by other
+names, but all as dangerous as they are wicked. Because many of those who
+badgered the brave old soldier to his death paid the full penalty of their
+crime in the ravine under the hatchet or knife of the savages, it may not
+be well to say harsh words concerning them; but so long as I live there
+will always be anger in my heart whenever I hear their names mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>During that evening, after everything had been made ready for the march at
+an early hour next morning, we lads gave to Peter Sitz messages for the
+loved ones at Cherry Valley, promising that we would never bring disgrace
+upon the settlement, and so burdening his mind with this matter and the
+other that, if the poor man remembered but the half of all the words we
+entrusted him with, he must have had a most prodigious memory.</p>
+
+<p>Right proud was I when I marched out of the fort next morning at the head
+of my company, followed by the two baggage-wagons; but yet there was a
+sorrow in my heart because it seemed, in a certain degree, at least, as if
+by becoming regularly enlisted men we gave up our claim to the name of
+Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley.</p>
+
+<p>Those under whom we served did not view the matter in the same light I
+did, however, for we kept the title we liked best during all the time we
+served in the army.</p>
+
+<p>It would please me to set down here an account of the adventures which
+were ours after becoming enlisted men, but it must not be done, else I
+might never bring the tale to a close, for we saw very much during the
+time our people were convincing the king, and surely did our duty at Bemis
+Heights, otherwise our company would never have been mentioned in the
+flattering terms it then was.</p>
+
+<p>It causes me most profound sorrow to say that our company was far away,
+fighting for the Cause to the best of our ability, when our homes at
+Cherry Valley were destroyed and many of our loved ones massacred by the
+fiendish savages, and there is always in my heart a cruel joy that we lads
+who had been trained by Sergeant Corney avenged that dastardly act of
+Thayendanega's in such manly fashion that he must have remembered the
+reprisals to his dying day.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was we showed ourselves to be Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley in
+good truth, however we may have been spoken of elsewhere, and if it so be
+the good God spares my life sufficiently long I propose to set down the
+story of that vengeance, when more than one of us, sorely wounded,
+continued the chase, upheld even when exhausted nigh unto death by the
+thoughts of what our loved ones had been made to suffer by that wolf in
+human shape--Joseph Brant.</p>
+<br />
+<hr />
+
+
+
+<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 10086 ***</div>
+</body>
+</html>
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+Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for
+eBook #10086 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10086)
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley, by
+James Otis
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley
+
+Author: James Otis
+
+Release Date: November 14, 2003  [eBook #10086]
+
+Language: English
+
+Chatacter set encoding: iso-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE MOHAWK
+VALLEY***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
+
+by JAMES OTIS
+
+Author of "The Boys of Fort Schuyler," "The Boys of '98,"
+"Teddy and Carrots," "Captain Tom, the Privateersman,"
+"The Boys of 1745," "The Signal Boys of '75,"
+"Under the Liberty Tree," "When Israel Putnam Served the King,"
+"The Minute Boys of the Green Mountains," Etc., Etc.
+
+Illustrated by A. Burnham Shute
+[Illustration: "An Indian strode gravely into the encampment"]
+
+1911
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+    I. Young Soldiers
+   II. The Powwow
+  III. Disappointment
+   IV. On the Oriskany
+    V. Divided Duty
+   VI. Between the Lines
+  VII. Insubordination
+ VIII. The Ambush
+   IX. The Indian Camp
+    X. Prisoners
+   XI. The Escape
+  XII. In the Fort
+ XIII. The Assault
+  XIV. Mutiny
+   XV. The Torture
+  XVI. Short Allowance
+ XVII. Perplexing Scenes
+XVIII. Close Quarters
+  XIX. The Pursuit
+   XX. Enlisted Men
+
+
+
+
+Foreword
+
+
+
+It seems not only proper, but necessary, that I should explain how the
+material for this story was obtained, and why it happens that I can thus
+set down exactly what Noel Campbell thought and did, during certain times
+while he was serving the patriot cause in the Mohawk Valley as few other
+boys could have done.
+
+At some time in Noel's life--most likely after he was grown to be a man
+with children, and, perhaps, grandchildren of his own--he wrote many
+letters to relatives of his in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, wherein he told
+with considerable of detail that which he did during the War of the
+Revolution, and more particularly while he and his friends were fighting
+against that wily Indian sachem, Thayendanega. These letters, together
+with many others concerning the struggles of our people for independence,
+came into my keeping a long while ago, and from the lines written by Noel
+Campbell I have put together the following story after much the same
+fashion as he himself set it down.
+
+When the work was begun I doubted if Thayendanega could have been
+frightened by a party of boys who were playing at being soldiers, and
+refused to make such statement until, quite by chance, I found the
+following in Lossing's "Field-Book of the Revolution":
+
+"It was a sunny morning toward the close of May, when Brant and his
+warriors cautiously moved up to the brow of the lofty hill on the east
+side of the town (Cherry Valley) to reconnoitre the settlement at their
+feet. He was astonished and chagrined on seeing a fortification where he
+supposed all was weak and defenceless, and greater was his disappointment
+when quite a large and well-armed garrison appeared upon the esplanade in
+front of Colonel Campbell's house.
+
+"These soldiers were not as formidable as the sachem supposed, for they
+were only half-grown boys, who, full of the martial spirit of the times,
+had formed themselves into companies, and, armed with wooden guns and
+swords, held regular drills each day.... He mistook the boys for
+full-grown soldiers, and, considering an attack dangerous, moved his party
+to a hiding-place in a deep ravine north of the village."
+
+Then again I questioned if General Herkimer would have sent two boys as
+messengers, even though an old and experienced soldier went with them,
+when he must have had under his command many men grown who were thoroughly
+familiar with Indian warfare. As if to combat this doubt, I found the
+following statement by one who has written much concerning the struggles
+of the colonists for freedom:
+
+"As soon as St. Leger's approach up Oneida Lake was known to General
+Herkimer, he summoned the militia of Tryon County to the succor of the
+garrison at Fort Schuyler. They rendezvoused at Fort Dayton, on the German
+Flats, and, on the day when the Indians encircled the fort, Herkimer was
+near Oriskany with more than eight hundred men, eager to face the enemy.
+He sent as messengers to Gansevoort two boys and a man, informing him of
+his approach, and requesting him to apprise him of the arrival of the
+couriers by discharging three guns in rapid succession, which he knew
+would be heard at Oriskany."
+
+Having thus proven, at least to my own satisfaction, that so much of
+Noel's story was true, I set about verifying the other portions, and in no
+single instance did I find that he had drawn upon his imagination,
+therefore I resolved to write it down as the lad himself would have
+spoken, being able, because of the letters, to put myself very nearly in
+his place.
+
+I would it had been possible to say more concerning Thayendanega and Sir
+John Johnson, for they played important parts in the making of Mohawk
+Valley history; but Noel's own account was of such length that I did not
+feel warranted in adding to it.
+
+To the best of my knowledge and belief, the tale of the "Minute Boys of
+the Mohawk Valley" is no more than a narration of facts, as can be
+verified by reference to any of our standard histories of the beginnings
+of this nation.
+
+If the reader can find in the reading one-half the pleasure I have had in
+interpreting Noel Campbell's odd speech, and smoothing down his too
+vigorous language, then will he be richly repaid for the perusal.
+
+James Otis.
+
+
+
+
+List of Illustrations
+
+
+
+"An Indian strode gravely into the encampment"
+"'You have done well to get back alive'"
+"Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and fro"
+"'Tire 'em out, lads!' the General shouted"
+"Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a huge fire"
+"With upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of foliage"
+"The painted villain sank down upon the ground"
+"Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet through the back'"
+
+
+
+
+Chapter I.
+
+Young Soldiers
+
+
+
+It sounds like an unreasonable tale, or something after the style of a
+fairy-story, to say that a party of lads, drilling with wooden guns, were
+able, without being conscious of the fact, to frighten from his bloody
+work such a murderous, powerful sachem as Thayendanega, or Joseph Brant,
+to use his English name, but such is the undisputed fact.
+
+It was the month of May in the year of our Lord 1777, when we of Cherry
+Valley, in the Province of New York, learned that this same Thayendanega,
+a pure-blooded Mohawk Indian, whose father was chief of the Onondaga
+nation, had come into the Mohawk Valley from Canada with a large force of
+Indians, who, under the wicked tutoring of Sir John Johnson, were ripe for
+mischief.
+
+Col. Samuel Campbell, my uncle, was one of the leading patriots in that
+section of the province, and it was well known that the Johnsons,--Sir
+John and Guy,--the Butlers, Daniel Claus, and, in fact, all the Tories
+nearabout, would direct that the first blow be struck at Cherry Valley, in
+order that my uncle might be killed or made prisoner; therefore, at the
+time when we lads frightened Joseph Brant without our own knowledge, we
+were in daily fear of being set upon by our enemies.
+
+Among the boys of the settlement I, Noel Campbell, was looked upon as a
+leader simply because my uncle was the most influential Whig in the
+vicinity, and my particular friend and comrade was Jacob Sitz, son of
+Peter, a lad who could easily best us all in trials of strength or of
+woodcraft.
+
+We had heard of the Minute Men of Lexington and of the Green Mountains,
+and when the day came that all the able-bodied men of our valley banded
+themselves together for the protection of their homes against our
+neighbors, the Tories, who thirsted for patriot blood, we lads decided
+that we were old enough to do our share in whatsoever might be afoot.
+
+Therefore it was that two score of us formed a league to help defend the
+settlements, and gave ourselves the name of "Minute Boys of the Mohawk
+Valley."
+
+There was then living in Cherry Valley an old Prussian soldier by name
+Cornelius Braun, who, in his native land, had won the rank of sergeant;
+but, having grown too old for very active military duty, came to this
+country with the idea of making a home for himself. Sergeant Corney, as
+nearly every one called him, was not so old, however, but that he could
+strike a blow, and a heavy one, in his own defence, and when he learned
+what we lads proposed to do, he offered to drill us in the manual of arms.
+
+We were not overly well equipped in the way of weapons, although it is
+safe to say that each of us had a firearm of some sort; but it seemed to
+give Sergeant Corney the fidgets to see us carrying such a motley
+collection of guns, and he insisted on making a quantity of wooden muskets
+to be used in the drill, to the end that we might present a more soldierly
+appearance when lined up before him.
+
+Therefore it was that, when we came each day on the green in front of my
+uncle's house to go through such manoeuvres as our instructor thought
+necessary, we had in our hands only those harmless wooden guns.
+
+I was the captain of the company; Jacob Sitz acted as lieutenant, and all
+the others were privates. Sergeant Corney, as a matter of course, was the
+commander-in-chief.
+
+On a certain day during the last week in May--the exact date I have
+forgotten--we were drilling as usual, with Sergeant Corney finding more
+fault than ever, when we frightened the famous Thayendanega away from an
+attack on the settlement, although, as I have said, we knew nothing about
+it until many months afterward.
+
+It seems, as we learned later, that the villainous Brant had made all his
+plans for an attack upon Cherry Valley, and had secretly gained a position
+on the hill to the eastward of the place, counting on waiting there until
+nightfall, when he might surprise us; but, much to his astonishment, he
+saw what appeared from the distance to be a large body of well-equipped
+soldiers evidently making ready for serious work.
+
+The scoundrelly redskin was not so brave that he was willing to make an
+attack where it seemed that the Whigs were prepared to receive him, and,
+like the cur that he was, he marched his force to a hiding-place in a deep
+ravine north of the settlement, near the road leading to the Mohawk River,
+about a mile and a half from where we were drilling.
+
+Now hardly more than an hour before it is probable that the Indians got
+their first glimpse of us Minute Boys, Lieutenant Wormwood had arrived
+from Fort Plain with information to my uncle that a force of patriot
+soldiers was on the way to check Sir John's plans for killing all who did
+not quite agree with him in politics, and to request that arrangements be
+made to care for the men during such time as they might remain in that
+vicinity.
+
+When, late in the afternoon, the lieutenant was ready to return to Fort
+Plain, Jacob's father, Peter Sitz, was ordered to accompany him as bearer
+of a message from my uncle to the leader of the patriot force, and the two
+men set off on horseback, we lads envying them because it seemed a fine
+thing to ride to and fro over the country summoning this man or that to
+his duty.
+
+It was the last time Jacob saw his father until after many days had
+passed, and what happened to the two horsemen we could only guess when the
+lieutenant's lifeless body was found next day; but we learned the
+particulars later.
+
+It seems that when the messengers arrived near Brant's hiding-place, being
+forced to pass by where the Indians were concealed in order to get to Fort
+Plain, they were hailed by some one in the thicket; but instead of
+replying, the men put spurs to their horses.
+
+The savages in ambush fired a volley; Lieutenant Wormwood was killed
+instantly, while Jacob's father was so seriously wounded that he fell from
+his horse, and, a few seconds later, found himself a prisoner among
+Brant's wolves.
+
+When the tidings of this tragedy was brought into the settlement, Jacob
+was overwhelmed with grief, as might have been expected, and even my uncle
+had great difficulty in preventing the distressed lad from rushing into
+the wilderness with the poor hope that he might be able, single-handed, to
+effect his father's rescue.
+
+He was only sixteen years of age--two months older than I; but within an
+hour after we knew beyond a peradventure that Peter Sitz was a prisoner,
+it seemed as if the lad had grown to be a man.
+
+It was this first blow against the settlement of Cherry Valley by the
+murderous Brant, which brought us Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley into
+active service, for from that day we saw as much of warfare as did our
+elders, and I am proud to be able to set down the fact that we performed
+good work, although we failed, as did the men of the settlement, in
+preventing it from being destroyed a year and a half later, while the
+fighting force of the population was absent.
+
+The murder of Lieutenant Wormwood was sufficient evidence that the Tories
+and their savage allies were prepared to harry us, and within a very few
+minutes after the body of the officer had been brought in, the men made
+ready to defend their homes.
+
+A council of war was immediately called, and while it was in session
+Sergeant Corney made a proposition which was like to take away the breath
+from those who looked upon us of the Minute Boys as mere children, for he
+said in the tone of one who knows whereof he speaks:
+
+"I've been drillin' a force that can do good work in what's before us, if
+they're given a show, an' I'll answer for half a dozen of 'em,
+guaranteein' they'll show themselves to be men."
+
+"Are you speaking of the lads?" my uncle asked in surprise, and the old
+man replied promptly;
+
+"Ay, that I am, sir, an', unless all signs fail, there's never one of 'em
+who'll bring reproach upon the settlement."
+
+"What is your plan, Sergeant Braun?" Master Dunlap, the preacher, asked,
+for so great did all believe the danger which threatened, that every man,
+whether able-bodied or crippled, had been summoned to the council.
+
+"It ain't what you might rightly call a plan, sir," Sergeant Corney
+replied. "It's only an idee, brought out by the fact that from this time
+we've got to keep a close watch on what's happenin' in this 'ere valley,
+unless we're willin' to be murdered in our beds. There are boys enough in
+the settlement to do the scoutin', leavin' the elders to stand by for
+defence, an' I see no good reason why they shouldn't perform full share of
+military duty."
+
+"Think you a lad like my nephew Noel could render any valuable assistance
+at such a time as this?" my uncle asked, with a smile, as if believing he
+had put an end to the old man's proposition, and my cheeks reddened with
+excitement and fear lest Sergeant Corney should allow himself to be backed
+down, as I listened intently for the answer.
+
+It was not long in coming, and I could have kissed the old soldier for
+speaking as he did.
+
+"Give me him an' Jacob Sitz, sir, an' I'll guarantee to follow
+Thayendanega an' his precious scoundrels till we know what deviltry
+they've got in mind."
+
+"You shall have full charge of all the boys in the settlement, and we will
+see if you can make good your boast," my uncle, who held command of our
+fighting force, said after a brief pause, and in a twinkling Sergeant
+Corney left the building, beckoning us lads to follow, for our company had
+gathered with the men to learn what was to be done.
+
+The old soldier did not need very much time in which to lay his plans; in
+fact, I believe he had mapped out the whole course before having spoken.
+
+He divided our company into squads of six, not reckoning in either Jacob
+or me, and these he gave stations at different points within a mile of the
+settlement, cautioning every one to be on the alert, for now had come the
+time when it was possible for them to prove the value of the Minute Boys
+as soldiers. It was to be their duty, by night as well as by day, to keep
+careful watch lest the Indians creep up unawares, and I could well
+understand that never one would shirk his duty, since upon their vigilance
+depended the lives or liberty of all the dwellers nearabout.
+
+Then, when some one asked why neither Jacob nor I had been assigned to
+sentinel duty, Sergeant Corney replied, gravely:
+
+"I promised that with two lads I would follow Thayendanega's gang until we
+found out what the villains were about, as all of you well know, an'
+within the hour we three will set off."
+
+Several of the more venturesome lads pleaded their right to take part in
+the dangerous service, claiming that they should not be left at home when
+it was possible to make names for themselves among men; but to all these
+entreaties Sergeant Corney made but one reply.
+
+"It was Colonel Campbell himself who mentioned Noel's name, an' of a
+surety he has the right to say who shall go or stay. As for Jacob, have
+any of you a better claim than he to follow the murderers?"
+
+This silenced the eager ones; but I would have been glad indeed had any
+member of the company shown that he had a better right to accompany the
+old soldier than I, for of a verity I was not itching to hug the heels of
+those savages who were doing the bidding of the Tories. However
+faint-hearted I might have been, however, I would have bitten the end of
+my tongue off before saying that which should show to my comrades that I
+was more than willing to remain behind, for if the captain of the Minute
+Boys showed the white feather, what might not have been excused in the
+rank and file?
+
+Never one of all that company raised his voice against my right to follow
+Sergeant Corney, however, and I did my best at making it appear that the
+work in hand was exactly to my liking.
+
+Even the dullest among us understood that we three might be absent from
+the settlement many days, and yet our preparations for the dangerous
+journey were most simple.
+
+I ran home to acquaint my mother with what was afoot, and while she was
+trying to keep back her tears lest I might be unnerved for the duty to
+which I had been assigned, I armed myself with rifle and hunting-knife,
+making certain each weapon was in proper order.
+
+From my father's store of powder and balls I took as much as could be
+conveniently carried, and this, with such small supply of corn bread and
+salt pork as filled my hunting-bag, made up an outfit for a journey from
+which it was reasonable to believe I might never return.
+
+Mother did no more than kiss me again and again in silence, when I was
+ready to set off, and I now understand that she did not dare trust herself
+to speak, which, I venture to say, saved me from much sorrow.
+
+On arriving at the green in front of my uncle's house, where we three had
+agreed to meet, I found that Jacob's outfit was even less than mine. In
+his grief because of his father's fate, he had thought only of his weapons
+and ammunition, and by the expression on his face I knew full well he
+would use them manfully if we came within striking distance of Lieutenant
+Wormwood's murderers.
+
+Sergeant Corney was equipped in much the same fashion as was I, and
+immediately after my arrival he said, impatiently:
+
+"There is no reason why we should remain here many minutes, as if tryin'
+to show ourselves. It stands us in hand to strike the trail while it is
+yet warm, an' by dallyin' the people will come to believe our only idee is
+to look bigger'n we really are."
+
+"It is for you to say when we shall set out," I replied, envying those of
+my comrades who stood near at hand to witness the departure, and the words
+had hardly more than been spoken before the old man started off at a smart
+pace in the direction of the thicket where Lieutenant Wormwood's body had
+so lately been found.
+
+As a matter of course we two lads followed, I making every effort to keep
+pace with him, lest those who were watching should suspect I was not as
+brave as I looked, and in a few moments we had shut out from view the
+houses of the settlement.
+
+We were not long in traversing the short distance which led us to the tree
+at the foot of which the officer came to his death; it can well be
+understood that we did not linger many seconds in that gruesome locality.
+
+Jacob was eager to push on, hoping even against hope that it might be
+possible for him to rescue his father. Sergeant Corney had no desire to
+delay, lest we find it difficult to follow the trail later in the day, and
+there was no reason why I should care to remain in that place where were
+such evidences as might soon be found of our own fate.
+
+Thayendanega had apparently given no heed as to whether his movements were
+known, for never an effort had been made to cover the trail, and we
+followed it as readily as if it had been blazed.
+
+When we had travelled rapidly in silence for two full hours, Sergeant
+Corney called a halt, saying as he did so:
+
+"There's no reason why we should push on so fast, an' much need to husband
+our strength, for no one can tell how soon we may be forced to take part
+in a hand-to-hand scrimmage. We'll have a bite to eat, for I didn't
+overload my stomach this mornin', an' be all the better for a
+breathin'-spell."
+
+"We didn't come out to spend our time in eatin'," Jacob said, moodily, and
+I understood full well what was in his mind. "We can loiter when we have
+come up with the savages."
+
+"It ain't in the plan that we shall get too close at their heels,"
+Sergeant Corney replied, as he drew from his hunting-bag a generous supply
+of corn bread, and laid a good half of it in front of my comrade.
+
+"It may not be in your plan, but it is in mine," Jacob said, sharply,
+giving no heed to the food. "We shall be doin' our duty by those we have
+left behind if we hug as close to the villains as is possible, while
+there's no chance I can serve my father by hangin' back at a coward's
+distance."
+
+"An' it's in your mind, lad, that we might do him a good turn?" Sergeant
+Corney said, as if talking to himself.
+
+"Why not? It wouldn't be the first time the murderin' redskins had lost a
+prisoner."
+
+"True for you, lad, an' I know full well how you're feelin'; but the
+question is whether we can hope for anythin' while there's sich a crowd of
+'em?"
+
+"I'm not expectin' you an' Noel will run your heads into too much danger,"
+Jacob said, passionately. "I know you would help father if the chance came
+your way; but it's my duty to take every risk, an' I count on doin' so
+even though we part company within the hour! Do you suppose I can loiter
+at a safe distance from the painted devils when my father is expectin' to
+see some sign that I'm doin' all I may to help him?"
+
+"I question if Peter Sitz expects that any one from Cherry Valley will
+follow Thayendanega's snakes. He knows their strength, an' is man enough
+to understand what might be the price of an attempt to rescue him."
+
+Although Sergeant Corney spoke calmly, as if he had no vital interest in
+the matter, I knew him well enough to feel certain he was even then trying
+to settle in his own mind how a rescue might be effected; but Jacob was so
+blinded by his grief that at the moment I believe he really thought we
+would let him push ahead alone, therefore I said in as hearty a tone as
+was possible:
+
+"You should know, Jacob, that both of us stand ready to do all men may to
+aid your father, an' you may be certain we'll not let you go on alone; but
+just now Sergeant Corney must be our leader, since he knows better than
+you an' I put together what ought to be done."
+
+"But will he do his best?" Jacob cried, in a passion. "Will he help me, or
+does he think the work is done when we have learned where Joseph Brant has
+gone on his work of bloodshed?"
+
+I waited for the old soldier to make reply to this demand, and he
+hesitated so long that I began to fear I had been mistaken as to that
+which I had supposed was in his mind. At last, when it seemed as if Jacob
+could no longer restrain his impatience, Sergeant Corney said, speaking
+slowly, as if weighing well each word:
+
+"I will do my best, heedin' not my own safety, givin' no thought to the
+labor or difficulties, if it so be you lads are minded to do as I shall
+say, without questionin' when it seems as if I might be goin' wrong--"
+
+I would have interrupted him with an assurance that we were willing to
+serve him faithfully; but he checked me with a gesture, and added:
+
+"As Peter Sitz would were he in my place, so will I. He was my friend; I
+know if it was a question of savin' the lives of those at Cherry Valley,
+or turnin' his back on me, what he would do, an' even so shall I."
+
+"Meanin' what?" Jacob demanded, fiercely.
+
+"Meanin' that while we can do our duty by those who sent us, we will
+strain every nerve in his behalf; but if it should so chance that their
+safety depended upon us, we would give service to the greatest number."
+
+Jacob stared as if not understanding what the old man had said, and I made
+haste to add:
+
+"He means that if, while followin' Brant with the hope of aidin' your
+father, we found out that danger threatened the settlement, it would be
+our duty to warn them rather than hold on for him."
+
+The old soldier nodded in token that I had but given different words to
+his idea, and Jacob replied in a tone of satisfaction:
+
+"I can ask for nothin' more. If it so happens that you must turn back, I
+can keep on, for two would aid the settlement as much as three."
+
+"Ay, lad, you shall then do as seems best to you," Sergeant Corney said,
+solemnly, and thus it was settled that, while it did not interfere with
+our duty as Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley, all our efforts should be
+for the relief of the unfortunate prisoner, although at the time I had
+little hope the savages would allow him to live many days.
+
+Having thus pledged himself to Jacob, Sergeant Corney showed no further
+disposition to "husband his strength," but led us on the march once more,
+and this time at a pace which we lads found difficult to maintain without
+actually running.
+
+Now it is not my purpose to set down all we did and said during this long
+chase. It would be of no interest to a stranger, since one hour was much
+like another until we were come near to the Indian town of Oghkwaga, where
+Brant usually made his headquarters while bent on such cruel work as that
+of harrying the settlers who favored the rebellion against the king, and
+it is not necessary I should write down here the well-known fact that
+Thayendanega was in the pay of the British.
+
+It seemed much as if the Indians had no care as to whether they were being
+followed, for, instead of sending back scouts along the trail, as Brant
+almost always did, the party remained in a body, and even when we were so
+close on them as to lie down within view of their camp-fires at night, we
+never saw one of the painted villains who appeared curious to know if any
+person was in the rear.
+
+We were within a day's march of the Indian town, and had lain down in a
+thicket of spruce bushes after having looked in vain for some signs of a
+prisoner, as we had done during each of the four days while we were
+directly behind the band and at no time more than two miles distant.
+
+Jacob's face was wrinkled, or so it seemed to me, with lines drawn by
+sorrow because we had not succeeded in getting a glimpse of his father,
+and it was evident that the lad was beginning to fear, as did I, that the
+savages, finding a prisoner too troublesome, had tortured him to death;
+for if Master Sitz was yet alive and in the keeping of Brant's followers,
+why had we not got a glimpse of him?
+
+"There is no reason why you should grieve so deeply, lad," Sergeant Corney
+said, as if he could read the boy's thoughts. "I'll answer for it that
+your father is as much alive as we are."
+
+"How can you be certain of that?" Jacob asked, moodily.
+
+"We have seen every one of their camps, eh?"
+
+"Of course," Jacob replied, impatiently.
+
+"An' have you noted any sign of a prisoner's havin' been tortured--meanin'
+a half-burned tree, a pile of rocks near the fire, or sich other like
+thing?"
+
+Jacob shook his head; he could not bring himself to speak calmly of such a
+possibility.
+
+"No, you haven't, an' we know without bein' told that when sich devils as
+follow Joe Brant get a prisoner in their clutches, they never kill him
+without torture. Now, 'cordin' to my way of thinkin', we can count to a
+certainty that he's alive."
+
+"Then why haven't we come across him?" Jacob demanded, fiercely. "This is
+the fourth time we've had their camp in full view, an' if he was with 'em
+we ought to have seen somethin' of him."
+
+"I allow you're right, lad, an' that's why I've come to believe that he's
+been sent on ahead to the village."
+
+"Then I must be movin'!" Jacob cried, springing suddenly to his feet. "I
+should have had sense enough to guess that before!" And he made as if he
+would leave us; but Sergeant Corney pulled him back by the coat-sleeve.
+
+"Wait a bit. It was on my tongue's end to propose somethin' of the same
+kind; but we can't afford to take the chances of makin' a move till yonder
+nest of snakes has settled down for the night. An hour from now, an' we'll
+all pull out."
+
+Jacob could not well have made complaint after this, and he settled down
+with his back against a tree to wait with so much of patience as he could
+summon, until the old soldier should give the word.
+
+It surprised me that Jacob was not utterly cast down by the possibility
+that his father had already been carried to the Indian village, for once
+there we could not hope to effect a rescue; but since this thought had,
+apparently, never come into his mind, it was not for me to add to his
+distress by suggesting it.
+
+Well, we remained in the thicket until the red villains had quieted down
+for the night, and then Sergeant Corney led us toward the south, that we
+might make a long circle around the encampment, when would come the most
+dangerous portion of our task.
+
+Thus far we had done as Jacob would have us, and at the same time
+performed our full duty as Minute Boys, for our task was to learn what
+Brant counted on doing, and as to that we could not be certain until he
+was in the village.
+
+But now that the old soldier was leading us around the encampment to the
+end that we might gain a position between Brant's force and those at
+Oghkwaga, I said to myself, with many an inward shudder, that we were like
+to join Jacob's father after a different fashion than we had counted on.
+
+It was as if Sergeant Corney had no fear as to what might happen, for he
+plunged into the gloom of the forest like a man who walks among friends,
+and Jacob followed carelessly, all his thoughts on the possible
+whereabouts of the prisoner he was so eager to see.
+
+Apparently I was the only member of the party who gave heed to his steps,
+and so timid had I become through looking into the future for danger, that
+it was only with difficulty I repressed a cry of alarm when Sergeant
+Corney came to a sudden halt, as if he had stumbled upon an enemy.
+
+Jacob, wrapped in his own gloomy thoughts, halted without showing signs of
+curiosity or surprise; but I pressed forward eagerly until standing close
+behind the old soldier, and then I understood full well why he had
+stopped.
+
+Not thirty paces from where we remained hidden in the thicket, it was
+possible to see the gleam of a camp-fire, and to hear the faint hum of
+voices, as if a large party was near at hand.
+
+After vainly trying to peer through the foliage, Sergeant Corney moved
+cautiously forward two or three paces, and, as a matter of course, I
+followed close at his heels, far enough to see the reflection of four or
+five other fires, as if those around them had no fear of being discovered.
+
+"They must be Britishers!" I whispered, and Sergeant Corney gripped my
+hand as if to say that he was of the same idea.
+
+It was our duty, however, to know exactly who it was encamped so near
+Brant's village, and, after telling Jacob in a whisper of what we had
+seen, the old soldier made his way swiftly through the thicket, my comrade
+and I copying his every movement.
+
+Then, when I had decided that we were dangerously near a large force of
+the king's soldiers who had come to join Thayendanega in his murderous
+work, Sergeant Corney called out in a loud tone:
+
+"In the camp! Here come friends who were like to have run over you!"
+
+In a twinkling the command was aroused, and before I had fully gathered my
+wits, which had been scattered by the old soldier's hail, I found myself
+in the midst of a large body of men, many of whom I had seen in my uncle's
+home at Cherry Valley.
+
+And now, that I may not dwell too long on a commonplace story when I have
+so much of adventure to relate, let me say that we had stumbled on
+upwards of three hundred men belonging to the patriot army, who, under
+command of General Herkimer, were bent on paying a friendly visit to the
+Indian village.
+
+As we soon learned, General Herkimer, having been intimately acquainted
+with Brant, hoped by an interview to persuade the sachem to join the
+patriots, or at least to remain neutral, and to such end had invited the
+chief to meet him at Unadilla for a powwow. At the same time that General
+Herkimer had set out to find Brant, Colonel Van Schaick, with one hundred
+and fifty men, went to Cherry Valley, even as poor Lieutenant Wormwood had
+announced, and the remainder of the American force in the vicinity was
+encamped at the proposed rendezvous lest the treacherous chief accept the
+invitation simply in order to work mischief.
+
+"We'll march with this company," Sergeant Corney said, in a tone of
+satisfaction, "an' it will be possible to have a look at the village
+without runnin' too many chances of losin' our hair."
+
+And thus it seemed to me that all our troubles were over, for I doubted
+not but that General Herkimer could induce the savages to give up their
+prisoner, and we would soon be on our way home with Peter Sitz as a
+companion; but, instead, we were just at the beginning of our
+difficulties.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter II.
+
+The Powwow
+
+
+
+When we had learned all that our acquaintances among the command could
+tell us, Jacob insisted that Sergeant Corney see General Herkimer without
+delay, in order to learn if that officer would so far interest himself in
+the fate of Peter Sitz as to make inquiries of Thayendanega regarding him,
+in case the opportunity offered.
+
+At first the old soldier was not inclined to ask for an interview with the
+commander, claiming that his own rank was not sufficiently high to warrant
+his making such a request; but those of the force who were listening to
+our conversation insisted that the general was not a stickler for rank,
+and would receive a private soldier with as much consideration as the
+commander of a brigade.
+
+Therefore it was that, after being alternately urged and entreated for
+half an hour, Sergeant Corney agreed to do as Jacob desired, and
+straightway set about seeking the leader, which was no difficult task,
+since his camp was a lean-to of fir boughs standing hardly more than fifty
+feet from where we were sitting.
+
+After the old man had left us, one of the soldiers asked if we had seen
+any Tories with Thayendanega's band, and I told him that, so far as I had
+been able to learn, the only white man among them was Peter Sitz, although
+we had not been so fortunate as to see him.
+
+"Why did you want to know?" Jacob asked, with mild curiosity, and the man
+replied:
+
+"It struck me that if any of the Mohawk Valley Tories were with Brant,
+General Herkimer would stand little chance of doing anything to aid the
+prisoner."
+
+"Why do you say that the general would hardly be able to do anythin' of
+the kind?" I asked. "Surely to one so high in command Brant would listen,
+when he might refuse even to speak with one of less rank."
+
+"The thought was not in my mind that Thayendanega himself would be opposed
+to our commander; but if you know what was done last year, it is easy to
+understand my meaning."
+
+To me the soldier was speaking in riddles, and I asked for an explanation,
+whereupon he told us that more than a year ago, when the Johnsons had
+collected a large force of men nearabout Johnson Hall, and among them
+fully three hundred well-drilled Scotch soldiers, General Schuyler marched
+with nearly three thousand militia to within four miles of the settlement,
+demanding that Sir John surrender all arms, ammunition, and warlike stores
+in his possession, together with the weapons and military accoutrements
+then held by the Tories and Indians under his command. In addition to
+which, the baronet was required to give his parole of honor that he would
+not attempt any act against the patriot cause.
+
+Sir John was at first furious because such a demand had been made; but,
+badly frightened by General Schuyler's display of force, he finally
+consented, since he could do nothing better, and the colonists marched to
+Johnson Hall, where the surrender was made.
+
+Then it was that General Herkimer was detailed to disarm the Tories in the
+valley, and while carrying out such orders quite naturally made enemies of
+the majority of them.
+
+Therefore it was, according to the belief of the soldier, that General
+Herkimer would have little or no weight with Brant so far as rescuing
+Peter Sitz was concerned, if there chanced at the moment to be Tories near
+at hand to whisper in his ear.
+
+Just now it seems necessary for me to set down that which happened after
+Sir John Johnson's surrender, if so it could be called, to General
+Schuyler, and I can best do it by copying that which I have seen in a
+printed sheet concerning our troubles in the Mohawk Valley:
+
+"It soon afterward became evident that what Sir John had promised, when
+constrained by fear, would not be performed when the cause of that fear
+was removed. He violated his parole of honor, and the Highlanders began
+to be as bold as ever in their oppressions of the Whigs. Congress thought
+it dangerous to allow Johnson his liberty, and directed Schuyler to seize
+his person, and to proceed vigorously against the Highlanders in his
+vicinity. Colonel Dayton was entrusted with the command of the expedition
+for the purpose, and in May (1776) he proceeded to Johnstown. The baronet
+had friends among the Loyalists in Albany, by whom he was timely informed
+of the intentions of Congress. Hastily collecting a large number of
+Scotchmen and other Tories, he fled to the woods by the way of the
+Sacandaga, where it is supposed they were met by Indians sent from Canada
+to escort them thither, for a certain time afterward, in one of his
+speeches, Thayendanega said: 'We went in a body to the town then in
+possession of the enemy, and rescued Sir John Johnson, bringing him
+fearlessly through the streets.'
+
+"Amid perils and hardships of every kind the baronet and his companions
+traversed the wilderness between the headwaters of the Hudson and the St.
+Lawrence, and after nineteen days' wanderings arrived at Montreal. Sir
+John was immediately commissioned a colonel in the British service; he
+raised two battalions of Loyalists called the Johnson Greens, and declared
+himself the bitterest and most implacable enemy of the Americans."
+
+Now it must be borne in mind that from information which we had received,
+there was every reason to believe Brant had come to place himself and his
+following under Sir John's command, and that before many days were passed
+we might expect the Mohawk Valley would be overflowed by all the Tories
+who had previously fled to Canada. Thus it can be understood that there
+would be such bloodshed and deeds of violence as had never before been
+known in the Province of New York.
+
+With this in mind, one can better understand why Sergeant Corney made the
+reservation which he did when promising Jacob he would do all within his
+power, up to a certain point, to aid in the rescue of his father.
+
+The old soldier returned from his interview with General Herkimer at about
+the same time our newly made friend finished his recital of what had been
+done in and around Johnson Hall, and, observing the look of satisfaction
+on the sergeant's face, I understood, even before he spoke, that his
+mission had been, at least in a certain degree, successful.
+
+"It is all right, lads," he said, seating himself by my side. "The general
+will do what he can; but whether that be much or little depends upon the
+way in which Thayendanega receives him."
+
+"Are we to march with this command to the village?" Jacob asked.
+
+"Ay, an' remain with it so long as suits our purpose."
+
+It seemed to me we could not in reason ask for anything more; that we
+were now in the best possible position to learn what Brant's purpose was,
+and at the same time to aid Peter Sitz, therefore I laid down to rest,
+contented in mind as I was wearied in body; but poor Jacob, feeling as if
+he might in some way wrong his father by seeking repose, paced to and fro
+near the camp-fire until my eyes were closed in slumber.
+
+The soldiers were astir at an early hour next morning; but before the
+column could be set in motion an Indian strode gravely into the encampment
+waving a bit of white cloth, and, on being questioned by the sentinels,
+announced himself as a messenger sent by Thayendanega with words to
+General Herkimer.
+
+The fact of his early arrival was sufficient to prove that the wily sachem
+had known of the movements of the soldiers for a certain length of time,
+--perhaps several days,--and this might explain why his march from Cherry
+Valley had been so steady and swift.
+
+It goes without saying that every man in the encampment was eager to know
+why this painted messenger had come, and I confess to crowding my way
+among the foremost of the curious in order to hear, if possible, all that
+was said.
+
+The Indian stood like a statue before the shelter of fir boughs, looking
+neither to the right nor the left until General Herkimer appeared and
+said to him, questioningly:
+
+"You have come from Captain Brant?"
+
+It is hardly necessary for me to set it down that, some time before this,
+Thayendanega had been given a commission in the British service.
+
+The messenger nodded gravely, and, after pausing until one might have
+counted ten, said:
+
+"Thayendanega asks why so many white soldiers are encamped near his
+village?"
+
+"I have come to see and talk with my brother, Captain Brant," General
+Herkimer replied, with the same stiff manner as that assumed by the
+messenger.
+
+"And do all these men want to talk with the chief, too?"
+
+"They have come to bear me company; they are my followers, as Captain
+Brant has his."
+
+"And do they also call Thayendanega 'brother'?"
+
+"Ay, and they hope he _is_ a brother to them."
+
+The Indian turned slowly in what I thought a most offensive manner, as he
+looked around at the faces of those who completely encircled him, and then
+would have moved away, but that General Herkimer asked:
+
+"Is Captain Brant in his village?"
+
+"He will tell his white brother where he may be found, after I can run
+five miles."
+
+"Meaning that you will go from me to him, and return?" the general asked;
+but it was as if the Indian did not hear the question, for he said, in a
+tone which to me was one of menace:
+
+"You will come no nearer Oghkwaga until Thayendanega shall give his
+permission."
+
+Having said this, he turned slowly about until facing the direction where
+I knew Brant and his followers encamped the night previous, when he
+stalked slowly away, giving no more heed to those who pressed closely to
+him than if he was the only person in that vast wilderness.
+
+To Jacob this enforced halt, at a time when he believed it was vitally
+necessary he should be making search for his father, was most painful, and
+despite all Sergeant Corney and I could say or do to relieve his distress
+of mind, the poor lad paced to and fro, as I was told he had during the
+long hours of the night, in a nervous condition pitiable to behold.
+
+When half an hour or more had passed, the old soldier said to me, in a
+more kindly tone than I had ever suspected he could use:
+
+"The lad is eatin' his heart out, an' all to no purpose. Can't you quiet
+him a bit, Noel?"
+
+"I have said all within my power, an' he turns a deaf ear," I replied,
+sadly.
+
+"Then I shall try my fist at it," and the old man went up to my comrade,
+taking him gently by the hand, and leading him into the thicket just
+beyond view of the encampment.
+
+There the two seemingly conversed for a long time, and I was left
+comparatively alone, until the soldier who had told us of General
+Herkimer's doings nearabout Johnson Hall, came up.
+
+Eager to get some idea of what the commander might be able to do with this
+Joseph Brant, whose name stood in my mind for all that was horrible in the
+way of cruelty, I asked how it was that General Herkimer could hope to
+influence one who was such a great enemy to the Whigs of the Mohawk
+Valley, and, in fact, to all white men save those who wore the uniform of
+the British king.
+
+He told me that at one time, before Thayendanega had become so powerful a
+sachem, he and General Herkimer were near neighbors, and quite intimate
+friends.
+
+It seems, from the story this soldier told me, that Sir William Johnson,
+Sir John's father, sent the Indian boy to school, and after he had
+received a good education gave him employment as secretary. During three
+years this now bloodthirsty savage acted as missionary interpreter, and it
+was said he did very much for the religious instruction of his tribe. When
+the colonists revolted against the oppressive rule of the king, Brant took
+the same side as did his patron, and having received a commission--some
+have said it was a captaincy, and others that it was a colonelcy--he
+became one of the most vengeful enemies we, who were devoted to the cause,
+had.
+
+Now, because of the past, General Herkimer hoped to turn him aside from
+his chosen path when he was just coming into power, and, boy though I was,
+it seemed to me a well-nigh hopeless task--one which had better never have
+been attempted, since in case of failure it would show to Thayendanega
+that the Whigs of the valley believed him an enemy who should be placated
+rather than resisted.
+
+However, that was none of my affairs, and I was not so forward as to air
+my views then when I was only a hanger-on by the sufferance of the
+commander.
+
+In two hours from the time he left our camp, the Indian messenger
+returned, still carrying the bit of white cloth, and came among us as if
+expecting we would bow before him.
+
+He was barely civil when General Herkimer advanced to receive him, and,
+without greeting the commander, he pointed toward a clearing in the
+wilderness half a mile or more away, as he said:
+
+"There will Thayendanega meet his brother, the white chief, and without
+firearms."
+
+"To-day?" General Herkimer asked.
+
+"When the next sun is three hours old Thayendanega will come with forty of
+his people, and his white brother will bring no more than that number."
+
+"It is well," General Herkimer replied, and it pleased me that he held
+himself yet more stiffly than did the messenger. "Say to my brother,
+Captain Brant, that we also will come without arms, and he and I shall
+meet as we met years ago, when there was no need to light the pipe of
+peace, because neither of us had listened to the songs of wicked men."
+
+The Indian stalked away as before, and when he was gone Jacob, who, with
+Sergeant Corney, had come up to hear what was being said, laid his hand on
+my shoulder affectionately.
+
+"I am goin' to be more of a man, Noel, havin' come to understand that
+nothin' can be gained by ill-temper or impatience; but it is hard to
+remain here idle when perhaps my father may at this moment be suffering
+torture."
+
+"If it was some one else's father, Jacob, you would say that there was no
+danger anything of the kind would happen while Brant is makin' ready for
+the interview with General Herkimer. Until that has come to an end your
+father is safe, an' perhaps when the powwow is over we shall have him with
+us."
+
+"So Sergeant Corney has been tryin' to make me believe, an' it must be
+true."
+
+During the remainder of the day Jacob did not give words to the sorrow
+which was in his heart, and perhaps it would have been wiser had he not
+tried to hold his peace, for, strive as he might, again and again I could
+see how earnestly he was struggling to remain silent.
+
+It is useless for me to attempt to set down all that we did or said while
+awaiting Thayendanega's pleasure. As a matter of course we indulged in
+much speculation regarding the outcome of the matter, and discussed at
+great length the possibility of General Herkimer's being able, even if he
+failed in other desired directions, to set free the prisoner whom Joseph
+Brant doubtless intended should suffer death at the stake.
+
+We passed the time as best we might, many of us finding it quite as
+difficult as did Jacob to restrain our impatience, and not a few openly
+declaring their belief that Brant was holding us idle simply that he might
+the better carry out some murderous scheme.
+
+As a matter of fact, it did seem to me no more than prudent General
+Herkimer should send out scouts to discover what the Indians were doing,
+and it was whispered about the encampment that one of his officers had
+suggested that such a precaution be taken; but the commander flatly
+refused, stating as his reason that it might prove fatal to all his hopes
+if the sachem should learn he was in any way suspicious because of the
+delay.
+
+"We must take our chances, remaining here idle and ignorant of what they
+may be doing, or it were better we faced about on the homeward march at
+once," the general was reported to have said, and after that he would have
+been a bold man indeed who suggested any other course.
+
+Well, the day passed, and so did the night, as all days and nights will
+whether one possesses his soul with patience or frets against that which
+he cannot remedy, and General Herkimer stood in the opening of his fir
+camp gazing at the men as if trying to decide whom he should take with him
+to the powwow, when Jacob stepped out in full view in order to attract the
+commander's attention.
+
+I knew that he made this move with the hope of being numbered among those
+who would leave camp to go to the rendezvous; but at the same moment I
+feared lest the general might be displeased because of his forwardness.
+
+Anything can be forgiven in a lad who burns with the desire to aid his
+father, however, and General Herkimer beckoned for my comrade to approach.
+
+I could not hear what was said during the brief conversation; but it was
+easy to guess the purport when Jacob came toward me with sparkling eyes.
+
+"We have the general's permission to go with him to meet Brant," he cried,
+and I asked with, perhaps, just a tinge of jealousy:
+
+"Meanin' you an' Sergeant Corney, eh?"
+
+"The three of us, so the general said."
+
+"Why did he happen to count me in?"
+
+"He asked how many had come with Sergeant Corney, an' when I told him, he
+said that all three of us could go with the detachment."
+
+As a matter of course we went, taking our stations at the head of the
+column just behind the commander, and when the word to march had been
+given I began to regret having thus been favored, for never one of us
+carried a weapon of any kind, and if Brant was in the humor he could have
+us all butchered before those whom we had left behind would get an inkling
+of what was going on.
+
+When we had come to the edge of the clearing which had been pointed out by
+the ill-mannered messenger, our further advance was stopped by two Indians
+who were rigged out in all the bravery of feathers, beads, and
+robes,--nothing missing in their toilet save the war-paint,--and told to
+remain at that spot until the sachem and his party arrived.
+
+It was treating General Herkimer rather shabbily, so I thought, to force
+him to wait like a child until the master was ready to put in an
+appearance; but there was nothing else to be done, and we squatted on the
+ferns and rocks a full half-hour before the man who was soon to be the
+great sachem of the Six Nations was pleased to show himself.
+
+Thayendanega had gotten himself up especially for the occasion, and a more
+gorgeous redskin I never saw.
+
+He had forty or more savages with him, and strutted on at their head as if
+he was a king, and we who had been waiting so long no more than the dirt
+beneath his feet.
+
+Then suddenly, as if until that moment he hadn't the slightest idea
+General Herkimer was anywhere in the vicinity, he sent one of his company
+to our commander, he himself continuing to move on until he stood in the
+very centre of the clearing. His followers ranged themselves behind him
+in a half-circle, remaining ten or twelve feet in the rear, and when the
+general went to meet his high mightiness our people took up their stations
+much as had the savages, thus completely surrounding the two leaders.
+
+Jacob and I stood where we could see all that was taking place, and hear a
+portion of what was said.
+
+Thayendanega began with compliments, and after General Herkimer had
+replied in much the same strain, the murdering villain asked bluntly why
+he had come.
+
+"To meet my old neighbor and friend," General Herkimer replied, whereupon
+Brant asked:
+
+"And have all those behind you come on a friendly visit, too? Do they also
+want to see the poor Indian? It is very kind."
+
+The general changed the subject of the conversation by speaking of the
+past, and wound up by hinting that it might be to Thayendanega's advantage
+to take sides with the colonists against the king; but he must soon have
+seen that he was not making much headway, for the sachem began to show
+signs of anger, and, after quite a long confab, said sharply:
+
+"We are with the king, as were our fathers before us. The king's belts are
+yet held by us, and we cannot break faith. You are resolute now in your
+rebellion; but before many days the king's soldiers will humble you to
+the dust."
+
+When this had been said, Colonel Cox, who was one of the general's party,
+cried sharply, and heeding not the fact that his voice was raised high:
+
+"We did not come here to listen to threats, and if we are humbled it will
+not be by such as those who follow Joseph Brant!"
+
+Unfortunately every Indian in the clearing heard the words distinctly, and
+in a twinkling the savages were running to and fro, giving vent to shrill
+war-whoops, while they called for those at the main encampment to bring
+their weapons.
+
+The colonel's incautious words were as a lighted match to gunpowder, and
+for the instant I firmly believed we would pay for his indiscretion with
+our lives.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter III.
+
+Disappointment
+
+
+
+During this time of confusion, when the life of every white man in the
+clearing was literally trembling in the balance, General Herkimer passed
+the word from one to another that we were all to stand firm without show
+of fear, and at the same time making no move which might be construed as
+in enmity.
+
+It was no easy matter to remain silent and motionless while the painted
+villains were running to and fro making a hideous outcry, and, as we knew
+full well, aching to strike us down.
+
+I know that, as for myself, I trembled like a leaf upon an aspen-tree--so
+violently that at times I feared the howling wretches would see the
+quivering of my limbs, and understand that already was I getting a
+foretaste of the death which they would have dealt out but for the
+restraining presence of Thayendanega.
+
+It was but natural I should look toward Sergeant Corney, and surely if
+there was one man in that clearing who obeyed General Herkimer's command,
+it was he! A graven image could not have been more stolid; one would have
+said that the uproar everywhere around was as the rippling of waters to
+him, and the Indians of less consequence than the dancing shafts of
+sunlight flickering amid the leaves when they are stirred by the morning
+breeze.
+
+I question if Jacob realized anything of what was going on around him. All
+his thoughts were centred upon the one idea of rescuing his father while
+there was yet time, and the lad waited eagerly for the conference between
+the leaders regarding the prisoner to be begun, heeding the remainder of
+the howling gang hardly more than did Sergeant Corney.
+
+Colonel Cox, the cause of all this disturbance, was even more terrified
+than I, as could be told by the expression on his face, and the
+finger-nails pressed deeply into the palms of his hands that he might
+control himself in obedience to orders, while as for the others, I know
+not how they deported themselves.
+
+At that instant my world was of small dimensions, consisting of only so
+much earth as that impassive red man and the open-hearted, honest patriot
+officer stood upon.
+
+Like bees the angry Indians swarmed to and fro between the encampment and
+our place of meeting, until all were armed with rifles, and it needed but
+the lightest word to convert that sunlit clearing into a theatre of the
+bloodiest deed in the history of the tribe whose wildest delight was the
+shedding of blood.
+
+Not until his followers were in such a frenzied condition that it seemed
+impossible another's will could restrain them, did Thayendanega speak, and
+then in a few words of the Indian language, uttered in so low a tone that
+I could not distinguish a single syllable, he calmed the tempest on the
+instant, until those who had been howling for our lives became like lambs.
+
+When all was hushed once more, the sachem said to General Herkimer,
+speaking calmly, almost indifferently:
+
+"The war-path has been opened across the country as far as Esopus, and the
+Tories of Ulster and Orange will join with the braves of Thayendanega's
+tribe to quell this revolt against the king, who is their father."
+
+Now it was that General Herkimer spoke earnestly, pleadingly.
+
+"Do not allow so weighty a question to be settled without further
+consideration, Captain Brant. Why should not you and I discuss it calmly,
+as we have in the olden days many a matter which was not so grave?"
+
+"You have seen how well inclined my young men are toward anything of that
+kind," Brant said, with a cruel smile. "Were I to say at this moment that
+we would consider the matter in council, it might not be possible even for
+me to restrain them, because their decision has already been made. The
+hatchet is raised!"
+
+"But surely you and I, Captain Brant, may talk of it among ourselves?"
+
+"Yes, that can be done," Thayendanega replied, indifferently, "and if it
+gives you pleasure to indulge in what can be of no profit, we will meet
+here again to-morrow morning; but now it were wiser my young men went back
+to the encampment."
+
+Then the sachem turned as if to move away, and General Herkimer,
+remembering what he had promised Sergeant Corney and Jacob, said, in a
+friendly tone:
+
+"Wait one moment, Captain Brant. I would make inquiries concerning a
+prisoner from Cherry Valley, whom it is said your people hold at this
+moment."
+
+"I know of no prisoner in our encampment," Brant replied, stiffly.
+
+"Let us not quibble on words, captain. Whether he be in your camp here, or
+at Oghkwaga, makes no difference. I ask if you will tell me concerning one
+Peter Sitz, who, but a few days since, when Lieutenant Wormwood of the
+American army was killed in ambush, your people made a prisoner?"
+
+"My young men may be able to tell you somewhat concerning him. I will ask
+them."
+
+"And will you, as a favor to a neighbor and an old friend, do whatsoever
+you may toward releasing the unfortunate man?" General Herkimer insisted.
+
+"I will ask my young men," was all the reply Brant would make, and then
+the powwow was brought to a sudden close as the sachem stalked toward the
+encampment, followed by all his people, and we of General Herkimer's party
+were left alone in the clearing.
+
+Now the word was given that we rejoin the main body quietly, and in double
+file, with no man straying from the ranks; but Sergeant Corney and I led
+Jacob between us, for the lad was well-nigh frantic with grief because no
+satisfaction concerning his father had been obtained from Thayendanega.
+
+We two said all we could in order to cheer the sorrowing lad, and that all
+was little. Neither he, nor we, nor General Herkimer himself, could effect
+anything whatsoever, save through the favor of the Mohawk sachem, and that
+was withheld for at least four and twenty hours, with the chances that at
+the expiration of such time we would receive nothing better from the wily
+savage than a refusal to answer any questions.
+
+I shall not attempt to set down very much concerning this long time of
+waiting for the second powwow, when it was doubtful if we would be allowed
+to leave the encampment without a bloody battle.
+
+Even General Herkimer had lost all hope of being able to dissuade Joseph
+Brant from the course he had already marked out for himself, and shared
+with his men the suspicion that before the second interview was come to
+an end we would be the victims of the sachem's treachery. This last we
+knew from the information which was whispered about the encampment, to the
+effect that the general had charged one of the soldiers--a man by the name
+of Wagner--with the duty of selecting two others, that the three might
+stand directly behind him at the next meeting with the Indians, and at the
+first show of hostilities shoot down Brant and the two sachems next him in
+authority.
+
+Wagner selected George and Abraham Herkimer, nephews of the general, and
+these three were prepared to face the most cruel of deaths, for certain it
+was that if they were obliged to make an attack upon the Mohawk chieftain,
+every Indian under his command would strive most earnestly to take them
+prisoners in order that they be made to suffer death by torture.
+
+How the day passed I hardly know. The soldiers talked among themselves in
+whispers, as men do in the presence of death. No one strayed beyond the
+limits of the encampment; but all waited in painful suspense for that hour
+to come when it should be known whether Joseph Brant was of the mind that
+we might return to our homes for the time being, or if he sought
+immediately to compass our death through treachery.
+
+Sergeant Corney and I spent our time in trying to soothe Jacob, who
+alternately reproached himself for remaining idle at the moment when he
+should be straining every nerve to aid his father, and relapsing into
+moody silence, which to me was far worse than the angry words.
+
+When another day had come we again marched into the clearing, the three
+who had been selected for the dangerous duty of protecting our leader in
+case of an outbreak, keeping close by his side.
+
+As I look back now upon what was afterward done throughout the length and
+breadth of that peaceful valley of ours, I regret most sincerely that
+those young men did not violate the unwritten laws and usages which the
+Indians themselves were ever ready to cast aside when it suited their
+purpose, and kill the bloodthirsty Brant whether his men showed signs of
+enmity or not.
+
+On this occasion we had not long to wait.
+
+Gathering in a semicircle behind General Herkimer as before, we were
+hardly in position when Thayendanega, clad in all the bravery of his
+savage garb, and, what was most ominous, bedecked in war-paint, strode
+into the enclosure, followed by such members of his party as had
+accompanied him the day previous.
+
+He did not wait for greetings, but began boastfully, while his painted
+fiends were yet taking their places, by saying, abruptly:
+
+"I have five hundred warriors with me, armed and ready for battle. You are
+in my power; but as we have been friends and neighbors, I will not take
+advantage of you."
+
+Then he made a gesture with his hand, and on the instant there burst from
+amid the foliage a seemingly endless number of savages, all painted for
+battle, who, coming down swiftly upon us as if to make an attack, uttered
+wild war-whoops as they discharged their rifles in the air.
+
+It was as hideous and terrifying a sight as I ever witnessed, and that our
+little company stood its ground is much to the credit of every man among
+us.
+
+Thayendanega remained half-turned from General Herkimer, and within two
+feet of the three men whose duty it was to shoot him with the rifles they
+had concealed under their blankets in case an absolute attack was made,
+and there watched the antics of his painted crew until perhaps five
+minutes had passed, when the savages sank down upon the ground as if
+exhausted, looking like so many images of demons.
+
+What Thayendanega said when the uproar was thus stilled, I cannot rightly
+set down, for my brain was in such a whirl, and fear so strong in my
+heart, as to prevent me from taking due heed of all that was passing--I
+realized only that death was literally staring us in the face.
+
+As Sergeant Corney afterward told me, Brant advised General Herkimer to go
+home, thanked him for having come to pay the visit, and said that at some
+near day he might return the compliment.
+
+"But the prisoner?" General Herkimer cried, when the sachem would have
+stalked away with a great assumption of dignity.
+
+"My young men will make no reply to my questions," Brant answered,
+unblushingly, although he must have known beyond a peradventure that we
+understood full well he was lying.
+
+"Is Peter Sitz yet alive?" General Herkimer asked, sternly.
+
+"There has been no prisoner put to death by my people since they left
+Cherry Valley," Thayendanega replied, as if irritated by the general's
+persistence, and, making another gesture with his hand, he sent back into
+the cover of the forest all his motley crew.
+
+Then he also walked away, as if fearing our commander would detain him
+with yet further questions, and the powwow, to take part in which three
+hundred men had marched so many miles, was come to an end without other
+result than the knowledge that the Mohawk chief would harry us of the
+valley to the best of his wicked powers.
+
+Thayendanega had hardly gained the shelter of the thicket before black
+clouds overspread the heavens, and it seemed as if in a twinkling the rain
+came down in torrents; sharp flashes of lightning zigzagged across the
+ominous-looking sky, and more than one around me declared it was a
+portent, a sign, a token of the tempest which was about to break upon our
+peaceful homes.
+
+When we were in camp once more, and General Herkimer was making his
+preparations to set off on the return march, Jacob declared that he alone,
+if we did not accompany him, would go into the Indian village, and there
+make inquiries for his father.
+
+Sergeant Corney and I spent a long hour persuading the lad of his folly,
+for after the powwow had come to such an abrupt end there was no question
+whatsoever but that Thayendanega would kill or make prisoner of every
+white man who crossed his path.
+
+For a time it was absolutely necessary that we two hold Jacob by force to
+prevent him from leaving us, and then gradually the boy came to understand
+that for his father's life he could only hope in the mercy of God, since
+even had General Herkimer been willing to risk a battle, in which he would
+have been greatly outnumbered by the savages, there was no hope he might
+effect the release of Peter Sitz.
+
+Sergeant Corney had an interview with the general after we had succeeded
+in quieting Jacob to a certain degree, and the commander advised that we
+return home without delay in order to give information as to what we had
+seen; but he did us three the honor of requesting, in case our services
+should not be needed immediately at Cherry Valley, that we would rejoin
+his force, which was to be stationed at the mouth of Oriskany Creek,
+without delay.
+
+He promised that we should have every opportunity of serving the patriot
+cause, and in order that we might be allowed to leave Cherry Valley again,
+he sent a written message to my uncle, of the purport of which I was then
+ignorant.
+
+We--meaning Sergeant Corney, Jacob, and myself--set off as soon as the
+conference with General Herkimer was at an end, on the long journey to our
+homes, knowing that the advance must be slow and cautious, for we had
+heard from Thayendanega's own lips that he was fully committed to the work
+of harrying the patriots.
+
+As I look back upon it now I wonder that we succeeded in traversing the
+wilderness, when Brant's force was so near at hand, without mishap; but,
+as it proved, we had more difficulty in persuading Jacob to accompany us
+than in eluding the foe whom we believed might spring upon us at any
+moment, and when we arrived home it was to learn that the danger to the
+inhabitants of the Mohawk Valley was more imminent even than when
+Thayendanega stalked away from the interview with General Herkimer.
+
+And this was the situation, as I afterward read it in printed letters:
+
+"A few days after this conference with General Herkimer, Brant withdrew
+his warriors from the Susquehanna and joined Sir John Johnson and Col.
+John Butler, who were collecting a large body of Tories and refugees at
+Oswego, preparatory to a descent upon the Mohawk and Schoharie
+settlements. There Guy Johnson and other officers of the British Indian
+Department summoned a grand council of the Six Nations.
+
+"They were invited to assemble to 'eat the flesh and drink the blood of a
+Bostonian'--in other words, to feast on the occasion of a proposed treaty
+of alliance against the patriots, whom the savages denominated
+'Bostonians' for the reason that Boston was the focus of the rebellion.
+There was a pretty full attendance at the council; but a large portion of
+the sachems adhered faithfully to their covenant of neutrality made with
+General Schuyler, until the appeals of the British commissioners to their
+avarice overcame their sense of honor.
+
+"The commissioners represented the people of the king to be numerous as
+the forest leaves and rich in every possession, while those of the
+colonies were exhibited as few and poor; that the armies of the king would
+soon subdue the rebels, and make them still weaker and poorer; that the
+rum of the king was as abundant as the waters of Lake Ontario; and that if
+the Indians would become his allies during the war, they should never want
+for goods or money.
+
+"Tawdry articles, such as scarlet cloths, beads, and trinkets, were then
+displayed and presented to the Indians, which pleased them greatly, and
+they concluded an alliance by binding themselves to take up the hatchet
+against the patriots, and to continue their warfare until the latter were
+subdued. To each Indian were then presented a brass kettle, a suit of
+clothes, a gun, a tomahawk and scalping-knife, a piece of gold, a quantity
+of ammunition, and a promise of a bounty upon every scalp he should bring
+in. Thayendanega was thenceforth the acknowledged grand sachem of the Six
+Nations, and at once commenced his terrible career in the midst of our
+border settlements."
+
+I had no more than time to tell my mother what I had seen, when my
+comrades were ready to set out for Oriskany Creek, counting to make their
+way over much the same ground we had just traversed.
+
+My uncle, Colonel Campbell, gave his consent to our departure after
+reading General Herkimer's message, and congratulated me, who deserved no
+praise, because I had succeeded in so far winning the confidence of a
+thorough soldier that he should make a personal request for the services
+of myself and my companions.
+
+It was not in our minds that we would remain very long with our new
+commander. Sergeant Corney believed General Herkimer had some especial
+matter in hand in which he thought we three might be of particular
+service, and when that was done we would be allowed to return home.
+
+Therefore it was that we still counted ourselves Minute Boys of the Mohawk
+Valley, and left our company in charge of John Sammons, who was to act in
+my stead until I came back.
+
+It pleased Jacob that we were to return to that portion of the country
+where we would be near Brant's forces, for he still cherished the hope of
+being able to aid in the rescuing of his father, if peradventure Peter
+Sitz yet remained in this world.
+
+Our stay in Cherry Valley was of no more than two hours' duration; but we
+learned much concerning the war in that time. Our little settlement seemed
+overrun with people because of the soldiers quartered there, regarding
+whom I have already written, and the inhabitants from miles around who had
+come to find a place of refuge.
+
+Already had word been brought in that there were then gathered at Oswego
+seven hundred Indians and four hundred British soldiers, under command of
+Sir John Johnson and Colonel Claus, and at Oswegatchie, or, as it is now
+called, Ogdensburg, were six hundred Tories ready to join Johnson's force.
+
+All that stood between these enemies and the broad bosom of the Mohawk
+Valley was Fort Dayton, that poor apology for a defence, and Fort
+Schuyler, not yet completely built and illy manned. That this last named
+fortification could withstand an assault by such an army as Sir John was
+evidently making ready to bring against it, few believed, and all with
+whom I talked during the short time of our stay at home, were looking
+forward to the future with the gravest fears and keenest anxiety.
+
+When, already weary and footsore, we took up our line of march to traverse
+the same paths over which we had just come, my company of Minute Boys
+insisted on accompanying us during the first half-dozen miles of the
+tedious journey; but it was not in triumph or rejoicing that we, all lads
+of Cherry Valley, left the little settlement. Our elders were disheartened
+and afraid, therefore we could well be excused for gloomy looks and timid
+whisperings, as we spoke of what might take place before I was able to
+resume command of the company which Sergeant Corney had spent so many
+hours in drilling.
+
+When the afternoon was well-nigh spent, and we had come to a halt that we
+might take leave of our escort, Sergeant Corney seemed to think it
+necessary he should do what he might toward putting courage into the
+hearts of those who had accompanied us, by saying, as if haranguing a full
+army:
+
+"You lads are looked upon in the settlement only as boys, and yet already
+have two of your number shown that they could stand steady, facing the
+gravest danger without flinching. Now is the time when you may prove
+yourselves men, as I believe you are in courage and ability. If you are
+called upon to confront the enemy, remember that there is nothing more
+glorious than to die in defence of your homes and your country. There is
+no way by which you can earn more honor than to have it said of you, 'He
+gave up his life for those he loved.' Better be shot down at the opening
+of an action, than to live through it in such a manner that your neighbors
+can point the finger of scorn at you, saying, 'There goes a coward!'"
+
+The old man ceased speaking abruptly, turned about without word or sign,
+and plunged into the thicket, Jacob and I following close at his heels.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IV.
+
+On the Oriskany
+
+
+
+As we three plodded wearily on day after day, all our senses quickened by
+knowledge of the many dangers with which we were surrounded, it seemed to
+me that we had begun our work in behalf of the Cause backward--as if this
+going to and fro over the same ground was a wilful waste of time when
+every hour was so precious.
+
+I said to myself again and again, that if General Herkimer really needed
+such services as we could render, it would have been better had we
+remained with him, rather than spend so many days and be forced to such
+severe labor as was required for the march to Cherry Valley and back.
+
+We had accomplished nothing of importance by going home. Colonel Campbell
+knew even more regarding Brant's movements than we could tell him, and it
+was by no means necessary he should be informed immediately as to the
+result of General Herkimer's interview with the Mohawk sachem.
+
+As the days passed, and our every effort was needed to enable us to
+advance without absolutely running into the arms of the savages, for it
+seemed as if they were everywhere in the wilderness, Jacob became more
+resigned, or so it appeared, since he ceased to insist that this or that
+impracticable move be made. I did not suppose he no longer mourned for his
+father, but believed and hoped he had come to understand we could not do
+anything toward effecting a rescue until all the circumstances were
+favorable.
+
+One day's march was much like another, and many passed before we were with
+General Herkimer again. We always camped in a thicket, taking good care
+not to leave a trail leading up to the place, and in this last task we did
+not consider the time spent as wasted, for on every hand could be seen
+signs of the enemy, therefore the utmost precaution was needed.
+
+All of us gave ourselves over to slumber as soon as we were stretched out
+on the ground, for however careful a watch might have been kept, it would
+not have availed if the enemy was bent on surprising us.
+
+In the early light of the new day either Jacob or I went out in search of
+small game, for it goes without saying that we could not have brought from
+home a sufficient amount of food to sustain us during all the time we
+spent roaming to and fro between Cherry Valley and the Oriskany.
+
+If we were fortunate enough to get so much meat as would serve for one or
+more meals, we cooked it by digging a hole in the ground, building therein
+a fire, and screening the smoke as best we might with boughs and ferns.
+That done, we satisfied our hunger while creeping slowly onward,
+oftentimes forced to spend an hour or more in making a détour around some
+particularly dangerous locality.
+
+If, as often happened, we failed of finding game, we buckled our belts the
+tighter and went on, consoling ourselves with the hope that fortune would
+favor us before nightfall.
+
+More than once would we have run upon a party of savages--Thayendanega's
+scouts or hunters--had it not been for the almost excessive precautions
+Sergeant Corney insisted on taking, and in such case there was no other
+course than to hide as best we might, and wait until the enemy was pleased
+to move on.
+
+Fortunately we did not come face to face with the redskins, therefore a
+detailed story of our march would be dull reading, for it could only be
+the same thing over and over again until the hour arrived when we entered
+General Herkimer's camp on the Oriskany, receiving there such a greeting
+from the commander himself as caused me to believe he really needed us for
+some important task.
+
+"You have done well to get back alive!" he cried, with a laugh. "It is
+pleasing to know that lads can do what many of their elders would balk at.
+So Colonel Campbell was willing to give you up to me?"
+
+[Illustration: "'You have done well to get back alive!'"]
+
+"He made no protest, sir," I replied, after waiting an instant for one of
+my companions to act the part of spokesman. "An hundred and fifty soldiers
+are quartered at Cherry Valley, and they, with the many who have made of
+the settlement a place of refuge, are in such numbers that three would
+neither be needed or missed."
+
+"That would depend on what stuff the three were made, according to my way
+of thinking. I have some work here which you can do better than any one
+else of whom I know, and the only question is whether you are willing to
+lay your shoulders to the wheel when there's a good bit of danger in so
+doing?"
+
+"We have come, sir, to do whatsoever offered, an' if the task which you
+have in mind could be performed with safety, then we might as well have
+stayed at home," I replied, and Sergeant Corney nodded to show that we
+were of one mind.
+
+"Since I last saw you the enemy has gathered in strong force about Fort
+Schuyler, and it is necessary we get some word to the commandant, who is,
+in fact, besieged."
+
+"That shouldn't be sich a terrible hard job, sir," Sergeant Corney said,
+speaking for the first time since we were received by the general.
+
+"True for you, but the reason why I haven't sent any of my own men before
+this is, that if the messenger should be discovered while trying to get
+inside, Joseph Brant would know for a certainty that we on the outside
+believed the garrison to be hard pressed, which would probably work no end
+of mischief, for at present the enemy has every reason to suppose Colonel
+Gansevoort has all the men and stores he can possibly need."
+
+"Why should he think differently if one of us was captured while tryin' to
+communicate with the besieged, sir?" Sergeant Corney asked, curiously.
+
+"Because you have every reason for going there, even though you had never
+heard that the fort was invested."
+
+I could not repress a look of surprise, for it was much as if the general
+was speaking in riddles, and, seeing the question on my face, he
+continued:
+
+"It is only natural that you from Cherry Valley should be searching for
+Peter Sitz, and the Indians, in case you were captured, would perforce
+believe such a story--"
+
+"Is my father in their camp, sir?" Jacob cried, eagerly.
+
+"Ay, lad, so I believe, otherwise I would not think it important you
+should act as my messengers. One of our scouts brought in word that
+Brant's immediate followers had a white prisoner with them, and it is
+reasonable to suppose him to be Peter Sitz, for, since we saw those
+scoundrels, they have kept out of mischief because of being in camp with
+the British and Tory soldiers."
+
+There was no need now of urging Jacob to undertake the mission; since he
+had what seemed like positive information of his father's whereabouts, he
+would have gone in the direction of the besieged fort whether General
+Herkimer so desired, or opposed it.
+
+As for my part, having really given up all hope of seeing Peter Sitz again
+in this world, the probable fact of his being alive quickened the blood in
+my veins until I forgot that our services were required for anything save
+the rescue of the prisoner.
+
+Sergeant Corney gave no token either of joy or indifference; he kept in
+mind only the duties of a soldier, and prepared himself for the dangerous
+mission by asking:
+
+"Can you tell me, sir, what force the enemy have in front of Fort
+Schuyler?"
+
+"Near one thousand seven hundred men--regulars, Tories, and Indians. St.
+Leger is in nominal command; but it is reasonable to believe that Sir John
+Johnson and Brant have much the same authority as he. Certain it is that
+they and none other can control their followers. Colonel Gansevoort has
+nearly a thousand men, with a six weeks' supply of provisions and
+ammunition for the small arms; but there is in the fort no more than four
+hundred rounds for the cannon, which is his most important means of
+defence. The situation is not yet critical, but may become so very soon,
+and we have more chance now for communicating with the commandant than is
+likely to be the case a week hence, when the besiegers have settled down
+to their work."
+
+"When shall we set out, sir?" I asked, as the general ceased speaking.
+
+"As soon as you have recovered from the fatigue of the journey. There is
+no time to be lost, unless you are eager to encounter more danger than is
+absolutely necessary."
+
+"There is no reason why we shouldn't set off at once," Jacob said,
+quickly. "We are not women, to be tired out by a bit of marchin'."
+
+I fancied from the expression on the general's face that it pleased him
+because my comrade showed himself so eager, and there was a tinge of
+bitterness in my heart as I understood that, whatever good to the Cause
+might be the purpose of our task, the commander was, in a certain degree,
+trading on Jacob's love for his father.
+
+It was not for me, however, to criticize, even in my own mind, anything of
+a military nature which might be on foot. I had had ample time since the
+powwow with Thayendanega to decide whether or no I would serve under
+General Herkimer, and, having come to a decision, it stood me in hand to
+do whatsoever lay before me without question.
+
+I held much the same opinion as did Jacob, however, although not because
+of the same reason.
+
+It seemed to me a most dangerous undertaking, this attempt to get a
+message into a fort which was besieged by so large a body of men; but
+since it must be done, unless we were willing to show the white feather,
+then I was eager to be at it, for danger appears greater when one stands
+idly by looking at it from the distance, than when it is actually
+encountered.
+
+Sergeant Corney, who had evidently been turning the matter over in his
+mind, said, after a time, to the commander:
+
+"It strikes me, sir, that we should get all the information we may
+concernin' the whereabouts of the enemy before settin' out. Not that I am
+askin' for any long delay," he added, quickly, observing a faint
+expression of displeasure on the general's face. "I would mingle among the
+men, to learn what they may know, from now until sunset, when, as it seems
+to me, our journey had best be begun. By startin' at that time we shall
+arrive before sunrise, an' thus have all the day in which to lay our plans
+for approachin' the fort."
+
+Jacob's eyes twinkled with satisfaction when he heard this proposition,
+and I believed he was thinking that if we lay in hiding a full day in
+front of the fortification, he might have opportunity to learn something
+concerning his father.
+
+"I shall leave to you who are most deeply concerned in the matter, the
+method of doing the work. Pick up all the information you can, and when
+you are ready to set out come to me for the final instructions."
+
+Then the commander half-turned, as if to show that the interview was at an
+end, and Sergeant Corney beckoned Jacob and me to follow him, reminding
+us, when we were comparatively alone, of the promise made at the time we
+first set out.
+
+"The day we left Cherry Valley on Brant's trail, you lads agreed to follow
+me without questionin', even when it seemed as if I might be goin' wrong,
+an' now has come the time for you to keep that well in mind."
+
+"There is no reason why we should not do so," I replied, promptly. "I
+doubt not but that you, who are versed in military matters, could direct
+such a task better than any in this encampment."
+
+"I'm not takin' that much praise to myself, lad; but do claim, because of
+havin' had more experience, to be better fitted for the work, after we are
+once arrived, than are you. I will go even so far as to say that on the
+trail or in the thicket you are my superiors, owin' to havin' been brought
+up to work which, except in this country, would be considered almost
+unsoldierly. Here is my first order: Mingle with the men of this
+encampment with the idea of fillin' your stomachs with food, an', that
+done, lie down to sleep until I shall summon you."
+
+"Sleep!" Jacob exclaimed, angrily. "Think you it would be possible for me
+to sleep now, when we know that the moment has come in which I may be able
+to aid my father?"
+
+"Ay, lad, but you must, whether you will or no. You can work for him best
+by preparin' your body for whatsoever of fatigue we may be called upon to
+undergo, an' since there is little chance we shall gain any rest durin'
+four an' twenty hours after leavin' here, it stands us all in hand to be
+prepared for the exertion."
+
+"Are you countin' on sleepin'?" Jacob asked, fiercely.
+
+"I am more accustomed to keepin' my eyes open durin' a long time than are
+you; but if it so be I have the chance, you may be certain I shall take
+advantage of it. Now, remember, eat an' sleep until I seek you out."
+
+Then the old man left us, and, watching for a moment, we saw him enter
+into conversation with this soldier and that, until it seemed as if he was
+bent on making the acquaintance of every member of the force.
+
+Jacob and I had little difficulty in finding as much food as we needed,
+after having explained why we had come into the encampment. The men were
+more than willing to divide their rations with us, and we might literally
+have gorged ourselves with the best in the camp had such been our desire.
+
+It was one thing for Sergeant Corney to say that we must sleep, and quite
+another for us to obey the command.
+
+It seemed to me that my eyes were never open wider than when I threw
+myself down upon the ground by the side of Jacob, striving my best to
+cross over into Dreamland. The thought of attempting to force our way
+through such an army as General St. Leger had under his command; of the
+possibility that we might, perhaps, come across Peter Sitz; the chances
+that Colonel Gansevoort would be forced to surrender even before we could
+arrive with information that reinforcements were near at hand, and, in
+fact, the numberless happenings which might occur to change the entire
+situation, served to drive sleep so far from my eyelids that I despaired
+of being able to summon it until sheer exhaustion should come.
+
+Jacob was lying, with closed eyes, so still that I half-believed he had
+succeeded in obeying Sergeant Corney's commands, and, bent on moving
+around among the men in the hope of thereby changing the current of my
+disagreeable thoughts, I crept softly from his side lest I awaken him.
+
+"Where are you goin'?" he asked, quietly, in a tone which told me he had
+been no nearer slumber than I.
+
+"I cannot sleep, an' that's a fact. Perhaps after walkin' around a bit I
+shall feel more like it."
+
+"I'll go with you," Jacob said, rising to his feet. "There is no hope I
+can sleep, although I am willin', if needs be, to make it appear as if I
+was unconscious."
+
+Taking heed not to go near Sergeant Corney, whom we could see in the
+distance, Jacob went from one group of soldiers to the other, and, as may
+be supposed, the chief topic of conversation everywhere was the
+possibility that Fort Schuyler could hold out against the large number of
+men who were besieging it, as well as the chances of General Herkimer's
+command being able to enter the place.
+
+Thus it was we learned that among Brant's following were savages from all
+the various tribes of the Six Nations, except the Oneidas, who remained
+faithful to their agreement to be neutral during the war. It was said that
+the besiegers were well supplied with everything necessary for the
+accomplishment of their purpose, including a large amount of ready money,
+and General St. Leger was willing to pay liberally for the services of
+those who would join him.
+
+It was also reported--the information having been brought in by
+scouts--that on the second day of the siege the British commander had sent
+to the fort a messenger, who, with many high-sounding words, recited the
+love of the king for those who remained loyal to him, and the punishment
+which would be inflicted upon those who continued in rebellion. This
+stream of bombast was concluded by direst threats in case the garrison
+held out against the demand for surrender, the sum and substance of which
+was that the savages would be allowed to commit every act of barbarity
+their ingenuity could devise, if an assault should become necessary.
+
+Nearly all the defenders of the fort laughed these threats and promises to
+scorn, and it was believed that Gansevoort's men would hold out to the
+bitter end.
+
+We heard very much in addition, which was really no more than camp gossip,
+and it is not necessary I set it down here.
+
+Before the close of the day both Jacob and I really succeeded in going to
+sleep, and the shadows of night were beginning to lengthen when we were
+aroused by Sergeant Corney.
+
+"I reckon I've heard all that the men in camp have to tell," he said, when
+I stood upright in obedience to the pressure of his hand upon my shoulder.
+"It only remains to get our instructions from General Herkimer before
+makin' the attempt to have speech with those in the fort."
+
+"Haven't you seen him yet?" I asked, in surprise, for it had been in my
+mind that the old man would make every preparation before summoning us.
+
+"No, lad. This is a venture in which we share the dangers equally, an'
+it's no more than right you should hear all which may pass between the
+general an' me. Therefore let us bring the business to an end as speedily
+as may be."
+
+Well, we presented ourselves before the commander, announcing that the
+time had come when we were to leave camp, and, considering all the risks
+which were to be run, it seemed to me as if the message he would have
+delivered was exceeding brief and unimportant, as compared with what might
+result from the attempt at delivery.
+
+"I shall not give you a written message, lest you fall into the hands of
+the enemy," he said, speaking in a kindly tone, and looking at us, as I
+fancied, pityingly, much as one would at those who had been selected as
+sacrifices. "It is in the highest degree necessary you get speech with
+Colonel Gansevoort, and to such end make disposal of yourselves so that
+should one, or even two, be taken or killed, the second or third may press
+on. Having arrived, say to the commandant that I shall leave this camp
+to-morrow morning, marching slowly toward the fort, and immediately after
+he has received the information he is to fire three cannon in rapid
+succession, thus notifying me that he understands the situation. You will
+not, under the most favorable circumstances, finish the journey in less
+than four and twenty hours, and by that time I shall be where the reports
+of the guns can be heard. Once the signal has been given, it is my purpose
+to attack the enemy, and Colonel Gansevoort is to make a sortie at the
+same time, when it is to be hoped our forces can be united."
+
+Having said this, the general insisted that each of us repeat the
+instructions so that he might know we understood them thoroughly, and
+then, clasping us by hand in turn, he bade us "Godspeed."
+
+I wish I might be able to say that my heart was stout when we left the
+encampment and were swallowed up by the shadows of the thicket; but such
+was not the case.
+
+I realized only too well all the dangers which were before us, and the
+odds against our being able to obey the general's orders. At the same time
+I knew that in event of failure there would be no possibility of retreat;
+but we would find ourselves in the hands of an enemy whose greatest
+delight consists in the most fiendish murder.
+
+As I figured it, out of a hundred chances we had no more than one of
+getting into the fort, and there remained ninety and nine in favor of our
+falling victims to Brant's crew.
+
+We had but just set out when I observed that Sergeant Corney had left
+behind him every superfluous article of clothing, and all accoutrements
+save the knife in his belt, whereupon I asked the reason for thus laying
+himself bare to the enemy.
+
+"You lads have each a rifle, which are all the weapons we need, for it can
+avail us nothing to make a fight. If we win it must be by strategy, not
+force, and in case of success it will be a small matter to provide
+ourselves with other arms."
+
+"At the same time it gives me courage to know that I have something with
+which to defend myself," Jacob said, with a laugh which had in it nothing
+of mirth.
+
+"Ay, lad, so I counted, otherwise I had advised that you follow my
+example. It can do no harm to take whatsoever you will, for that which
+hinders may readily be cast aside. Now let us come to an end of
+tongue-waggin', for silence is our safest ally."
+
+As the old man had said, either Jacob or I should have known more of
+woodcraft than did he, but on this night I dare venture to assert that
+there were not above a dozen in Joseph Brant's following who could have
+made their way through the thicket with less noise and in a more direct
+course than did he.
+
+From General Herkimer's encampment in an air-line through the forest to
+Fort Schuyler was not more than seven or eight miles, and, despite our
+slow progress, for one cannot travel rapidly when striving to advance
+without so much as the breaking of a twig, we counted on arriving in front
+of the enemy's lines by midnight. And this I believe we did.
+
+The first intimation we had that our journey was approaching a close came
+when we suddenly saw, directly in our line of advance, a faint light amid
+the thicket in the distance, and Sergeant Corney, who had been leading the
+way, halted quickly.
+
+"You lads are to remain here while I find out what portion of St. Leger's
+force is in front of us," he said, in a whisper, and then it was that I
+ventured to dispute his authority, having, as I believed, good reason for
+so doing.
+
+"You yourself have admitted that either Jacob or I could beat you out at
+work of this kind. Let me go, an' do you stay here."
+
+Then it was that Jacob insisted on performing the most dangerous portion
+of the work, and would have passed by me in the darkness to avoid a
+controversy, but that I clutched him by the arm, and Sergeant Corney
+whispered:
+
+"You lads shall lead the way, and I will follow at your heels; but
+remember what General Herkimer impressed upon us--that one _must_ get
+through, therefore if he who leads is captured, the other two shall leave
+him to his fate, for the life of a single human being is not to be counted
+when we are tryin' to save hundreds."
+
+It was not a time nor a place for argument, and in token of agreement with
+him I took up the lead.
+
+I did not attempt to go forward rapidly; but, half-lying upon the ground,
+I crept onward inch by inch, removing carefully with my hands every twig
+or dry leaf which might be in the path, lest by the lightest rustling of
+the branches I give warning to the quick-eared enemy of our approach.
+
+In such manner it was not possible to make other than slow progress, and I
+believe fully half an hour was spent in traversing the distance of a dozen
+yards, when we were come to where could be had a view of that which had
+attracted our attention.
+
+Nine Indians were lounging, on the opposite side of a river that we knew
+to be the Mohawk, around a small fire, over which were being cooked slices
+of fresh meat. They were talking earnestly among themselves meanwhile, for
+these red sneaks of the forest do not, when alone, maintain that silent
+dignity with which so many writers, ignorant of their customs, try to
+invest them.
+
+They were members of Brant's own tribe, as I knew from the language, with
+which I was reasonably familiar, and after a few moments it was possible
+to gather from the conversation that St. Leger had interfered in some way
+with their plans, or thwarted their desires.
+
+The stream was not so wide at this point but that we could hear fairly
+well what they said. It seemed necessary I should learn all I might before
+we crept past the small encampment, and, never dreaming how much of
+anguish the listening might cause my comrade, I remained silent and
+motionless, until enough had been said to convince me that their grievance
+consisted in the fact that they had not been allowed to indulge in the
+amusement of torturing a prisoner during that same evening.
+
+Then it flashed upon me that it was Peter Sitz of whom they spoke, and
+involuntarily I moved backward, the one thought in my mind being to
+prevent Jacob from hearing; but the vigor with which he clutched me by the
+leg told that it was too late. The lad had heard as much as I, and to his
+mind the prisoner spoken of could be none other than his father.
+
+For a moment I ceased my efforts at retreat, and then, realizing that if
+we would take Jacob with us to the completion of General Herkimer's
+commands, he must not be allowed to hear anything more, I would have
+backed away rapidly.
+
+To my dismay and sorrow, however, he held me as if in a grip of iron, and,
+despite all silent efforts on my part, I was forced to remain.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter V.
+
+Divided Duty
+
+
+
+I could not find it in my heart to blame Jacob for being eager to learn
+all he could regarding his father, and it certainly seemed as if we might
+hear that which would at least tell us who this prisoner was that they
+were so keen to torture; but surely we were not warranted in lingering for
+the possible saving of one human life, when by our delay hundreds might be
+placed in gravest danger.
+
+However, I could not retreat, because Jacob held me firmly in his clutch,
+from which I would have been unable to release myself save at the cost of
+betraying our whereabouts.
+
+With the hope that the lad might soon come to realize that we must be
+attending to General Herkimer's business, I remained silent and
+motionless, straining my ears to hear what the painted snakes were saying,
+and at the same time expecting to receive a silent protest from Sergeant
+Corney because of remaining inactive when the moments were so precious.
+
+In less than a single minute I knew that the savages were speaking of
+Peter Site, and the tightening of Jacob's grip told that he too was aware
+of the fact.
+
+Because I can understand only a few words here or there of Brant's native
+tongue, it would be impossible to set down exactly what the villains said;
+but I caught enough to understand that the prisoner in whom we were so
+deeply interested was not far distant,--probably at the main
+encampment,--and Thayendanega was protecting him at least from the
+torture. Why the sachem had taken such an interest in the unfortunate man
+I could not make out; most likely the savages themselves were ignorant on
+that point.
+
+It appeared to me, from the conversation, that there was much hard feeling
+on the part of the Indians because they were not allowed to indulge in an
+amusement which had been countenanced by more than one officer of the
+British army, and I fancied that Thayendanega, great sachem though he now
+was of the Six Nations, would have no little trouble in holding his
+precious followers in check.
+
+When I had learned as much as has been set down here, I felt a tugging at
+my shirt, and knew, without seeing him, that Sergeant Corney was not
+willing to remain at this point any longer.
+
+The savages had begun to speak of St. Leger, and what he might succeed in
+doing so far as the siege was concerned, therefore it did not seem
+probable we would hear more regarding Peter Sitz.
+
+This much Jacob must have understood as well as I, for when I forced
+myself backward, pushing vigorously against him, he gave way, and we thus
+slowly retreated until having gained such a distance from the feasting
+murderers that it seemed safe to rise to our feet.
+
+"To what were you listenin'?" Sergeant Corney asked, in a whisper, and
+with no slight show of anger because I had lingered so long.
+
+In the fewest words possible I told him what we had heard, and when I was
+come to an end of the brief recital, Jacob asked, as if believing that now
+all our plans would be changed:
+
+"What are we to do?"
+
+"That for which we came," Sergeant Corney replied, decidedly.
+
+"But we know that my father is near at hand, and, if Thayendanega grows
+careless or indifferent, will be tortured to death."
+
+"Ay, lad, an' I could be no more sorry if Peter Sitz was my brother; but
+we cannot now do anything to aid him, even though the way lay clear before
+us," and the old man laid his hand on Jacob's shoulder as if to give
+emphasis to the words. "We are to push on toward the fort, an' must not
+heed any other duty."
+
+"But we stand as much chance of rescuing my father as we do of gettin'
+speech with Colonel Gansevoort, an' surely you will not leave a friend to
+be tortured to death?" Jacob said, pleadingly, and speaking incautiously
+loud.
+
+"Lad, we have no choice in the matter. If General Herkimer was in your
+father's place I would turn my back on him until after our work had been
+done. Can't you see that by loiterin' now we may be sacrificing all those
+brave fellows who are making ready to march from the Oriskany in the hope
+of aiding in holdin' the fort?"
+
+"That is your final word?" Jacob asked, sharply, and Sergeant Corney
+replied, feelingly:
+
+"It cannot be otherwise. We are bound first to obey orders, even though a
+dozen of our best friends were bein' led to the stake, an'--"
+
+"Then you will obey them without me," Jacob said, in a tone which I knew
+full well betokened a purpose from which he would not be turned by words.
+"Two will stand a better chance of gainin' the fort than three, an' _my_
+duty calls me to Thayendanega's camp."
+
+"But surely you will not attempt to go there alone!" I cried, in horror.
+"Even though you should come face to face with your father, you could not
+hope to set him free!"
+
+"I would rather die by his side than have him believe I remained idle
+while he was in such terrible danger."
+
+"If you cannot be persuaded, we must leave you, an' that without delay,"
+the old man said, sadly. "God knows I would do all a man might to aid
+Peter Sitz; but if he was here at this minute, knowin' that the stake was
+bein' made ready for him, he would say that we were bound to keep on
+toward the fort regardless of his fate."
+
+"I shall go to him," Jacob replied, quietly, and Sergeant Corney turned
+aside with a sigh.
+
+But that I knew beyond a peradventure it was useless, I would have said
+all in my power to keep him with us; but his mind was fixed, and, to tell
+the truth, I could not well blame him for doing as I would have done,
+regardless of any duty I might owe to General Herkimer.
+
+"We can say nothing more, lad?" Sergeant Corney said to me, inquiringly,
+and I shook my head, for so great was the grief in my heart that just then
+I could make no reply.
+
+I believe Jacob understood how keen was my sorrow at thus parting, when
+the chances were that we would never meet again in this world, for, as if
+to put an end to the agony, he turned abruptly, not even stopping to press
+my hand, and in an instant was lost to view amid the gloom of the forest.
+
+Already had our venture, so it appeared to me, cost the life of one of our
+small party, and mentally I reproached myself bitterly for having left
+Cherry Valley to take service with this General Herkimer, who could as
+well have sent some other in our place, for surely all in his command were
+not known to Thayendanega's following. I, as captain of the Minute Boys
+stationed at Cherry Valley, could not have been accused of refusing to aid
+the Cause had I failed to serve under the general, so far from my post of
+duty.
+
+As it was, however, we had come a long distance from our friends, and
+already sacrificed a life uselessly, so it seemed to me then in my
+bitterness of spirit.
+
+"Come, lad," Sergeant Corney whispered, shaking me roughly by the shoulder
+as if he would drive from my mind the painful thoughts. "We cannot do as
+Jacob would have us, and there is an end of that matter. Get to work, and
+it may be that 'twixt now an' morning but one of us will remain to carry
+the message."
+
+I had never before heard the old man speak in so despondent a tone, and it
+seemed an evil omen, coming as the words did when we were ready to plunge
+into the most dangerous portion of the work.
+
+In silence I led the way once more, making such a détour as I thought
+would carry us safely past that party of savages from which we had gained
+such painful information, and perhaps half an hour was spent in advancing
+at a snail's pace; but in the direction where we supposed the fort stood.
+
+Now it was I realized that some one well acquainted with the locality
+should have been sent with us, for we were obliged to go on blindly, as it
+were, trusting that chance, and what we might see of the disposition of
+the enemy's forces, would bring us to the point we desired to gain, for
+neither of us had ever visited Fort Schuyler.
+
+At the end of half an hour I came to a sudden standstill, for we were
+within a few paces of half a dozen white men, as could be told even in the
+darkness by the outlines of their clothing.
+
+These last appeared to be stationed at that point, for none of them made
+any attempt to go away during the two or three minutes I remained
+motionless, although why so many should have been placed there as
+sentinels, when one would have served the purpose, I failed to understand,
+and it perplexed me not a little, for it was necessary that we should know
+whether we were inside the lines, or simply confronting their outlying
+pickets.
+
+There was nothing for it, however, but to crawl backward half a dozen
+yards, and then make another détour, and while this was being done
+Sergeant Corney had only a single question to ask, which was as to whether
+I had seen white men or Indians.
+
+"White men," I replied, "and no less than half a dozen standing in a
+group, as if stationed there."
+
+The old man paused an instant, as if quite as much perplexed as I, and
+then whispered:
+
+"Go on. We are like to run across more than one such snag, an', what is
+worse, don't have a clear idea of whether we shall come plump on to the
+fort, or go a considerable distance to one side of it."
+
+Again I advanced, making an even wider détour than before, and in ten
+minutes, perhaps, we were come upon a single sentinel,--a soldier,--who
+stood leaning against a tree as if half-asleep, and I was less careful in
+passing him because he did not appear to be particularly on the alert.
+
+Again and again we nearly stumbled upon a squad of men, small parties of
+Indians, or a single sentinel, until it seemed to me as if all St. Leger's
+force must be distributed throughout the thicket, and I began to despair
+of ever making our way through.
+
+Now we were where it seemed as dangerous to retreat as to advance, and I
+strove manfully to keep from my mind all thoughts of the perils that
+surrounded us, lest I grow faint-hearted at the very time when all my
+courage was needed if we would save our lives.
+
+To do this it was only necessary I think of Jacob and his hazardous
+venture, which could serve no good purpose even though he succeeded in
+avoiding the enemy, therefore my mind dwelt on the perils which confronted
+him, causing me in a measure to forget where I myself stood.
+
+To go on in such a manner was most wearisome, and I was well-nigh at the
+end of my strength when a faint lightness in the eastern sky gave warning
+that the day was near at hand.
+
+At the same moment I observed this fact, the sergeant gripped me by the
+arm, and, understanding he would have speech with me, I halted.
+
+"It is time we went into hidin', lad, although I did count we would come
+within sight of the fort before bein' obliged to call a halt."
+
+"Where can we hide here?" I asked, bitterly, and, strange as it may seem,
+I began to realize, for the first time since the general had explained
+what he would have us do, that we must remain concealed from view during
+all the hours of daylight, and that while we were literally surrounded by
+the enemy.
+
+"We must take our chances in the first dense thicket, wherein may be found
+a stout tree, that we come across," he replied, "an' now instead of tryin'
+to get a sight of the fortification, turn all your efforts toward findin'
+a hidin'-place."
+
+This promised to be as difficult a task as I had ever undertaken, for how
+would it be possible in the darkness to say whether one thicket was denser
+than another, and, without spending precious time in the examination, to
+learn if there was a stout tree within any certain clump of bushes?
+
+Because the sergeant had said we were to halt where was a tree, I believed
+he proposed spending the day amid the branches, and any one who has ever
+been in a forest can readily understand how few there are of such
+hiding-places.
+
+However, we were there, and within another hour must be screened from view
+after some fashion, therefore it was useless to grumble, or say this or
+that movement was impossible; but rather I should do the best I might, and
+trust to the chapter of accidents that I did not lead my companion into
+what would prove to be a trap.
+
+All the thicket looked dense in the night, but when I was finally come to
+a clump of bushes through which it was difficult to force my way, I
+stopped and whispered to Sergeant Corney.
+
+"This seems to be such a place as you would have; but who can say whether
+it will answer our purpose?"
+
+"So much the worse for us if it does not," the old man replied, grimly.
+"Make your way in, an' if there be no tree to give us a roostin'-place, we
+must take our chances on the ground, for the day is comin' on apace."
+
+And indeed he said no more than the truth; already was it possible for me
+to see surrounding objects, dimly, to be sure, but more clearly than when
+we first began searching for a place of refuge.
+
+Unless we were concealed from view within half an hour, we might as well
+march straight to the nearest sentinel and give ourselves up as prisoners.
+
+There was much to be desired in this thicket which we had chosen by
+chance, as was learned when we were well within it. Several large trees
+grew amid the clump of bushes, to be sure; but the foliage was not so
+dense that one who passed near at hand with reasonable alertness would
+have failed to discover us lurking there.
+
+"It is better than the open country," Sergeant Corney said, when I would
+have found fault with our blind choice. "We will burrow amid these small
+bushes until daylight, an' then, if necessary, go to roost."
+
+I had in my pocket a small piece of corn bread, and, when I would have
+divided it with the old man, he showed me about the same quantity, which
+he had saved in event of just such an emergency, and we munched the dry
+food with no very keen appetites, but eating at this the first
+opportunity, in order to keep up our strength for the struggle which must
+ensue before we gained speech with those in the fort.
+
+My sorrow because Jacob had left us on a venture from which I did not
+believe he could ever return, was so great that I felt no desire for food,
+but ate it from a sense of duty, even as I had turned my back on my
+comrade when he needed aid.
+
+One does not make haste with such a meal, and when I had swallowed the
+last dry crumbs, which were like to have choked me, the day had fully
+come.
+
+It can readily be imagined that we crept even nearer the edge of the
+thicket than was really safe in order to get some idea of our position,
+and to my great surprise and delight I found that we had come in as direct
+a course as if we had followed a blazed trail.
+
+There before us, and less than three hundred yards distant, was the
+fortification over which was floating the flag made from Capt. Abraham
+Swartwout's cloak, and because we were on high ground it was possible to
+see the Americans moving about within, bent on this task or that duty.
+
+After one hasty glance we crept back into the middle of the thicket, and
+there, surrounded by hundreds of enemies, we two held a whispered
+conversation regarding the situation.
+
+It was only natural we should first congratulate each other on our good
+fortune in having come unwittingly to the very spot we most desired to
+gain, and then I said, simply giving words to the thoughts which had
+entered my mind as I gazed upon the fortification:
+
+"He who crosses the clearing between here and the fort, even though it be
+in the night, needs to wriggle along like a snake, else will one of
+Thayendanega's painted beauties lift his scalp."
+
+"It is a bit open jest in front of here; but I took note that further to
+the westward was a little more of green," Sergeant Corney said, half to
+himself, and I knew he was picturing in his mind the two of us making the
+attempt where was not a blade of grass to give shelter, for the "green" of
+which he spoke was nothing more than the fragment of a bush near the
+stockade.
+
+"How are we to attract their attention, providin' we succeed in creepin'
+up under the wall?" I asked, after a long pause, and he replied, grimly:
+
+"I'll answer that question after you've told me how we're goin' to stop
+'em shootin' at us while we're tryin' to get across."
+
+Then it was I understood that even though the enemy did not see us while
+we were making our way over the plain, the sentinels in the fort were
+doubtless on the alert against just such an attempt on the part of the
+Indians, and there was little question but that they would fire at any
+moving thing which came within their line of vision.
+
+"It seems to me that we'll be between two fires," I said, with a feeble
+attempt to speak in a jovial tone, and Sergeant Corney's reply was much
+like a bucket of cold water full in my face.
+
+"That's exactly the case, lad, an' I'm countin' that betwixt 'em we'll be
+peppered in fine shape, else there are some mighty poor marksmen
+hereabouts."
+
+"Why didn't you tell the general that we couldn't carry his message?
+Didn't you think of all this at the time?"
+
+"Ay, lad, it was pictured in my mind much as we see it now; but he said we
+were to do the job, an' it wasn't for me to point out the danger."
+
+"Why not, if you felt certain we would be shot?" I cried, angrily.
+
+"Because a soldier has good reason when he enlists to expect he'll stop a
+bullet, else what would be the need of powder an' ball?"
+
+Having said this, the old man relapsed into silence, as if he was trying
+to figure out how the work might be done with less of danger, and I sat
+staring at him in a rage, for to my mind he had much the same as
+compassed his own death and mine by not speaking of all the perils in our
+path.
+
+Now it was that I almost envied Jacob his position. It is true the odds
+were strongly against his being able to make his way through the camp
+without being captured, yet it was possible for him at any time to give
+over the attempt and retrace his steps, whereas we were absolutely penned
+up in the thicket, where retreat was even more perilous than advance.
+
+Fume and fret as I might, it was not possible to mend matters, and I
+stretched myself out at full length under the bushes, with the idea in
+mind that it would be better if we were captured at once, for then we
+would be spared just so much suspense, yet when Sergeant Corney suggested
+that we were not as well hidden from view as we should be, I was alarmed
+on the instant.
+
+How that day was passed by us I can hardly say even now, when I look back
+calmly upon all the incidents which were then so terrifying.
+
+We had eaten the last crumb of our corn bread in the morning, without
+appeasing the hunger which assailed us, and now could only chew the twigs
+of the bushes, striving to make ourselves believe we extracted nourishment
+therefrom.
+
+More than once straggling soldiers or Indians passed near where we were
+hidden; but no one thought of searching the thicket for those who were
+friendly to the garrison, because none save idiots like ourselves would
+thus have ventured into the lion's mouth.
+
+Screened as we were from the lightest breath of wind, it was cruelly hot
+in that hiding-place. Tiny streams of perspiration ran down my face,
+wetting the leaves beneath my head, and I chewed them in the vain hope
+that the suspicion of moisture might serve to quench my thirst.
+
+I rejoiced when the sun began to sink in the west, even though it was, as
+I believed, bringing the hour of my death so much the nearer; but I soon
+came to understand that Sergeant Corney was not disposed to make the
+perilous venture without first having taken all possible precautions for
+our safety.
+
+When the day was within an hour of its close, I suddenly became aware that
+the old soldier was stripping the fringe from his shirt, and immediately I
+sat bolt upright, fancying for the moment that he had lost his reason.
+
+"What are you doin'?" I asked, sharply, and he replied, with a faint
+smile:
+
+"If the sentinel who stands on the wall of the fort facin' us is 'tendin'
+to his business as a soldier should, then there's a chance I can let him
+know these 'ere bushes shelter decent people."
+
+While speaking he had been cutting cautiously with his knife one of the
+longer branches which helped to screen us from view, and when it had been
+severed he trimmed it with infinite care, as if our welfare depended upon
+its being smooth and clean.
+
+When this had been done to his satisfaction, and it seemed to give him
+greatest pleasure to keep me in suspense as to his purpose, he tied to the
+smaller end of the stick the fringe from his shirt.
+
+"You're goin' to creep out an' wave that!" I cried, in the tone of one who
+has made a great discovery.
+
+"You can set it down as a fact that I won't creep very far out," the old
+man replied, with a smile. "It's only the ghost of a chance that anybody
+will take heed of it, an' yet there's no harm in the tryin'."
+
+When finally he crept cautiously out toward the edge of the thicket, I
+watched him as eagerly as if all our troubles would be over in case we
+succeeded in attracting the attention of those in the fort, whereas, no
+matter how many of our friends might see the waving fringe, we would still
+be in the same danger of getting a bullet from the besiegers.
+
+"It ain't any ways certain that some of these sneakin' Injuns don't see my
+signal before one of the garrison does, in which case we won't have to
+puzzle our heads about gettin' into the fort; but if they should jump on
+me, you'd best take to your heels. There's a bare chance you might give
+'em the slip in the squabble, for I shouldn't knock under while there was
+any fight left in me."
+
+[Illustration: "Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and
+fro"]
+
+Then, peering through the branches, I could see the sentinel on the wall
+near the sally-port, and it goes without saying that I watched with my
+heart in my mouth for some gesture which might tell that he understood
+what was of so much importance to us.
+
+It was fortunate that we had blindly stumbled upon a hiding-place a few
+yards in advance of the enemy's line of watchers, otherwise the scheme
+could never have been successful. Even as it was, I expected each instant
+that some painted snake would take it into his wicked head to wander
+around in front of the thicket, when the game would come to a speedy end.
+
+Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and fro in such a manner
+that the dull color of the deerskin might offer a contrast against the
+green of the foliage, and when five minutes or more had passed without any
+movement on the part of the sentinel, I said to myself that there was no
+possibility we could catch the man's eye.
+
+The old soldier was not one easily discouraged. During ten minutes more he
+continued his efforts, now moving the stick to and fro, and again giving
+to it an up-and-down motion, and then, at the very moment when all hope
+had fled from my heart, I saw the man straighten himself suddenly, as he
+shaded his eyes with his hand.
+
+Then there could be no doubt but that Sergeant Corney had succeeded in his
+purpose, for the soldier waved his hand twice, and bent over as if
+speaking to some one on the inside.
+
+Now it was that I expected the old man would return to my side and chuckle
+over our good fortune; but he remained at the edge of the thicket while I
+might have counted twenty, and then a second member of the garrison had
+clambered up beside the first.
+
+Another hand was waved in reply, and then, having finished his task in
+good shape, Sergeant Corney crept back to me as he whispered, gleefully:
+
+"I reckon we needn't fear that any of the garrison will shoot at us this
+night, an', what's more to our advantage, we won't be called on to lay
+behind the walls very long tryin' to attract attention."
+
+"It was a great plan!" I replied, as if all our troubles were at an end,
+and then again came the thought that it would be necessary for us to creep
+out from the thicket under the very noses of those who were on guard, and
+straightway all my fears returned.
+
+It no longer seemed to me as if we had gained any great advantage from the
+old man's efforts.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VI.
+
+Between the Lines
+
+
+
+As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst
+and the hunger which had assailed me. So great was the fear in my mind
+because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed
+as nothing.
+
+It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances
+were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be
+killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet
+the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I
+have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.
+
+The only thing in our favor was that the night promised to be dark.
+Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger,
+and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be
+covered as with a black veil.
+
+After having succeeded in attracting the attention of the sentinels,
+Sergeant Corney crept back to my side, lying there at full length and in
+silence. I believed his anxiety as to the outcome of this mad venture was
+so great that he did not dare indulge in conversation, and because of such
+idea was I even more cast down in spirit.
+
+I tried to count the seconds in order to have some knowledge of the
+passage of time; but could not fix my mind upon such a simple act.
+
+When it seemed to me as if the night was considerably more than
+half-spent, I whispered tremblingly to my companion:
+
+"Have you given over tryin' to gain the fort?"
+
+"Why should you think so, lad?" he asked, as if in surprise. "We had best
+make the venture after midnight, rather than now while the enemy is
+astir."
+
+So great was my fear as to what the future might have in store for us that
+I had failed to hear the hum of voices, until my attention was thus
+attracted, and then I realized that it was yet quite early in the evening,
+instead of well toward morning, as I had supposed.
+
+Because he did not speak again I understood that Sergeant Corney was not
+inclined for conversation, and I lay there motionless and silent until it
+was as if twice four and twenty hours had passed, when the old man, rising
+to a sitting posture, whispered, cautiously:
+
+"I reckon, lad, that the time has come for us to make a try at deliverin'
+the general's message. As I figger it, we had best bear off to the
+westward, strikin' the fort on that side nearabout where the fragment of a
+bush stands, than to push on for the main gate. It seems reasonable the
+enemy will watch that part of the works closer than any other, in order to
+guard against a sortie, an' if Colonel Gansevoort has been told of our
+signals, every sentinel will be on the alert for us."
+
+"Well?" I asked, as he ceased speaking for an instant.
+
+"We'll do the trick after this fashion: You shall go ahead, an' I'll keep
+two or three paces in the rear."
+
+"Why do you propose such a plan as that?" I asked, suspiciously, and the
+old man replied, hesitatingly, as if averse to having his reasons known:
+
+"In case they see us before we are well on our way, he who is in advance
+stands the best show of escapin'."
+
+"But why should my chances be made any better than yours?" I asked,
+angrily, for even though I was afraid of the venture, it was not in my
+mind to be treated like a child, as seemed to be the case when the old man
+was considering my safety rather than his own.
+
+"Well, lad, there are two reasons, 'cordin' to my way of figgerin', but
+the last is the strongest. First off, I have a much shorter time to live
+in this world than you, therefore, if one life is taken, it had best be
+mine, so far as the patriot cause is concerned. Then agin, an' this has
+weight to it, in case we are chased you should be able to run faster than
+me, an' we must bear in mind the fact that to deliver the message is the
+one important thing--our lives amount to very little compared with that."
+
+I could not well make protest after this explanation, and, in fact, it
+seemed to me that there was little choice of position. If the enemy
+discovered us at any time while we were between the lines, our fate was
+well-nigh certain, and he who was three paces in advance would have no
+more show of escaping the bullets than the one who remained in the rear.
+
+"Are we to go now?" I asked, striving earnestly to prevent my voice from
+trembling.
+
+"Ay, lad, I reckon it's time," and the old man tightened his belt as he
+spoke. "Throw away your rifle, or strap it on your back where there's no
+chance it will hinder the progress, an', once havin' started, keep your
+mind well on the fact that we must get there, heedin' not what lies
+behind."
+
+Then he gently forced me to the edge of the thicket, where we halted an
+instant to make certain there was no one in the immediate vicinity, after
+which was begun such an advance as I hope never to be forced into again,
+for of a verity it was nerve-shattering.
+
+Strive as I might it was impossible, during the first two or three minutes
+of the painful journey, to prevent myself from fancying that half a dozen
+of Thayendanega's painted wolves were creeping up close behind me,
+enjoying the mental torture caused by my suspense, and then suddenly my
+mind was cleared of fears, even as the heavens are of clouds after a
+storm, as I ceased to think of what lay behind, remembering that my
+efforts _must_ be successful else patriot blood might flow in streams.
+
+We were lying flat upon the ground, pulling ourselves painfully along by
+our hands, and pushing with our toes whenever it was possible to get a
+leverage on the hard earth, moving perhaps no more than twelve inches each
+moment.
+
+Had St. Leger's sentinels kept the strict watch which the siege demanded
+of them, we would not have gone a dozen paces before being discovered.
+
+But that we did move out from the thicket without causing an alarm was, as
+I believe, due to the fact that the enemy contented themselves with
+watching the main gate of the fort, fancying that only from such quarter
+could any danger menace them. They had so many scouts out between the fort
+and Oriskany that it probably seemed to be an absolute impossibility any
+of the patriots could come through their lines undetected.
+
+However it may be, we did succeed in crossing that open space without
+being seen by those who would have delighted in torturing us to death; but
+it was as if I lived a full lifetime before coming within the deep shadows
+cast by the walls on the west side, at the point decided upon by Sergeant
+Corney.
+
+Some moments before we arrived I understood, and my heart literally
+bounded with joy, that those on the inside were already aware of our
+approach, and waiting to receive us, for we heard subdued voices from the
+sentinels on the walls, as if they were giving information to those below
+of our progress.
+
+"It's a big thing we have done, lad," Sergeant Corney said, as he drew
+himself up by my side while both of us hugged the earthworks as limpets do
+a rock. "It stands to reason we'll be in danger many a time before we go
+out from this world, unless it so chances that we come to grief here; but
+I dare venture to say we'll never be nearer death than we have been since
+leaving the thicket."
+
+The relief of mind was so great, and the knowledge that we had come thus
+far undetected under the very eyes of a watchful enemy was so
+overpowering, that I could not for a moment make reply, and by the time I
+had gathered my scattered senses--scattered through very joy--we heard
+voices from the inside which told that the men were seeking to learn
+exactly where we were.
+
+"Keep right on till you come to the horn-works," I heard a voice whisper,
+and the words had little or no meaning to me, for I was not familiar with
+the names of different portions of a regular fort; but the sergeant seemed
+to understand the command, for he began to creep in a southerly direction,
+still keeping within the shadow of the wall, until we arrived where was a
+stockade.
+
+This, as I afterward came to know, was the "horn-works," which as yet was
+in an unfinished condition, and protected by a stockade of logs, between
+each of which last were spaces, in some cases two or three inches wide.
+
+By lying with our faces against these narrow openings, it was possible to
+hold converse with those on the inside almost as well as if we were within
+the walls.
+
+"Who are you, and where did you come from?" a voice asked, and Sergeant
+Corney took it upon himself, much to my relief, to act as spokesman.
+
+"Messengers sent by General Herkimer, who have come from Oriskany."
+
+"When did you leave there?"
+
+"Yesterday."
+
+"We thought the woods were overrun with Indians and Tories."
+
+"So they are; but by some lucky chance we have come through thus far in
+safety, and would have speech with the commandant."
+
+"I am Colonel Gansevoort. My people saw your signal this afternoon, and I
+myself have been watching for your arrival, but supposed you to be
+fugitives, for I never dared hope there was a possibility of
+reinforcements so near at hand. Will you make an attempt to get in by the
+sally-port?"
+
+"Is there any other entrance, sir?"
+
+"Yes; but the enemy have been keeping sharp watch there since noon, as if
+thinking something of this same kind might be attempted."
+
+"We will deliver our message, sir, and then decide what to do," the old
+man said, grimly. "The words had best be repeated now, for we may be
+unable to utter them half an hour later."
+
+Then Sergeant Corney delivered the message with which we were charged, and
+during a full minute after he ceased speaking the commandant remained
+silent.
+
+When he spoke again, it was to say:
+
+"It would be folly to give him now the signal of your arrival, since to
+discharge one of the cannon when there is no direct target in sight would
+be to apprise St. Leger of all the facts. If it were possible for you to
+return, I would say that we will signal the moment my men are ready for
+the sortie."
+
+"I am of the mind that there will be no more danger in going back than in
+trying to enter the fort," Sergeant Corney said, half to himself.
+"Doubtless the enemy are watchin' the sally-port so closely that we would
+be seen tryin' to gain it, for on that side the shadow is less than here,
+and if there be large numbers posted to prevent an entrance, then must we
+come to grief."
+
+"Meaning what?" Colonel Gansevoort asked, with no slight tinge of
+impatience in his tone, as if he did not care to hear the old soldier
+summing up all the situation.
+
+"Meanin' that we are runnin' no greater risks in goin' back to General
+Herkimer, or at least not many more, than by tryin' to gain admission to
+the fort."
+
+"It will simplify matters if you choose to return; but I would not ask any
+man to do so, in view of all the danger."
+
+"What do you say, lad?" Sergeant Corney asked, laying his hand on my
+shoulder, and, although I would have given anything I possessed to have
+been at that moment behind the walls, I was not minded to show that my
+courage was less than his, therefore I replied:
+
+"It is for you to say, accordin' to the agreement we made."
+
+"But I would not set off against your wishes, because of the danger in the
+road, although I claim it would be quite as great if we attempted to enter
+the fort at once."
+
+"Then it is decided you will return to General Herkimer," Colonel
+Gansevoort said, quickly, as if fearing lest we might repent of our
+decision. "Tell him that within five minutes after giving the signal we
+will make a sortie from the main gate in the direction of Oriskany."
+
+"An' if it should be that we didn't get through alive?" Sergeant Corney
+said as if to himself, and the commandant replied, quickly:
+
+"In such case, without means of knowing what has happened to you, we shall
+make the sortie and shed much blood uselessly. Is there anything I can do
+for you before you start?"
+
+The old soldier hesitated, as if unable to think of anything we needed,
+and I, remembering the hunger which had assailed us while we lay hidden in
+the thicket, replied:
+
+"If it so be you could spare us a bit of corn bread, we would be the
+better able to make a hurried journey."
+
+"That you shall have, and in plenty," the commandant said, as if relieved
+at knowing our wants could be gratified with so little trouble, and
+Sergeant Corney added:
+
+"Only so much as we can put in our pockets, for this is not the time to
+encumber ourselves even with provisions."
+
+Some of the soldiers who had been standing near by hurried away, returning
+a few moments later with as much bread as would have served to satisfy our
+hunger for a week at least.
+
+When such a quantity as we needed for one meal had been pushed out between
+the logs of the stockade, my companion whispered to the commandant:
+
+"We shall strike into the thicket to the westward, making a circle to the
+south around the fort, until coming to the road leading to Oriskany,
+crossing the river just below here, and now, sir, if you have no further
+demands, we will go."
+
+"May God have you in His keeping," the colonel said, fervently, and
+without waiting to hear more the old soldier set off, this time leaving
+it for me to bring up the rear.
+
+Now it was I came to understand that the rain was beginning to fall; the
+wind came in spiteful gusts, betokening a storm, and I could have hugged
+myself with glee at the thought that the elements were favoring us in the
+attempt which, at the outset, had seemed doomed to failure.
+
+Before we had traversed half the distance from the fort to the thicket on
+the westerly side, the rain was falling heavily, and the wind whistling at
+such a rate as to have drowned any ordinary noise we might make in forcing
+our way through the foliage.
+
+Never had a storm, which promised much bodily discomfort, been so warmly
+welcomed by me; never had one been more sadly needed by those who fought
+against the king and his savage followers for the cause of American
+liberty.
+
+It is well known that Indians, like cats, are averse to exposing their
+bodies to rain, and when we set out on the return I had but little fear,
+believing that every one of Thayendanega's followers would be hugging his
+lodge closely, while the Tories would find it difficult to discern us from
+any great distance as we lay prone upon the ground.
+
+Lest I spend too many words in the telling of it, let me say, in short,
+that we gained the thicket without causing an alarm, and, what was really
+strange, made our way through it in a westerly direction for fully a mile
+without meeting any living being.
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney came to a halt, and, taking the corn
+bread from his pocket, began to munch it greedily as he said to me,
+speaking indistinctly because of the fulness of his mouth:
+
+"I reckon, lad, we've passed the Britishers' lines, an' can begin to
+circle southward from this point."
+
+While we were creeping away from the fort, beginning the second journey
+before having had time to rest from the first, I had said to myself again
+and again that it was the act of madmen for us to make any attempt at
+gaining General Herkimer's forces. In the first place there was no real
+necessity for such dangerous labor, because the signal could have been
+given by Colonel Gansevoort at a reasonably early hour next morning, and
+thus our commander would have known that the message was delivered. We
+were risking our lives foolishly, and when the old soldier spoke of making
+a circle from that point, in a tone which told that he was very well
+contented with himself and what he had done, I lost my temper, and
+replied, sharply:
+
+"Ay, we have got through the lines safely because of the storm, which was
+a lucky chance in our favor, and one we could not have foreseen when you
+were so foolish as to propose that we go back to-night."
+
+"It would have pleased you better had we made the attempt to get into the
+fort?"
+
+"Ay, ten times over, for then instead of roaming these woods, taking a
+fool's chances of bein' shot down, we might be comfortable and in safety."
+
+"An' remained there so long as pleased Colonel Gansevoort, for once inside
+that fort we placed ourselves under his command."
+
+"Well, and why not?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"Because it does not please me to linger when there is other work to be
+done."
+
+"But there was no real need of undertakin' this task," I said, with
+irritation.
+
+"Yet it gave us an excuse to which he would listen for leavin', when, had
+we told the truth, I question if he had not tried to stop us."
+
+"Well, what is the truth?" I cried, sharply.
+
+"Is there nothin' in your mind that we are bound to do, now the message
+has been delivered?"
+
+"Do you mean to aid Jacob?" I asked, as a sudden light began to dawn on
+me.
+
+"Ay, lad, all of that. Neither you nor I would have let him gone alone in
+the hopeless task of rescuin' his father, had it not been that duty
+demanded of us to keep our faces turned toward yonder fort. Now we have
+done that which General Herkimer required, we can set out to fulfil our
+duty toward the lad, an' this goin' back on the road to Oriskany is but
+little more than we would be forced to do in order to gain the spot where
+we parted with him, for I'm countin' that he was then near by the place
+where his father is held prisoner."
+
+I could have hugged the old man, but that he might have fancied I had
+lost my senses.
+
+When we parted with Jacob there was no thought in my mind that Sergeant
+Corney had the slightest idea of joining in what was a most desperate
+venture, and I even fancied he felt a certain sense of relief in having
+such a good excuse for not sticking his nose into the Indian encampment.
+But now I understood that all the while he held firm to the determination
+to do whatsoever he might toward aiding Peter Sitz, and I began to feel
+real affection for the noble old man.
+
+Whether we might be able to find Jacob or not, and the chances were that
+he had already been made prisoner, we could say to ourselves that the poor
+lad was not deserted by us in his hour of need, and, if the worst
+happened, it would be no slight satisfaction to us in after years.
+
+The storm increased each moment, and we were soon wetted to the skin, but
+hardly conscious of the discomfort because of the safety which this
+downpour brought to us.
+
+I had never given Sergeant Corney credit for any great knowledge of
+woodcraft, because he came to us from over the seas where his life had
+been spent fighting battles in the open, and could not be expected to cope
+with the savage foe, as did our people who had always been accustomed to
+the skulking methods of warfare practised by the redskins.
+
+Now, however, I was forced to give him credit for being wiser than I in
+the forest, since in the darkness and amid the tumult caused by the wind
+and rain he made the détour as if a broad trail stretched out before him
+under the sunlight, and we half-circled around the fortification, at the
+distance of a mile or more, without varying, so far as could be told, a
+single hair from the true course.
+
+Not until we were come to the trail which led to Oriskany did the old man
+halt, and then it was to say to me:
+
+"From this on I'm allowin' we had better be cautious how we move."
+
+"But surely there is no danger of meetin' any of the savages now," I said,
+like a simple, and he replied, with a laugh:
+
+"True for you, lad; but General Herkimer was to begin an advance on the
+mornin' after we left camp, and he should be nearabout. To run upon his
+sentinels in the darkness might not be agreeable."
+
+From that on, until half an hour had passed, we pressed forward
+cautiously, and well it was that we did so, for suddenly I came upon a
+levelled musket, which would have been discharged but for my crying out
+quickly, as I swerved to one side:
+
+"We are messengers for the general! We are friends!"
+
+"You come from an odd direction if that be true," was the reply, and at
+the same instant a vigorous hand seized me by the shirt-collar.
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney stepped forward, as he asked:
+
+"Are you of General Herkimer's force?"
+
+"How much will it benefit you to get such information?"
+
+"Nay, nay, friend; there is no need of bein' overcautious with us. We are
+two of the three messengers who left camp at Oriskany to go to Fort
+Schuyler, and are now returnin'."
+
+"Returnin'?" the soldier said, for it was indeed one of General Herkimer's
+sentinels whom we had come upon. "It must please you to skulk around among
+the Tories and savages, if, after having once gained the fort, you come
+back."
+
+"That is exactly what we have done, my friend," Sergeant Corney replied,
+gravely, "and for the good reason that Colonel Gansevoort had a message
+for us to deliver to the general. You are right in questioning us, for
+under such situations a soldier had best be overcautious than too
+credulous. But now we ask to be sent to the commander."
+
+"Have you seen any of the enemy near at hand?" the man asked.
+
+"I can swear there are none within half a mile."
+
+"Then come with me," and the sentinel deserted his post to lead us into
+camp, a proceeding which called forth harsh criticisms from Sergeant
+Corney, despite the fact that he was being benefited thereby.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VII.
+
+Insubordination
+
+
+
+It was near to daybreak when we followed the soldier to where General
+Herkimer lay under a shelter of pine boughs; but owing to the storm the
+gloom was quite as profound as at any time during the night.
+
+To my surprise, the general came out from his poor apology for a tent on
+hearing our voices, although we spoke cautiously low, and even then I
+could but ask myself why it was that an experienced soldier such as he was
+not giving more heed to his bodily welfare, for men on the eve of
+encountering a strong enemy surely need all the repose which can be had.
+
+I was soon to understand why the commander slept so lightly, and to learn
+for the first time that even patriots may be insubordinate.
+
+General Herkimer did not at first recognize us in the gloom; but when
+Sergeant Corney made himself known, the leader said, in a tone of bitter
+disappointment:
+
+"Then you did not succeed in getting there?"
+
+"Ay, that we did, sir," the old soldier replied, emphatically; "but
+Colonel Gansevoort had the desire to send a message to you, and we have
+brought it, hopin' to be excused from further duty for a short time."
+
+"What had Gansevoort to say?" General Herkimer asked, impatiently, and
+Sergeant Corney repeated the message twice over, in order that there
+should be no misunderstanding as to its meaning.
+
+"Very well. We will be on the alert if these hotheads can be restrained,"
+the general replied, and his words were a riddle to me until half an hour
+later.
+
+Then he asked what the old soldier meant by wishing to be excused from
+duty, and the sergeant, in the fewest words possible, gave him an account
+of our proceedings since leaving the camp at Oriskany, concluding by
+saying:
+
+"There is no question but that Jacob Sitz will make his way through the
+Indian encampment, if it can be done by any person. Yet the lad is blinded
+by love for his father, an' will take altogether too desperate chances,
+unless there be some one at hand who can restrain him."
+
+"Is it in your mind that the prisoner may be taken out of Thayendanega's
+camp?" General Herkimer exclaimed.
+
+"We do not count on any such good fortune; but follow the lad simply that
+he may know he has not been forgotten. If it so be you need us, sir, we
+will wait until you have gained the fort before making any effort to join
+him."
+
+"No, no, it was not from such motives that I spoke," the general
+interrupted, hastily. "With a force as large as this two men would not
+make much of a count either way. Go where you please, Sergeant Braun, and
+when you are once more at liberty report to me."
+
+"We reckon on resting our legs a bit, sir, before settin' out. You will
+not advance for some time to come, sir?"
+
+"How far do you count we are from the enemy's pickets?"
+
+"Not above two miles, sir."
+
+"Then we shall remain here, unless matters get beyond my control, until
+having heard the signal."
+
+Having made this, to me, odd remark, the commander disappeared from view
+inside the shelter of boughs, and Sergeant Corney led me a dozen yards or
+more from what might by courtesy have been called "headquarters," when he
+halted to say, gravely:
+
+"It appears that things are not just as they should be in this camp, lad."
+
+"How do you mean?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"You heard what the general said?"
+
+"Ay."
+
+"Well, who of his men are making the trouble?"
+
+Before I could so much as make a guess at the proper answer, I must needs
+be told that there was trouble, for, through having failed to understand
+exactly what the commander meant, I had not suspected that there was
+anything serious brewing. But Sergeant Corney, experienced as he was in
+such matters, seemed to know as if he had been informed in so many words
+that insubordination was rife in the camp, and at a time when it was in
+the highest degree necessary the men should move in harmony.
+
+Since I could not even so much as hazard a guess, the old man, forgetting
+his weariness and the need of gaining repose, led me out to where he had
+been halted by the sentinel, and, finding him at his post, began his
+investigations by saying:
+
+"We two have just come from Fort Schuyler, an' knowin' full well how
+strong a force is in front of the place, have a better idea of the kind of
+work in hand than you who haven't seen the enemy."
+
+"Did the general send you over here to tell me that?" the man asked, in a
+certain tone of irritation, and Sergeant Corney replied, soothingly:
+
+"Not a bit of it, my friend; but while we were having an interview with
+the commander it struck me that matters here were not just as pleasant as
+they should be, an' instead of awakenin' some one who might need more
+slumber, we thought to come to you for an explanation."
+
+"Of what?"
+
+"That we cannot say; but there is a question I would ask you, as between
+man and man, for mayhap the lives of us all depend upon the general sense
+of good fellowship. Tell me plainly, is there insubordination in the
+camp?"
+
+"I know not if you may call it by that name," the sentinel said, somewhat
+moodily; "but certain it is we would have relieved the fort four and
+twenty hours ago had General Herkimer not held us back. With such a force
+as we have here, it cannot be a hard matter to do about as we please. Look
+you," the man continued, growing more confidential, "the general has no
+less than eight hundred men under his command, and what may not a company
+of that number do?"
+
+"Very much, my friend; but your eight hundred would be weak indeed unless
+the advance was made at the proper time and in a soldierly fashion. So
+your people have been complaining because the commander holds them back?"
+
+"Ay, and with good cause. When Colonels Cox and Paris say openly that it
+is cowardly for us to loiter here, surely there must be some reason in
+their words. A full third of this force believe we should have come in
+front of Fort Schuyler yesterday mornin', an' think you all those can be
+mistaken, an' only General Herkimer stand in the right?"
+
+"Then it _is_ insubordination!" Sergeant Corney said, sadly, and the
+sentinel replied, angrily:
+
+"It is only common sense and a desire to aid the Cause. If we are eager to
+begin a battle which will drive the Tories and their painted allies from
+the valley, surely that man is a criminal who would hold us back."
+
+"If you had been where this lad and I have just come from, able to see
+what was seen by us, you would talk in a different strain," the old
+soldier said, hotly. "Why, man, Colonel Gansevoort himself sent us back to
+request that you remain here until he signals, so that everything may be
+prepared for your comin', and we, knowin' how important it was you delay
+until the proper moment, risked our lives twenty times over in the effort
+to bring the word."
+
+"Then Colonel Gansevoort is as great a coward as General Herkimer, for we
+are of sufficient strength to march whithersoever we will."
+
+Sergeant Corney turned as if to go, and then suddenly wheeling upon the
+sentinel, said:
+
+"I do not read my Bible, as a man should; but yet I remember that in it
+can be found these words: 'Fools die for want of wisdom,' an' I'm
+allowin', my friend, if you have any desire to linger in this 'ere world,
+that you take the statement home mighty strong."
+
+With this cutting remark, which for a moment I feared would provoke a
+downright quarrel, Sergeant Corney strode off into the darkness, I
+following meekly at his heels.
+
+"Surely there can be nothing which would work harm in this desire of the
+men to go forward," I said, when the sergeant had come to a halt,
+throwing himself down under a tree as if to rest. "It should be a good
+sign when soldiers are eager to go into battle."
+
+"Insubordination, wherever you find it, is the most dangerous condition of
+affairs that can be figgered out. When a man puts himself under a leader,
+whether to fight or to till the land, an' then sets up his opinions
+against those of the one who is supposed to know best, else he wouldn't be
+in command, matters have come to a mighty dangerous pass. Instead of
+helpin' the men inside the fort, this regiment is likely to bring them to
+grief, unless things are changed, an' that right soon. Now get what sleep
+you can, lad, before the encampment is astir," the old man added, changing
+his tone very suddenly, and before I could obey he drew out his rifle from
+the hiding-place where he had left it when we set off for the fort.
+
+I laid myself down by his side; but it was not to sleep, for I realized
+that the old soldier would not have spoken in such a tone unless matters,
+according to his belief, had been in a most serious condition.
+
+I was still speculating upon the situation, sorrowing because the men
+would, at such a time, while the lives of so many depended upon concerted
+action, set up their individual opinions against those who had been put in
+authority over them, when a bustle on every side told that the soldiers
+were awakening to a day of noble struggle for their country, or worse
+than criminal bickerings.
+
+If Sergeant Corney had really closed his eyes in slumber, which I doubted,
+he was now awakened by the many noises, and a plan of action must have
+been presented to him in his dreams, for he spoke like one who is
+determined upon some decided course, as he said to me:
+
+"Now, lad, we'll fill ourselves up with one good hearty meal, if it so be
+this mutinously inclined army has a proper store of provisions, and then
+it is for us to decide whether we stay among those who are like to come to
+grief if they have their own way, or push out for ourselves."
+
+I did not understand fully what he meant; but it was sufficient for me
+that he was no longer in doubt as to what was best, and right willingly
+did I obey his orders, for my stomach was uncomfortably empty.
+
+There was no lack of food in this command which seemed to be divided
+against itself, and the breakfast would have been to me most enjoyable but
+for the sauce with which it was served.
+
+Every man's tongue was loosened as if its owner was the only man amid all
+the company who knew exactly which was the wisest course to pursue, and I
+dare venture to say never a commander had under him at a critical moment,
+such as this certainly was, so many pig-headed recruits.
+
+Only once during the brief meal was Sergeant Corney asked for
+information, although the word had passed around the encampment that he
+and I were but just come from Fort Schuyler, and then it was that the old
+soldier gave those insubordinate men such a tongue-lashing as they
+deserved and I dare say had never before received; but, storm as he might,
+it seemed as if all the arguments he brought up in favor of General
+Herkimer's carrying out the plans suggested by Colonel Gansevoort, only
+served to make those imitation soldiers more fixed in their opinions.
+
+And for all this unseemly wrangling, when it was almost a crime to raise
+one's voice against an order of the commander, I lay the blame upon the
+two colonels, Cox and Paris, who, instead of holding their men firmly in
+check, as was their duty, openly declared that General Herkimer was in the
+wrong; thus fomenting what promised to be a most serious disturbance, and
+what was finally paid for over and over again in blood.
+
+It was perhaps half an hour after daybreak when Colonel Cox, the same
+officer who by injudicious use of his tongue had well-nigh compassed the
+death of us all during the powwow with Thayendanega, approached General
+Herkimer while the latter was walking slowly around the encampment as if
+on a tour of inspection, and said, in a tone so loud that all in the
+vicinity might hear it:
+
+"Are we to go forward, sir, as men should who set out to relieve a
+besieged fort, or must we loiter here until the enemy has worked his
+will?"
+
+For an instant the general made no reply, and Sergeant Corney whispered to
+me, angrily:
+
+"That man deserves to be shot, an' all the more so because he is high in
+command. I've seen troops in many a tight place durin' my life, but never
+before heard any thin' that quite come up to that."
+
+When, after a pause of fully a moment, General Herkimer spoke, it was to
+ask:
+
+"Do you know that messengers have come from Gansevoort, asking that we
+hold our hands until he shall give the signal?"
+
+"I have heard that it is pretended such a message has come," Colonel Cox
+replied, in a most offensive tone, and I could see Sergeant Corney
+clenching his fists tightly, as if thereby the better to hold himself in
+check, for surely were we two entitled to make reply to such an implied
+accusation.
+
+"The garrison will make a sortie immediately after giving the signal, and
+we can thus go into action with some hope of success," General Herkimer
+said, mildly and firmly. "To advance before Gansevoort is ready would be
+to imperil the lives of all this command."
+
+"Speaking more particularly for yourself, sir, I suppose," Colonel Paris
+said, with a sneer, and it would have given me the greatest pleasure to
+have struck him down for that insult.
+
+Then the three officers, still disputing, or, I should have said, the two
+colonels still insulting their commander, who continued to bear with them
+beyond that point where forbearance ceases to be a virtue, passed out of
+earshot for the time being, and the men in the immediate vicinity took up
+the subject, until, to my surprise, I found that nearly all of them sided
+with the insubordinate colonels.
+
+Five minutes later the three officers had approached so near where
+Sergeant Corney and I were sitting that we could hear their words once
+more, and then, to my indignation and the old soldier's anger, Colonel Cox
+cried, in a fury, as he planted himself directly in front of the
+commander:
+
+"You are not only a coward, sir, but a Tory!"
+
+I shall always hold that General Herkimer was a brave man, because, after
+a severe effort which was evident to us all, he so far mastered his
+righteous anger as to say, quietly:
+
+"I am placed over you as a father and guardian, and shall not lead you
+into difficulties from which I may not be able to extricate you."
+
+Unless the soldiers of the command had been literally beside themselves,
+such words would have brought them to a proper frame of mind; but as it
+was, the temperate reply seemed to inflame their anger, and on the moment
+there was a very babel of outcries, amid which it was only possible to
+distinguish the demand that the force be led toward Fort Schuyler without
+delay, regardless of any message which the sergeant and I might have
+brought.
+
+I could see, rather than hear, for the tumult was exceeding great, that
+the two colonels continued to demand that the commander follow their plans
+rather than adhere to his own, and it was a veritable fishwoman's squabble
+during twenty minutes or more, when General Herkimer apparently lost his
+temper for the first time, and cried, in a tone so loud that the words
+could be distinctly heard all over the encampment:
+
+"I will give the command to march forward, and you shall soon see that
+those who have been boasting loudest of their courage will be the first to
+run on meeting the enemy."
+
+"I was afraid it would come to that," Sergeant Corney whispered to me,
+with a sigh. "It don't stand to reason that any man could hold his temper
+a great while under such a tongue-lashin' as those curs gave the
+commander, an' I'm predictin' that every mother's son of 'em will rue this
+mornin's work."
+
+Immediately the unwilling permission for them to do as they pleased had
+been given, the men set about making ready for the advance as if each
+moment was of the greatest value, and in an incredibly short time after
+General Herkimer had been bullied into agreeing to that which his better
+judgment told him to be wrong, the company was ready for the march.
+
+"Are we to go with them?" I asked of the sergeant, believing for the
+moment that it would be wiser for us to form an independent command of
+two.
+
+"Ay, lad, I'm thinkin' that we had best stand by the general, for he may
+be needin' us before this mornin's work is done, an' we sha'n't be takin'
+a great deal of time from Jacob, because, in case of arrivin' before
+Colonel Gansevoort is ready for us, the scrimmage will soon be over."
+
+The two colonels, who were responsible for this unsoldierly method of
+conducting a campaign, busied themselves with getting the men into lines,
+and all the while telling what it was possible for them to do to St. Leger
+and his force, as if anything of value could be done when the idiots did
+not have sufficient sense to make inquiries of those who could give them
+full information regarding the strength of the enemy whom they were so
+soon to meet.
+
+Even had Sergeant Corney not decided to follow the commander before the
+line of march had been arranged, he would have done so later, because
+General Herkimer beckoned us to approach when he took his place at the
+head of the column.
+
+"Are you counting on coming with me, despite the unnecessary danger which
+we know will be encountered?" he asked, and Sergeant Corney replied,
+promptly:
+
+"Ay, sir, that we are, and had already settled it in our own minds."
+
+"Which portion of the besieging troops are we likely to meet first, if we
+follow the trail?" the general asked.
+
+"Thayendanega's camp lies southeasterly from the fort; but how far it may
+be from the trail, I cannot say."
+
+At this moment the report of a rifle from the direction of where the
+outermost sentinels were stationed startled every one, including those
+bloodthirsty colonels, and for a moment all stood silent and motionless,
+waiting to learn the cause of the alarm.
+
+Then it was that the sentinel with whom the sergeant and I had already
+spoken, came running into camp, for it seemed a favorite trick of his to
+desert a post of duty whenever inclination prompted.
+
+It was Colonel Cox who asked, advancing:
+
+"Did you fire that gun?"
+
+"Ay, sir; I saw two Indians in the thicket, coming as if from the
+direction of this camp."
+
+"Did you kill either of them?"
+
+"I do not think I even scratched 'em. The wood is too dense for much good
+shooting."
+
+Colonel Cox wheeled around as if the information was of no especial
+importance, when even a boy like me understood somewhat of its import,
+and, carelessly saluting the commander, reported that the troops were
+ready for the word to march.
+
+The general, who was mounted, spurred his horse on to the head of the
+column, Sergeant Corney and I following as best we might, and once in the
+lead he gave the command.
+
+"Is nothing to be done toward finding out whether the Indians whom the
+sentinel saw, succeeded in getting back to their own camp?" I asked of my
+companion, and he replied, grimly, with what was very like a smile of
+satisfaction on his wrinkled face:
+
+"These officers who have so much wind to spare in camp cannot afford the
+time to consider such trifles as a few scouts skulkin' around to make
+certain of what we are doin'."
+
+"An' we are like to find ourselves ambushed!" I cried, in dismay.
+
+"Ay, that's what we are, lad, an' I'm thinkin' there will be no way out of
+the difficulty until some of these insubordinates are killed off, which
+will be greatly to the advantage of the command, accordin' to my way of
+thinkin'."
+
+I will set down here that which I read in a book several years after the
+day Sergeant Corney and I followed General Herkimer on what we believed to
+be a most ill-advised and hazardous march, in view of Colonel Gansevoort's
+request, and from the words it will be seen that I am not the only person
+who lays blame of all that happened upon those loud-mouthed, imitation
+soldiers who were so soon to show themselves cowards.
+
+"The morning was dark, sultry, and lowering. General Herkimer's troops,
+composed chiefly of the militia regiments of Colonels Cox, Paris,
+Visscher, and Klock, were quite undisciplined, and their order of march
+was irregular and without precaution. The contentions of the morning had
+delayed their advance until about nine o'clock, and the hard feelings
+which existed between the commander and some of his officers caused a
+degree of insubordination which proved fatal in its consequences.... A
+deep ravine crossed the path of Herkimer in a north and south direction,
+extending from the high grounds on the south to the river, and curving
+toward the east in semicircular form. The bottom of this ravine was
+marshy, and the road crossed it by means of a causeway of earth and logs.
+On each side of the ravine the ground was nearly level, and heavily
+timbered. A thick growth of underwood, particularly along the margin of
+the ravine, favored the concealment of the enemy."
+
+All the colonels of this small army were on horseback, a fact which caused
+me no little astonishment, for I had heard my uncle say again and again,
+and there can be no question but that he was a brave and skilful soldier,
+that the man who went in the saddle to meet savages was courting his own
+death.
+
+So great was my indignation against these men who had badgered the
+commander that I mentally hugged myself with delight because of their
+folly, not only in thus riding, but in moving the column without scouts
+ahead to learn the whereabouts of the enemy, or to ascertain what might be
+in front of, or on either side of them.
+
+It is true that Colonel Visscher's regiment was detailed as a rear-guard,
+and I question if even such a precaution would have been taken but for the
+fact that the provision and ammunition wagons, which were not able to move
+at as rapid a pace as the men, needed something in the way of protection.
+
+It was not until we had advanced half a mile or more that I bethought
+myself of the position in the column which Sergeant Corney and I occupied
+because of attempting to follow General Herkimer closely.
+
+In event of an ambush being prepared for our reception, and I confidently
+expected that such would be the case after the sentinel had seen Indians
+lurking nearabout the camp, we two would be in a most dangerous position,
+and I made mention of that which was in my mind to the sergeant.
+
+"Ay, lad, you may be right, an' yet I am questionin' whether we shall be
+any worse off here than further in the rear, for if it so be
+Thayendanega's sneaks count on ambushin' us, I can tell you to a dot just
+where it'll be done. They will let this gang of men--you can't call 'em
+soldiers after what we have seen--get well into the ravine before makin'
+any attack. Consequently it will be about the centre of the line that
+suffers most."
+
+"You mean that if trouble comes it will be at the ravine over which is
+the causeway?"
+
+"Ay, lad, an' there's no question about our gettin' it hot there!"
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VIII.
+
+The Ambush
+
+
+
+I am willing to confess that I grew more and more frightened as we neared
+the ravine, and but for the disgraceful scenes of insubordination which
+occurred earlier in the morning, I would have cried out against the folly
+of thus going blindly into such trap as Thayendanega's murderers had
+probably prepared for us.
+
+As it was, however, I would not let these mutinous men who called
+themselves soldiers see that we from Cherry Valley would question a
+commander's orders, whatever might be the situation, and I held my peace,
+but with much effort and inward fear.
+
+There was little attempt made by these representatives of the Tryon County
+militia to hold in military formation during the march, each man trying to
+outstrip his neighbor, as if this advance upon a foe of superior strength
+could have no more serious consequences than that some might be left
+behind, and when one of the company came up to my side with words of
+complaint because the general would not move faster than a walk, I said,
+angrily:
+
+"It can make but little difference if you are not killed at the first
+volley, for the savages will have ample time to finish us all off after we
+have walked into their trap."
+
+"So you are one of the weak-kneed, eh?" the man cried, with a sneer, and
+my anger was too great to permit of my making reply; but Sergeant Corney,
+who had heard the insulting words, said, sharply:
+
+"You may talk to that lad about bein' weak-kneed after you have shown the
+courage he has within the past four an' twenty hours. You an' your
+mutinous comrades prate loudly of bravery when there is no enemy in sight;
+but I'll lay odds that not one out of an hundred like you would dare go
+alone from here to the fort!"
+
+"Oh, you are the messengers who claim that Colonel Gansevoort asked us to
+remain idle until he should give the signal, eh?" the fellow said, in an
+offensive tone, and Sergeant Corney raised his rifle clubwise, as if to
+strike him down, but held his hand as he said, slowly, and in a tone which
+was full of menace:
+
+"But that you are already so near your death at the hands of the enemy, I
+would make certain you never again questioned my word! We did go to the
+fort, while you were engaged in the manly sport of badgerin' your
+commander, an old soldier who knows his business, an' had you been with us
+it is certain you'd never made the attempt to get back. Go on to your
+death, you fool, an' I'll hope it don't come so soon but that you'll have
+time to realize you did all in your power to bring it about the more
+speedily."
+
+By this time we were well within the ravine which has already been
+described, and the old soldier had hardly ceased speaking when from amid
+the foliage ahead and on every side came a circle of fire like unto the
+lightning's flash, followed by the crackling of firearms, which served to
+drown the death-cries from every portion of our lines.
+
+We had marched like children into the ambush, and on the instant a blind
+rage took possession of me because I had followed the mutineers when I
+knew full well to what they were hastening.
+
+Even as the flashes of light sprang out from among the leaves, I saw
+Colonel Cox, he who was responsible for all that flood of death, leap high
+in the air, only to fall back dead, and at the same moment General
+Herkimer's horse reared and screamed in a death-agony.
+
+It was as if every second man of the command fell before that withering
+fire, and in the midst of the tumult of groans, screams, and savage
+war-whoops could be heard shouts behind us, telling that the rear-guard,
+who a few moments previous were prating of their bravery, had turned and
+fled like cowards that they were.
+
+More than the rear-guard would have beat a retreat at that moment, but for
+the fact that the baggage-wagons hemmed us in so that flight was
+well-nigh impossible.
+
+It seemed as if I lived a full hour during the terrible ten seconds that
+elapsed after the first volley was fired by the hidden foe, and then I
+heard Sergeant Corney crying in my ear, his voice sounding as if afar off:
+
+"It is for you an' I, lad, to look after the general! He is wounded!"
+
+Then it was that I realized the commander was pinned to the earth by his
+dead horse, and, without being really conscious of my movements, I ran to
+his side.
+
+The old soldier and I had no more than bent over General Herkimer to learn
+how we could best release him from his dangerous position, when a second
+volley came from amid the foliage, and those alleged soldiers of the
+command who were yet alive ran wildly to and fro like frightened chickens,
+seeking some way of escape, rather than standing up like men to battle for
+their own lives.
+
+Without really seeing it, I was conscious that all this was taking place
+around us, and then I heard Sergeant Corney say to the general, in a
+matter-of-fact tone:
+
+"That's a bad wound in your knee, sir."
+
+"Ay, but there's no time to think of ourselves just now. The cowards must
+be brought to their senses, or every one of them will be shot down," was
+the reply of the man whom his own soldiers had taunted with cowardice not
+an hour previous.
+
+Acting under Sergeant Corney's commands, for the old man was as cool as if
+he had been born amid just such scenes of carnage, I helped raise the body
+of the horse until it was possible for General Herkimer to roll himself
+out from beneath the dead animal, and, while we worked to aid him, the
+commander was crying to his men to stand firm if they would save their own
+lives.
+
+"Rally, there!" he shouted, yet lying, unable to move, upon the ground.
+"Stand firm, and we yet have a good chance of holding our own!"
+
+All the while Sergeant Corney and I worked over him he continued to cheer
+the frightened men, until, by the time we had dragged him to where he
+could sit upright with his back against a huge tree, placing his saddle
+beneath him to serve as a prop, the men were beginning to understand that
+the only chance for life was to fight desperately.
+
+The wagons in the rear, and the horde of savages which had closed in upon
+us, prevented any save those who had first fled, from retreating, and by
+the time a full third of the command had been killed or disabled, the
+remainder understood that it would be well to turn to the man they had so
+lately reviled, for possible safety.
+
+Sergeant Corney and I gave no heed to what was going on around us until we
+had bound up the general's knee in such a manner that there was no longer
+danger he would bleed to death, and when this had been done I noted that
+our people had taken shelter behind the trees, where they could strike a
+blow in their own defence.
+
+The Indians, understanding that the first daze of terror had passed away,
+leaving their intended victims in condition to do considerable execution,
+fell back a short distance to where they could find shelter, and thus,
+thanks to General Herkimer, it was no longer a massacre, but a battle.
+
+When Sergeant Corney and I had done all we could to render the commander
+more comfortable, we took our share in the fight, remaining close beside
+General Herkimer meanwhile, lest the Indians make an attempt to take him
+prisoner.
+
+Within half an hour from the time the first volley had been fired, our
+people were doing good execution, and yet the enemy's line was closing in
+upon us slowly but surely.
+
+"Tire 'em out, lads!" the general shouted, encouragingly. "You never yet
+saw a painted snake who could take much punishment, an' it's only a
+question of holding your own awhile longer. Make every bullet count, for,
+although we have ammunition in plenty, there is no good reason why we
+should waste any."
+
+Then the commander, most likely in order to set his men an example of
+coolness, rather than because he needed the fumes of tobacco, quietly
+lighted his pipe, and, seeing this, our people cheered at the same time
+they shot down every feather-bedecked form that was exposed to view.
+
+[Illustration: "'Tire 'em out, lads!' the General shouted"]
+
+A few moments later General Herkimer gave the word that our force form a
+circle, in order to meet the foe at every point, and after this had been
+done the enemy were the better held in check.
+
+Even at the moment I was surprised when I found myself thinking of the
+danger to which Jacob must be exposed, rather than of my own desperate
+plight. While on the alert for a living target, I speculated whether he
+was yet free, and if he had discovered the whereabouts of his father.
+
+I had no idea as to the flight of time, and could not have told whether we
+had spent ten minutes or sixty in that struggle for life, when, without
+warning, the floodgates of heaven were opened. The rain came down
+literally in torrents; it seemed as if the water descended in solid sheets
+rather than drops, and, no matter how bloodthirsty a man might have been,
+he could no more have continued the battle than if he had been neck-deep
+in the river.
+
+Savages as well as white men were forced to cease their efforts to kill,
+and for a time we crouched beneath such poor shelter as the trees
+afforded, but drenched to the skin in a twinkling.
+
+General Herkimer was in no better plight than those who were the most
+exposed. The fire in his pipe was drowned out; but he continued to hold it
+between his teeth as he said, in a low tone, to Sergeant Corney:
+
+"Pass the word quietly for our people to close in where it will be
+possible to hear what I say. Thus far I've noted that the savages have
+watched until a rifle has been discharged, when they rush up and use their
+hatchets. We can put an end to that kind of butchery."
+
+The old soldier did as he had been bidden, moving to and fro without fear
+of exposing himself, for the downpour was so great that no man could have
+loaded a musket with dry powder, and even while the storm continued the
+circle was contracted until the commander was enclosed by a living hedge.
+
+Then it was that orders were given for the men to take their stations in
+couples, and, when one had discharged his rifle, the other was to wait
+until the Indians came up to kill the supposedly defenceless soldier, when
+a second bullet would be ready for them.
+
+Much to my surprise, I heard General Herkimer say that a full hour had
+elapsed from the time the first volley had been fired, and it stiffened
+the courage of all to learn that we had been able to hold the foe in check
+so long.
+
+Immediately the summer storm had so far sub-sided that the weapons could
+be loaded, the battle was continued, raging with even more fury than
+before, as the enemy tried to overwhelm us by a sudden rush, and in a very
+few seconds the painted fiends came to understand that it was no longer an
+easy matter to tomahawk a man immediately after he had fired a shot.
+
+When the savages found that their tactics were guarded against, it seemed
+as if they lost courage, and gradually fell back a little, having had
+quite as much of Whig marksmanship as was pleasing.
+
+Because we could no longer see as many targets before us, the fire was
+slackened considerably, and then some one on the outer lines of our
+defensive circle shouted:
+
+"They are bringin' up the Tories! Here come the Johnson Greens!"
+
+Although I was standing well in the centre of our force, it was possible
+to see the uniforms of that band of renegades which Sir John had armed and
+equipped that they might kill their neighbors, as the men came up to take
+the place of the retreating redskins, and, if anything had been needed to
+stiffen the backs of our people, surely they got it when seeing those whom
+they had once called friends, moving into line to compass their death.
+
+I had thought that the men under General Herkimer's command fought bravely
+after the cowards were weeded out, and those who were left understood
+that, but for the mutiny in camp, the ambush would not have been
+successful; but now they seemed like veritable tigers as the Tories came
+into the battle.
+
+There was no longer any thought of fighting from behind trees, but each
+man pushed forward intent only on vanquishing the renegades, until none
+save Sergeant Corney and I were left to guard our wounded commander.
+
+I will set down here that account of the battle from this point, which I
+found some time since in a book containing the story of the fight in the
+ravine, sometimes called the Battle of Oriskany:
+
+"Major Watts came up with a detachment of Johnson's Greens to support them
+(the savages), but the presence of these men, mostly refugees from the
+Mohawk, made the patriots more furious, and mutual resentments, as the
+parties faced and recognized each other, seemed to give new strength to
+their arms. They leaped upon each other with the fierceness of tigers, and
+fought hand to hand and foot to foot with bayonets and knives."
+
+While this portion of the battle was at its height, we suddenly heard the
+reports of firearms from the direction of the fort, and my heart leaped
+into my throat, for I understood that Colonel Gansevoort was making the
+sortie for which we should have waited.
+
+Nor was I the only one who thus realized that the Britishers and their
+painted allies were at the end of their rope, so far as this fight in the
+ravine was concerned, for our people pressed the foe yet more hotly, and
+in a short time the savages raised the cry of "Oonah! Oonah!" which told
+that they had had enough of the battle.
+
+So far as my experience goes, and I have had considerable from first to
+last, Indians are only brave when they have the advantage; but, let the
+tide turn against them, and they are veriest cowards.
+
+Hemmed in as we were, our ranks thinned by death and the desertion of the
+rear-guard, it should have been possible for the enemy to cut us down to a
+man, and yet the retreating cry of the savages sufficed to send all that
+force back to the encampment, leaving us in possession of the field, even
+though we might not rightly be called victors.
+
+Some of our people, upon whom the fever of battle had fastened more
+firmly, would have pursued the cowards, even though it might have been to
+come directly upon the main army, who were then, doubtless, engaged in
+checking the sortie from the fort; but General Herkimer sent a squad of
+the cooler soldiers after them, with the result that the valiant Johnson
+Greens were allowed to continue their retreat unmolested.
+
+And it was high time we had a breathing-spell. More than two hundred of
+General Herkimer's force lay dead among the trees, while even a larger
+number were so seriously wounded as to be unable to defend themselves,
+therefore it was impossible for us to act in concert with those who were
+making the sortie, and the commander issued orders to fall back.
+
+The contents of the baggage-wagons were thrown out to make room for our
+wounded, and, while the uproar of the battle near the fort rang in our
+ears, we retreated from that valley of death.
+
+Now those who had raised their voices against the general, accusing him of
+cowardice, did all within their power to make atonement by their care of
+him, and willing hands bore him on a litter that he might be spared the
+pain of transportation in the lumbering wagons.
+
+It was a sorry train that left the ravine, not stopping to bury the dead
+because of the certainty that St. Leger's army would come to finish the
+bloody work as soon as the force from the fort had been driven back, and
+when it was in motion Sergeant Corney gripped me by the arm, as he said:
+
+"Our road is not in that direction, lad. Yonder men may take the repose
+which they do not deserve after havin' brought about all this disaster;
+but we must face danger once more, an' perhaps for the last time."
+
+"Meanin' that we're to go back in search of Jacob?" I asked, feeling for
+the moment as if it would be impossible for me to voluntarily turn my face
+in the direction of the enemy, now that I was no longer animated by the
+fever of battle.
+
+"Ay, lad, our duty is now toward him, havin' done all we may under General
+Herkimer's command. As I figger it, we're free to do as we choose, for we
+can no longer aid those who are goin' back when, but for rankest mutiny,
+they might have entered the fort amid the cheers of victory. If Colonel
+Gansevoort is forced to surrender, it can all be set down to the credit
+of those who howled so loudly this mornin' that they could march straight
+through the enemy's lines."
+
+"There is little hope we can find Jacob after so long a time has passed,"
+I said, thinking of the perils that must necessarily await us while we
+tried to make our way through Thayendanega's camp.
+
+"I grant you that, lad, an' yet we are bound to make the venture, or let
+it be said that we deserted a comrade when he needed us."
+
+"We did that same when we pressed on toward the fort," I suggested,
+feebly.
+
+"Ay, an' because we were in duty bound to carry the general's message. Now
+that work has been done, we are free."
+
+I could not well say anything more against his plan without laying myself
+open to a charge of cowardice,--and at that moment I really was a
+coward,--therefore I stood ready to follow him.
+
+There were provisions in plenty strewn on the ground, having been thrown
+out of the wagons to make room for the wounded, and from such store
+Sergeant Corney gathered up as much as would serve us during four and
+twenty hours.
+
+This we stuffed into the pockets of our shirts; filled our powder-horns
+and bullet-pouches from the ammunition on the dead bodies, and then we
+were ready to leave that valley of death.
+
+All this while it was possible to hear the din of that battle which was
+being fought near the fort; but as we advanced it became evident that the
+conflict was subsiding.
+
+It would have been folly for the besieged to do other than beat a retreat,
+when it could be seen that General Herkimer's men were not in a position
+to take advantage of the sortie, and as soon as might be the brave fellows
+sought the shelter of the fort once more, leaving twenty of their comrades
+between the lines as victims of the mutiny among the Tryon County
+militiamen.
+
+Much to my surprise, Sergeant Corney appeared sadly disappointed when the
+tumult of battle died away, and I asked if he believed that the people
+from the fort should have made an attempt to inflict more punishment upon
+the enemy.
+
+"Not a bit of it, lad," the old soldier replied, promptly. "They have
+already done more than could have been expected; but yet I had a hope that
+the scrimmage would have lasted a bit longer."
+
+"Why?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"Because we stand a better chance of circlin' around to where we left
+Jacob, while the villains have somethin' to keep 'em busy. Now there's no
+longer any need to fight, they'll likely keep sharper watch. Yet I count
+that Peter Sitz, if they haven't killed him already, has a bigger show of
+livin' a spell longer than he had last night."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because it stands to reason that Thayendanega's beauties have taken more
+than one prisoner, an' will have a better supply of livin' material for
+the stake than before. Peter may be lucky enough to keep his hair a spell
+longer; but there'll be many a poor wretch who'll taste of torture this
+night."
+
+"An' perhaps Jacob may be one of them!" I cried, in an agony of
+apprehension, and from that moment it was not necessary the old soldier
+urge me forward, for I burned with the desire to do all I might to find
+our comrade before it should be too late.
+
+When we left the ravine in search of the lad, it was necessary we advance
+over much the same course as when we carried General Herkimer's message,
+and it was slightly in our favor that we knew fairly well at how great a
+distance from the general encampment of the enemy we must keep in order to
+avoid running into the Indians.
+
+Then, again, it seemed probable we had a better chance of making our way
+around this circle than when we first traversed it, because just at this
+time Thayendanega's villains had received such a drubbing at the hands of
+the patriots as would most likely prevent them from having any keen desire
+to come upon more white men.
+
+It was also probable, as Sergeant Corney had suggested, that they had
+taken a number of prisoners during the fight with the garrison of the
+fort, as well as at the ravine, and the murderous scoundrels would be so
+occupied with making preparations for torturing such poor unfortunates as
+to neglect their duties as St. Leger's allies.
+
+When I had thus viewed the situation, it did not appear such a difficult
+matter for us to gain a station to the southward of Thayendanega's
+encampment; but coming across Jacob was quite a different proposition.
+Finding a needle in a hay-stack seemed much more simple than running upon
+a lad who was doing his best to remain hidden from view, unless,
+perchance, he had already been captured.
+
+"It ain't any easy job, figger as you will," Sergeant Corney said, when I
+had put the situation before him from my point of view. "But I'm reckonin'
+that we're goin' to come somewhere near succeedin'. We can count on doin'
+pretty much as we please from now till to-morrow mornin', providin' we
+don't stick our noses into the camps of the Britishers or Tories, for you
+can set it down as a fact that every red-faced wretch will have
+considerable on hand this night. The only trouble will be that we may have
+to keep within cover while they're torturin' some poor fellow under our
+very shadows. You'll have to keep in mind that Peter an' Jacob Sitz are
+the only white men we're after, an' shut both eyes an' ears to every one
+else."
+
+"Suppose Jacob has been made prisoner? Would you risk your life to save
+him?"
+
+The old man made no reply until I had repeated the question, and then he
+said, slowly:
+
+"If there was any show of bein' able to work the trick, you could count
+on me to the end; but if he _has_ fallen into their clutches, unless some
+wonderfully big turn of affairs comes in our path, we would be only
+throwin' away the lives of both without chance of helpin' him. I've heard
+long-tongued boasters tellin' how they'd rescued a prisoner from an Indian
+camp, but I never believed anything of the kind, for it ain't to be done
+more'n one time in a thousand, an' then you'd have to find a lot of
+red-skinned idjuts to work on."
+
+Sergeant Corney had used a good many words in replying to my short
+question, and I believed he had done so to the end that I might not fully
+understand what he meant.
+
+As I made it out, however, he would turn his back on poor Jacob in case
+the savages had him in their power, and I asked myself again and again
+what course I should pursue in such a situation.
+
+We made a long détour around the battle-field in order to avoid as much as
+possible the danger of stumbling upon the enemy's scouts, and, when the
+afternoon was half-spent, had come, as nearly as we could guess, to a
+point due south from Thayendanega's camp.
+
+"How far do you reckon we are from St. Leger's force?" I asked, when
+Sergeant Corney threw himself on the ground within shelter of a clump of
+bushes, as if for a long halt.
+
+"Three miles or more from their lines of sentinels, if they've got any
+out, an' we're none too far away, 'cordin' to my figgerin'. After sunset
+we'll work in toward 'em; but there needn't be any hurry, for I'm
+reckonin' that we don't want to do much work till after midnight. If Jacob
+is still free to do as he pleases, there's little danger he'll come to
+grief 'twixt now an' mornin'."
+
+"Unless he should see them torturin' his father, an' then it's certain
+he'd make a fight, no matter how great the odds against him," I suggested,
+thinking of what I would be tempted to do under similar circumstances.
+
+"In that case we're better off where we are. I don't allow that a lad has
+any right to deliberately throw away his own life, an' that's what Jacob
+would be doin' if he showed himself when the villains had his father at
+the stake."
+
+"He couldn't stand still an' see it done."
+
+"True for you; but, no matter how he might feel, it's his duty to think of
+his mother, an' surely she would say that it was better one came home,
+than for both to be killed."
+
+"It's a mighty hard outlook," I said, with a sigh.
+
+"You're right, an' at the same time you ain't makin' matters any better by
+chewin' it over. A man don't fit himself for a fight by figgerin' out all
+the possible horrors."
+
+"An' you think we'll have a fight before this venture is ended?"
+
+"I'll leave it to you if somethin' of the kind don't seem reasonable,"
+the old man replied, grimly, and then he set about making a dinner from
+the supply of provisions we had found in the ravine.
+
+After that I made no more effort to keep up a conversation, and tried very
+hard to force from my mind any speculations regarding Jacob and his
+father, but with poor success. It seemed as if every subject had some
+bearing upon the matter, and so disagreeable was the constant harking back
+to what was beyond my control, that I really felt glad when the shadows of
+night began to lengthen, for almost any kind of action was better than
+remaining there in hiding, eating one's heart out.
+
+Sergeant Corney gave no sign that he realized night had come, until I
+called his attention to the fact, and then he said:
+
+"Ay, lad, the time is drawin' nigh; but I reckon that we'll be wise to
+hold on as we are a spell longer."
+
+Then he lay back as if bent on going to sleep, and I held my peace,
+determined to say no more even though he remained there until sunrise.
+
+It must have been ten o'clock before he showed signs of life, and then he
+rose to his feet as he said:
+
+"I allow that we'd better be movin', though there ain't any great need of
+hurryin'. We'll be able to cover three miles in an hour, an' even then be
+a bit early for good work."
+
+"How will you set about findin' Jacob?" I asked, giving words to the
+question which had been in my mind ever since we came to a halt.
+
+"Our only chance is to keep movin' nearabout Thayendanega's camp, an'
+trustin' to accident for comin' across him."
+
+Sergeant Corney strapped his rifle on his back, as if believing he would
+have no use for it; but he made certain his knife was loose in its sheath,
+and I understood that if we had trouble it would be at close quarters.
+
+At last we were ready, and this time the sergeant did not propose that I
+lead the way.
+
+He strode off in advance, with never a glance backward to see if I was
+following, and in silence we went on toward the danger-point at a swift
+pace, until the old man halted to say, in a whisper:
+
+"There should be sentinels nearabout, unless Thayendanega believes he has
+killed all the decent men in the Mohawk Valley; so have your wits about
+you, lad, for a mistake now will cost us dearly."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IX.
+
+The Indian Camp
+
+
+
+I claim that it is nothing to my discredit when I say that there was a
+great fear in my heart while we advanced at a snail's pace, after having
+come to that point where we might reasonably expect the Indian sentinels
+would be posted.
+
+In the darkness, moving amidst the dense foliage, where it required the
+utmost care to avoid betraying one's whereabouts, advancing blindly into
+you knew not what peril, was well calculated to make even the most
+courageous feel a bit timid.
+
+At any moment we might literally stumble over a party of warriors in such
+numbers that there could be no possibility of making our escape, and in
+case we should come face to face with no more than four or five of the
+enemy, it would be well-nigh useless to show fight, because of the
+hundreds everywhere around who could be summoned to the assistance of
+their comrades.
+
+Before we had advanced an hundred paces, I became convinced that it was
+impossible we should be able to reconnoitre the camp and return to the
+point from where we had set out without being killed, or, what was worse,
+taken prisoner, and yet, had I known for a certainty that such fate
+awaited us, I would not have let Sergeant Corney know of my unwillingness
+to follow him.
+
+Sorely did I blame Jacob for having forced us into such a position of
+danger, when there was little hope any good could be effected by our
+coming, and more than once I promised myself that, if by any fortunate
+chance I succeeded in arriving at Cherry Valley again, no one could tempt
+me to leave it.
+
+It was useless, however, to mourn over what could not be cured. We had
+come there voluntarily, and, unless both of us were willing to write
+ourselves down as cowards, must perform the task.
+
+It was well-nigh midnight before we heard anything of the enemy, and then
+a faint hum of voices in the distance told that Sergeant Corney had led
+the way truly and wonderfully well. Never again would I say that he was
+not thoroughly versed in woodcraft.
+
+The old soldier gripped my arm to make certain I understood that we had
+come near to the enemy, and then inch by inch we moved forward, halting a
+few moments every time we incautiously caused a rustling among the
+foliage.
+
+[Illustration: "Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a
+huge fire"]
+
+How long that slow progress continued I cannot rightly say; but it seemed
+to me as if the morning was near at hand when we were arrived, having
+miraculously passed such stragglers, scouts, or sentinels as might have
+been in the vicinity, at a point where we could have a view of this
+particular portion of the encampment.
+
+Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a huge fire,
+while half as many more were feasting, preparing their own food by cutting
+it from the carcasses of two oxen which lay near at hand, and broiling it
+on the live coals.
+
+I knew sufficient of savage customs to understand that, if there had been
+any torturing of prisoners during the evening, such fiendish work was at
+an end, and that which we were witnessing was but the ending of the
+barbarous sport.
+
+Now it was that I mentally thanked Sergeant Corney for having delayed so
+long before starting, for it would have been agony indeed had we been
+forced to witness the horrible spectacle of a white man suffering under
+the knives and by the fire of these wolves in human form.
+
+We remained there stretched out at full length on the ground, with no
+possibility of gaining information which might be of service to us in the
+future, ten minutes or more, and then, suddenly, I was forced to exert all
+my will-power to prevent a scream of fear from escaping my lips, for what
+was unmistakably a human foot had been planted directly upon my leg.
+
+Like a flash, after I succeeded in restraining myself from giving an
+alarm, came the knowledge, I know not how, that he who had stumbled upon
+me was no less frightened than I, and, clutching Sergeant Corney's leg
+nervously to attract his attention, I sprang upon the newcomer, believing
+him to be some Indian straggler whom it was absolutely necessary we should
+silence in order to save our own lives.
+
+So quick had been my motions that the fellow had no opportunity to get
+away, save at the cost of betraying himself to us, and by what seemed to
+be the most fortunate chance, I succeeded, when leaping blindly forward,
+in gripping him by the throat.
+
+We went down together, I on top striving most earnestly to strangle him to
+death, and he fighting quite as strenuously to throw off my hold.
+
+Before one could have counted ten I began to realize that this stranger
+who was at my mercy appeared quite as much afraid of making a noise as did
+I, and involuntarily my grasp was loosened ever so slightly, for I
+understood that had it been an Indian he would have done his best to
+attract the attention of those near the camp-fire.
+
+With this thought came the knowledge that I had beneath me one clad much
+like myself, and not the half-naked body of such villains as marched in
+Thayendanega's train.
+
+Then it was, and just as Sergeant Corney came up to us, that I loosened my
+grasp entirely in order to pass my hands over the stranger's face and
+head.
+
+There were no feathers, no daubs of paint, which should have been
+apparent to the touch, and I whispered, with my mouth close to the
+fellow's ear, while yet pinioning his arms in such a fashion that he could
+not well move:
+
+"Who are you?"
+
+"A white man," came the reply, the words sounding thick and muffled
+because of the squeezing which the speaker's throat had received.
+
+Then like a flash came to me that which I should have suspected before!
+
+It was my comrade for whom we had been searching that I was grappling
+with, and, just as the old soldier knelt by my side knife in hand to put
+an end to the struggle, I whispered, for the darkness was so intense that
+I could not even see the face which was but a few inches from my own:
+
+"Are you Jacob Sitz?"
+
+"Ay; an' you?"
+
+"It is the sergeant an' Noel, lad, an' right glad am I that we came to
+know each other just as we did, else would your blood have been on our
+hands."
+
+Jacob apparently gave no heed to the close shave which had been his, so
+great was the delight at knowing we were with him once more, and we three
+sat with our heads close together in order that we might question and be
+questioned without fear of betraying our whereabouts.
+
+"Where have you been all this time?" I asked, and Jacob replied, softly:
+
+"Hangin' around this camp. Twice have I come near bein' discovered, an'
+of a verity I believed, when you clutched my throat, that this was the
+last--the endin' of it all."
+
+"Have you seen your father?" Sergeant Corney asked, and the lad replied,
+triumphantly:
+
+"Ay, an' had speech with him."
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"In a lodge near Thayendanega's, an' until to-night there has been no
+great danger he would be tortured, as I believe because of the sachem's
+promise that he shall not be killed."
+
+"How did you get to speak with him?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"Within three hours after leavin' you I was hereabout, an' saw him. That
+night I crept through the village undiscovered, for even the dogs failed
+to bark at me, I know not why, an' there talked with my father as I now
+talk with you."
+
+"If you got away, why could not he have done the same?" I asked, surprised
+that Jacob should have succeeded in making his way among the lodges.
+
+"I urged him to make the attempt, but he claimed that there was no hope we
+two could leave the village undiscovered. First he was bound hand an'
+foot, an', although I might have cut my way through the lodge to release
+him from the fetters, he forbade it because of the risk, sayin' I must not
+endanger my life on account of mother, an' insistin' that at some future
+time escape would be more easy than then. He ordered me to go home at
+once, providin' I could not find you, an' I would have done so this night
+but for the battle of the mornin'."
+
+"Why did that stop you?" I asked. "Surely you had no part in it?"
+
+"No; but the savages were so infuriated that I feared even Thayendanega
+himself would be unable to prevent the wretches from leadin' my father to
+the stake, therefore I remained on watch. Three prisoners have been
+murdered in a most barbarous manner, but yet he was left unmolested in the
+lodge. Have you somethin' to eat?"
+
+I took from my pocket all the food remaining, and the lad devoured it like
+one famished, whereupon Sergeant Corney asked:
+
+"Have you had nothin' to eat since we left you?"
+
+"I gathered some roots an' berries, but not enough to satisfy my hunger."
+
+"An' yet you would have stayed here longer in danger of starvation?"
+
+"Ay, until havin' satisfied myself that father was as safe as one can be
+who remains in the power of such as are encamped here. Did you come for no
+other purpose than to find me?"
+
+"Nothin' more," I said, not minded to let him know that if he could show
+any reasonable chance of rescuing Peter Sitz it was our purpose to give
+him aid.
+
+"Where have you been all this while?"
+
+"That is too long a story to tell now," Sergeant Corney interrupted. "If
+the savages are not likely to do more than dance from now till mornin', we
+may as well find a shelter in which to spend the morrow, an' then I'm of
+the opinion that the three of us had best make tracks for Cherry Valley,
+as Jacob's father advised."
+
+As he ceased speaking, Sergeant Corney would have led us out of the
+thicket; but Jacob whispered, softly:
+
+"Not half a mile away is a small cave--no more than a hole in the
+hillside, an' there we may remain hidden durin' the hours of daylight."
+
+"Lead the way, an' we will follow," the old man said, in a tone of
+command, and straightway Jacob did as he was thus ordered.
+
+Knowing, as the lad did, very nearly where the Indians might be found, we
+advanced with reasonable rapidity, until having come to the place of which
+he had spoken.
+
+It was indeed no more than a hole in the ground, and so small that when we
+three were lying at full length inside with our heads toward the opening,
+it would have been a very small cat who could have found a chance to lie
+down comfortably with us.
+
+Some bushes and a tangle of creeping vines hid the entrance most
+admirably; but, after we were once inside, I questioned to myself whether
+we had not been reckless in coming directly to this place without taking
+precautions to cover our footprints, for, should a keen-eyed savage chance
+to see our trail, there was good reason for believing he would follow it
+up.
+
+However, we were there, and the mischief might not be undone readily,
+therefore I held my peace, saying mentally that if Sergeant Corney and
+Jacob were satisfied with having taken no especial precautions, then of a
+verity ought I, the least experienced in woodcraft of the three, be
+content.
+
+When Jacob had eaten all the small store of provisions which I gave him
+without having apparently satisfied his hunger, he insisted on our telling
+him what we had done since he left us, and I related the story much as it
+is set down here, spending a full hour in the recital.
+
+When I had finally come to an end, the old soldier proposed that as soon
+as another day had passed we should turn our faces toward Cherry Valley,
+for, after receiving the commands of his father, Jacob could do no less
+than go home.
+
+I understood full well that the lad would have encountered any danger or
+suffered every privation rather than leave this place where his father was
+held prisoner, even though there was little or no hope he could aid him;
+but yet he did not argue against the plan, and thus was it settled that
+when night came again we would start on our journey.
+
+"Save for the fact that father himself insisted I should go, no one could
+force me to leave here," Jacob said, after a long pause, and Sergeant
+Corney added, soothingly, saying that which I question if he himself
+really believed:
+
+"You can do no better, lad. If Thayendanega has given his word to save
+your father's life, so will it be, despite all the howlin' wolves in his
+followin'. But if you should stay here and be discovered tryin' to rescue
+him, there is little doubt that it would result in the death of both."
+
+With that we fell silent once more, and I was right glad of an opportunity
+to sleep.
+
+Jacob insisted that the old soldier and I give ourselves up to slumber
+while he kept guard, for he did not need the rest as much as we.
+
+Therefore it was that I slept soundly and sweetly until a full hour past
+noon, and when I awakened the sergeant was peering out through the leafy
+curtain in front of the cave, while Jacob was enjoying his turn at sleep.
+
+"Can you see the camp?" I asked, wriggling forward until my head was close
+beside his, and then it was not necessary he should make reply, for we had
+from this place of vantage a fairly good view of the red-skinned portion
+of St. Leger's army.
+
+It is true that the trees and bushes screened certain portions of the
+encampment, but the greater number of the lodges were in a clearing, and
+Sergeant Corney pointed out to me that shelter which Jacob had told him
+was the one where his father was confined.
+
+The Indians were lounging about lazily, some stretched at full length
+sleeping, others gathered in little companies, squatting on the ground as
+they smoked and talked, and not a few moving slowly to and fro; but never
+one who appeared to have any business on hand.
+
+There were both women and children in the camp, which struck me as being
+odd, for when savages set off on the war-path it is not customary for them
+to take their families; but I explained this peculiar state of affairs to
+myself by the supposition that the women had been brought that they might
+do the work, which is deemed unfitting a warrior.
+
+"Jacob counts on payin' one more visit to his father before we start,"
+Sergeant Corney said to me, when, having wearied with gazing at the scene,
+I turned away.
+
+"To what end?" I asked, with somewhat of irritation, for it did not seem
+to me wise the lad should run the chances of capture when nothing was to
+be effected by taking such risks.
+
+"Only that he may speak with him."
+
+"But it is folly!" I said, sharply. "It has been possible for him to go
+into the village twice; but of a certainty it cannot be done many times in
+safety."
+
+"You are right, lad, an' yet how can we refuse him? Fancy if your father
+was in the same tight place, an' ask yourself if, when about to turn your
+back on him, perhaps forever, the desire to hold converse with him once
+more would not be stronger than the fear of disaster?"
+
+To this I could make no reply, as a matter of course; yet I was still
+firmly convinced that it was a foolhardy venture. If there had been a
+possibility of his doing the prisoner any good, then would I have said
+that we would stay on until further efforts were of no avail. As it was,
+however, Peter Sitz himself had said it was wiser for Jacob to go, and
+surely he, the most interested and the most experienced in such matters,
+should be the judge.
+
+I held my tongue, even though rebelling against the scheme, because of
+knowing that the lad was prompted only by love, and yet my heart grew
+heavy within me, until I had become convinced that something of evil would
+follow.
+
+So disturbed was I in mind that it was impossible to close my eyes in
+slumber again, even though knowing that my best preparation for the
+journey would consist in getting all the rest I could.
+
+Sergeant Corney had fallen into what seemed to me a moody silence; I
+looked out now and then at the painted forms of those human wolves, who
+would lay waste our happy valley, and wished most fervently that I had the
+power to destroy them all with one blow.
+
+When one has seen, as have I, women and children butchered in the most
+fiendish manner which a wicked man can devise, he cannot consider
+bloodthirsty the person who would, if he could, wipe out the entire race.
+It would only be an act of mercy to the colonists, who lived in momentary
+fear, not so much of sudden death as of barbarous torture.
+
+Jacob slept until nightfall, and when he awakened the first thought in his
+mind was to set off on his dangerous and useless venture; but Sergeant
+Corney advised that he wait until the night was well advanced, and to this
+I agreed, although chafing against the expenditure of time, because he
+would but have ensured his own capture had he ventured among the wretches
+while the entire encampment was astir.
+
+We did not have supper for the very good reason that we had no provisions,
+but buckled our belts a bit tighter, because already was hunger beginning
+to assail us.
+
+As we waited for the lengthening of the night, Jacob went over in detail
+his experiences while Sergeant Corney and I were with General Herkimer,
+and this served to make the time seemingly pass more swiftly.
+
+The savages evidently had no fiendish sport on their programme for this
+evening, most likely because of having exhausted themselves the night
+previous, and at a reasonably early hour this portion of St. Leger's army
+was in a comparative state of quietude.
+
+"Now, if ever, is the time when you can go, lad; but remember that I
+advise against it, as would your father," Sergeant Corney said, gravely.
+"I am not minded to argue you out of what your heart is set upon, but ask
+that you give the matter due weight before goin' so far that retreat will
+be impossible."
+
+"I must speak with my father once more," Jacob said, in a tone so piteous
+that I did not have the heart to make any protest.
+
+"Then God go with you," the old soldier said, solemnly, and in a twinkling
+my comrade had slipped out of the cave, being lost to our view almost
+immediately amid the foliage near at hand.
+
+When we were thus left alone a silence fell upon us. Because of the
+forebodings in my heart I was not inclined for conversation, and I dare
+venture to say the sergeant held his peace for much the same reason.
+
+During half an hour, perhaps, we listened intently, fearing each instant
+lest we hear those sounds which would betoken the capture of Jacob, and
+then did it seem probable he had succeeded in the venture, at least so far
+as gaining the village was concerned.
+
+Regarding him I had no further anxiety, and, without being aware that
+slumber was weighing heavily upon my eyelids, I fell asleep.
+
+I could not have been unconscious many moments, for it seemed as if my
+eyes had but just closed, when I was aroused by the pressure of Sergeant
+Corney's hand upon my arm, and as I would have sprung up he forced me
+down, whispering:
+
+"The savages are comin' this way, an' it looks to me mightily as if they
+counted on stoppin' hereabouts."
+
+Involuntarily I parted the vines at the mouth of the cave, for I had been
+lying with my head close upon them, and gazed down the side of the small
+hill, where it was possible to see, even despite the gloom of the night,
+no less than ten forms coming up the incline as if following a trail.
+
+"They have taken Jacob, an' he has told them where we are," I said on the
+impulse of the moment, not meaning to cast reproach upon the lad, but
+knowing what fiendish means those wretches employed in order to extort
+information.
+
+"We would have heard the noise of a squabble if he had been captured, an'
+I have stood watch ever since he left," Sergeant Corney said, decidedly.
+
+"Can they be followin' our trail in the darkness?" I cried, and my
+companion replied, grimly, drawing his rifle nearer to him:
+
+"It makes no difference to us, lad, why or how they are comin'. The
+question is whether, in case they find this place, we shall fight to the
+death or submit without resistance."
+
+It was a question I could not answer. I knew full well that we could not
+hope to hold the cave any considerable length of time, and that if, during
+the fight, we killed any of the villains, our end at the stake would come
+before morning, even though Thayendanega himself should do all he might to
+prevent it.
+
+I remained silent, the Indians approaching nearer and nearer each instant,
+and, when they were half-way up the hill, within perhaps thirty yards of
+the mouth of the cave, the sergeant said, as if speaking to himself:
+
+"All we can hope for, if we should put up a fight, is to die with weapons
+in our hands, for death in some form would come to us within a few hours.
+While there's life there's a chance."
+
+"Meanin' that we had best give ourselves up?" I asked, in alarm.
+
+"Ay, lad, that is my idee, unless you can show me something better."
+
+There was little time for reflection. Already were the Indians so near
+that I fancied I could hear them breathing. I knew that the cave had no
+other outlet than this one at which we crouched, but also that two
+determined men might hold half an hundred in check as long as their
+ammunition lasted--but then?
+
+The foremost of the red-skinned snakes were within a dozen feet of us when
+I whispered, with tremulous voice:
+
+"It shall be as you say, sergeant!"
+
+[Illustration: "With upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of
+foliage"]
+
+
+
+
+Chapter X.
+
+Prisoners
+
+
+
+I believe if at that critical moment I had decided it was best we hold the
+cave against the foe, regardless of the ultimate consequence, Sergeant
+Corney would have done my bidding. But immediately I declared myself
+willing to act as he thought best, the old man threw down his rifle, and,
+with upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of foliage into the
+very arms of those who were coming up the slope.
+
+Just for one instant there was in my mind the thought that I might slink
+back into the further end of the cave, and possibly escape detection,
+unless it so chanced that the savages knew exactly how many were hidden
+there. But, fortunately, before there was time to do anything so cowardly,
+a realization of what it meant to thus hang back when I had spoken the
+words which sent my comrade forward came upon me with full force, and I
+followed him so closely that he could not have had any suspicion of that
+which, for the merest fraction of time, found lodgment in my heart.
+
+It was too dark for me to see the look of triumph on the faces of our
+captors; but I knew they wore such expressions, because of the cries of
+satisfaction and shouts of delight which burst from them when we, unarmed,
+stood in their midst.
+
+I was satisfied in my own mind that they had seen the trail, even in the
+darkness, which had been made when we three entered the cave, or by Jacob
+as he went out, and had followed it rather from curiosity than the belief
+that white men were in the vicinity.
+
+This idea of mine, although there was in it nothing favoring to us, gave
+me no little relief of mind, for it led to the conclusion that Jacob was
+yet free.
+
+After the first outburst of rejoicing at having taken two captives at a
+time and in a place where they least expected to find them, the Indians
+set about securing us in the most businesslike manner.
+
+Some one of the party brought strips of rawhide, by which our hands and
+arms were bound tightly to our sides, and with so large a surrounding that
+it would have been impossible to escape even had we been unfettered, they
+led us down to the village, where we were greeted by the squaws and the
+children with fiendish cries of delight.
+
+I knew enough of savage customs to understand that we would be forced to
+submit to a certain amount of ill-treatment from the female portion of the
+band before the warriors decided upon our fate, and nerved myself to bear
+it as best I might, realizing that any show of weakness at such a time
+would work to our disadvantage later.
+
+We were tied to a tree, Sergeant Corney on one side and I on the other,
+within twenty paces of Thayendanega's lodge, where the light of the
+camp-fire shone full upon us.
+
+The braves of the tribe seated themselves in a circle, as if holding a
+council to determine our fate, while the squaws and the young boys amused
+themselves by holding stout sticks in the fire until one end was a living
+coal, and then placing these against our hands, until the pain was so
+great that only by summoning all my strength of will could I prevent
+myself from screaming.
+
+Even at such a time, when our lives were literally hanging in the balance,
+I found somewhat of comfort in the thought that Sergeant Corney was with
+me, and not very far away Peter Sitz could probably see us.
+
+It may be difficult to understand why knowledge of that kind should serve
+to cheer one at such a horrible moment, and I myself cannot explain it. It
+simply remains a fact that I seemed in less danger of being murdered than
+if I had been the only prisoner in the encampment.
+
+"It's plain that Jacob was not captured, else we would see him near by,"
+Sergeant Corney said to me, and I tried my best to enter into conversation
+with him, to the end that I might in some slight degree take my mind from
+the torture which, perhaps, was but a foretaste of what I would be forced
+to suffer.
+
+"He will be overcome with grief on knowin' that by lingerin' to speak once
+more with his father we were captured, an' I fear the lad may be led to
+some foolishly reckless move," I said, at the same moment trying to stifle
+a groan.
+
+"If he will but stop a moment to rigger the matter out, he'll understand
+that only by keepin' clear of this camp can he hope to help us," the old
+man replied, and I asked, sharply:
+
+"Do you really believe, sergeant, that any one can aid us now?"
+
+"Tut, tut, lad; do not give yourself up for dead yet awhile. So long as
+there's life there's a chance. Peter Sitz has been in the clutches of
+these villains many a day, an' yet, 'cordin' to Jacob's story, he's as
+sound an' hearty as when he left Cherry Valley."
+
+"Ay; but his life has been saved because Joseph Brant knew him before the
+dream of bein' made great sachem of the Six Nations turned that redskin
+into the most bloodthirsty of savages."
+
+"Yet had you been in Peter Sitz's place when he was first taken prisoner,
+your despair would likely have been as great as it seems to be now."
+
+I knew that Sergeant Corney would say many things which he himself did not
+believe, if he thought thereby he might strengthen my courage for the
+terrible ordeal which was probably before us; therefore his words of
+cheer had less weight than might otherwise have been the case.
+
+Not until it seemed to me every square inch of my hands had been burned to
+a blister, and there was a livid, red mark across my forehead, where an
+old hag had scorched me with a burning brand, did the squaws tire of their
+cruel sport, and then we were left comparatively alone, with sufficient of
+pain to keep us so keenly alive to the situation that weariness of body
+did not make itself apparent.
+
+"We came to aid Jacob, and now ourselves are standing in need of
+assistance," I said, bitterly, for this seemed like the irony of fate.
+
+"True for you, lad, an' yet we won't look at it in that light. But for
+marvellous good luck we would have been made prisoners before this,
+therefore let us reckon it simply as the fortune of war, and not count
+Jacob the cause of our trouble."
+
+I would have replied yet more bitterly than before, but for the fact that
+at the moment it so chanced my eyes were fixed upon the lodge wherein our
+comrade had said his father was held prisoner, and I saw the flap pulled
+cautiously aside.
+
+Then the face of a man could be seen close to the ground, and I said,
+eagerly, to my companion, who, perforce, had his head turned in the
+opposite direction:
+
+"Peter Sitz is lookin' at us."
+
+"I would he had remained ignorant of our whereabouts," Sergeant Corney
+muttered, and I asked, in surprise:
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because, in addition to his own sufferin', he must believe that we've
+been brought to this plight through tryin' to aid him, an' it only serves
+to make his troubles greater, without lessenin' ours."
+
+Sergeant Corney was rapidly becoming a hero in my eyes, for surely it is a
+brave man who, when he stands in most imminent danger, can think rather of
+others than himself.
+
+We spoke but little from this time on, the sergeant and I. The rawhides,
+which were tied so tightly as to nearly stop the circulation of blood,
+were eating their way into our flesh, and the pain thus caused became
+greater than the smarting of the blisters raised by the burning brands.
+
+We knew that those who formed that circle of painted forms but a short
+distance away were deciding whether we be put to torture immediately, or
+reserved for some especial time of rejoicing, and there grew upon me such
+a fascination as is sometimes brought about by keenest peril, until I
+almost forgot the desperate situation as I watched those who held our fate
+in their hands, trying to discover from the expression on their hideous
+faces what might be the result of the conference.
+
+As the moments passed I sank into a sort of apathy, until it was as if
+some other lad's fate trembled in the balance, and I myself was looking
+down upon the encampment from a secure place of refuge.
+
+The fires burned dim. One by one Thayendanega's heathens stalked away to
+his lodge, until the council was finally brought to a close; a deep
+silence came over the encampment, as if all, save that white face which I
+could see just beneath the flap of the lodge in front of me, and we two
+who were bound to the tree, were wrapped in slumber.
+
+"We can count on remainin' alive at least until to-morrow night," Sergeant
+Corney said, as if imparting some cheering information, "for these
+wretches do not torture a prisoner in the daytime."
+
+"Unless some change is made speedily I will not be in their power, for of
+a verity I am dyin', Sergeant Corney," I said, and he, thinking, of
+course, to cheer me, laughed almost merrily as he replied:
+
+"Nonsense, lad, you are a long ways from bein' dead. I allow your body is
+numbed, but that's all. If these strips of rawhide were slackened a bit,
+you'd soon find yourself feelin' as well as ever, save, perchance, for the
+blisters upon your hands."
+
+"If we _could_ stretch them a bit," I cried, trying vainly to change the
+position of my arms.
+
+"Ay, but you can't, lad, an' by makin' the effort you'll only cause them
+to bind the tighter."
+
+How that long night passed I cannot well say. The agony of mind, together
+with the bodily pain, benumbed all my senses until I was like one in a
+trance, hearing nothing, seeing nothing, save the gleam of that white
+face beneath the flap of the lodge where Peter Sitz kept mournful watch
+upon us.
+
+The morning came, and like one under the influence of some hideous
+nightmare I became aware that the savages were loosening the rawhide
+thongs. Faintly, with but little curiosity regarding the matter, I
+wondered if we were to be killed at once, regardless of the usual customs
+of such wretches.
+
+When the bonds had been removed the sergeant and I sank down upon the
+ground helpless, unable to move hand or foot, and in that condition we
+were dragged into the lodge where was Jacob's father.
+
+There we were bound quite as securely and cruelly as before, the thongs
+cutting fresh welts into our wrists and ankles; but the relief caused by
+the change of position was so great that it seemed as if I had every
+reason for thankfulness.
+
+Here, when our captors had made certain we could not by any possibility
+escape, we were left alone with Peter Sitz, and his first question was as
+to why we had ventured within reach of the enemy.
+
+Sergeant Corney, minded to save our neighbor from the self-reproach which
+might be his if he knew we were in such plight through desire to aid his
+son or himself, replied that we had been sent into the vicinity by General
+Herkimer, and then explained how we came across Jacob, as well was the
+manner in which we had been taken prisoners.
+
+"Will they torture us to death?" I asked, giving words to that question
+which had been uppermost in my mind from the moment we saw the painted
+sneaks approaching the cave, and Master Sitz replied, with a painful
+effort at cheerfulness:
+
+"It's for you to believe that they won't, lad. Remember how long I've been
+in their power, an' yet have come to no real harm, so far as life is
+concerned, although this bein' trussed up like a chicken ready for the
+roastin' is by no means pleasant or comfortable."
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney, minded as I now believe only to change
+the subject of conversation, asked Master Sitz why it was we had failed to
+see him during the march from Cherry Valley to the Indian village.
+
+The explanation was simple, and at the same time served to show, to my
+mind at least, that Jacob's father would not be led to the stake.
+
+It seems that when he was first captured, at the time Lieutenant Wormwood
+was killed, he came face to face with Thayendanega, and that savage
+recognized him at once, speaking in such a friendly tone that Master Sitz
+immediately appealed for mercy.
+
+The sachem declared that if he remained with the war party it might be
+impossible to save him, and even went so far in his friendliness as to
+explain that it were better he be sent ahead to the Indian village, for,
+having once arrived at that place, there was little fear of the warriors
+demanding his death until on some especial occasion.
+
+Therefore, within half an hour after having been made prisoner, Master
+Sitz was being hurried forward to Oghkwaga, under charge of two savages,
+and was well on his journey before we started.
+
+When, immediately after the interview with General Herkimer, Thayendanega
+hurried his tribe on to join St. Leger's forces, he so far submitted to
+the demands of his followers as to allow them to take Peter Sitz on the
+war-path with them.
+
+"More than once have the red devils insisted on torturin' me; but each
+time Joseph Brant has prevented them, although I question if he could have
+done so but for the unfortunate men who were captured in the battle with
+General Herkimer's troops."
+
+Peter Sitz ceased speaking very suddenly, and I had not the courage to ask
+him how those prisoners suffered; I could imagine that they came to a most
+horrible end, and knew that my worst picturing of it would fall far short
+of the reality.
+
+Then Jacob's father spoke of the possibility that we might escape with our
+lives; but it was evident he did so with an effort, and I had it in mind
+that he only tried to cheer me, while he was convinced that his end, as
+well as ours, would come at the stake before the siege was finished.
+
+And now I do not propose to make any effort at giving in detail all that
+occurred while we lay cruelly bound, during a greater portion of the time,
+in this lodge, situate almost in the centre of the Indian camp.
+
+For eight days we were kept thus close prisoners, without a ray of hope,
+and then came the unexpected.
+
+At least once in every twenty-four hours, and sometimes twice, the bonds
+were taken from our arms that we might feed ourselves on such food as
+savages cast to their dogs. Perhaps thrice in that long term of captivity
+were we permitted to walk around the lodge, and, save for that short
+respite from our suffering, I believe of a verity we would have lost the
+use of our limbs.
+
+Half-starved, suffering oftentimes the keenest pangs of thirst, and
+believing that all this torture was the preface to something yet worse, it
+can well be imagined that we were indeed a sorry party. Even Sergeant
+Corney ceased trying to animate us, for despair had seized upon him.
+
+When we did hold converse among ourselves, it was usually regarding Jacob.
+We had neither seen nor heard anything of the lad since the hour he left
+us in the cave to get speech with his father, and it was to me wondrous
+strange that he who had been so eager when there was but one prisoner, had
+apparently lost all desire to render aid after two more had been captured.
+
+During the first two or three days we believed he was skulking around
+somewhere near at hand, with the vain hope that he might be able to effect
+our escape; but as the time passed on it became certain that such could
+not be the case, otherwise he would have succeeded in making his way to
+the lodge, as he had done when his father was the only occupant of it.
+
+So far as I could make out, there was no more vigilant guard kept after we
+were taken than before, and the lad must have succeeded in getting speech
+with us had he made the effort during those times when the savages gave
+themselves up to dancing or feasting, as occurred at least once in every
+eight and forty hours.
+
+Then we decided he had gone in search of General Herkimer's men, thinking
+to enlist a sufficient number of them in our behalf; but if such had been
+the case we should have heard something from him, at least when eight days
+were passed, and after that time we made no mention of the lad, believing
+he had been discovered near the encampment and killed outright.
+
+And now it must be understood that during all this time St. Leger's army
+was laying close siege to Fort Schuyler, and, strange as it may seem, we,
+closely confined in that lodge of skins, had a fairly good idea of what
+was happening.
+
+More than one of the Indians spoke English, and, not unfrequently, the
+Tories or British officers came to visit Thayendanega in his own lodge,
+when we could overhear a goodly portion of the conversation.
+
+Thus it was we knew that Colonel Billinger and Major Frey, officers from
+General Herkimer's force, who had been taken prisoners by some of the
+British during the battle of Oriskany, had been compelled, under threats
+of torture, to write a letter to Colonel Gansevoort, misrepresenting St.
+Leger's strength, and advising him to surrender.
+
+We also knew that this letter, written under pressure, was delivered by
+Colonel Butler, who went to the fort with a flag of truce, and, when the
+commandant flatly refused to surrender, the Tory officer threatened that,
+in case it became necessary to take the fortification by force, the women
+and children inside would be delivered over to the mercies of the Indians.
+
+Fortunately Colonel Gansevoort was too brave a man to be frightened by
+such threats, and when Colonel Butler told him that Burgoyne had already
+taken possession of Albany, he became thoroughly well convinced that the
+officer was deliberately lying to him.
+
+At all events, he refused to surrender, and two days later General St.
+Leger sent a written demand, the reply to which contained the emphatic
+statement that it was Colonel Gansevoort's determined resolution with the
+force under his command, to defend the fort to the last extremity.
+
+We learned also, through different friendly visits which were paid to
+Joseph Brant by the officers, that General St. Leger was continuing the
+siege in true military fashion, advancing by parallels slowly but surely,
+and it was the belief of all our enemies that they must of a necessity
+soon succeed in their purpose.
+
+The information which we thus obtained did not tend to make us feel any
+more comfortable in mind. In case the fort was taken, the utmost we could
+hope for would be to escape death, but at the cost of remaining, no one
+knows how long, as slaves to the savages.
+
+If, however, the garrison made such a resistance as we believed they
+would, and then were finally overcome, the Indians being allowed to wreak
+vengeance until their thirst for blood was satisfied, then was it probable
+we would go to the stake with a goodly company and little chance of
+escape.
+
+However, I am not minded to set down here all our fears. One can readily
+understand how many and great they were, and how we twisted and turned
+each additional bit of information which we gathered by eavesdropping,
+until it seemed as if matters which had no bearing whatsoever on our
+condition were a direct and deadly menace.
+
+I have said that we were eight days closely confined in this one lodge,
+and then came the night when we were lifted from out the mire of despair
+into which we had fallen, so suddenly as to make us literally dizzy with
+hope.
+
+During the afternoon of this day Thayendanega's warriors had spent their
+time laying on an unusual quantity of paint, and arraying themselves to
+the last feather of their finery, therefore we knew that something of
+considerable importance was on foot. When they marched out of the
+encampment, the medicine-men leading the way, with the beating of drums
+and blowing of horns, we believed a council of war was to be held, in
+which these wretches, most likely to tickle their vanity, had been invited
+to take part.
+
+When, just as they were setting out, the rain began to fall heavily and
+the wind to blow in a manner which betokened a summer storm, I found the
+wildest delight in picturing to myself the discomforts which would be
+theirs unless St. Leger had tents sufficient to provide them all with
+shelter.
+
+At another time I would have given little heed to such a trifling matter,
+but now it seemed of so much importance that I spoke to my companions in
+misery regarding it, picturing the bedraggled condition of the fine
+feathers after they had become thoroughly saturated, and was talking with
+more of animation than at any time since having been made prisoner, when
+suddenly a sound, as of some one scratching on the skin of the lodge,
+caused my heart to bound until it seemed positive its furious beatings
+could be heard a long distance off.
+
+"It is Jacob!" I cried, speaking incautiously loud.
+
+A warning hiss from Peter Sitz brought me to my senses, and in a fever of
+suspense I listened for the sound which had first attracted my attention,
+to be repeated.
+
+The silence remained unbroken, save for the lightest rustling of the
+skins, until, in the dim light to which my eyes had been so long
+accustomed, I saw Jacob's head and shoulders inside the lodge.
+
+It was only with difficulty I restrained myself from crying aloud with
+joy, for now it seemed, even surrounded by enemies though we were, that
+because my comrade had come were we rescued.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XI.
+
+The Escape
+
+
+
+So great was my delight at seeing Jacob slowly working his way into the
+lodge, that there was no room in my heart for surprise. I entirely forgot
+to be astonished because after so long a time he had returned, or to
+question why it was he dared venture within the encampment.
+
+Only the fact that he was there presented itself to my mind, and I gave no
+heed to anything else.
+
+I struggled violently to reach the dear lad, intent on throwing my arms
+around him in order to show how deeply I felt this devotion of his which
+had brought him back, perhaps, to a terrible death; but Master Sitz and
+Sergeant Corney remained silent and motionless until Jacob was well within
+the lodge. Then his father said, conveying reproach even in the whisper:
+
+"Why have you come here after once having gotten well away from the place?
+You can do us no good, an' only hope to add to the savages' list of
+victims."
+
+"They have not got me yet," Jacob replied, cheerily, and I understood
+that his courage had been greatly stiffened since the night he crept out
+from the cave. "There's a big powwow goin' on over at St. Leger's camp,
+an' no one is on guard hereabouts. This is the time when, if ever, you can
+escape."
+
+It seemed to me as if the lad talked the veriest nonsense in speaking of
+our escape by simply crawling away from the lodge, situate as it was in
+the very midst of the encampment; but Jacob had the whole plan in his
+mind, and was not to be disheartened, however much cold water we might
+throw upon it.
+
+It may seem strange, but such is the fact, that even when thus surrounded
+by danger my curiosity was so great that I asked him, even before he had
+time to explain how he hoped to effect our rescue, where he had been so
+long.
+
+"At Cherry Valley," he replied, as if a journey there and back was the
+most simple thing imaginable.
+
+"Meanin' that you have been home since the night you left the cave?" I
+repeated, in astonishment.
+
+"Ay, no less than that."
+
+"But why did you do it?" I cried, speaking so loudly as to call forth a
+warning groan from Sergeant Corney.
+
+"Because I believed it might be possible for you to escape, providin' we
+had help enough near at hand," he replied, and I said, even more
+mystified than before:
+
+"Surely you could not expect to get help for us from Cherry Valley?"
+
+"Ay; and that is just what I did."
+
+"Is my uncle here?"
+
+"No, indeed; he believed my scheme to be so wild that he would hardly
+listen to me, and said you three had the same as come to your death
+already, therefore it was useless to raise a finger in your behalf while
+there were so many hundred people near at hand needin' assistance."
+
+"Who then did you expect would come to our aid?" I asked, and Jacob
+replied, with what sounded very like a chuckle of satisfaction:
+
+"Who else, save the Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley?"
+
+But for the rawhide ropes which held me so cruelly immovable, I would have
+leaped to my feet in astonishment; as it was, I involuntarily gave so
+violent a start as to cause myself considerable pain, and then asked, in
+great heat:
+
+"Why do you play upon our hopes, so lately raised, by declaring that the
+company of lads is here?"
+
+"Not a bit of play about it, Noel," Jacob replied, in so cheery a tone
+that my heart became wondrously light. "Four an' twenty of our company,
+with John Sammons still acting as captain, are within an hundred yards of
+this lodge, an', what is more, we count on takin' you away with us before
+another day shall dawn."
+
+Then it was as if Jacob believed he had satisfied our curiosity so much as
+was necessary at such a time, for without delay he moved from one to the
+other, deftly cutting the rawhide which held us motionless, and three
+minutes had not elapsed from the time he first showed himself inside the
+lodge until our limbs were freed.
+
+We were no longer bound, but yet remained helpless. I could move neither
+hand nor foot, struggle as I might. It was as if my limbs were dead while
+my body yet remained alive; but Jacob, who had in his wild plan considered
+just such a probability, set about chafing my arms and legs until the
+feeling began to return.
+
+He performed the same office for Sergeant Corney, I aiding in the task
+before it was finished; but a good ten minutes elapsed before we had
+command of our limbs, and then it was that even Master Sitz began to
+believe it might be possible for us to escape from the encampment.
+
+While he worked over us, Jacob, understanding that we were being literally
+overwhelmed with curiosity regarding his movements during the long
+absence, explained that he was but a short distance from the cave when we
+were made prisoners, and at first almost gave way to despair because of
+what seemed to him the hardest stroke which an ill fortune could deliver.
+
+During that night he kept us in view, until learning that we would not be
+put to death immediately, and then the lad searched in his mind for some
+plan which might give promise, however slight, of success.
+
+He could not hope that those in the fort, closely besieged as they were,
+would be willing to make a desperate venture in order to aid three men,
+when so many hundred were in peril, and, even though the chances might be
+in favor of Colonel Gansevoort's being ready to make a sortie in our
+behalf, they were decidedly against Jacob's being able to communicate with
+the garrison.
+
+Then it was he bethought himself of the Minute Boys, who were not
+absolutely needed in Cherry Valley after the hundred and fifty soldiers
+were quartered there, and, without knowing how they might be able to aid
+him in the almost hopeless task, he set off at full speed for our home,
+travelling by night as by day, with no more halts than were absolutely
+necessary in order to recruit his strength.
+
+Colonel Campbell, my uncle, was much averse to Jacob's wild plans. He
+believed that, because of the danger which threatened all the inhabitants
+of the Mohawk Valley, it was in the highest degree foolhardy to make any
+such effort toward saving the lives of three people as might jeopardize an
+hundred times that number. However, while saying flatly it was a boy's
+scheme, and not worthy the attention of men, he stated that he would not
+put any obstruction in the way of those who chose to make the hazard,
+save to state openly that whosoever left on such a mission was but
+hastening his own death.
+
+It quickened the sluggish blood in my veins when Jacob said that, after he
+had summoned the Minute Boys and explained to them in what peril we three
+were, never one showed the slightest disinclination to do as he proposed.
+
+John Sammons, the lad who was acting as captain in my absence, insisted
+that it was plainly the duty of every member of the company to do
+whatsoever he might in our behalf, and the result was that the lad had
+been in Cherry Valley no more than half an hour before every member of the
+company was armed and outfitted for the perilous venture.
+
+At the very last moment, however, eight or ten of the number were
+dissuaded by their parents; but the remainder started hotfoot for Fort
+Schuyler, arriving an hour before this last day had dawned.
+
+The only plan which Jacob had formed in his mind was to get speech with us
+as speedily as possible after arriving. Then, if needs be, he would make a
+dash upon the encampment, and trust to the Minute Boys fighting their way
+out with us in their midst.
+
+Fortunately, however, he saw very speedily after daybreak that something
+of import was taking place, and wisely waited until it could be seen that
+every warrior was making ready for a grand powwow.
+
+Now, so he told us, the Minute Boys were waiting hardly more than an
+hundred yards distant, and, if it should be possible for us to make our
+way through the encampment to that point, it was the determination of
+every lad to fight to the best of his ability, with the hope of being able
+to retreat meanwhile in case the Indians were aroused.
+
+He who would not have done his best at escaping after all Jacob's work,
+and in face of the pluck shown by our comrades, deserved of a verity to
+remain prisoner even until he was led to the stake; but, as can well be
+imagined, neither of us three hung back from the hazard, for surely it was
+better to die fighting than be tortured as Thayendanega's wolves could
+torture a human being.
+
+Master Sitz made one stipulation, however, which was that Jacob should
+lead the way as we crept out from the lodge, and, in event of our attempt
+at escape being discovered while we were yet within the encampment, the
+lad was to save himself without giving heed to us.
+
+"There shall not be another victim added to our number," Jacob's father
+said, in a tone of determination. "Strike out for your comrades, in case
+the alarm is given, my boy, and if we are taken again leave us to our
+fate."
+
+Jacob made no reply to this; but I believed that if the need arose he
+would disobey his father's command without compunction.
+
+There was no time to linger. At any moment the powwow might be brought to
+an end, or some warrior return to the encampment, therefore it stood us in
+hand to move quickly, and so we did.
+
+Not until Jacob was well outside the lodge did either of us three make any
+move to follow him, and then Sergeant Corney would have pushed me under
+the skins, which he raised slightly, but that I hung back, declaring it
+was Master Sitz's place to go first; but the old man forced me forward.
+
+How my heart beat when for the first time in eight days I had full command
+of my limbs, and wriggled myself out into the clear air! It seemed as if
+every movement of my arms or legs caused so much noise that the few who
+remained in the lodges must be alarmed, and that I moved at even less than
+a snail's pace, when every muscle was being strained in the effort to
+advance rapidly.
+
+The perspiration came out upon my forehead in great drops, caused, not by
+the heat, but by the mental anguish, and again and again I said to myself
+that Jacob had labored for naught, since it would be impossible I could
+crawl undetected even over the short distance.
+
+And when, in my excited frame of mind, it seemed as if the escape was but
+just begun, I found myself in the thicket amid those lads who had been my
+playmates since I could remember, while each strove to show in silence
+how delighted he was that I had come safely.
+
+Then ensued another time of keenest suspense, when we strained our ears to
+hear the lightest sound which should betoken that the squaws of the
+encampment had been alarmed, and once more our hearts leaped up in joy as
+Master Sitz came behind the screen of bushes.
+
+Now we had only to wait for Sergeant Corney, and, having seen what he
+could do in the wilderness, I had no doubt but that he would succeed in
+his purpose, which he soon did.
+
+Perhaps no more than half an hour had passed from the time we first saw
+Jacob until we three, so lately prisoners, were surrounded by that brave
+band of lads who, by calling themselves "Minute Boys," had excited the
+mirth of the elders of Cherry Valley, and yet never one who was not
+prepared to sacrifice his own life for the welfare of the others.
+
+"What are we to do?" Sergeant Corney said, turning to me, as if I should
+resume command of this company of mine, and I replied, promptly, with
+never a thought of claiming my rights as captain:
+
+"It is for you to lead, sergeant, an' we will obey. There's not one in
+this company so well fitted as you to take us out from amid the dangers
+which surround us."
+
+"Yet my idea of what is safest may seem to the rest of you like veriest
+folly," he replied, as if he would shirk the responsibility, and Master
+Sitz said, eagerly:
+
+"It all seems to me like a piece of folly, Sergeant Corney, even though
+because of it are we brought out from the power of our enemies. You can do
+no more hairbrained things than has already been done by my son."
+
+"Then, if the command be left to me, we shall make our way into Fort
+Schuyler, provided that be possible."
+
+"Fort Schuyler!" I cried, in dismay.
+
+"Ay, lad, an' we shall be there before another day dawns if we live,
+provided we make the start."
+
+"But why not put as many miles between us and this place as is possible?"
+I cried, with no slight show of irritation, for the imminence of the
+danger set every nerve tingling until I could think of nothing save the
+most hurried flight.
+
+"It stands us in hand to go there, first, because they are in need of our
+help, and, secondly, because we shall stand a better show of finally
+escaping from the savages."
+
+"How do you make that out?" John Sammons asked, and I understood from his
+tone that he was not inclined for the hazard.
+
+"Think you Thayendanega's wolves will lose the prisoners whom they counted
+on seeing at the stake, without some effort to retake them?" the old man
+asked, sharply, and John Sammons replied:
+
+"All that we understand; but reckon on puttin' a goodly distance between
+us an' yonder encampment before to-morrow mornin'. Unless there is an
+accident the escape will not be known for many hours, and then should we
+have so much the lead that we could count with some degree of assurance
+upon gaining Cherry Valley."
+
+"In that I do not agree, lad, an' for many reasons. We cannot advance at
+full speed, because it will be necessary to spend some time in learnin'
+whether there be an enemy in the road; but the savages followin' the trail
+may come as fast as their legs can bring them, therefore will they travel
+three miles to our two."
+
+"Ay; but we should be able to hold in good play as many as may overtake
+us."
+
+"That must be accordin' to the fortunes of war. It is hardly to be
+reckoned that we could fight a pitched battle without losin' some portion
+of our company, and I would have this brave rescue of yours accomplished
+with as little cost as may be. Therefore have I in mind to enter Fort
+Schuyler."
+
+I cannot truly say that Sergeant Corney convinced us his plan was the
+best; but certain it is we were silenced, as was no more than proper,
+since it stood to reason he knew best about such affairs.
+
+After this, having made up our minds that we must attempt the perilous
+task, came the question of how it should be done, and on this point the
+old soldier gave us very little opportunity for discussion.
+
+"It is my plan that we circle around the encampment, even beyond St.
+Leger's quarters, in order to get a general idea of what may be goin' on,
+an', havin' arrived at the road westward of the fortification, you lads
+shall get in hidin' while I try once more to open communication with the
+garrison."
+
+"Why should you go alone?" I asked. "We might remain in a body, and thus
+save just so much time. If one can do the trick, then may it be possible
+for two, or a dozen."
+
+"Yes, to make one's way across the open country, I grant you; but
+remember, lad, how long it would have taken to gain admission when we were
+there before had the garrison not been warned that we were in the
+vicinity. This time they will look upon us as enemies until we are near
+enough to make ourselves known, and such a force as is here would appear
+to them like an attackin' party."
+
+The sergeant was right, as I now understood full well, and, although I
+craved not the dangerous work, because my comrades were near at hand I
+desired they should see that I shirked not peril.
+
+However, all seemed to understand that, if the sergeant's plan was to be
+carried out, he should arrange the details, and therefore I held my peace.
+
+In order to gain the westerly side of the fort from the Indian encampment,
+in the vicinity of which we then were, and learn what might be going on
+at St. Leger's headquarters, it would be necessary to cross the river and
+traverse at least two-thirds of a complete circle around the
+fortification.
+
+Much time might have been saved had we crossed the Mohawk to the
+southward, without venturing near the camps of the British.
+
+Sergeant Corney seemed to consider that it was more important to get a
+general idea of the disposition of St. Leger's forces before entering the
+fort, than to save ourselves so much labor, therefore he led the way
+eastwardly half a mile or more, until we were come to the narrowest part
+of the river, when we swam over, afterward heading directly for the main
+encampment of the besiegers.
+
+Still acting under Sergeant Corney's directions, the greater part of the
+company kept at a respectful distance when we were come within the
+vicinity of St. Leger's headquarters, while he, Jacob, and I crept forward
+to reconnoitre.
+
+Because of the many fires and the apparent confidence of the enemy that no
+attempt would be made to surprise them, we had ample opportunity to see
+all that was required.
+
+The biggest kind of a feast, or powwow, or council, or whatever it might
+have been called, was in progress, and so deeply interested were the
+Britishers, Tories, and Indians alike that I believe of a verity we could
+have approached within fifty feet and not been discovered save by purest
+accident.
+
+"Whatever they've got on hand seems to be somethin' that'll last well
+through the night," Sergeant Corney said, as he lay amid the bushes
+watching the various groups of men, both white and red. "If Colonel
+Gansevoort could only know what's goin' on at this minute, I allow he'd
+make such a sortie as would raise this siege in quick order. We couldn't
+have a better night for enterin' the fort, an', if we don't succeed, it'll
+be our fault, or through the blundering of some fool sentinel."
+
+To one who had not been in this vicinity, as had I, the old soldier's
+words might have induced the belief that we were really not exposed to
+danger in making the proposed venture; but I knew full well he believed,
+as did I, that, however many might be feasting and dancing in the
+encampment, there were a certain number watching the fort, and if one of
+them should catch a glimpse of us the business would be at an end right
+speedily.
+
+When Sergeant Corney had satisfied himself with a scrutiny of the camp, he
+led the way to the northward, where the Minute Boys were in hiding, and,
+arriving there, explained in few words the situation, to the end that they
+might be encouraged for that which was to come.
+
+I question if, after showing the bravery they already had, the lads needed
+any words to stiffen their backs; but it pleased the old soldier to make
+it appear as if we had clear sailing before us, and did no real harm.
+
+Then we started on the march, which would be long because it was
+necessary, after passing the encampment, to make considerable of a détour
+in order to avoid, first, a battery of three guns, then one of four
+mortars, and, lastly, a battery of three more guns, all of which extended
+northwesterly from St. Leger's headquarters.
+
+After this distance had been traversed, we passed within less than two
+hundred feet of the line of trenches which had been begun as an approach
+to the fort, and then bore to the southward again, crossing the Albany
+road.
+
+Finally, at perhaps two o'clock in the morning, we arrived at a broad
+elevation, the easternmost slope of which came very near to the outer
+walls of the fort.
+
+Here it would be necessary to advance without cover for perhaps an hundred
+yards, and it was this last and most dangerous work that Sergeant Corney
+insisted on doing himself.
+
+My company found fairly good hiding-places in the thicket near at hand,
+Jacob and I creeping out to the edge of the foliage in order to keep watch
+upon the old soldier as he made his way like a snake over the plain, which
+was almost entirely destitute of vegetation.
+
+He set off without delay, for, owing to the lateness of the hour, there
+was no time to be wasted, and our hearts were literally in our mouths as
+we watched him make his way slowly along, at imminent danger each second
+of being fired upon by the sentinels inside the fort.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XII.
+
+In the Fort
+
+
+
+Everything was in our favor on this night, otherwise Sergeant Corney's
+attempt would not have been the simple matter which it appears as set down
+by me.
+
+True it is we had previously visited the fort, and that while many of the
+enemy's sentinels were on the alert; but because a task has once been done
+is no proof that it may be accomplished a second time. In fact, it is by
+trying a hazardous venture again and again that it becomes yet more
+dangerous, or, in other words, "The pitcher that goes often to the well
+will one day return broken."
+
+I question if there could have been found in the entire Mohawk Valley a
+man who would have performed the task better than did Sergeant Corney. The
+night was not particularly dark, and we who were watching from the
+undergrowth knew exactly where to look for him, but yet there were many
+times when I failed utterly to distinguish his form, although, as I have
+already said, there was nothing in the way of vegetation to screen his
+movements.
+
+Only when he half-raised himself to make certain he was advancing in a
+direct course could we see him, and when, after perhaps twenty minutes of
+such stealthy approach, the deeper shadow cast by the fortification itself
+had been gained, he was entirely lost to our view.
+
+Then was come the time when I feared most for his safety, although, if the
+sentinel had failed to see him making his way across the open space, we
+might have reasonable hope that the remainder of his scheme, less
+dangerous, could be worked without mishap.
+
+It seemed to me as if an hour elapsed from the time he disappeared before
+we saw any sign of him again. The minutes passed laggingly, although while
+there was no outcry we knew full well he had come to no harm; but yet I
+trembled with anxiety until we finally saw a figure upon the wall waving
+its arms, and I said to Jacob:
+
+"That is the signal for us to advance."
+
+"Advance where?" he asked, in perplexity. "Surely it is not possible for
+us to get in at any point."
+
+"We can at least hold communication with those inside if we creep to the
+new portion of the fort, which as yet is only a stockade--the same place
+where the sergeant and I had converse with Colonel Gansevoort."
+
+It appears, as I finally learned, that the sergeant believed I would have
+sufficient sense to understand it was at this place we must effect an
+entrance, if anywhere, and I ought to have known at the time, for, after
+waving his arms to attract attention, he walked along the wall,
+disappearing near what was known as the "horn-works," which as yet were
+enclosed only by a stockade of logs.
+
+To summon the Minute Boys and bring them to the edge of the clearing was
+but the work of a few moments, and then was done that which I venture to
+say has seldom been accomplished during such a siege as was then in
+progress.
+
+For an armed party of nearly thirty to cross an open plain, supposedly
+under the very eyes of the enemy's sentinels, without being discovered, is
+something of which to boast, yet we Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley did
+it without raising an alarm.
+
+When the foremost of us, among whom I was, gained that portion of the
+fortification of which I have already spoken, the sergeant was lowering a
+long ladder over the stockade, and up this we clambered without delay, the
+entire party getting inside the fort within two minutes after the ascent
+was begun.
+
+What a time of congratulation that was! The garrison pressed around to
+praise us and pat themselves on the head, because we had come at what was,
+for them, an opportune time. Not only was the fort reinforced by no
+inconsiderable number, but we brought with us fairly good information as
+to the condition of affairs in the enemy's camp.
+
+The men were yet praising and thanking us for having come at such a time,
+when an officer approached with the word that Colonel Gansevoort wished to
+speak with the leaders of the party.
+
+"That means you, Noel," the sergeant said, patting me on the shoulder.
+"The colonel quite rightly believes that we can give him valuable
+information, an' is eager to have it."
+
+"But I am not the leader of the party," I said, finding time to be a bit
+bashful, now that the imminent danger was passed.
+
+"Who is, if not the captain of the company?" the old man asked, with a
+smile.
+
+"You, an' you always were when we were at home, Sergeant Corney, therefore
+are you doubly the leader now, after having brought us safely in from the
+encampment."
+
+The old soldier flatly refused to present himself as being in command of
+the Minute Boys, and there is no saying how long we might have wrangled
+among ourselves had not Colonel Willett, impatient to see us, come up just
+at that moment.
+
+After asking a few questions, he settled the matter by saying:
+
+"If you lads who have accomplished so much which men might well have
+feared to attempt, are not willing that one should have more praise than
+another, let all those who have been in command at different times present
+themselves to Colonel Gansevoort, and then, mayhap, we shall hear that for
+which we are so eager."
+
+I am free to admit that it was childish in any of us to hang back at such
+a moment, but, thanks to Colonel Willett, the matter was arranged as he
+suggested, Sergeant Corney, John Sammons, Jacob, and I going to the
+commandant's quarters, escorted by the colonel and the messenger who had
+been sent for us.
+
+There was no real occasion for us to have been timid regarding the
+interview with the commandant of Fort Schuyler, for a more pleasantly
+spoken, neighborly-like man it was never my good fortune to come in
+contact with.
+
+One would have said that he was interested personally in each and every
+one of us, from the questions he asked concerning our having organized a
+company of Minute Boys, how we had been drilled, and such like homely
+matters.
+
+Then, having shown himself to be a friend, as it were, he began getting
+that information which was necessary for the safety of the garrison. First
+he was eager to learn regarding the battle of Oriskany, for those inside
+the fort knew nothing whatsoever of that disastrous ambush, save such as
+could be guessed by the reports of the firearms and the bearing of the
+Indians after they beat a retreat.
+
+Sergeant Corney flatly refused to tell the story, insisting that I was the
+better able to do so, and, in the presence of Colonel Gansevoort and all
+his principal officers, I related the events of that day when an able
+soldier and a brave man was forced by the prating of cowards to lead his
+soldiers where he knew, almost beyond a peradventure, he had no hope of
+winning a victory.
+
+Then Jacob and I in turn gave an account of what had been done, bringing
+our story up to the time when Sergeant Corney took the lead in the attempt
+to gain the fort, and the old man could not well refuse to describe what
+he had seen that night regarding the disposition of the enemy's forces.
+
+That Colonel Gansevoort and his officers were deeply interested in our
+recital may be understood by the fact that day had fully come before we
+were at an end of our stories, and yet never one of them had shown the
+slightest impatience or a desire to cut us short.
+
+"I know of no greater favor which could have been done the garrison, save
+that of bringing in additional stores and larger reinforcements, than what
+has come to us through you," Colonel Gansevoort said, when we had imparted
+all our information. "I hope you will not regret having made this effort
+to aid us, and, if it so be an opportunity ever offers, I will see to it
+that, so far as is within my power, the Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley
+shall receive substantial credit from their country-men because of
+services rendered. We will give you as good quarters as we have; but if
+the rations seem scanty now and then, you must remember that we are not in
+position to get all we may require in the way of eatables."
+
+"Will you answer me one question, sir, an' not deem it impertinent?"
+Sergeant Corney asked, with a degree of humility such as I had never
+before seen him exhibit.
+
+"An hundred if you please. We can hardly refuse anything to those who have
+given us so much encouragement this night as have you and your comrades."
+
+"I would like to know, sir, simply from curiosity, an' not because it
+would make any difference with my desire to go or stay, if you have a good
+show of holdin' the fort against so strong a force as is under St. Leger's
+command?"
+
+"I believe we have," the colonel replied, thoughtfully. "At all events, I
+promise you that we will not surrender; but, if the worst comes to the
+worst, I shall sally out at night with the idea of cutting my way through
+the enemy's lines. Our provisions are running low; the enemy has advanced
+by parallels within an hundred and fifty yards, and the store of
+ammunition is by no means as great as we could wish. Our only hope is that
+General Schuyler may be able to succor us."
+
+"If a company of thirty boys can move through Thayendanega's camp, spy
+upon the British, and force their way into this fort unharmed, then of a
+surety can I do half as much," Colonel Willett said, vehemently. "I will
+undertake to make my way to General Schuyler, setting out when another
+night shall have come."
+
+"And I will go with you!" an officer, whom I afterward came to know was
+Lieutenant Stockwell cried heartily, whereupon the sergeant, puffed up
+because of what we had already done, declared that Jacob, he, and I would
+act as messengers.
+
+"It is enough for you to have shown us that the task can be accomplished,"
+Colonel Willett said with a smile. "I have been the first to volunteer for
+such service, and claim the right to go."
+
+At this point the commandant suggested in the most friendly manner that
+perhaps we who had lately arrived might be in need of food, and I fancied
+he made this suggestion in order to be rid of us while he and his officers
+discussed the proposition.
+
+At all events, we left headquarters and were conducted by Lieutenant
+Stockwell to a portion of the barracks which was set aside especially for
+the Minute Boys, to the end that we might all be together.
+
+"Rations shall be served you at once," the lieutenant said, as he turned
+to leave us, and, although he kept his word, it was past noon before we
+had an opportunity to break our fast, because it seemed as if nearly every
+man in the garrison was eager to hold personal converse with us in order
+to learn what he might concerning the besieging army.
+
+No matter however much we as a company might succeed in doing in the
+future, certain it is we could not be petted or praised more than we were
+during that first day in the fort.
+
+We had not accomplished anything remarkable, so far as I could see; aided
+by all the circumstances, and particularly by the fact that St. Leger's
+force had concluded to hold a powwow with the Indians on that certain
+night, we had come across the plain when, at another time and under other
+conditions, we might have made an hundred attempts without succeeding.
+
+It was, as Sergeant Corney would put it, the fortune of war, or the
+accident of war, which enabled us to do as we had done, and only the old
+soldier himself could take personal credit for our being there.
+
+If the garrison was on short allowance, we never would have suspected it
+during the first four and twenty hours of our stay, for every man inside
+the walls who had anything in the way of food which he thought might tempt
+our appetites, offered it to us, and the wonder of it all is that we were
+not so puffed up with pride as to behave very foolishly.
+
+Late in the afternoon, on the day after we arrived, Colonel Willett came
+to our quarters, and, sitting down among us regardless of his rank and
+high attainments as a military officer, talked in the most neighborly
+fashion with us concerning the surrounding country, the different routes
+we had pursued when coming to or going from the fort, and, particularly,
+concerning what we might have heard regarding the movements of the enemy
+between Fort Schuyler and Oswego.
+
+Of course to this last question we could give no satisfactory reply; but
+certain it is that he gained very much of useful information which would
+serve him in his attempt to reach General Schuyler. Having come to an end
+of his inquiries, he told us that it had been determined between himself
+and the commandant that on the next stormy night he and Lieutenant
+Stockwell would make an effort to leave the fort on their way to
+Stillwater, where it seems he believed the general would be found.
+
+Sergeant Corney begged hard to be allowed to accompany the two officers,
+but the colonel said, laughingly:
+
+"You will remain where you are, sir, unless it is in your mind to leave
+here because of the danger which threatens. Already have you done enough
+in the way of scouting."
+
+"I hope you do not think, sir, that I would run away because of anythin'
+like that?"
+
+"No, my man, I am quite certain you never would; but you are not to gain
+all the credit in this siege, for I count on taking some of it myself,
+unless, peradventure, the enemy treat me worse than they did you."
+
+Then the colonel left us, and right glad was I that he had not accepted
+the sergeant's offer, for I might in some way have been dragged into the
+venture, and of a verity I had had enough in that line of work to last me
+so long as I might live. It is all very well when a fellow is beyond reach
+of danger to speculate upon what might be done to gain a name for himself;
+but quite another matter to take his life in his hand any oftener than may
+be absolutely necessary.
+
+On the following morning I presented myself to the commandant with a
+complaint, having been prompted thereto by Sergeant Corney. We had not yet
+been assigned to any duty, and each member of the garrison seemed
+particularly averse to allowing us to even help ourselves.
+
+There was not a member of our company who wished to remain there idle, and
+I visited headquarters to ask that we might be called upon for the regular
+garrison work, the same as if we were enlisted men.
+
+Colonel Gansevoort very kindly assured me that there was no real reason
+why we should do duty while the force was so large; but promised, if we
+insisted upon it, to consider us when making a detail, exactly as he would
+any of the others.
+
+Colonel Willett had not long to wait before beginning his perilous
+journey. By noon of the second day after our arrival the wind veered
+around into the south, bringing heavy clouds across the sky, and even the
+poorest weather prophets among us knew that a summer storm was close at
+hand.
+
+Once during the afternoon the colonel passed near where I was furbishing
+up my rifle, and halted to say:
+
+"The lieutenant and I count on leaving the fort shortly before midnight.
+If you and your friends have any desire to see us set out, go down to the
+new works at about that time."
+
+By the "new works" he meant the stockade over which we had come, and I
+hastened to impart the information to Sergeant Corney and Jacob, knowing
+full well that they would be as interested in the venture as was I.
+
+The volunteer messengers could not have asked for a better night. When the
+day had come to an end the storm burst with no inconsiderable fury, and it
+was safe to predict that it would not clear away before sunrise.
+
+Had I been going on the venture I would have set out much before the
+appointed time, because while the rain came down so furiously there was
+little chance the enemy's sentinels could see what might be going on at
+the southerly end of the fortification, and it seemed as if my opinion was
+shared by Colonel Willett, for he and the lieutenant were ready to leave
+at about ten o'clock.
+
+I considered it very friendly in him to send us word as to his change of
+plans, that we might not miss seeing them set forth, and thus it was we
+beheld the two brave men as they imperilled their lives voluntarily and
+solely in the hope of aiding their comrades.
+
+They carried no weapons save spears, wore no clothing except what was
+absolutely necessary for comfort, and, stripped to the lightest possible
+marching trim, they went out into the blackness of the night like true
+heroes, with a smile and a jest upon their lips.
+
+There were not above twenty of us who witnessed the departure, but it is
+safe to say that no more fervent prayers for their safety could have been
+offered up if the whole garrison had bent the knee.
+
+The darkness of night had literally swallowed them up, and the downpour of
+rain drowned every noise that might have been made by their advance. It
+was a brave venture, more particularly because, without chance of being
+accused in the slightest degree of cowardice, they might have yielded
+their places to others.
+
+During half an hour or more we remained exposed to the storm, as we
+listened with painful intentness for some sound which should tell us that
+they had been discovered, and when at the end of that time we had heard
+nothing, it was believed they were on their way in safety.
+
+Later in the day we learned that it was Colonel Willett's intention to
+push on to German Flats, and there, procuring horses, ride at full speed
+down the valley to General Schuyler's headquarters.
+
+Having once got clear of the fort and its vicinity, as we believed to be
+the fact, the only thing which might prove the undoing of the venture was
+that the general had gone to some other section of the country, and they
+would not succeed in finding him until St. Leger had accomplished his
+purpose.
+
+Well, we settled down to garrison duty, taking our turn with the squads of
+from fifty to an hundred men who remained constantly on the alert to shoot
+such of the enemy as might be sufficiently obliging as to show themselves,
+and ready to give warning of any signs of an attack.
+
+This last was not believed probable. The officers of the garrison argued
+that neither the Indians nor the Tories could be depended upon to make a
+direct assault on such a fortification as Fort Schuyler, and that all St.
+Leger's efforts would be directed toward advancing his parallels until he
+was sufficiently near to mine.
+
+And yet how true is the old maxim that "it is always the unexpected which
+happens!"
+
+On the third morning after we had entered the fort Sergeant Corney and I
+were on duty as sharpshooters, and, before we had been upon the walls many
+moments, I called his attention to what seemed like an unusual hurrying to
+and fro on the part of the enemy. It was as if they were making ready for
+some important movement, and, according to my way of thinking, that could
+only mean an assault, improbable as our officers believed it to be.
+
+As a matter of course, we gave immediate information to the officer of the
+day of what we fancied had been discovered, and within half an hour more
+there could no longer be any doubt but that St. Leger had made up his mind
+to see what might be accomplished by a direct attack.
+
+I was disposed to make light of the matter, not believing it possible the
+enemy could effect anything of importance, but lost somewhat of my
+confidence on observing the grave expression on the faces of the officers.
+
+"What is it?" I asked of Sergeant Corney. "Do they fancy for a moment
+that, even though the Indians should be willing to take part in the
+assault, the fort could be carried?"
+
+"No, lad, I reckon they're not sich fools as that; but it has come to my
+ears that ammunition for the cannon is runnin' mighty low, an' to repel an
+attack, even though there be no danger come from it, will be a serious
+matter."
+
+Even then I failed to understand what the old soldier meant, and asked him
+to explain more fully, which he did.
+
+Then I came to realize that to expend our ammunition for the big guns at
+that time might result disastrously for us later, when, the parallels
+having been brought nearer, an assault would be vastly more menacing.
+
+However, St. Leger had the right to do whatsoever he might, and he could
+not have chosen a wiser course had he known exactly the amount of powder
+in our magazine.
+
+The gunners were sent to their stations, the remainder of the force
+disposed here or there as they might be the most useful, we Minute Boys
+being stationed near the sally-port, which, as Sergeant Corney said, was a
+great compliment, because at about that place might the hottest work be
+expected.
+
+It was not pleasant, this making ready for a battle. When we went into
+action with General Herkimer it was done quickly; we suspected something
+of the kind might happen, but were not certain of it. Now there could be
+no question but that, in a short time at the most, we would be striving to
+kill human beings, and unable, except at the cost of being branded as
+cowards, to do anything toward saving our own lives.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIII.
+
+The Assault
+
+
+
+If I have not spoken of Peter Sitz since he was rescued by the Minute
+Boys, it is because he did not remain in the barracks with us from Cherry
+Valley, but messed with some of his acquaintances from German Flats,
+therefore we saw very little of him until the garrison was mustered to
+repel the threatened attack.
+
+Then I noted that Colonel Gansevoort had entrusted to him the charge of a
+certain portion of the wall nearly opposite where the Minute Boys were
+stationed, and because he had been placed in command, even though it was
+of course only temporary, I judged, and truly, that Jacob's father was
+accounted an able assistant in such work as we most likely had before us.
+
+Sergeant Corney remained with the Minute Boys, as was his duty. I believe
+of a verity my company would have grumbled almost as loudly as had General
+Herkimer's men on the morning before the fight at Oriskany, had the old
+soldier taken station elsewhere, and yet it would have been but natural
+for him to go into the fight side by side with those of the garrison who
+were most experienced in warfare.
+
+As I have said, we were given a post which had in it no inconsiderable
+honor, since it was at that point where the most fighting might be
+expected, and from where we stood it was possible to have a fairly good
+view of the plain immediately surrounding the fort.
+
+Within twenty minutes after the alarm was first given, we could see the
+British and Tory soldiers forming in line, while to the southward, below
+the bend in the river, the Indians were crossing hurriedly, which last
+fact caused me to say to the sergeant:
+
+"I am of the mind that the savages count on attacking the stockaded
+portion of the fortification," and the old man replied:
+
+"Ay, lad, an' one might have guessed that without stopping to see from
+which direction they were comin'. Thayendanega may prate as much as he
+pleases about the bravery of his warriors, but he cannot find a corporal's
+guard among the whole crowd that would dare march up to a direct assault
+upon earthworks."
+
+"What portion of the force is on duty in the stockade?" Jacob asked, but
+none of our company could answer him. It was reasonable to suppose Colonel
+Gansevoort had stationed there those of his men who were most experienced
+in savage warfare, and we whose duty it was to hold the walls in the
+vicinity of the sally-port had no need to trouble our heads concerning
+them.
+
+The one thing which puzzled me was as to why St. Leger was making this
+attack, since he had begun to approach the fort by parallels. I was eager
+to have some expert opinion as to whether the British were apparently
+abandoning the slow method of reducing the fortification, or if, having
+learned perchance that we were running short of ammunition for the big
+guns, they were making an attack in order to provoke us to waste powder
+which would be more sadly needed at some later day. Therefore it was that
+I asked Sergeant Corney what his belief was regarding the matter.
+
+"It looks to me much as if Colonel Willett an' Lieutenant Stockwell had
+been captured."
+
+"How do you figure that out?"
+
+"Because an assault is evidently about to be made. If they are not
+prisoners, the enemy has learned that they left the fort."
+
+I was still in darkness as to why he arrived at such conclusion, but found
+the reason exceedingly plain when he said:
+
+"If St. Leger knows that a man of Colonel Willett's rank was eager to take
+the chances of leaving the fortification to summon assistance, he must
+believe the garrison is in sore straits, an' therefore it is that I
+believe the mistake was made in allowin' him to go out when there were
+plenty of others here willin' to take the chances."
+
+It grieved me sorely to think that the brave officer might be at that
+moment in the hands of the savages, or, what amounted to much the same
+thing, in the custody of the Britishers, for it was charged openly that,
+in order to keep the Indian allies in good temper, prisoners taken by his
+Majesty's troops were often delivered over to the red-skinned wolves for
+torture.
+
+However, there was but little time left me in which to speculate upon this
+painful matter, for even as Sergeant Corney and I spoke together the
+British troops, supported by the Johnson Greens, came out into view from
+amid the encampment, marching directly toward the fort.
+
+"There is more in this than an ordinary assault," I heard the sergeant
+mutter, as he looked to the priming of his musket. "St. Leger would not
+expose his men to the slaughter which must follow without good and
+sufficient cause. I'm not overly given to praising the Britishers; but we
+must admit that he who's in command here is a thoroughly good soldier."
+
+Under ordinary circumstances I would have been conscious of a certain
+chill along my spine, and felt my knees trembling beneath me at the
+certainty of soon being engaged in a life or death struggle; but after my
+experience as a prisoner there was but one thought in my heart, and that
+of repaying the enemy for some of the sufferings I had undergone.
+
+The desire for revenge was greater than the fear of death.
+
+Before many moments passed Sergeant Corney hit upon what I firmly believed
+was the true answer to my question of why an assault was to be made at
+this time.
+
+The Britishers and Tories advanced in good order until facing the
+northerly and westerly sides of the fort, within musket-shot range, and
+from that distance poured their bullets into us without doing much
+execution; but calling for strict attention on our part lest a charge be
+made, for the ditch was not so wide or deep but that a body of trained
+soldiers could have overcome the obstacle.
+
+Only twice were the guns, which could be trained in that direction,
+discharged, and then we inflicted no slight injury upon the foe; but
+Colonel Gansevoort soon showed that he was far too prudent a commander to
+shoot away all his powder at one time, even though it was possible to
+punish the enemy severely.
+
+It looked much as if the king's forces were bent on continuing the battle
+with small arms at short range, for they discharged their pieces as
+rapidly as it was possible to reload them, making a great din even though
+the execution was slight.
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney hit upon the meaning of this odd move.
+Without a word he leaped down from the wall where he had been stationed,
+running swiftly toward the unfinished portion of the fortification, and
+was gone no more than three or four minutes when he returned with more
+show of excitement than I had ever known him to exhibit.
+
+"Yonder Britishers and renegades are but holding our attention in order to
+give Thayendanega's wolves a chance to scale the stockade," he said,
+hurriedly. "The force there is all too small. I will take half of the
+company, at risk of disobeying orders, to that point, while you go with
+all speed and tell the commandant what I have learned."
+
+I understood the situation without further explanation, and, realizing the
+necessity for haste, went as rapidly as my legs would carry me to the
+northeast bastion, where I had last seen Colonel Gansevoort.
+
+Fortunately for my purpose he was still there, giving directions as to the
+firing of the guns, and in a twinkling I had acquainted him with the
+situation as described by Sergeant Corney, at the same time explaining
+that half the Minute Boys had been withdrawn from near the sally-port.
+
+"The sergeant has done well," the commandant replied. "Ten of your number
+should be more than sufficient there, if matters are as they seem. Tell
+Sergeant Braun I will join him as soon as possible."
+
+Then I ran with all speed to my company, and, explaining to John Sammons
+my purpose, took with me half the number remaining under his command.
+With this small force I set off at full speed, and we arrived none too
+soon at the place where the most desperate fighting was going on.
+
+At the beginning of the action no more than forty men had been stationed
+in the "horn-works," and it seemed to me as if the entire stockaded
+portion was surrounded by a dancing horde of howling, maddened Indians,
+who, bringing with them tree-trunks or stout branches, were throwing up
+such a heap of odds and ends as admitted of their gaining the top of the
+logs despite the fire which our people were pouring upon them.
+
+It must be set down here that there were no cannon in this unfinished
+portion of the fortification. The so-called rebellion against the king had
+broken out before this very necessary adjunct to the strength of the fort
+could be completed, and, consequently, it was the weakest portion of our
+defence.
+
+When I arrived with my comrades at this point, our people were engaged in
+a hand-to-hand struggle with the savages, three score or more having
+succeeded in effecting an entrance, and it needed no experienced eye to
+say that unless the onrush could be speedily checked, the capture of the
+fort might be effected at a time when we had believed St. Leger was simply
+making a feint.
+
+Exactly what happened during the next half-hour I am unable to state of my
+own knowledge, for I had no sooner entered the horn-works than it became
+necessary to put forth every effort in the saving of my own life.
+
+A gigantic savage discharged his musket with seemingly true aim directly
+at my head; but, strangely enough, missed the target, and then he came at
+me, hatchet in hand, with such fury that for an instant it seemed as if I
+was at his mercy.
+
+So excited was I that my bullet, which should have found lodgment in his
+heart, went as wild as had his, and then was I forced to use a clubbed
+musket for defence.
+
+Had any one asked me on that morning if I believed it possible to
+withstand the attack of an Indian, the two of us using the weapons I have
+just described, my answer would have been a decided "no," and yet now I
+held him in good play, although realizing that each moment I was growing
+weaker and he gaining the advantage.
+
+Already were my eyes becoming suffused with blood; my brain was in a
+whirl, as I leaped here or there, parrying with the butt of the musket the
+blows of his hatchet, and all the time he continued to press me nearer and
+nearer toward the wall, where my resistance would have been overcome
+within a very short time.
+
+I wondered why it was that Colonel Gansevoort delayed in the coming, and
+could see, without looking in any direction save at my foe, that the
+number of savages inside the stockade was increasing each moment.
+
+[Illustration: "The painted villain sank down upon the ground"]
+
+Only a brief delay now on the part of the commandant, and they would gain
+so great an advantage that such portion of the garrison as could be
+withdrawn from the walls where the Britishers were making the pretended
+attack, would not be able to dislodge them.
+
+Then suddenly, at the very moment when it seemed impossible I could
+struggle any longer, the painted villain sank down upon the ground as if
+having received his death-blow, and I dimly heard Sergeant Corney cry,
+cheerily:
+
+"That was a narrow squeak, lad, an' we'll hope there'll be many more of
+'em before the last one comes! Keep yourself well in hand, for of a verity
+our work is cut out for us here!"
+
+Now it was I knew that a shot from the old soldier's musket had put an end
+to the combat in which I was most deeply interested, and I strained every
+nerve to gather myself together as he had commanded.
+
+By this time I dare venture to say no less than two hundred of the howling
+demons had scaled the stockade, and we who were defending this weakest
+portion of the fortification were pressed back and back until we stood
+massed against that opening which gave entrance to the main fortification.
+
+We were in good position for the enemy to mow us down with bullets, and in
+such close formation that only those in the outermost ranks could use
+their weapons to advantage.
+
+"It is all over," I said to myself, realizing that within a very few
+moments we must be killed or disabled under such a fire as Thayendanega's
+scoundrels were pouring upon us. Then from our rear I heard ringing
+cheers, the trampling of many feet, and realized that assistance had come
+at the most critical moment.
+
+Sixty seconds later we had all been slain like sheep in the shambles!
+
+"Give way, give way, lads in front!" I heard Colonel Gansevoort shout,
+and, hardly understanding the words, instinctively we surged either side
+of the passage, having hardly done so before a shower of grape-shot came
+hurtling between our ranks, dealing death to scores of the
+feather-bedecked wretches.
+
+"Stand to your muskets, you Minute Boys!" Sergeant Corney shouted, and the
+sound of his voice stiffened my courage wonderfully. "Now is the time to
+pay back some of our old scores, and every bullet should cut short a life
+from among those who would harry us of the valley."
+
+He had hardly more than ceased speaking when a great uproar could be heard
+from the distance, and, without turning my head, I understood that the
+British regulars and the Johnson Greens were pressing the attack on the
+west and the front, in order to hold our men at the walls that we might
+not be able to regain possession of the stockade.
+
+Now the fight was on in good earnest, and a bloodier one or a more
+desperate struggle I hope never to see again.
+
+After the single cannon which Colonel Gansevoort had caused to be brought
+in was discharged, the reinforcements betook themselves to their muskets,
+for our frontiersmen were more accustomed to the use of small arms than
+big guns, and the tide surged this way and that, with the fate of the fort
+trembling more than once in the balance, until I had before my eyes only
+great billows of feathered forms, which rose and fell, advanced and were
+forced back, until I was well-nigh bewildered.
+
+Before this portion of the fighting had come to an end, fully half the
+garrison was engaged in repelling the attack of Thayendanega's forces, and
+during such time the white portion of the enemy's army might have made a
+successful assault upon the walls, I verily believe, but for the cowardice
+displayed by the Tories.
+
+How long we struggled there hand to hand, stumbling now over the lifeless
+forms of our comrades, and again finding our way checked by the dead
+bodies of the savages, I cannot say; but certain it is that we finally
+drove the last of the hated foe over the stockade, and gave Thayendanega's
+boasting braves such a lesson as they would not need to have repeated for
+many days.
+
+I was not less wearied with the carnage than those around me. Even
+Sergeant Corney, to whom such scenes were not strange, leaned against a
+portion of the earthworks as if for support while he dashed the
+perspiration from his eyes, and then we knew by the sounds that the battle
+was being waged severely over against the sally-port.
+
+Then it was I called for the Minute Boys to follow me, as I ran at the
+best pace possible in that direction, for there was our post of duty.
+
+Now Colonel Gansevoort no longer husbanded his store of ammunition
+intended for the cannon, and every piece in the northern and eastern
+bastions was being worked with the utmost rapidity, sending among the
+Tories such a shower of iron as their cowardly hearts could not hold out
+against, and, when they turned with cries of fear to flee, the British
+regulars, understanding that they were too few in number to effect
+anything against us, joined in the retreat.
+
+The assault had come to an end, and we of the garrison were triumphant,
+but at such an expense of life that we could not well afford many more
+such victories.
+
+During that night we buried our dead,--four and twenty men,--committing
+them to the dust under cover of darkness lest the enemy see how much
+injury he had inflicted, and, thank God, never a member of my company who
+could not answer to the roll-call.
+
+There were forty-one so seriously wounded that it was necessary a certain
+force be told off from among the garrison to play the part of nurses, and,
+when to the number of disabled is added those who were to care for them,
+it can be seen that St. Leger struck us a severe blow, even though he did
+not succeed in his purpose.
+
+We buried our comrades in the horn-works, just under the stockade they had
+defended so gallantly, and threw over the fence of logs fifty-two of
+Thayendanega's wolves who would take no further part in murder and rapine.
+It is positive that there must have been many wounded among the Indians,
+some so severely that it would have been impossible for them to accompany
+their fellows in the retreat; but yet we found none that had any life in
+them when we searched among the ghastly evidences of the fight for our own
+people.
+
+Peter Sitz declared that he had seen one of the wounded savages
+deliberately kill himself with a knife, when it was seen that the assault
+had failed, and I doubt not but that several did the same rather than fall
+into our hands. Then, also, it is possible, in the heat of battle, and
+remembering what these human wolves had done to the women and children of
+the settlements which had been attacked, some of our men had sent more
+than one of the helpless wretches to the Happy Hunting Grounds. I count
+myself as tender-hearted as any other, and yet it would not have troubled
+my conscience had I put a few wounded villains out of the world, rather
+than let them live to commit yet more murders.
+
+On the morning after the assault a white flag was raised over the fort,
+and when St. Leger sent in hot haste a messenger to learn what we wanted,
+thinking, most like, we had made up our minds to surrender, he was
+informed that Colonel Gansevoort was willing to grant an hour's truce that
+the British and Indian dead might be buried.
+
+This the enemy accepted, and I was surprised to see that never one of
+Thayendanega's beauties came forward to carry off the slain of his tribe.
+I had always heard it said that the redskins would brave any danger rather
+than allow a dead Indian to fall into the hands of an enemy; but certain
+it is that on this day the rascally Tories dragged away the bodies, with
+not even a squaw to help them.
+
+Within the time set we were rid of the ghastly evidence of the battle,
+which might have proven a menace to the health of the garrison had the
+corpses been allowed to remain unburied while the weather was so warm, and
+during all the coming night we could hear distinctly cries of lamentation
+from the Indian camp. It was as if every brave, squaw, and papoose howled
+his or her loudest in token of sorrow, and three of us within the fort had
+a very good idea of what would have been our fate had we not been rescued
+before the assault.
+
+"This would have been our last night on earth, had the Minute Boys not
+come to the rescue," Peter Sitz said to me, as we stood near the
+sally-port for an instant, listening to the wild cries, and, strong man
+though he was, I took note of the fact that his face shone pale in the
+faint light.
+
+It did not need that I should strain my imagination very much to paint a
+mental picture of our condition at that time, if we had remained in the
+power of the savages. Of a verity we would have tested their keenest
+torture before death came to our relief.
+
+"It would seem as if that company of ours had been formed to some purpose,
+an' not all of them were children," I said, minded that he who had laughed
+most heartily at what he was pleased to call our "pretensions," should
+give credit where it was due.
+
+"If I live to see home again, there is never a man in Cherry Valley who
+shall not hear from me what I owe to you lads!"
+
+"Don't forget that I had no part in the rescue, Master Sitz, for surely I
+was trussed up as stoutly as either you or Sergeant Corney."
+
+"Yet but for your persistence we would never have thought of enlisting the
+boys to aid in our defence, therefore must you take your portion of the
+praise, an' more especially since it is said by Sergeant Corney himself
+that you have proven yourself a man at every time when danger threatened."
+
+"Sergeant Corney has no idea how my knees shook beneath me when, as he
+believed, I was stout-hearted," I replied, with a careless laugh that
+served to cloak the feeling of pride which rose in my bosom when he gave
+good words to the Minute Boys.
+
+While weeping over our dead, and rejoicing because of having beaten back
+the enemy when it seemed as if the assault was about to be successful,
+fear regarding the safety of Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell lay
+heavily upon our hearts. It was the belief of nearly all the garrison that
+the two officers had been captured, and, if such had been the case, there
+could be no question but that they suffered a terrible death at the stake
+while the savages were mourning over their loss.
+
+Those among us who felt convinced that the messengers had succeeded in
+their attempt, and Colonel Gansevoort was one of the hopeful ones,
+insisted that if the Indians had tortured any prisoners to death, we must
+have heard yells and shouts of triumph; yet the night wind had brought to
+our ears nothing more than the cries of sorrow.
+
+Viewing the situation in the brightest light possible, many days must of a
+necessity elapse before we could hope for any good results from their
+brave venture, and if in the meantime the enemy pressed us sharply, we
+would be in hard straits, more particularly since so much of our
+ammunition had been expended in defending the fort against that first
+assault.
+
+When a large number of men are confined in a limited space, and exposed to
+danger, it needs but the lightest word to make cowards of the more
+faint-hearted, as we soon had good proof.
+
+On the day following the truce, after the enemy had buried their dead,
+work on the parallels was continued, and it gave me no little satisfaction
+to see that the Tories were forced to perform the greater portion of the
+labor.
+
+As I have already said, these trenches extended within an hundred and
+fifty yards of the fort by this time, and we knew only too well that it
+was not within our power to prevent their being advanced as near as the
+enemy saw fit to carry them.
+
+After a certain time mining would probably be begun, and then, if our
+supply of ammunition had not been replenished, the end must be near at
+hand, when St. Leger would have opportunity to carry into execution his
+threat of allowing Thayendanega's murderers to work their cruel will.
+
+All this was talked over and commented upon by our people as the days wore
+on, and the more timid seemed to find delight in picturing what would take
+place if the fort was captured.
+
+"Why must they keep harpin' on that possibility all the time?" I asked,
+angrily, of Sergeant Corney, when I had turned away in disgust from a
+group of men who were painting horrible word-pictures, and the old soldier
+had followed me to the parade-ground beyond sound of such words.
+
+"It is all as plain as the nose on your face, lad," the old man said,
+grimly. "Look about, an' you'll see that them as are makin' the howl over
+what the Injuns may do are the faintest-hearted among us. It's all done
+for one purpose."
+
+"What can that be?" I asked, in surprise. "How do they suppose any good
+can come of conjuring up everything horrible?"
+
+"They're of the same kidney that drove General Herkimer into the ambush,
+an' are tryin' to force the colonel to surrender."
+
+"That can't be possible!" I cried, sharply. "There's never one among them
+who does not know full well what the result will be if Colonel Gansevoort
+surrenders the fort! St. Leger's promises would be as the idle wind when
+Thayendanega's followers wanted victims for the stake!"
+
+"True for you, lad, an' yet these cowards are ready to howl for
+capitulation rather than fight as men should, in the presence of such an
+enemy, to the last ditch," the sergeant replied, bitterly.
+
+I could not believe that among the entire garrison might be found one
+soldier who would willingly consent to a surrender, and said as much to
+the old man, who replied, grimly:
+
+"I haven't been around here for the past four an' twenty hours with my
+eyes shut an' my ears filled with moss. Take a turn about the works,
+listenin' to all that is said, an' you'll find I'm not wrong in my
+figgerin'. The colonel knows as well as do I what's in the wind, an' I'll
+agree never to eat sweet-cake agin if he ain't makin' ready for trouble
+inside the fort as well as outside."
+
+I remained silent a full minute, horrified by the bare possibility, and
+then asked, in a voice which trembled despite all my efforts to render it
+steady:
+
+"Think you they can force him against his will, as the militia did General
+Herkimer?"
+
+"It is my belief that he'd shoot down a round dozen before consentin' to
+give us all over to death; but there's no knowin' what a man may be forced
+into when pressure enough has been brought to bear upon him."
+
+At this moment Jacob came up, looking like his old self now that his
+father was safe, at least, for the time being, and to him I put the matter
+much as I had had it from the sergeant.
+
+"Within the hour I have heard the same word from my father. He believes
+there are a full hundred of the garrison who, when they have worked
+themselves up to just such a pitch, will howl for surrender."
+
+Even then I refused to believe in what was as yet no more than a
+suspicion, and Sergeant Corney said, impatiently:
+
+"It won't cost you much time to find out for yourself, lad. Take a couple
+of turns around, an' I'll guarantee you'll agree that Peter Sitz an' I are
+not tryin' to make mountains out of mole-hills."
+
+"I'll go with you," Jacob said, promptly, and straightway we set out,
+keeping our ears open whenever we came within speaking distance of a
+group of men who appeared to be talking earnestly upon some particular
+subject.
+
+It was not necessary that we should go twice around the inside of the
+fortification, for before we completed the first circuit I had heard
+enough to convince me that Sergeant Corney, instead of exaggerating the
+matter, had not made his statements strong enough by one-half.
+
+As it seemed to me, a full third of the garrison were arguing in favor of
+surrender, giving as their reasons the scanty supply of powder for the
+cannon, and the probability that St. Leger's army would constantly
+increase as the Tories from the Mohawk Valley got wind of what was going
+on.
+
+I was sick at heart and literally faint with fear when this knowledge was
+forced in upon me, for I knew only too well how idle would be all the
+promises of St. Leger if the savages were inclined to massacre the
+prisoners that were surrendered on promises of fair treatment.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIV.
+
+Mutiny
+
+
+
+I had thought that we would never again be called upon to witness such a
+scene as that in General Herkimer's encampment on the morning when those
+who, later, were the first to show the white feather, literally drove him
+into a place where he, as a soldier, knew it was not safe to venture until
+all the arrangements for a sortie from the fort were completed.
+
+Now, however, it seemed to me that we were to be treated to a second dose
+of mutiny, and this one more serious than the first, for, in case these
+fools in the fort succeeded in badgering Colonel Gansevoort as the others
+had the general, then would nearly a thousand men be given over to the
+savage foe, whom we knew full well would show no mercy.
+
+To me the strange part of it all was that these very simpletons who were
+howling so loudly for surrender would be among those counted as prisoners,
+and I failed utterly to understand how they could figure themselves as
+being better off in the power of Thayendanega's wolves, than in the fort
+where they had a chance of fighting to the death.
+
+Even to this day it seems so strange that I would not dare set it down as
+a fact unless those gentlemen who write history had spoken of it so
+plainly.
+
+"You can make up your mind that those fellows who are lettin' out the most
+noise are the ones who've got a cowardly streak in 'em somewhere,"
+Sergeant Corney said, when Jacob and I, having satisfied ourselves that
+mutiny was rife in the fort, went to him for the purpose of talking the
+matter over.
+
+"The greater the cowards the less inclined they should be to surrender, as
+it seems to me," I replied, in perplexity.
+
+"Ay, lad, that's the way it looks to a decent man; but sich fellows as
+these here who are makin' a row, are the ones who're always lookin' ahead,
+thinkin' matters may be bettered, an' regardin' not the possibility of
+their growin' worse. Here they are, like to come on short allowance, an'
+obleeged to take their turn at bein' shot at now an' then, consequently,
+not havin' the heart to endure even the lightest sufferin', they say we
+can't be any worse off, an' ought to surrender."
+
+"But they know the nature of Thayendanega's wolves as well as do you or
+I."
+
+"Yes, they did know yesterday; but now, because their stomachs are not
+quite full, they're ready to admit that every redskin is an imitation
+angel."
+
+"Think you they can badger the colonel?" Jacob asked, thoughtfully, thus
+repeating my question in different words.
+
+"I will say to you as I did to Noel, that they're like to get the rough
+end of it before drivin' him into a mistake. We who are not inclined to be
+mutinous can help him out a good bit in this matter."
+
+"How?" I asked, in perplexity.
+
+"By standin' out stiffly against their fool talk, though there ain't much
+chance you can convince 'em with words; but if one, or half a dozen, for
+that matter, gives me an openin', I'll see if the weight of my fist can't
+beat some sense into them."
+
+It is not agreeable to set down the details of such a disgraceful scene as
+we witnessed during the next four and twenty hours, and more than painful
+to describe how the mutiny was finally checked. It must be done, however,
+if I would write fairly the part which we Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley
+took in the troubles and triumphs round-about Fort Schuyler; but I will
+give the story in as few words as possible.
+
+It so chanced that during this day the rations dealt out to us were
+smaller than before, and this gave the fool croakers an opportunity of
+airing their grievances in fine style.
+
+Those who should have been steadily attentive to their duties, with never
+a thought in their minds of anything save besting the motley crew that
+besieged us, began to talk openly of starvation, as if there was no
+question whatsoever but that we had come nearly to the end of our
+provisions, and thus, as I believe, they brought over to their way of
+thinking many who never would have listened to such wild talk, but for the
+fact that it seemed probable the hour of surrender must be near at hand.
+
+I saw to it that none of the Minute Boys sided with these malcontents,
+while Sergeant Corney and Peter Sitz moved here and there throughout the
+day, trying to persuade the men to do only that which was for their own
+good, but without success.
+
+The longer such talk ran through the garrison the stronger it became,
+until shortly before sunset the mutiny was so well advanced that the
+commandant could do no less than take serious notice of it, and it pleased
+me that he did not delay.
+
+Save for the sentinels on the walls, the entire garrison was called out as
+for parade, and, having been clumsily formed in a hollow square, Colonel
+Gansevoort, surrounded by his staff of officers, undertook to still the
+rising tempest.
+
+He began by saying that it was the opinion of himself and his staff that
+the men ought to know exactly the condition of affairs, lest they be led
+astray by idle fears, and to that end he called upon the quartermaster for
+a detailed statement of the amount of eatables then on hand.
+
+When this had been given, and it required some time to read the entire
+list, he announced the number of men, women, and children which were
+inside the walls of the fort, figuring out that by slightly decreasing the
+size of the rations it would be possible to provide every person with food
+during three weeks at least.
+
+True it is the supply was not large enough to admit of our gorging
+ourselves; but I dare venture to say that many there would have lived on
+much less had they been thrown upon their own resources in their own
+homes.
+
+Then he told how many times the big guns had been fired during the late
+assault, and stated that we had two hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition
+remaining for the cannon. He claimed that it was possible for us to hold
+the fort even though we did not use the heavy weapons, and showed that we
+could yet put up as much of a fight as St. Leger's army would be able to
+stomach.
+
+After all these details, he described to the men what would likely be
+their fate in event of surrender, declaring that we had every reason and
+the ability to hold the fort if we were so minded, and urged us to be men
+rather than cowards.
+
+It was a good speech, and one which should have put heart into the veriest
+white-livered militiaman that ever pretended to be a soldier; but, to my
+surprise, I could see on the faces of those who had talked surrender the
+loudest, an expression telling that the words passed by them as does the
+wind.
+
+When we were dismissed the contention was greater than before the colonel
+spoke, and I began to believe it would have been better had he held his
+peace, for surely it seemed as if they believed his words of cheer were
+but proof that he shared their fears.
+
+During the evening one of the bolder poltroons declared it was the duty of
+all the garrison, in order to save their lives, to force Colonel
+Gansevoort to do as they desired, and while the talk was the hottest
+Sergeant Corney "broke loose," as he afterward expressed it.
+
+"This lad an' I," he said, laying his hand on my shoulder, after
+attracting the attention of all within sound of his voice, "have within a
+short time seen just such scoundrelly curs as you are provin' yourselves
+to be. We have heard them cry out against a commander who was fitted to
+lead brave men, and their blood is not yet dry on the banks of the
+Oriskany. They forced General Herkimer into an ambush against his better
+judgment,--against his will,--an' at the first volley from Thayendanega's
+painted wretches they turned tail. Until that time I had thought an Indian
+was the meanest specimen of humanity on the face of the earth; but I have
+come to know different, an' am yet gettin' fresh proof. If you talk so
+boldly of what St. Leger's promises are worth, why don't you put 'em to
+the test? If you believe death by starvation awaits you here, an' that all
+the heart of man can desire is to be found among yonder yellin' imps, why
+don't you make an exchange? The garrison would be the stronger for your
+absence, an' if it so be any man here wants to consort with the red
+wolves, I, who pride myself on never yet havin' disobeyed a military
+order, will stand by an' help him to leave the fort."
+
+For a moment after the old man ceased speaking I fully expected he would
+be set upon and ill-treated by those whom he had so severely lashed with
+his tongue.
+
+That no move toward open violence was attempted simply gave proof that
+they were the cowards he had accused them of being; but I believed it was
+possible to see in their faces that his ironical advice might bear fruit,
+and so I told him when the opportunity came.
+
+"More than one of them has had it in his mind to desert an' go over to the
+enemy," I said, whereupon he replied, as if the possibility gave him great
+satisfaction:
+
+"I wish they might! It's true I said more than I meant when declarin' my
+willingness to help 'em get away; but I promise you, Noel Campbell, that
+my hand never will be raised to stop them, if they try any sich fool
+trick."
+
+When my lads were together in the barracks once more, and had settled down
+for the night, none of us having been detailed for guard-duty, the thought
+of what I fancied I saw on the faces of the mutineers troubled me not a
+little, and, instead of lying down to sleep with the majority of my
+comrades, I called Peter Sitz and Sergeant Corney aside, urging that one
+or the other go to Colonel Gansevoort for the purpose of telling him what
+it was possible some of the garrison might attempt to do before morning.
+
+Peter Sitz claimed that, since he was not a soldier, he had no right to
+make what might seem to the commandant like a suggestion, and shoved all
+the responsibility on the sergeant.
+
+The old man declared, as he had previously, that the men might do as they
+pleased; that if it was possible to stop them by a single word his lips
+should remain closed.
+
+Whereupon I suggested that if the men should desert, in however small
+numbers, they might leave some portion of the fortification unguarded,
+which would work to the peril of all, and insisted, if the sergeant would
+not do what he might to prevent the desertion, it was at least our duty to
+so act that the remainder of the garrison would not be put in jeopardy
+because of their folly.
+
+Not until I had spoken at some length would the old soldier give any heed,
+and then, upon a suggestion from Peter Sitz, he said:
+
+"This much I'm willin' to do, an' no more: from now till mornin' I'll make
+it my business, although clearly I am goin' beyond the bounds of ordinary
+duty, to move to an' fro around the fort, an' will summon the Minute Boys
+in case any point is left unguarded."
+
+Both Jacob and I proposed to share the labor with him; but he would have
+none of it.
+
+"Stay where you are," he said, "for I'm not minded you shall do that which
+may disgruntle the commandant. When he learns that we took it upon
+ourselves to look after the safety of the garrison without orders from
+him, there'll be a good chance for a row. I'll stand the brunt of it
+alone, without draggin' you lads into the scrape."
+
+I knew from the expression on his face that any attempt at argument with
+him at the time would be useless, therefore held my peace; but had it in
+mind that by thus interfering he might be committing an offence such as
+the commandant would not readily forget.
+
+If any number of men should desert on this night, there could not be any
+question but that we, having had an inkling of it, might justly be held
+accountable, but yet I was not pleased at the thought of doing or
+suffering to be done that which the old soldier had set his face against.
+
+However, as has been said, I could have done nothing to change matters
+save by going to the commandant, and therefore remained in the barracks,
+mightily uncomfortable in mind, but trying my best at holding conversation
+with Jacob on indifferent subjects.
+
+The majority of my company had no idea of what might be done that night,
+therefore they lay down to sleep as usual, Jacob and I seeking the open
+air after we found it was impossible to take interest in any subject save
+that which lay, just at that time, nearest our hearts.
+
+We paced to and fro in front of the barracks, taking good care not to
+disturb the sleepers, until perhaps half an hour before midnight, and then
+the sergeant came up, looking much like a man who has just settled a very
+disagreeable question.
+
+"Well, it's done," he said, abruptly, "an' to-morrow at this time I reckon
+there'll be less fools in the world."
+
+"What do you mean?" I cried, excitedly, for, although expecting to hear
+that a certain number of men had deserted, I could not but feel
+astonishment when the suspicions thus became a certainty.
+
+"Five of the cowards have deserted, countin' that St. Leger will receive
+'em with open arms. They had a good deal to say about the need of
+somethin' to fill up their stomachs, an' I reckon that within four an'
+twenty hours sich a question as that won't give 'em any further trouble."
+
+"How did they go?" Jacob asked, eagerly.
+
+"Out through the horn-works, an' over the stockade."
+
+"How did it happen that only five started?"
+
+"The rest of the mutinous ones were not quite sich fools when it came to
+the last pinch, an' I'm allowin' we're well rid of those who have gone,
+save that they can carry information to St. Leger of a kind he'll be glad
+to receive."
+
+That was a possibility which I had failed to realize until this moment,
+and immediately the knowledge came I understood clearly that it was our
+duty to have notified the commandant at once of what we suspected, for, if
+the enemy learned that we were on short allowance and with a scarcity of
+ammunition, as he certainly would from these men who were bound to make
+matters appear as bad as possible, we might expect more than one vigorous
+assault within a very short time.
+
+"Did you stand quietly by while they went?" Jacob asked, in a tone of
+reproach.
+
+"I wasn't quite sich a fool as that, lad, even though I did advise 'em to
+go. I kept my eye on the gang, however, an' was hidden in the horn-works
+when they made the final plans. Those who had been left behind seemed to
+be frightened, an' I reckon there'll be less show of mutiny in this 'ere
+fort to-morrow mornin' than we've seen in the past four an' twenty hours."
+
+Jacob and I would have insisted that the old soldier tell us more
+regarding the desertion, although it was evident he had imparted all the
+information at his command; but he, bent on getting some rest before
+morning, entered the barracks, and we could hardly do better than follow
+him.
+
+Although it had not seemed possible I would close my eyes in slumber that
+night, with so much which was disagreeable to keep me awake, I did fall
+asleep, and that right soon after I lay down by the side of Jacob.
+
+We were astir very early next morning, through some whim of Sergeant
+Corney's, who insisted that the Minute Boys should be the first to make an
+appearance, and I left the barracks fully expecting to find a scene of
+confusion outside.
+
+Matters were much as they had been the night previous, and I came to the
+conclusion, that as yet the commandant was ignorant of the fact that five
+of his men had gone over to the enemy.
+
+However that may have been, no signs of disquietude among the officers
+were apparent until the sun was two hours or more high, and then half a
+dozen men belonging to the same company as those who had deserted, were
+summoned to headquarters.
+
+"You might save the commandant a good bit of trouble by telling him what
+you know," Jacob suggested to Sergeant Corney, and the latter replied,
+grimly:
+
+"I'm not sich a fool. It's one thing to let a lot of sneaks get away when
+you think the garrison will be the better off without 'em, an' quite
+another to own up to your superior officer that you've winked at
+desertion. I'll keep a close tongue in my head, an' so will them as are my
+friends."
+
+With this the old man walked away, leaving us gazing at each other in
+something very like astonishment, for we understood by his tone that he
+was much the same as threatening us in case we should take it upon
+ourselves to tell what we knew regarding the matter.
+
+Before ten o'clock all of the garrison were aware that five of the force
+had deserted, and those men who had been loudest spoken regarding the
+wisdom of surrendering, were now moving about very uneasily, doubtless
+fearing they might be called upon to answer for some of the unsoldierly
+remarks in which they had indulged.
+
+There was no real confusion in the fort, but a general air of disquietude
+and apprehension, which I thought quite wholesome, since it caused every
+man to do his duty more promptly and more thoroughly than I had ever seen
+it done.
+
+When those who had been summoned to headquarters appeared on the
+parade-ground once more, they were surrounded by eager comrades, all
+anxious to know what had been said to them; but they could give very
+little definite information, and were unwilling to talk openly regarding
+the matter, for the reason, as I fancied, that some of them, being privy
+to the desertion, had denied such fact to the officers.
+
+Well, by noon it seemed as if the matter had entirely blown over.
+Everything went along much as on the day previous, save that, according to
+my idea, there was a more healthy tone among the men, because we no longer
+heard talk of surrender, and I suggested that perhaps Colonel Gansevoort
+was as glad to be rid of his mutinous soldiers as Sergeant Corney had been
+to see them depart.
+
+It goes without saying that all of us, whether on duty or not, kept a
+sharper lookout over the enemy's encampment than ever before, for there
+was good reason to expect that St. Leger would order another assault; but
+not one of us dreamed of that horrible spectacle which was to be
+presented, much as if Thayendanega's murderers were of a mind to give
+would-be deserters such a lesson as could never be forgotten.
+
+The afternoon passed quietly and without unusual incident; but when the
+sun was just about to set we observed the Indians crossing the river from
+their encampment to the meadow at a point near the creek, where it was
+possible for us to hold them in plain view, while they were yet beyond
+range of any except the heavier guns, which could not be brought to bear
+upon them.
+
+The first movement was made by a party of a dozen or more, who seemed to
+be carrying heavy burdens on their backs, and this was such an unusual
+thing for a redskin to do that we were keenly curious.
+
+This first squad was followed by a veritable swarm of the painted
+murderers, and I said nervously to Sergeant Corney, who was standing near
+me at the moment:
+
+"The savages are goin' to try their hand at an assault, an' we're like to
+have warm work before mornin'."
+
+"There's little fear anything of that kind will happen, lad. The painted
+devil never lived who was willin' to stand up an' fight face to face,
+man-fashion."
+
+"Then why are they goin' out of their encampment like a swarm of bees?"
+
+"There's some mischief afoot, though what it is I can't rightly make out.
+Perhaps St. Leger has summoned 'em to another powwow, in order that they
+may know of our condition, as has been told by the deserters."
+
+In a very few moments it was positive that this guess was not correct,
+for, instead of crossing the creek to approach the British encampment, the
+Indians halted when they were about midway between the fort, the camps of
+the British soldiers, and the quarters of the Tories.
+
+It was at a point where every man on either side could see what was being
+done, and yet so far away that, save by a sortie, no one could molest
+them.
+
+I dare venture to say that every man in the garrison, save perhaps the
+officers, was watching intently the movements of Thayendanega's gang, and
+it was as if the knowledge of what was about to be done burst upon us all
+at the same instant.
+
+A low murmur of horror involuntarily came from our lips, and men said in
+whispers, one to another, the blood suddenly leaving their bronzed faces:
+
+"The Indians are going to torture prisoners!"
+
+By this time we could see that two stout posts had been set firmly in the
+earth, and around them were heaped piles of light wood, such as the squaws
+and children were bringing up in great quantities.
+
+Thayendanega's bloodthirsty crew was bent on showing us what would be our
+fate if we fell into their clutches.
+
+When the first shock of horror had passed away in a measure, there came
+the question as to who might be the victims, and then those who had talked
+mutiny and urged their fellows on to rankest insubordination turned pale
+as death, while many of them walked totteringly away as if unable to
+control their limbs. We all believed, and with good reason, that those
+unfortunates who were to suffer death at the hands of the most
+cruel-minded men God ever made, were none other than the deserters from
+our ranks.
+
+During the assault not one of the garrison had been taken prisoner, and
+certain it was that the besiegers had not left the vicinity of the fort
+for such length of time as would be sufficient to enable them to procure
+captives elsewhere, therefore did we know beyond a peradventure who the
+victims would be, but why only two were to suffer was something at which
+we could not even so much as guess.
+
+I saw Colonel Gansevoort and several of the officers come out from
+headquarters, having most likely been informed as to what was going on,
+and, when they stood where it was possible to have an unobstructed view of
+the horrible preparations, the entire garrison of Fort Schuyler were
+assembled as spectators.
+
+"Cannot something be done for the poor fellows?" I heard a man behind me
+ask in a quavering tone, and, turning, I saw one who had declared most
+vehemently but a few hours previous that if we would surrender the fort we
+could be assured beyond question of such treatment as civilized people
+give to prisoners of war.
+
+No one answered his question, and in a whisper I repeated it to Sergeant
+Corney, whereupon he shook his head decidedly.
+
+"The commander who would make a sortie for the purpose of savin' only two
+lives would be guilty of criminal folly," the old soldier said,
+emphatically. "If those who are to suffer were Colonel Gansevoort's
+nearest friends, still must he remain here idle rather than put in
+jeopardy all the garrison. As it is, those painted devils are givin' us
+sich a lesson as will cause every man here to fight until the death,
+rather than so much as hint that we might trust to the enemy's promises.
+It's a harsh remedy--the harshest man could imagine; but yet there are an
+hundred or more lookin' on at this minute who need it."
+
+I cannot make the feeblest attempt at describing the horror which took
+possession of me as I realized that we could make no effort toward saving
+the unfortunate men, who were not the less to be pitied because they had
+brought about their own misery, and, unable longer to gaze at what was so
+soon to be such a terrible scene, I turned away with a mind to shut myself
+up in the barracks.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XV.
+
+The Torture
+
+
+
+There was one odd thing I noted while turning away, sick at heart, which
+was that those friends of the deserters, the men whose voices had been
+raised highest against Colonel Gansevoort because he would not surrender
+the fort at St. Leger's bidding, had no word to say now that their friends
+were in such dire distress, while those who had struggled to quell the
+mutiny were asking loudly if it were not possible to do something toward
+saving the lives of the unfortunate men.
+
+Twenty or more of the bolder spirits, among whom was Sergeant Corney, were
+making ready to ask permission of the commandant to their creeping out of
+the fort on that side nearest the river, and then trying by a sudden dash
+to rescue the prisoners.
+
+Even the slight experience which I had had in savage warfare was
+sufficient to show me that there was nothing which we could do in behalf
+of the wretched men, and any plan, however promising, could not fail of
+exposing the entire garrison to the keenest peril.
+
+There could be no question but that the enemy hoped we might be so
+venturesome as to sally out, and I doubt if there was a man within the
+fortification who did not feel convinced that St. Leger's troops were
+ready to swoop down in assault at the first show of our having sent away
+any portion of our force.
+
+All knew that we inside the fortification were powerless to aid those who
+had wilfully gone to their doom, and none better than those same brave
+fellows who were ready to risk their lives in behalf of comrades who would
+have worked disaster to the entire garrison, yet they could not stand idle
+without at least a show of willingness to face danger in the hope of
+saving life.
+
+The one lesson which all of us learned at this time was as to how much
+dependence might be placed upon the word of the British commander. He had
+declared that he would protect all who came to him promising to serve the
+king, and yet, when the five foolish cowards from our garrison presented
+themselves, they were given over to the merciless savages, much as honest
+people give play-things to their children.
+
+I had turned away from the scene sick with horror, even though the
+fiendish work had not yet begun; but as I stood near the barracks,
+trembling in every limb, the thought came that perhaps our deserters were
+not the ones for whom the stakes were intended. Of course, it would be
+equally terrible to see any human being tortured to death; but at the
+moment it seemed as if the frightfulness of it would in some degree be
+lessened if it were strangers who suffered, and straightway I went back to
+the walls, taking station by the side of Jacob, as I strained my eyes to
+see who the Indians led out.
+
+"Where is the sergeant?" I asked, in a whisper.
+
+"Gone, in company with a dozen others, to ask permission of the commandant
+to leave the fort for a short time."
+
+"Do they want to compass their own death?" I asked, angrily. "I dare
+venture to say every Tory in yonder encampment is ready to cut off any
+who, from motives of mercy and pity, venture beyond the walls."
+
+"Ay, so my father believes. He says that Colonel Gansevoort cannot, in
+justice to the remainder of the force, allow such a sacrifice of life as
+would result from a sortie."
+
+"But we are not yet certain that it is our deserters who are to be put to
+death," I suggested, and at the moment a hoarse cry went up from all that
+company of heart-sick spectators.
+
+Accompanied by war-songs from the warriors and hoots and yells from the
+squaws and fiendish children, the unfortunate men were being brought
+across the river in triumph, and then a deep hush fell upon our garrison,
+as every person within the walls bent forward anxiously to get a glimpse
+of those who were being carried to the theatre of a terrible death.
+
+The unfortunate prisoners were yet too far away for me to distinguish
+their features, when a soldier standing near by, a man whom I recognized
+as one of those who had howled most loudly for surrender, cried with a
+groan as of mortal agony:
+
+"There is Seth Morton!"
+
+This was the name of one of the deserters, and there was no longer any
+hope but that the savages were ready to show us how our own people could
+die.
+
+At this moment the party with whom Sergeant Corney had gone to the
+commandant for permission to attempt a rescue came up, and but one glance
+at their faces was needed to show that the request had been denied.
+
+"He wouldn't let you go?" I whispered, as the old man stood by my side.
+
+"No, lad, an' we should have had better sense than to ask him. A
+commandant who would agree to sich a plan has no right to expect his
+troops can rely upon his showin' good judgment in a tight fix."
+
+"What did he say?"
+
+"He talked like a gentleman who speaks with his friends. Instead of
+roarin' out that we were all kinds of idjuts, as another commander might
+have done, he told us exactly what would be the result if any of us
+attempted to leave the fort, an' wound up by sayin' that if his own
+brother was in the hands of the red devils, he would not consider it doin'
+justice by the garrison even to let one man venture forth. He only told us
+the truth, an' I'm not sorry I went to him, even though nothin' came of
+it, for it ain't cheerful to stand still without makin' a little bit of a
+try while sich work as that yonder is goin' on."
+
+When the prisoners had been taken across the stream the savages lost no
+time in setting about their terrible work, and, although so many years
+have elapsed since then, I cannot bring myself to set down that which I
+know was done.
+
+While the poor fellows were being bound to the stakes, Jacob and I ran
+into the barracks, where we remained, trying to shut out from our ears the
+yells and whoops which told of what was going on.
+
+"And I would have suffered the same bitter death but for what you did,
+dear lad!" I said, hardly able to control my voice.
+
+"Don't think of it, Noel," he replied, soothingly, as he pressed my hand.
+"An', above everything, don't give me the credit. All our company had a
+part in that rescue."
+
+"Ay, yet they'd never known of our peril but for you, an' it was you
+alone, when they were arrived, who braved the danger of coming across the
+encampment to the lodge."
+
+"Talk of somethin' else, Noel Campbell!" Jacob cried, fiercely. "Even
+though the colonel knows best what should be done, it seems cowardly for
+us to be sittin' here in safety while those poor fellows are sufferin' all
+that men can!"
+
+I tried to do as he would have me; but one can readily understand that at
+such a time it would be well-nigh impossible to think of anything save
+that which was being done within sight of all the garrison.
+
+It seemed to me like a very long time before the sergeant joined us, and
+then I knew that the unfortunate men were out of their misery at last.
+
+"They have paid a fearful price for their folly," the old man said,
+solemnly; "but by thus dyin' they've ensured the holdin' of this fort, for
+there's not a man within the walls who wouldn't delight in drawin' his
+last breath at the post of duty rather than take the chances of sich
+protection as St. Leger has shown he's ready to give. We'll have no more
+mutiny, an' all hands will be starved to death before the enemy gets
+possession of the fortification."
+
+"What about the other three men?" Jacob asked, in a whisper, not daring to
+trust his voice lest it should betray the fear in his heart.
+
+"I reckon their turn will come soon--perhaps to-morrow night.
+Thayendanega's 'noble red men' can't afford to waste their victims. But,
+hark ye, lads, it won't do for you to moon over what is enough to turn any
+man's blood to water. Take a brisk walk up an' down the parade-ground for
+half an hour, an' then come to bed. I'm thinkin' we may have a bit of
+work cut out for us within the next four an' twenty hours."
+
+"Of what kind?" I asked, not inclined to follow the old man's advice so
+far as to venture out while the howling Indians were making night
+something of which to be afraid.
+
+"It stands to reason that before the deserters were turned over to the
+painted wolves St. Leger got from them all the information concernin' this
+fort which they could give. The British general now knows that we haven't
+any too much ammunition for the cannon, an' it'll be odd if he don't give
+us a chance to spend a good bit more of it."
+
+This seemed a plausible line of reasoning, and yet I was not in the
+lightest degree troubled by the possibility; I had known so much of horror
+during the past few hours that an assault, however desperate, was
+something to be courted rather than feared.
+
+Sergeant Corney smoked his pipe long and furiously that night as he sat in
+the barracks, giving no heed as to whether we followed his advice, and we
+two lads sat side by side with little inclination to indulge in
+conversation.
+
+One by one our boys, pale-faced and trembling, entered the
+sleeping-quarters, some even going so far as to lie down, but positive am
+I that never an eye was closed in slumber during all that night, and every
+one of us welcomed the first rays of the rising sun as if years had
+passed since he last showed his face.
+
+Before another six hours passed we had good proof that those who deserted
+gave all the information at their command to General St. Leger regarding
+the condition of affairs at the fort, and yet never a word was spoken
+against them, because of the frightful punishment which followed their
+treachery.
+
+From what our party of Minute Boys had seen up to this time, the work of
+the siege was not pushed vigorously by the Britishers, and even the little
+which was done had been performed by the Tories. It is true that the
+parallels were run unpleasantly near the fort, yet, had the besiegers so
+desired, there would have been twice as much to show for their efforts.
+
+On the morning after two of the deserters had been tortured to death, it
+began to look as if our people would have little time for idleness.
+
+The enemy's trenches were filled with men,--regulars as well as
+Tories,--all of whom worked with a will, and at different points
+sharpshooters were stationed to pick off our sentinels.
+
+"Now this is somethin' like business," Sergeant Corney said, as if the
+sense of additional danger was most pleasing to him. "Barry St. Leger has
+just found out that there's a chance of takin' this fort by storm, an'
+from now on we'll have our hands full."
+
+Jacob and I were in the barracks trying to sleep when the old man burst
+in upon us with the remark I have set down, and as he spoke he began
+furbishing up his rifle with unusual care.
+
+"Have you any especial work on hand?" I asked, looking curiously at him.
+
+"Ay, lad, that's what I have. This 'ere garrison ain't in any very great
+danger of runnin' short of ammunition for the small arms, an' we're goin'
+to give the enemy lead in the place of iron for a spell."
+
+"What do you mean?" I asked, somewhat petulantly, for it seemed as if the
+old man was making sport of me.
+
+"Only that we've given the enemy's sharpshooters a chance all the forenoon
+without interferin' to any great extent, an' now we're countin' on takin'
+our turn. Fifty men have been detailed to pick off as many of St. Leger's
+force as we can draw a bead on. I reckon workin' in the trenches won't be
+a healthy job from this time on. Colonel Gansevoort allows to show the
+Britishers that he can stir his stumps if needs must."
+
+The sergeant left the barracks without giving us further information; but
+we soon learned that our people were to be kept sharply up to their work,
+instead of being allowed to spend five hours out of every six in lounging
+around.
+
+The force of sharpshooters to which Sergeant Corney was assigned had been
+stationed on the north and east sides of the fort, where they could
+command a view of the British and Tory encampments and the trenches.
+
+Another company of fifty was told off especially for the horn-works, while
+we Minute Boys were ordered to keep at least ten of our number constantly
+on watch over the sally-port, from which point the best view of the Indian
+encampment could be had.
+
+Yet others of the force were detailed to go from one division to another
+of those I have named, in order to lend a hand in case it might become
+necessary, and thus it was we no longer had any loungers on the
+parade-grounds or near the barracks.
+
+The orders were that every effort be made to pick off such of the enemy as
+offered themselves for targets, and before the day had come to an end St.
+Leger's men must have begun to understand that the siege of Fort Schuyler
+was no longer the one-sided affair which it had been.
+
+My lads could not have been stationed in any other position where they
+would have been as well satisfied, for thus were they fighting the savages
+who had threatened to ravage the Mohawk Valley, and every time we made a
+successful shot it was much as if we struck a blow in defence of our
+homes.
+
+Thayendanega's so-called braves did not give us very much opportunity to
+display our skill as marksmen, however. Within five minutes after the
+curs discovered that we were straining every effort to reduce their
+number, they hugged the encampment mighty snug, and I am of the opinion
+that General St. Leger would have found it difficult to make them obey any
+order which might necessitate their coming within our line of fire.
+
+In addition to this slow method of whipping a large force, I noted the
+fact that twenty men or more were at work moving one of the guns in the
+northwest bastion, and was not a little puzzled to make out why such a
+piece of work should be done at a time when we could not afford to use the
+cannon any more than was absolutely necessary.
+
+My surprise was not lessened when the laborers with great difficulty
+transferred the big gun directly to our station, mounting it almost
+directly over the port, after which six rounds of ammunition were brought
+from the magazine and placed where it could be got at handily.
+
+"Does the commandant think we lads can handle that cannon properly?" I
+asked of the corporal who was superintending the work, and he replied,
+with a laugh of satisfaction:
+
+"I reckon he wasn't thinkin' very much about you when he gave orders to
+have the gun moved. That's to help out on our surprise-party; it'll carry
+a ball farther an' with truer aim than any other piece in the fort, as I
+know, havin' had somewhat to do with all of 'em."
+
+"What do you mean by a surprise-party?" I asked, in perplexity. "An' why
+should the best gun be brought here?"
+
+"Well, you see, lad, the chances are them bloody sneaks will soon try to
+work the same deviltry which we had to look at idly last night, for it
+stands to reason that all who deserted from this fort fell into their
+clutches. The next time they start in to kill a man by inches, believin'
+they're out of range, we'll plump a ball into the middle of the gang
+that'll make em' hop a bit."
+
+I laughed in glee at the prospect of turning the tables on the
+bloodthirsty wretches, but very shortly came the thought that the
+unfortunate prisoners would be in as much danger as the savages, and this
+I suggested to the corporal, whereupon he said, gravely:
+
+"We'll hope the first shot kills as many as are trussed up to the stakes,
+lad, because a quick death is the only favor we can do for the poor
+fellows."
+
+It would indeed be a mercy to kill the prisoners, if we could not save
+their lives; but of a verity we were come to hard lines when it was to be
+hoped our missiles would slay those who had been our comrades.
+
+I believed all the garrison were better content, now that Colonel
+Gansevoort was finding work for every man. Certainly there was less chance
+for searching out bugbears when they were busily engaged, and each of us
+felt a grim satisfaction at knowing that we inflicted some punishment on
+the enemy, however slight.
+
+It must not be supposed that our sharpshooters found all the targets they
+desired, else had we wiped St. Leger's force out in a twinkling; but there
+were in the white portion of his army a sufficient number who scorned to
+show fear of what we might be able to do, and these kept our men so
+engaged that the reports of the rifles were ringing out almost without
+intermission.
+
+As I have already said, we Minute Boys had but little opportunity to show
+our skill after the first hour, because the savages kept so close within
+their lodges; but now and then we had a crack at a painted figure, and
+seldom missed our aim.
+
+As the day wore away it became evident that the Indians counted on
+torturing the remainder of their prisoners as before, and, instead of
+suffering from the sickness of horror, as I had twenty-four hours
+previous, there was in my mind a most pleasing anticipation of what would
+be the result.
+
+Half an hour before sunset they began setting up new posts, a fact which
+told that St. Leger had indeed turned over to them all the deserters.
+
+Word was passed around the fort that the commandant counted on putting an
+end to their cruel sport, if perchance the distance was not greater than
+he had estimated, and by sunset every person inside the walls, save those
+who were acting as sentinels on the westerly side, had their faces turned
+in the direction of the Indian encampment.
+
+It was claimed that the corporal with whom I had previously spoken was the
+best gunner in the command, and to him had been entrusted the work of
+sighting the cannon.
+
+He had already charged it heavily, and when the savages began setting up
+new posts he knew the time had come to look for the proper range.
+
+The corporal had no need to call for a crew to aid him. An hundred pairs
+of hands were out-stretched eagerly whenever he signified the desire to
+have this thing or that done, and he was more like to suffer from a
+surplus of helpers than a lack.
+
+It looked much as if Colonel Gansevoort feared that, while our attention
+was attracted toward the fiendish work of the savages, the British and
+Tory soldiers might make an assault, for he ordered the number of
+sentinels doubled and all the spectators to be in line, weapons in hand,
+that no time might be lost in case it became necessary to move them from
+one point to another.
+
+Thayendanega's wolves did not count on keeping us waiting very long; but
+as soon as the sun had set began crossing the river with their unfortunate
+prisoners, singing and shouting, as if the capture and torturing of these
+unarmed men was some signal act of bravery.
+
+The corporal told off a certain number of those nearest to act as crew
+for the gun, explaining to them just how they should set about the task of
+recharging when once it had been discharged, and then the remainder of the
+spectators, save we Minute Boys who were entitled to remain at our
+stations, were forced to fall back that they might not impede the work
+after it was once begun.
+
+By this time Colonel Gansevoort himself had come up, and thus we
+understood that he was to direct the firing. If our cannon could carry a
+missile to the place of torture, then certain it was the red-skinned
+brutes would receive a lesson well calculated to surprise those who were
+left alive after the piece had been discharged.
+
+The commandant did not wait until the horrible work was begun; but, once
+the stakes were surrounded by the howling, screaming, dancing mob as they
+placed the prisoners in the desired positions, the corporal got the word
+for which he had been eagerly waiting.
+
+A puff of dense white smoke, a report which was almost deafening to those
+of us standing near by rang out.
+
+Then we could follow the flight of the missile in the air until it struck,
+as it seemed to me, within a dozen paces of those bloodthirsty villains
+who stood on the outside of the throng, and, rebounding as does a flat
+stone when a boy drives it along the surface of the water, it plunged into
+the very midst of the fiendish crew.
+
+I could see that one of the posts had been carried away by the ball, but
+whether or no the prisoner was killed could not be told from so great a
+distance and while he was surrounded by such numbers.
+
+It was to be hoped the poor fellow had gone to his final account without
+pain, as would have been the case had the huge shot struck him.
+
+The gunners did not wait to see the result of their work; but instantly
+the cannon was discharged every man sprang to the task allotted him, and
+the savages had not yet recovered from the first surprise before a second
+shot came hurtling among them, striking down half a score before it
+rebounded.
+
+I do not believe forty seconds elapsed before the gunners were ready for
+the third discharge. In order to save time they did not wait to swab out
+the piece, and the only preparation make by them was to clear the interior
+of smoke.
+
+To tell it in the fewest possible words, the corporal had for his target
+nearly the entire number of Indians who had attempted to witness the
+torture, while we fired four shots, and not until then did the
+panic-stricken crew get their wits about them sufficiently to beat a
+retreat.
+
+But the gun was discharged twice more while they were crossing the river,
+and I know for a certainty that one boat was swamped, while the ground in
+the vicinity of the posts set up for the prisoners seemed literally
+strewn with the dead and the dying.
+
+At that moment, while we were making the air ring with our shouts of
+triumph, I saw a figure emerge from that sinister pile of dead and maimed
+and come limpingly in the direction of the fort, moving evidently with
+great effort and slowly.
+
+At first I believed it was a wounded Indian, who was so crazed with pain
+or fear as not to be aware of the direction in which he was proceeding,
+and then a cry went up from the soldiers nearabout me:
+
+"Reuben Cox! Reuben Cox!"
+
+"Was he one of the deserters?" I asked of the corporal, who, his work
+having been done, was leaning out over the wall to watch the frightened
+sneaks as they scuttled into their lodges out of sight.
+
+"Ay, that he was," the corporal replied, "an' it looks much as if he stood
+a chance to gain the fort before those painted beauties dare stick their
+noses out from cover."
+
+As we watched it was possible to see that the man's arms were tied behind
+him, while it seemed as if his legs were fettered in some way; yet he was
+able to take short steps, and in his eagerness to make better speed he
+fell to the ground again and again, rising only with difficulty.
+
+The fugitive was a deserter from the fort, one who had doubtless given
+such information to the British general as might work serious harm to all
+of us; but yet never a cry was heard from our garrison, save such as
+expressed hope that he might escape the terrible doom from which we had at
+least temporarily saved him, and all appeared eager for him to gain the
+fortification.
+
+Even Colonel Gansevoort seemed to lose sight of the fact that if this man
+came among us once more it would be necessary to treat him as a deserter;
+but to check, if possible, pursuit from the British and Tory soldiers, he
+lined the walls with men under command to fire without waiting for the
+word, upon any of the enemy who might approach within range.
+
+The crews of the guns in the northeastern bastion were sent to their posts
+of duty, in order that the pieces might be used in case an opportunity
+presented itself, and, in fact, every possible effort, save the absolute
+sallying out of a relief party, was made to preserve the life of the man
+who by all military laws deserved death.
+
+It seemed to me as if I did not breathe while that poor, struggling
+creature was straining every effort to find a place of refuge among those
+whom he had wronged. It was as if the distance increased even as he came
+toward us, and I found it difficult to remain silent while he stumbled,
+fell, rose, and fell again during his painful flight.
+
+Fifty men or more ran to the sally-port, ready to open the gates if he
+should draw near, and Colonel Gansevoort made no effort to check them.
+
+I believe at the moment that he entirely lost sight of the fact that this
+man could no longer claim the right of entrance, having forfeited it when
+he went over to the enemy. He, and all within the walls, saw before them
+only a wretched prisoner, striving to escape from those who would torture
+him to death, and had he been a dear friend no greater anxiety could have
+been shown for his safety.
+
+Not until he was within fifty yards of the walls of the fort did a shot
+come from the direction of the Indian encampment, and then the bullet sped
+wide of its mark.
+
+From the camp of the Tories a squad of men dashed out, as if intent on
+cutting off the poor fellow even after he was close under the walls, but a
+gun from the northeastern bastion hurled a shot uncomfortably near,
+sending them flying back beyond range, and five minutes later Reuben Cox
+was in our midst, as nearly dead from wounds and fatigue as he ever would
+be again until his final moment had come.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVI.
+
+Short Allowance
+
+
+
+Five men had deserted from the fort trusting to the promises made by
+General St. Leger, and one had returned, after having suffered more than
+death, rejoicing because he was able to be once again with those whom he
+had betrayed.
+
+At the moment, however, we had no thought of the deserter, but saw before
+us only a former comrade who had come out from the very jaws of death to
+claim protection.
+
+The poor fellow had been cruelly cut on the legs and arms by the savages
+while they were bringing him across the river, and had lost much blood.
+His face and hands were covered with huge blisters, and it was not
+necessary either Sergeant Corney or I should ask how he came by them, for
+we knew through bitterest experience what the squaws and children would do
+when a white man was at their mercy.
+
+Not until a full hour had passed could Reuben Cox tell his story, and even
+then he was in such a sorry plight that it was possible for him to speak
+only a moment at a time; but before morning came--before we were able to
+do very much toward relieving his sufferings--we had a fairly good account
+of all that had occurred from the moment the five foolish men clambered
+over the stockade until our cannon had done its work of mercy.
+
+It seems that the deserters, after getting outside the fort, decided to
+make their way as nearly to St. Leger's quarters as might be possible, and
+to that end made a long détour to the westward. The sun had risen before
+they came upon a sentinel, and he was, fortunately, as it seemed to them,
+one of the British regulars.
+
+Their story was soon told; no attempt was made to hide the fact that they
+had deserted, for all believed that such a statement would ensure their
+receiving a hearty welcome from the commander.
+
+Much to their surprise, however, the British soldiers treated them with
+the utmost contempt and no slight degree of harshness. The Tories were the
+only white men who appeared particularly pleased with what had been done,
+and they gave the fellows a friendly reception only because, being
+renegades themselves, it gladdened them to know there were others in the
+valley who could be so contemptible.
+
+As a matter of course they were soon taken before the commander that he
+might question them; but even he evidently looked upon them with no slight
+disgust, for he forced them to remain standing while in his presence, and
+failed to give any instructions as to how they should be quartered or fed.
+
+Reuben Cox admitted, with many a groan and plea for mercy, that he and his
+companions had given St. Leger all the information concerning the fort
+which was in their power, and even made our situation appear more
+desperate than really was the case; but when they asked for permission to
+serve the king under his command, he roughly told them to present
+themselves to Sir John Johnson, declaring that the regulars would not
+receive them as companions-in-arms.
+
+Just at that moment it was impossible for them to find Sir John, and, more
+hungry than they had ever been inside Fort Schuyler, they wandered about
+until arriving face to face with a party of Indians, who had come from
+their encampment to lounge around near the white soldiers, from whom they
+begged rum and tobacco.
+
+That meeting sealed their fate, and the poor wretches came to understand
+what was in store for them, even before St. Leger had agreed that they
+might be turned over to the tender mercies of his savage allies.
+
+During an hour they did their best to escape, but only to be dragged back
+with many a kick and blow each time they endeavored to sneak out of the
+encampment.
+
+As nearly as the unhappy men could understand, there was a long, angry
+interview between Sir John, Thayendanega, and some of the British officers
+before the matter was settled, and then they were delivered up to the
+Indians, even the Tories shutting their ears to the prayers for mercy.
+
+It was not necessary I should hear what he had to say about the treatment
+the deserters received in the Indian encampment prior to being led out to
+the stake. I knew full well what suffering must have been theirs before
+the hour arrived when all was to be ended. I had had some slight
+experience as a prisoner in the power of the savages, and even then could
+not listen to another's story of similar treatment without severe mental
+pain.
+
+The three who were reserved for the second evening's entertainment
+suffered nearly all the agonies of death when their comrades were
+tortured, for the Indians forced them to be present as spectators, and it
+is little wonder they were half-dead with fear when their turn came to
+afford amusement for those who found their greatest delight in listening
+to screams of agony from helpless victims.
+
+The first shot from the fort killed two of the deserters outright and
+overturned the post to which Cox was being bound. He could not tell very
+much about the execution done by the balls, for at first he believed it
+was some new form of torture which the savages had invented; but when the
+painted crew fled across the river in abject fear, leaving him
+comparatively at liberty, he began to understand that the comrades whom he
+had wickedly wronged were doing what they could to aid him.
+
+He declared that there were no less than twenty dead savages lying
+nearabout the place when he started for the fort, while as many more,
+badly wounded, were putting forth every effort at escaping beyond range of
+our gun.
+
+All this was repeated to me by Sergeant Corney, who had heard it from
+Reuben Cox himself, and when he was come to an end of the recital I asked:
+
+"Now that he is here, an' likely to live, what will be done with him?"
+
+"That's what I can't say, lad, an' I'm of the belief that it puzzles the
+commandant not a little. Desertion in the face of an enemy is punishable
+by death the world over, an' rightly, for a soldier can commit no greater
+crime; but what about shootin' a man who has already suffered a dozen
+deaths?"
+
+I soon came to know that the question I had asked of the sergeant was
+being discussed by all the garrison, many of the men declaring that Reuben
+Cox deserved to be treated as any other deserter, while a large number
+claimed that the sufferings he had endured should be considered as having
+atoned for the crime.
+
+The arguments became so warm that it was evident Colonel Gansevoort would
+be forced to come to some decision regarding the matter, and so he did on
+this same day when we were called out on the parade-ground, being formed
+in a hollow square.
+
+Then it was that the commandant laid the affair before us without comment,
+save as he declared that neither he nor his staff were willing to settle
+the question themselves, and he had decided to leave it to the
+garrison,--the men who must suffer because of the information given to St.
+Leger, if it so chanced that the British commander gained any advantage
+through it.
+
+"Discuss it thoroughly among yourselves," the colonel said, "and, having
+made up your minds as to what punishment should be dealt out to Cox, write
+the verdict on a bit of paper, signing your names thereto, and leave the
+same at headquarters. Whatsoever the majority of you declare just to all
+concerned, shall be done."
+
+Then we were dismissed from parade, and on the instant there ensued such a
+buzzing and humming that one might have thought an hundred swarms of bees
+had taken possession of the fort, as each man tried to impress upon his
+neighbor that he had the only correct solution to the painful question.
+
+Our Minute Boys were all of the same mind, and it gave me no little
+satisfaction to know that my company were of the mind that Cox had been
+fully punished for his wrong-doing. Without any delay we stated our views
+in few words at the top of a sheet of paper, and each member signed his
+name, after which I carried it to headquarters.
+
+It was Colonel Gansevoort himself whom I saw, and he asked, after glancing
+over the list of names:
+
+"How does it happen that you lads arrived at a decision so quickly?
+Desertion is a very serious offence, and, because of the lesson which
+others may receive, should be punished severely."
+
+"True, sir," I made bold to say; "but among those who signed the paper are
+two who were prisoners among the savages, and, while not havin' been
+subjected to great torture, they have a fair idea of what Cox must have
+suffered."
+
+"Are you speaking of yourself and the old soldier?"
+
+"Ay, sir."
+
+"And yet because of what Cox has told St. Leger you may soon be again in
+the power of the Indians."
+
+"That can never be, sir," I replied, gravely. "We know full well you will
+not surrender, however sore our plight, therefore the savages must take
+their prisoners in a fight, an' one need not be captured alive."
+
+"Then you would rather die with a musket in your hands than fall into
+their clutches?"
+
+"A good many times over, if that could be, sir," and so great was the
+horror in my heart through simply calling the possibility to mind that the
+colonel must have understood I spoke no more than the truth.
+
+"Well, my lad, I will tell you this much for the gratification of yourself
+and friends: When it comes, if it ever does, that I am convinced, because
+of lack of food, ammunition, or any other contingency, that we cannot hold
+the fort, I will lead as many of the garrison as choose to follow me in an
+attempt to cut our way through the enemy's lines. I, like you, prefer to
+die fighting, rather than at the stake."
+
+These words gave me greatest relief of mind, even though to do as the
+colonel promised was much like going to certain death, and I asked:
+
+"May I repeat to my comrades what you have said, sir?"
+
+"Ay, that you may, lad, and unless succor comes soon I shall speak quite
+as plainly to all the garrison, for to-morrow morning the rations are of a
+necessity to be cut down one-half, which will give our discontented men
+good chance to talk of starvation."
+
+It would have given me greatest satisfaction to ask him a few questions
+concerning our supplies, which, when he made the statement to the
+garrison, had seemed so plentiful; but, fortunately, I had sense enough to
+understand that, for a lad like me, to make searching inquiries of the
+commandant of a fort was something which the most easy-going officer would
+not tolerate for an instant.
+
+Therefore, thanking him for having given me the assurance which he had, I
+took my leave, going with all speed to the barracks that I might acquaint
+Sergeant Corney with what I had heard.
+
+"It's good news, lad, though not much different from what I've come to
+expect from sich a soldier as the commandant. Now we've nothin' in
+particular to worry about, seem's there won't be any question of takin'
+advantage of the Britisher's offer, which would be kept in the case of all
+hands much as it was when our poor fools deserted. But what is this about
+short allowance? I thought it was proven to us that we had supplies in
+plenty for many days to come?"
+
+"I can only tell you what the commandant said."
+
+"I reckon he'll explain matters when he tells us why the rations are
+short, an' that he'll have to do in order to satisfy some of the imitation
+soldiers we've got in this 'ere fort."
+
+Then the old man went to his post of duty, and I rejoined the Minute Boys
+over the sally-port, where every member of my company was aching to get a
+fair shot at one of Thayendanega's curs.
+
+The Indians were not inclined to show themselves on this morning after we
+gave our surprise-party. I fancy they had come to understand it wouldn't
+be an easy matter to get the best of us, and were having considerably more
+of fighting than was pleasing.
+
+Never one of the painted snakes came within range of our rifles. At some
+time during the night they had plucked up courage enough to drag off their
+wounded, and, if they visited the British or Tory camp that day, it was
+after making such a détour through the thicket as kept them screened from
+our view.
+
+In the trenches the white portion of St. Leger's army worked like men who
+feel the whip behind them, and our people succeeded in sending six to the
+hospital or their last resting-place, without receiving a scratch.
+
+Such a siege as had been carried on during the past eight and forty hours
+could not be cheerful amusement, and I began to have an idea that it would
+not take very much of a reverse to send the Tories flying to some other
+section of the country. If our people would only follow the example set
+them by Colonel Gansevoort, it seemed certain we could hold the fort at no
+greater cost than that of being hungry during a certain length of time!
+
+When another day had come, and the rations were reduced in size as the
+commandant had said they would be, there was a hum of dissatisfaction all
+over the fort, even those whom we counted as being the stoutest-hearted
+doing their full share of grumbling, and wholly because the commandant had
+so lately told them that we had sufficient of food for many days.
+
+They were not yet done with the business of deciding what punishment
+should be dealt out to Cox; but that was entirely lost sight of in face
+of this apparent change in the situation. It seemed as if the store of
+provisions must be very low indeed, else the rations would not have been
+cut down so soon after the statements made by the quartermaster.
+
+It is true that there was no mutinous talk to be heard; the fate of the
+deserters had taught the grumblers a lesson that would not soon be
+forgotten, but much was said that did not tend to improve the discipline.
+
+At noon word was passed among the men that the last of the votes on Cox's
+case must be in the commandant's hands within two hours, and it was
+generally understood, if not stated as a fact, that at nightfall we would
+hear the verdict. Then also, so nearly all the members of the garrison
+believed, Colonel Gansevoort would explain the reason for putting us on
+short allowance after having stated that we had food in plenty.
+
+Therefore it was the men went about their work as usual, content to wait
+until night; but the commandant would have been unwise to keep them in
+ignorance longer.
+
+"The only mistake that has been made in this business was when Colonel
+Gansevoort condescended to give out any statement while the men were ripe
+for mutiny," Sergeant Corney stopped to say to me, as I met him on the
+parade-ground while going to the barracks to summon some of the lads whose
+time for sentinel-duty had come. "If a dozen or more of the
+loudest-mouthed had been put under arrest, an' such as the deserters
+strung up by the thumbs, four lives might have been saved, an' there
+wouldn't be any foolish talk made now."
+
+I had no time to reply to the old man, for, having thus relieved his mind,
+he passed on, and I went about my duties.
+
+The Britishers and Tories worked half-heartedly in the trenches, the
+savages kept well out of sight, and we of the garrison watched eagerly for
+an opportunity to send home a bullet where it would do the most good,
+until nightfall, and then came the call for us to fall into line.
+
+The fate of Cox had been decided, and we were to be told about the
+reduction of rations, therefore nearly every man wore an expression of
+anxious expectation.
+
+Sergeant Corney was an exception to the general rule; he apparently had no
+particular interest in either matter, and obeyed the call as if he did so
+only because it was necessary.
+
+As on the previous occasion, we were drawn up in a hollow square, with
+Colonel Gansevoort and his staff inside, and without wasting many words in
+leading up to the subject, the commandant announced that the majority of
+the men had decided there was no need of further punishment for Reuben
+Cox; that the penalty which he had already paid was a sufficient lesson
+for those of us who entertained any idea of trusting to the promises made
+by the British commander.
+
+Then he spoke of our being put on short allowance, and straightway the men
+pricked up their ears, listening intently to the end that they might be
+able to prove the quartermaster had told a deliberate falsehood.
+
+"You were told that we had food sufficient with which to feed all inside
+the walls for a term of three weeks," he said, speaking slowly that there
+might be no mistake as to his words. "The statement, under the conditions
+then existing, was true; but you must bear in mind that since that time
+General St. Leger has been informed of our situation, so far as the
+deserters understood it. The result of his learning that the stock of
+provisions is not as great as it should be has been the increased activity
+of the foe, which entails much severe labor upon you, and causes him to
+guard more closely against the succor which may be sent us.
+
+"Therefore my officers and I have believed it wisest to say to ourselves
+that it is not reasonable to expect aid from the outside can come to us
+for four or five weeks, even if Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell
+finally succeed in finding General Schuyler, because it must arrive in
+sufficient force to break through the lines St. Leger will throw around
+us. Now in order that we may safely count on having sufficient food to
+sustain life during at least five weeks, it has been decided, after due
+deliberation, to put the entire garrison, the commandant as well as the
+men, on short allowance."
+
+"And what if General Schuyler has so much on his hands because of Burgoyne
+that he can't come to our relief?"
+
+"If when we are come to our last two rations we get no definite
+information that relief is near at hand, we will sally out at night and
+cut our way through the enemy's lines!" Colonel Gansevoort cried in
+ringing tones, and straightway Sergeant Corney set about clapping his
+hands with such vigor that, almost before the men were aware of the fact,
+they were applauding the commandant heartily.
+
+In the midst of this involuntary token of good-will the officers very
+wisely went to their quarters, leaving us to stew over the situation in
+such fashion as best pleased us.
+
+Every man on the parade-ground understood full well that if he would save
+his life it stood him in hand to get back to his post of duty without
+unnecessary delay, and in a very few minutes those whose turn it was to go
+on duty were setting about the regular routine as laid down since the
+besiegers displayed unusual activity.
+
+That night, when Sergeant Corney should have been sleeping, he came to my
+post, and the two of us discussed the situation in all its bearings,
+coming to the conclusion that the garrison was in much better shape than
+it would have been but for the horrible lesson Thayendanega's villains
+gave us regarding their treatment of prisoners.
+
+Certain it was that we would hear no more about surrendering, therefore we
+need not fear another mutiny, and, as the old man said grimly:
+
+"If the men want more to eat, let 'em go outside to get it, for it won't
+do any good to whine after what has been said."
+
+During the week which followed every man did his full duty, and we heard
+very little grumbling, although I am sorry to set it down that some of the
+faint-hearted did wag their tongues more than was seemly; but on the whole
+the garrison showed themselves to be fairly good soldiers.
+
+Reuben Cox was able to move about on the fourth day after he succeeded in
+getting inside the fort, and as I saw this man and that, who had formerly
+been his close comrades, move aside lest he should speak to them, I
+decided that the man's punishment was far greater than any we could have
+inflicted upon him. Death, according to my way of thinking, would have
+been far preferable to being thus scorned.
+
+Cox must have had some such thoughts himself, for, coming full upon the
+commandant one day, the two being not above twenty paces from where I was
+stationed, he pleaded piteously to leave the fort in order that he might
+do what he could toward hurrying forward the relief for which we were
+hoping.
+
+"You would not live to get two hundred yards away," Colonel Gansevoort
+replied, speaking not unkindly. "The enemy are doubtless on the alert for
+some such attempt on our part, since knowing we are not overly burdened
+with food."
+
+"I would like to make the try, sir," Cox said, in a pleading tone, "an',
+if it so be that they get hold of me again, it'll be better to die in
+their hands than stay here where every man looks upon me as somethin' to
+be despised."
+
+"You can't be surprised, Cox, that the brave fellows, whose plight has
+been rendered more desperate by what you and your companions did, should
+be averse to making friendly with you."
+
+"I'm not surprised, sir, an' I'd like to end it all by showin' that I've
+still got man enough in me to die tryin' to repair the mischief that's
+been done."
+
+"The only way to make atonement is by doing whatsoever comes to your hand
+here in the fort. There's like to be plenty of fighting ahead of us, and
+you should be able to do more than your share."
+
+"Could it be fixed, sir, so that I might give up nearly all my rations to
+those who need 'em the most?" the poor fellow asked, in a tone so pitiful
+and weak that my heart really went out in sympathy to him.
+
+"We will stand or fall on the same footing, my man," the colonel said, as
+he walked away, and immediately I was relieved of duty I made it my
+business to repeat the conversation to every man I came across.
+
+We were all so near death just then that it surely seemed as if we should
+have forgiveness in our hearts for such as Cox, lest we be denied that
+same boon in the next world.
+
+From that day our people showed less aversion for the repentant deserter,
+and of a verity he did the work of three men during every four and twenty
+hours thereafter while we remained in Fort Schuyler.
+
+In just eight days after that assault when the Indians so nearly succeeded
+in gaining a foothold in the horn-works, another attack was threatened,
+and this time it was not unexpected.
+
+We had been punishing so severely those who were working in the trenches,
+and had kept the savages such close prisoners in their own encampment,
+that it seemed only natural the more soldierly of the men in St. Leger's
+army should insist on being led against us.
+
+It was possible for us to tell by the shouts and yells that on a certain
+night Thayendanega's cowards had assembled in the British camp for a
+powwow, although they had taken good care not to let us see them going
+there, and Sergeant Corney said to me, as if he had a written programme
+of the entire proceedings:
+
+"To-morrow we will have redcoats in plenty at which to shoot."
+
+"Why do you say that?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"I'll eat my head if Barry St. Leger hasn't called Thayendanega's gang
+together with the idea of stiffenin' their backs so they'll be willin' to
+make an assault. The regulars have been gettin' mighty uneasy these two
+days, an' somethin' has got to be done, different from ditch-diggin', to
+keep 'em in good spirits."
+
+"Won't Cox fight if he gets another show at the beauties who came so near
+killing him at the stake!" I cried, giving words to the first thought
+which entered my mind.
+
+"He won't get the chance. The assault will be made before to-morrow night,
+an' never a feather can be seen."
+
+"Why are you so positive about that?"
+
+"They've much the same as told us. If we hadn't got 'em cowed by sendin' a
+bullet their way whenever one of the sneaks showed his nose, they'd been
+cavortin' 'round here this week past tryin' to make it lively for us. I
+tell you, Noel, we can count the painted murderers out of the game from
+this on."
+
+"I hope you may be right," I said, with a long-drawn sigh, "for if St.
+Leger has lost as many of his army as Thayendanega's crowd represents, it
+won't be such a desperate venture to cut our way through his lines when
+we've eaten the last ration."
+
+"Don't stop believin' that General Schuyler will contrive to give us a
+lift. I'm countin' that he's lookin' after the matter now," the sergeant
+replied, and then he walked away whistling softly, as if the thought of
+taking part against another assault pleased him mightily.
+
+Before morning came I understood that Sergeant Corney was not the only one
+in the garrison who believed the enemy would soon show unusual signs of
+life.
+
+The howling and yelling of the savages at the powwow continued until near
+to midnight, and the noise had hardly more than died away when the
+commandant came to where I was stationed, halting a moment to gaze in the
+direction of the Indian camp before he asked:
+
+"Have you seen any targets in this direction lately?"
+
+"It has been a good many days since any of the crew gave us a chance to
+show what we could do with a bullet, sir."
+
+"How long are you on duty to-night?"
+
+"Until morning, sir. Jacob Sitz and I have thought best to stay with the
+sentinels of our company during all the hours of darkness. We catch a
+cat-nap now and then, so it isn't like doin' extra work."
+
+"Your lads will make good names for themselves among those who love the
+Cause, if they keep on as they've begun," the colonel said in the most
+kindly tone, and the praise made me as proud as any peacock, for I had
+hoped we might be able to show him we could do the work of men.
+
+For the life of me I couldn't get my wits together quickly enough to thank
+him as I should have done, and immediately he said, as if speaking to one
+of his officers:
+
+"See that a sharp watch be kept from now on, and do not hesitate to raise
+an alarm if anything unusual is seen, Captain Campbell."
+
+I am certain my cheeks reddened when he thus recognized my rank, yet I was
+such a simple that I could only stammer:
+
+"You must have in mind, sir, somethin' the same as has Sergeant Corney. He
+has lately been here predicting an assault for to-morrow."
+
+"The sergeant uses his ears to some purpose," the colonel said, with a
+laugh, and then he walked away, leaving me with a determination to keep
+guard as I had never kept it before.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVII.
+
+Perplexing Scenes
+
+
+
+Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and
+the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my
+duty.
+
+It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was
+depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or
+sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance,
+I might disappoint him.
+
+After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue
+prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in
+an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the
+conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.
+
+"Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other
+to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "If the
+sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege,
+then we're not likely to see much from this point."
+
+"But we're not certain the old man knows better than any one else; he has
+figured it out to suit himself, without havin' definite knowledge. The
+commandant has much the same as praised our company, an' we must see to it
+that he has no cause to blame."
+
+By this time Jacob was fully awake, and he set out along such portion of
+the wall as was under our charge, straining his eyes in the direction of
+the Indian encampment, but without seeing anything whatsoever. Not a
+camp-fire was burning, and I failed to hear even the howling of a dog,
+which was something so unusual as to cause us no little surprise.
+
+"Can it be that Thayendanega's gang has deserted General St. Leger?" I
+asked, in a whisper. "The sergeant will have it that they are done with
+the siege, in which case it wouldn't be surprisin' if they had sneaked
+away."
+
+"There's no such good news as that," Jacob said, with a laugh; "but I'm
+puzzled to make out why they're so quiet."
+
+Had we been left to our own counsels ten minutes longer I believe I might
+have been tempted to waken the sergeant, which would have given him an
+opportunity to laugh at us because we had grown nervous over the absence
+of all danger-signs; but just then Peter Sitz approached, and I whispered
+to my comrade in a tone of relief that he and I were not the only nervous
+members of the garrison.
+
+"It seems as if all hands had it in mind that we need lookin' after,"
+Jacob replied, grimly, and then his father asked if we had seen anything
+unusual since the powwow came to an end.
+
+"It's what we've neither seen nor heard that's puzzlin' us, sir," my
+comrade said, and then he called his father's attention to the remarkable
+quiet which reigned where, ordinarily, noises of some kind could be heard
+during every hour of the night.
+
+Master Sitz appeared decidedly disturbed in mind, yet he made no comment,
+and, after listening in vain five minutes or more, he walked away without
+giving heed to us.
+
+It really appeared, before that long night had come to an end, as if every
+officer in the fort suspected something might be wrong, and, what seemed
+yet more strange to me, they all came directly to our post, instead of
+visiting those sentinels who, if the savages had really cut loose from St.
+Leger, should have been in the best positions to hear or see the first
+signs of the expected assault.
+
+I have set all this down at considerable length because, in view of what
+finally occurred, it was much as if our people had a premonition of that
+which was to come.
+
+The night passed without alarm, and I am willing to take my oath that if
+any animal as large as a dog had passed within an hundred yards of the
+sally-port we would have seen it.
+
+The entire garrison, even including women and children, was astir when the
+first gray light of coming day appeared in the eastern sky, and as each
+man came out upon the parade-ground I noted the fact that he had all his
+weapons with him.
+
+Of course these details are of no particular importance, and yet I have
+set them down in order to show how strong was the belief of every person
+in the fort that something unusual was about to happen, although, with the
+exception of the powwow held in St. Leger's camp the evening previous, we
+had seen nothing to betoken especial activity on the part of the enemy.
+
+It was early in the morning; the men had not yet broken their fast, when
+one of the sentinels shouted:
+
+"Here they come! Here they come!"
+
+I expected to see every man spring toward the walls in order to learn for
+himself what had caused the alarm, and at any other time they would have
+done so; but so great was the sense of impending danger that instinctively
+the garrison formed in line ready for orders.
+
+I had not yet been relieved from duty, and therefore remained where it was
+possible to have a fairly good view of all the encampments occupied by the
+enemy.
+
+Near the quarters of the British regulars I could see the men drawn up in
+line as if making ready to advance, and in the Tory camp there was a
+bustle and confusion such as might have been made by half-baked soldiers,
+while trying to copy after those who knew their business; but the Indians
+gave no signs of life, save as their squaws went about the ordinary camp
+work.
+
+Because everything had been so suspiciously quiet in this last quarter
+during the night, I more than half expected to discover that they had
+withdrawn under cover of darkness; but the presence of the women and
+children told I was mistaken. Unless the entire gang had spent the night
+with the white men, however, it was positive these exceedingly brave
+warriors of whom Thayendanega boasted, had no idea of continuing the part
+of allies during this day at least.
+
+A plentiful supply of ammunition was dealt out to our men, and the big
+guns were served as if our magazine was filled to overflowing, after which
+the garrison went to quarters, Reuben Cox being the happiest member of the
+army, for he believed the time was near at hand when it might be possible
+for him to wipe out some of the stain which rested upon him.
+
+The Minute Boys were ordered to remain at their post over the sally-port,
+much to my disappointment, for if the Indians did not take part in the
+assault, which we had every reason to believe was near at hand, then would
+our duties be so light that we could not hope to win much credit.
+
+Do not let it be supposed that I had become a swash-buckler of a soldier.
+The cold chill of fear still crept up and down my spine whenever I thought
+of taking part in an engagement; but I was becoming so nearly a man as to
+desire, in case it became necessary to fight, that I might gain some honor
+for standing stiffly when really my heart was faint.
+
+We remained at quarters a full half-hour, expecting each instant to see
+the long lines of soldiers emerge from amid the fringe of foliage which
+partially screened their encampment, and yet the advance was delayed.
+
+"What's the matter?" Jacob asked, nervously, as he pressed close to my
+side.
+
+"I wish I knew, lad," was my reply, in a voice that was not overly steady.
+"This waitin' while others are gettin' ready to try to kill a fellow is
+not to my likin'."
+
+"I had rather have a full hour of hot fightin' than such idleness, when we
+know that soon the bullets will be whistlin' around our ears," Jacob
+replied, and just then John Sammons came up, as he said:
+
+"I reckon they're goin' to bring their siege-guns with 'em this time. It
+looks to me much as if a big crowd was gatherin' in the rear of the line."
+
+Then it was that we could see the Tories running to and fro, each man for
+himself, and in a twinkling the line of regulars melted away. There was no
+longer any semblance of military formation to be seen, and yet certain it
+was that a few moments previous the enemy was nearly ready for an
+assault.
+
+We lads were not the only ones who felt disturbed because of this strange
+behavior on the part of the enemy. I could see that Colonel Gansevoort and
+all his officers were on that portion of the wall nearest the British
+camp, gazing earnestly toward it, while our men moved about uneasily, as
+if having forgotten that they had been sent to their several posts of
+duty.
+
+Strain our eyes as we might, it was impossible to make so much as a guess
+regarding what could be the cause of the odd proceedings, and it was in my
+mind to go in search of Sergeant Corney to ask his opinion of the
+situation, when John Sammons cried, suddenly:
+
+"Look there! The sneaks are comin' out at last! I reckon the Britishers
+have been waitin' for 'em!"
+
+But one glance was sufficient to show me that John had spoken truly. From
+the lodges I could see troops of savages pouring forth with every token of
+excitement, like a swarm of hornets, and that something unusual was afoot
+might be told by the fact that no effort was made to keep beyond range of
+our guns, as the befeathered and painted horde went swiftly toward St.
+Leger's quarters.
+
+I was determined that my company should remain at its post, no matter what
+might happen, until we got the word that it was no longer needed, there
+fore neither Jacob nor I could hear the speculations of the men as to
+what had happened in the enemy's encampment; but after a time Sergeant
+Corney came along as if looking for us, and, on seeing the Minute Boys
+standing in rank while all the remainder of the garrison were flitting
+here and there like flies on the scent of molasses, he said, grimly:
+
+"Here's a sight I never expected to see in this blessed country where
+private soldiers have the habit of commandin' their superiors! Why ain't
+you lads huntin' 'round to find out what's goin' on?"
+
+"We were ordered here, an' to be ready for action," I replied, not a
+little pleased to hear the old soldier's tone of approval. "This company
+will stay where it is until I have permission to break ranks."
+
+"It don't seem to be the military fashion for Americans to obey a command
+so strictly, an' I'm afraid you're settin' a bad example to them who
+demand that a list of the supplies be read to 'em whenever they're feelin'
+a bit out of sorts. There's a chance I'll grow proud of havin' licked you
+into shape if you don't change your ways mighty quick."
+
+"I don't fancy you came here just to see why we stayed on duty," Jacob
+said, with a laugh, which told me he was well pleased with what the old
+man had said.
+
+"I'm free to admit that I didn't expect to see anythin' quite so soldierly
+in this 'ere fort, an' that's the fact. I had been detailed to hang
+'round headquarters till the scrimmage began, but was given liberty to do
+as I pleased five minutes ago, consequently I came here to find out why
+the fight ain't on."
+
+"We're expectin' you to answer that question, sergeant. You've never been
+backward in findin' fault with the ways of American soldiers, an' now
+perhaps you can tell what's gone wrong with the Britishers?"
+
+"I wish I knew, lad, an' that's the fact! It looks as if they'd clean
+forgot we're waitin' for 'em, an' as for them precious babies of
+Thayendanega's, they've gone out of their heads completely. It's a puzzle
+all 'round, an' I reckon the commandant is as much in the dark as are the
+rest of us."
+
+"Can't you make a guess?" Jacob asked, impatiently.
+
+"Not a bit of it, lad; but it's certain there's trouble of some kind at
+Barry St. Leger's quarters, an' I'm of the mind to find out, if you an'
+Jacob want to stir yourselves a bit."
+
+"How do you count on doin' it?" I asked in surprise, half-inclined to
+believe the old man was joking.
+
+"Look at the Indian encampment; do you think there's anybody nearabout
+that place who's keepin' an eye on this 'ere fort?"
+
+"Even the squaws have gone over to the British quarters; they've been
+paddlin' across the river for the last half-hour," Jacob replied, and as a
+matter of fact I failed to see a living being outside the lodges, search
+with my eyes as I might.
+
+"An' it's much the same over yonder," Sergeant Corney said, as he pointed
+to the other encampments. "Every blessed one of us might sneak out an' not
+attract any attention from them as are supposed to be besiegin' us."
+
+"Well?" I asked, as the old man paused.
+
+"Well, if you an' Jacob feel like havin' a look around, I'll ask the
+commandant's permission to do a little scoutin' on our own account,
+agreein', in case we're laid by the heels, not to expect any help from
+this 'ere garrison."
+
+"Do you mean to go outside the fort?" John Sammons asked, his eyes opening
+wide in surprise.
+
+"You've guessed it the first time," Sergeant Corney replied, with a laugh,
+and I said, in a tone of conviction:
+
+"The commandant never will give you permission. I heard him refuse Reuben
+Cox most emphatically."
+
+"But that was when everythin' seemed to be runnin' smooth, an' Cox only
+wanted to get himself killed. Now I'll go bail that Colonel Gansevoort is
+more eager than we to know the meanin' of this queer business, an' will
+jump at the plan."
+
+"You'll know better after you've asked him," I suggested. "If he gives
+permission, Jacob an' I are with you."
+
+The old man sauntered away as if he had nothing of importance to do, and
+with a look on his face which told that he was certain of getting the
+desired permission without very much difficulty.
+
+The thought was in my mind that he would receive a very decided answer
+from the commandant without delay, and after a fashion that would not be
+pleasing to him, for it seemed to me that no sane officer could sanction
+an attempt to send out scouts across the open plain in the clear light of
+day, therefore one can imagine somewhat of my surprise when word came for
+Jacob and me to report at headquarters without delay.
+
+"Can it be possible that Colonel Gansevoort is seriously thinkin' of
+allowin' the sergeant to leave the fort in the daytime?" I asked of my
+comrade, as we went rapidly across the parade-ground to obey the summons.
+
+"It looks like it, for a fact, else why should we have been sent for? I'm
+beginnin' to think, Noel, that you said 'yes' to his wild scheme too
+quickly. There won't be any child's play in tryin' to get from the fort to
+where we can find the first show of cover."
+
+"Meanin' that you're not willin' to make the venture?" I asked, quickly,
+hoping my comrade would flatly refuse to go, for, now that the venture
+seemed countenanced by Colonel Gansevoort, I was growing mighty
+weak-kneed.
+
+"I would stick my nose into a good deal of danger before bein' willin' to
+go back on a promise made to the sergeant," Jacob replied, thoughtfully.
+"If he has told the commandant that we are minded to go, there's nothin'
+for it but to tackle the job."
+
+I was decidedly disappointed by the reply, and yet could make no protest,
+since I was the one who had spoken for us both when the old man broached
+the subject, and in silence we walked on until having come to the door of
+the colonel's quarters.
+
+The sentinel on duty there had evidently received orders concerning us,
+for he announced that we were to go in at once, and I pushed Jacob ahead
+as we entered the apartment where Sergeant Corney was standing in a
+soldierly attitude in front of the commandant.
+
+We were not called on to wait many seconds before learning the reason for
+the summons, since Colonel Gansevoort jumped into the subject by saying:
+
+"So you lads are keen for a hazardous venture, eh?"
+
+I would have given much if at that moment I could have called up
+sufficient courage to say that I was well content to remain within the
+walls of the fort; but instead of boldly declaring myself I remained
+silent until Jacob said, with only a faint show of enthusiasm:
+
+"We told Sergeant Corney that we would go with him to find out what may
+be the trouble in General St. Leger's camp, if so be you gave permission,
+sir."
+
+Now was I fully committed to a matter which was by no means to my liking,
+and, with a certain sense of being ill-treated, I listened to that which
+followed.
+
+"Under almost any other circumstances I would flatly refuse permission for
+any man to leave the fort; but now it seems as if it was of the highest
+importance we should know what is taking place in the enemy's camp.
+Whatever it may be is of such a serious nature as to attract the attention
+of the entire encampment so entirely that no attention whatsoever appears
+to be paid to us. I believe that, by leaving through the horn-works, you
+can make your way to the rear of the British encampment without incurring
+any very grave danger, and if it is the desire of you lads to go with the
+sergeant you have my permission."
+
+It was just what I didn't want, but, under the circumstances, I could do
+no less than look as if he had granted us the greatest favor possible, and
+at the same moment it would have done me solid good had I been able to
+kick the sergeant with sufficient vigor to convince him that he had made
+an ass of himself.
+
+Then the colonel, after receiving our thanks for permission to run our
+heads into unnecessary danger, went on to explain what he would have us
+do in case we lived long enough to get an idea of that which was going on
+in the enemy's camp.
+
+As he had already said, we were to scale the stockade in the horn-works,
+and then, making a détour to the westward, gain the cover of such shelter
+as might be found on the high lands, working well toward the ruins of Fort
+Newport before trying to strike across to and behind the line of
+earthworks which St. Leger had caused to be thrown up early in the siege.
+
+He had laid out a long journey for us, and one that might not be performed
+before nightfall; but it had the merit of being comparatively safe until
+we were in the vicinity of the British encampment.
+
+The interview was brought to a close within five minutes after it had
+begun, and then we were at liberty to make our preparations for that which
+might result in our death by torture, for it was certain that if the
+Indians laid hands on another man from the fort they would take good care
+he was neither rescued nor killed until they had worked their cruel will
+upon him.
+
+Sergeant Corney was inclined to boast of having succeeded when I had
+declared he must fail, and would have congratulated himself in great shape
+while we were crossing the parade-ground on our way to the barracks, but
+that I said, curtly:
+
+"That man who exerts himself to go into danger will one day find himself
+in a box from which his best friends can't extricate him."
+
+"Which is the same as sayin' that you've changed your mind about goin' out
+scoutin'?" he cried sharply, looking me squarely in the face. "There is no
+reason why you should go if the job isn't to your likin'."
+
+"Both Jacob an' I must keep on with you, or write ourselves down as
+cowards; but at the same time we have the right to think it a foolish
+venture."
+
+The words had no sooner escaped my lips than I regretted having spoken,
+and without delay I hastened to make amends by explaining that I was in
+truth frightened at the idea of venturing into that nest of snakes from
+which we had once barely gotten away with our lives.
+
+The old man must have understood that I spoke rather from nervousness than
+because I was really in anger, and immediately he acted as if nothing
+unpleasant had been said, but began to discuss the question of whether it
+would be wise to burden ourselves with weapons when, if brought to bay, we
+could not hope to fight our way through.
+
+Before we had more than gained the barracks half the men in the
+fortification had some knowledge of our intentions, and we were
+overwhelmed alike with questions and suggestions.
+
+But very few minutes were needed in which to make ready for the venture,
+and when we came out of the barracks all three of us had rifles strapped
+upon our backs in such a manner that they would not interfere with our
+movements in case it became necessary to trust to the fleetness of our
+feet. Three rounds of ammunition for each one, sufficient corn bread to
+make a single meal, and hunting-knives, completed the outfit.
+
+It would have pleased us better had we been allowed to depart unaided; but
+a full half of the garrison appeared to think it absolutely necessary to
+go with us to the very limits of the fort, and if good wishes are of any
+avail at such a time, then were we certain of returning in good condition.
+
+Once on the plain outside the stockaded portion of the works, Sergeant
+Corney led the way by going in a southerly direction for a distance of an
+hundred yards or more, and then striking sharply off toward the west,
+where was to be found the nearest cover.
+
+Having gained the line of foliage which fringed the high tract of land, it
+was possible to march off at a smart pace without need of taking
+particular heed to our steps, and we travelled rapidly until having
+arrived at a point midway between our starting-place and the ruins of Fort
+Newport.
+
+"Here's where I allow we'll be wise to change the commandant's plan a
+bit," the old man said, coming to a halt for the first time since we set
+out. "We can't gain very much in lengthenin' the journey by three or four
+miles, an' I'm in favor of strikin' across to the hill from here?"
+
+The statement was made in the form of a question, and I replied that it
+suited me to do as he thought best, for when Colonel Gansevoort mapped out
+the route I believed he was sending us on a longer détour than was
+necessary.
+
+We crossed the Albany road at that point where it bends in toward the
+hill, walking at our best pace, and, once behind the elevation, were
+screened from view of the enemy's camp.
+
+While we were going over the open country I kept my eyes fixed upon the
+British batteries and the redoubts thrown up to cover them, but failed to
+see any signs of human life. That the enemy had abandoned these posts even
+for a few moments seemed incredible, and yet it was all of the same piece
+with what we could see in their camp.
+
+Sergeant Corney led us directly into the redoubts which had made so much
+trouble for us in the fort, and, had we been disposed, we might have
+loaded ourselves down with plunder of every description, for the
+belongings of the men were strewn about as if cast aside in great haste.
+
+It was not safe to remain many moments where we were; in fact, I came near
+to believing the sergeant had lost his wits when he led us into the
+British nest, and we hurried out of the works, going directly toward St.
+Leger's quarters until we were sufficiently near to see men moving about
+excitedly, when he struck off for the rear of the encampment, where could
+be found such cover as stout bushes and small fir-trees would afford.
+
+We had advanced boldly on this last stage of the journey, emboldened to do
+so by the evidences of panic, or something near akin to it, which we saw
+on every hand, and trusting to the possibility that if seen it would be
+believed that we belonged to the encampment.
+
+The sun was yet an hour high in the heavens when we found a hiding-place
+overlooking the camp, and so easy of accomplishment had been our task,
+with nothing of danger attaching to it, that I was heartily ashamed of
+having displayed ill-temper in the sergeant's presence.
+
+Neither of us spoke when we were finally come to where we could have a
+fairly good view of the scene of confusion. The surprise at what we saw,
+and the perplexity because of it, was so great that we could do no more or
+no less than stare in bewilderment at this army, every member of which
+appeared to have suddenly been deprived of his reason.
+
+The foremost scene which met our wondering gaze was a group composed of
+General St. Leger himself, Sir John Johnson, Thayendanega, and a dozen or
+more leading sachems of the Six Nations.
+
+These men were too far away to admit of our hearing the spirited
+conversation which was going on. It appeared to me at times that the
+commander was pleading for some favor, and, again, that he threatened;
+but the savages seemed to give little heed to his words.
+
+Then Sir John talked for several moments, apparently appealing to each of
+his companions in turn, whereupon one of the sachems spoke excitedly,
+using more gestures than I ever saw one of the scoundrels employ, and when
+he was come to an end all the savages save Thayendanega stalked off as if
+in a rage.
+
+Our stupefaction was complete when General St. Leger made a peculiar
+gesture, and straightway two soldiers led forward a half-grown man whose
+vacant look proclaimed him to be one of those unfortunates whom God has
+deprived of wits, and in his wake came three Oneida Indians.
+
+It was enough to make a fellow lose a full year's growth, thus seeing his
+Majesty's general in such company; but when the Oneidas appeared my
+surprise gave way to fear.
+
+We had always counted, and with good cause, on these Indians being
+friendly to our people who were struggling to throw off the yoke which the
+king had put upon us, yet the fact that they were in the encampment,
+apparently on friendly terms with our enemies, seemed to betoken still
+more trouble and misery for us of the valley.
+
+Jacob gripped my hand tightly as the Oneidas appeared, and I could see the
+corners of the sergeant's mouth twitching as if he had suddenly lost that
+feeling of security which had been so strong upon him until this moment.
+
+Then the foolish man began to tell a long story to the general, the
+Indians added a word now and then, and even Thayendanega began to wear a
+troubled look.
+
+It was all so strange and unnatural that I pinched my own arm more than
+once to make certain I was not in a dream.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVIII.
+
+Close Quarters
+
+
+
+The scenes shifted before us as if they had been painted on bubbles which
+were blown hither and thither by the wind.
+
+Even as we gazed at the leaders of the army while they stood listening to
+the foolish man as if believing him to be inspired, a mob of Tories and
+Indians surged toward that portion of the encampment, and in an instant
+St. Leger, Thayendanega, and Sir John Johnson were blotted out from our
+view.
+
+Nothing could have happened to give us who crouched amid the stunted
+bushes a more vivid idea of the change which had come over the besieging
+army than this one incident, when the commanders, at whose frowns savages
+as well as white men cringed, were treated with such utter lack of
+ceremony.
+
+I fully expected to hear one or the other of these three burst into a
+towering rage, and order the immediate punishment of those who had
+offended, whereas the men extricated themselves from the tangle of
+half-drunken soldiers and savages as best they could, immediately
+resuming the apparently confidential conversation with the idiot.
+
+I saw Sergeant Corney shrug his shoulders, as if to say that he had given
+over even trying to guess what might have happened, and then he beckoned
+for us to follow as he crept straight away from the, to us, perplexing
+scene.
+
+There was little need for us to give much heed to our movements so far as
+concerned making a noise, for I dare venture to say that a full company of
+men might have marched boldly past without raising an alarm, so long as
+they remained hidden from view.
+
+When we were twenty yards or more from where the commanders stood trying
+to hold their position against the drunken tide of reds and whites, the
+sergeant halted and looked at us lads inquiringly:
+
+"Well?" I said, irritably, vexed because of my bewilderment. "If you can't
+explain the situation there is no need to look at us. It beats anything I
+ever heard of or dreamed about. Have they all lost their senses?"
+
+"Somethin' is goin' mightily wrong!" Sergeant Corney said, impressively,
+as if he was imparting valuable information.
+
+"Goin' wrong!" Jacob repeated. "I should say it had already gone wrong
+with a vengeance. Can't you make some kind of a guess, sergeant?"
+
+"Not a bit of it, lad. This 'ere business lays way over anythin' I ever
+saw in all my experience as a soldier. There's one thing certain,
+howsomever, which is that jest now an hundred of our people could walk
+through the entire encampment without bein' called upon to spill a drop of
+blood."
+
+"Well?" I asked again, as the old man ceased speaking.
+
+"Colonel Gansevoort must know how mixed up is this 'ere army."
+
+"We can go back an' tell him," Jacob replied, promptly. "I reckon we might
+walk straight out toward the fort, an' never a man here would give heed to
+us."
+
+"If we knew exactly what had happened it might be as well for all three to
+go back to the fort; but there's no knowin' when matters may take a turn,
+an' we must keep a sharp watch lest through us our people are brought into
+a trap."
+
+"Why don't you say what you mean, without talkin' all around the subject?"
+I cried, nervously. "What have you got in your mind?"
+
+"That one of us must go back to the fort, while the others stay here on
+watch to give the alarm in case this 'ere army suddenly comes to its
+senses."
+
+It was not my desire to travel back alone to carry the tidings. There was
+no thought in my mind that any danger might threaten while the enemy was
+in such a state of confusion; and I was most eager to watch these
+apparently crazy people, in the hope of being able to come at a solution
+of the riddle, therefore I asked, sharply:
+
+"Who do you think should go back?"
+
+"Do either of you lads want to tackle the job?" the sergeant asked, and I
+understood by his tone that he was as loath to leave the place as was I.
+
+Neither of us made reply, and he went on, as if already having had the
+plan fixed in his mind:
+
+"Then we'll draw lots to see who it shall be. As the matter stands, we
+know full well that the commandant must be told of what we have seen. It
+won't require two hours' travelling because there's no call to make a very
+wide circuit, an', in case these fellows pull themselves together before
+midnight, them as stays on watch can warn our people."
+
+"Fix the drawin' of lots to suit yourself, an' he who gets the worst of it
+will set out at once," I said, curtly, and the old man broke off three
+small twigs, which he held in his closed hand.
+
+"I haven't taken note of which is the shortest; but, in case you might
+think I had, make your choice, an' the one which is left shall be mine."
+
+"He who gets the shortest goes back, eh?" Jacob asked, and I replied:
+
+"That is understood. Take the first choice, an' let us settle this
+business as soon as we can, for I am wild to get over yonder where I can
+see the king's army playin' the fool, if it so be that I'm not forced to
+turn back."
+
+Jacob drew one of the twigs without stopping to make a selection, I took
+the second, and Sergeant Corney opened his hand to show the third.
+
+They were all so nearly of a length that we were forced to measure each
+in order to learn who was the unfortunate, and then it was found that
+Jacob had been selected to play the part of messenger.
+
+Disappointed though the lad must have been, he did not make any delay, but
+asked as he rose to his feet:
+
+"What shall I say to the commandant?"
+
+"Tell him what you have seen," the sergeant replied, "an' say that with
+two hundred men at the most he can capture the whole blessed army. If
+there should be any change within the next two hours, one or both of us
+will hurry back, goin' around by way of the hill opposite the
+batteries,--the same course we came,--therefore, if he sends out a
+detachment, let it approach by that route."
+
+Immediately the old man ceased speaking Jacob wheeled about, and in a
+twinkling was lost to our view in the gloom.
+
+By this time night had fully come, and I knew the lad would be in no
+danger if he made a direct line for the fort, therefore I ceased to think
+of him as I urged my companion to return with me to where we could
+overlook the scene of confusion.
+
+We went back at once without giving especial heed to moving noiselessly,
+and soon were gazing upon the wildest, oddest scene that ever a military
+encampment presented.
+
+During the short time we were absent the men had built small fires here,
+there, and everywhere around, and now that which had at first looked like
+a panic began to present the appearance of an orgy.
+
+We saw directly in front of General St. Leger's camp a dozen or more
+Indians broaching a cask of rum, and hardly more than twenty feet away
+were a lot of Tories, drinking from bottles which had evidently been
+plundered from the commander's private store.
+
+Had the camp been in the possession of an enemy there could not have been
+greater evidences of lawlessness, and again and again I asked myself what
+could have happened to bring about such a condition of affairs.
+
+It would be well-nigh impossible to set down all the wild pictures we saw
+during the hour which followed. Instead of recovering from their panic,
+insubordination, or whatever it may have been, the men were momentarily
+growing more disorderly, and that the officers made no effort to preserve
+even the semblance of order, we knew from seeing them from time to time
+moving about the encampment with no heed to what was being done.
+
+The three commanders, however, remained beyond our line of vision, and,
+because no one save the rioting soldiery and the savages entered or came
+out of the headquarters tent, I began to suspect that the leaders had run
+away.
+
+As can be supposed, in a comparatively short time the Indians were
+thoroughly under the influence of the enormous amount of strong drink
+which had been consumed, and ripe for mischief of any kind.
+
+One of the Tories, a fellow who had been hob-nobbing with the savages,
+himself drinking until he could stand only with difficulty, was set upon
+by two of the feathered wolves, murdered and scalped before our eyes,
+without an alarm being raised.
+
+Then the Indians began a war-dance, waving the bloody scalp in the air
+with frenzied gestures as they circled around and around the lifeless
+body, and many of the drunken white men applauded heartily, although it
+must be set down in extenuation that they were so drunk as not really to
+understand what had taken place.
+
+"It's a nice kind of a tea-party," Sergeant Corney whispered to me, while
+the orgy was at its height. "If the rum holds out these villains will
+settle matters among themselves, so that Colonel Gansevoort won't find any
+to stand against him when he arrives."
+
+To this I could make no reply. I was literally sickened by the horrible
+scene, and began to wish most fervently that I had been the one to draw
+the shortest twig, for it was by no means agreeable to remain there idle
+while murder was being done, even though it was a bitter enemy who had
+thus been cowardly done to death.
+
+The savages soon brought their dance to an end as they stumbled into this
+tent and that, searching for more spirits although the cask was not yet
+empty, and I was on the point of suggesting to Sergeant Corney that it
+would be wise to move back among the bushes lest some of the drunkards
+come upon us by mistake, when a heavy body suddenly fell, or was thrown,
+directly upon my back, pinning me to the earth.
+
+My first thought was that the rioters had flung some heavy piece of camp
+equipage into the bushes at random, and then the blood grew cold in my
+veins as I felt two hands clutching at my throat.
+
+Like a flash of light came the knowledge that one of the drunkards, an
+Indian as I believed, had stumbled upon me accidentally. I expected each
+second to hear an alarm raised which would bring the murderous crew to the
+spot without delay, when there could be no question as to the result, for
+the sergeant and I could not hold out many moments against such a mob,
+even though every one of them was intoxicated to a greater or less degree.
+
+That which rendered my situation critical was the fact of my being
+virtually unarmed. It will be remembered that the rifle was strapped to my
+back, and even though I had been unhampered, it would have required no
+slight time in which to unsling it. My knife was quite as useless,
+because, borne to the earth as I had been, it could not be removed from my
+belt.
+
+To set all this down in words makes it appear as if I had ample time in
+which to think over the situation, whereas no more than five seconds could
+have elapsed before the sinewy fingers were closed so tightly about my
+throat that I could not breathe.
+
+At almost the same instant that the pressure began to be painful, before a
+single cry had been uttered by my assailant, a second shock was felt by
+me, while the weight which pressed me down to the earth was increased, and
+dimly I understood that the sergeant had leaped upon the back of him who
+was strangling me.
+
+Why the Indian made no cry for help I cannot understand, except that he
+was too drunk to realize he had within his grasp an enemy instead of one
+of his own company.
+
+Certain it is, however, that no alarm was raised even when the sergeant
+came to my relief, and in silence, save for the rustling of the foliage as
+we swayed to this side or that, the battle was continued until I felt the
+cruel fingers about my throat suddenly relax, while a warm liquid of a
+peculiar, salty odor poured down over my neck and head.
+
+When he who had been striving to kill me rolled from my back, I lay
+motionless, unable to raise a hand and gasping for breath, until Sergeant
+Corney lifted me up as he whispered in my ear:
+
+"Are you hurt, lad?"
+
+"Only choked well-nigh to death," I contrived to say, and then tried to
+struggle to my feet, but found myself yet pinned to the earth by the
+lifeless body which lay across my legs.
+
+"Let us get out of here," I said, after releasing myself from the sinister
+weight. "This is worse than such an ambush as we fell into on the
+Oriskany."
+
+"Ay, lad, I reckon you're right as to that; but it strikes me we're bound
+by the word I sent the commandant to stay here till we make certain these
+reptiles don't come to their senses."
+
+While he spoke the sergeant was helping me retreat yet farther among the
+bushes, for my knees bent beneath me, owing to the horror of it all, as
+well as the rough handling I had received.
+
+The old man was not willing to move so far away that it would not be
+possible to have a fairly good view of what might be going on; but we did
+walk to what I believed was a comparatively safe distance, and then sat
+down upon the ground on the alert for anything more of the same kind which
+had come so near to putting me out of the world.
+
+"It was a close shave, lad, an' ought'er be a lesson to sich fools as
+we've shown ourselves, never to carry good weapons where they can't be got
+hold of for use at a moment's notice."
+
+"A fellow isn't supposed to be on his guard against drunkards," I replied,
+curtly, caressing my throat, which was exceeding sore.
+
+"True for you, lad; but I'm free to say that, while we've had
+considerable experience in the business of fightin', I never run up agin
+quite sich a mess as this. It actually gives me a pain because I can't
+make head or tail of it."
+
+I was already weary with trying to solve the problem, for indeed it was
+puzzling to even make a guess at why an army of near to seventeen hundred
+men had been thrown into such a state of panic and lawlessness. Then,
+again, why were the commanders not present with their officers to check
+these proceedings? Why had they allowed the men to take part in such an
+orgy, for to my knowledge St. Leger was near at hand when the first cask
+of rum was broached?
+
+"It is no use to speculate as to how this thing came about," I said; "but
+it strikes me that you ought to post yourself so far as to be able to tell
+Colonel Gansevoort, or whoever he sends in command of the detachment,
+exactly where the blow may best be struck, for just now all we know is
+regardin' the row close hereabout."
+
+"You never spoke a truer word in your life, lad," the old man said,
+excitedly, as he rose to his feet. "I got so mixed up with this 'ere
+hubbub, tryin' to make out how it came about, as to have clean lost sight
+of all that a soldier ought to do. Jacob hasn't been gone over an hour,
+an' we have as much more time to find out how things are in the rest of
+the encampment, so let's set about it without delay."
+
+The scene immediately before us was so revolting that I had no desire to
+gaze at it longer, and there was a certain sense of relief in my mind when
+the sergeant, prompted by me, had thus decided upon a definite course of
+action.
+
+With so much of confusion and drunkenness everywhere around, it was a
+simple matter for us to go and come as we pleased, save by chance we might
+stumble upon those who yet remained sober, for all the men I had thus far
+seen, except the leaders themselves, were in such a maudlin condition as
+to be unable to distinguish friend from foe.
+
+We had already learned that the batteries fronting Fort Schuyler on the
+northeast had been abandoned, and it was only necessary to get a view of
+the remainder of the British encampment. There was little need to visit
+the Tory quarters, for, as it seemed to me, all those renegades were
+present, taking part in the orgy.
+
+With no care as to advancing noiselessly, but keeping a sharp lookout lest
+we come upon sober men, the sergeant and I moved about at will, finding
+everywhere the same condition of affairs, and when half an hour had passed
+it was positive our people might come into the enemy's lines and gather up
+prisoners by the hundreds without being molested in any way, for I
+question if their presence would have been suspected.
+
+During all this time of inspection we saw nothing of St. Leger, Sir John,
+or Thayendanega, and I was of the opinion that they had run away; but
+Sergeant Corney held to it that most like they were in the Indian
+encampment, proposing that we cross the river in order to hunt them up,
+but to this I would not listen.
+
+According to my mind, such of the Indians as remained sober, if there were
+any, would be in their own lodges, and because we had had such singular
+success in our scout thus far was no reason why we might not suddenly find
+ourselves face to face with the gravest danger, if we acted the fools by
+poking our noses among the camps of the savages.
+
+"Why not go to the fort?" I asked. "There is nothin' more to be learned
+here. We know to a certainty that the greater portion of all the Tories
+an' Indians are hereabout, and every one of them so drunk that the army
+will be harmless, save as to each other, until daybreak. Let us go back by
+way of the batteries, an' we can reach the fort almost as soon as will
+Jacob, if perchance he went to the northward of the hill."
+
+The sergeant was not inclined to leave the encampment immediately,
+although he agreed that we could learn nothing further of importance; it
+was as if the scene of confusion had a certain fascination for him. He
+finally agreed, however unwillingly, to my proposition, and we set out
+leisurely on the return, being forced to pass once more in the rear of all
+the British camps because of having continued our investigations to the
+easternmost line of tents.
+
+We began the return without thought of haste or of danger, and were come
+midway between headquarters and the most southerly battery, when without
+warning we arrived face to face with a party of six Tories, who, with
+their arms around each other's necks, were reeling to and fro in the most
+convivial fashion on what was probably intended to be a pleasant stroll in
+the night air.
+
+Just for an instant I was startled, fearing lest we might be discovered
+and find ourselves in trouble when we believed we were safest; but then,
+realizing that we had already met many who mistook us for comrades, I
+would have gone on but that Sergeant Corney halted suddenly, unslung the
+rifle from his back, and, presenting it full at the drunken renegades,
+said in a low, stern tone:
+
+"We are prepared to shoot one or all at a moment's notice if you make the
+slightest resistance. The orders are to gather in every mother's son in
+this encampment who has been makin' a fool of himself, an' I reckon you
+come in that class. About face, an' the first who so much as yips gets a
+bullet through the head."
+
+The fellows must have believed that we were acting under orders from their
+general, for, with many a laugh and good-natured quip, they obeyed the
+sergeant's order as promptly as a party of small boys would have done,
+and, still supporting each other, moved toward the fort, we two following
+directly in the rear.
+
+I could have laughed aloud at the comical situation. Here were two scouts
+who had gone out to spy upon an encampment of seventeen hundred men,
+marching boldly through the entire place, and taking as prisoners six
+soldiers who made no effort whatsoever to defend themselves.
+
+I question if in the annals of warfare there be found anything that can
+match such a situation!
+
+"Are you goin' to take them into the fort, sergeant?" I asked, in a
+whisper, and he replied, speaking with difficulty because of his mirth:
+
+"Why not, lad? It will be a rare lark, an' somethin' to tell about in the
+days to come, that we took out from almost directly in front of St.
+Leger's headquarters six men, marchin' 'em into a fort which was supposed
+to be closely invested."
+
+There could be little danger attending such a performance, save perchance
+we might come upon some of those who were sober, and that risk I was more
+than willing to take for the sake, as the sergeant had said, of being able
+to tell the story in the future.
+
+We marched our prisoners out past the batteries, they giving no heed to
+the direction we were going, evidently fancying we were taking them to the
+guard-tent, until arriving midway between the fort and the redoubts.
+
+[Illustration: "'Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet
+through the back'"]
+
+Then somewhat of the truth seemed to dawn upon them, and this was so
+startling as to restore a portion of their befuddled senses. The entire
+party halted as if with one accord, and would have turned to look at us,
+but that the sergeant said, sharply, emphasizing the words by the click of
+his rifle-lock as he cocked the weapon:
+
+"Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet put through the back
+of every blessed one in the gang!"
+
+"But, look here, this is too much of a joke," one of them cried, with a
+drunken laugh. "We can't go very far on this course without bein' seen by
+the rebels."
+
+"You've been seen by 'em already, an' that's why we've got you in charge.
+We count on movin' the whole of St. Leger's force over to the fort in
+squads, an' you're the first that has been started on the road."
+
+By this time the renegades had a fairly good idea of the situation, and I
+fully expected they would turn upon us, but each of them was a coward. If
+they wheeled about suddenly, taking the chances that one might be killed
+in the squabble, it would have been possible to overpower us, even though
+they were without firearms; but it was the probability of our doing some
+considerable execution before knocking under that prevented them from
+escaping at the favorable moment.
+
+I walked with my rifle cocked and pointed at the man directly in front of
+me, prodding him with the muzzle now and then that he might know I was
+ready for action, and Sergeant Corney kept the whole party moving at a
+good smart pace, for we had no assurance that there were not sober men
+enough in the enemy's camp to play the mischief with our bold plan.
+
+Before we were hailed by the sentinels I came to believe that every member
+of the besieging army was more or less incapacitated for duty through
+having drank too much rum, for we heard nothing whatsoever from any one in
+the enemy's camp, although we were in fairly good view of them for no less
+than half an hour.
+
+When the sentinel hailed we were yet half a musket-shot distant, and my
+companion answered it by shouting:
+
+"Report to the officer of the day that Captain Campbell, of the Minute
+Boys, an' Sergeant Braun, unattached, are come with a few prisoners as
+sample of what may be had for the takin'."
+
+This reply caused some mystification among the sentinels, as we could
+understand by the hum of conversation which followed; but the old man did
+not call a halt, and we continued straight on toward the sally-port, I
+feeling more than a bit nervous lest the sergeant's loud words might have
+been heard by such of the enemy as were able to come in pursuit.
+
+When we had come near the gate, the Tories now well sobered by fright,
+Colonel Gansevoort himself hailed, and again the sergeant replied, but
+this time in a respectful tone, after which we heard the command to open
+the port.
+
+A throng of curious, laughing men crowded around as we marched in, and not
+until the uniforms of our prisoners could be seen did they believe we had
+really made a capture.
+
+It was a squad of Johnson Greens which we had run across so fortunately
+and accidentally, and none of St. Leger's force could have been more
+welcome to our lads than they, for that organization was made up wholly of
+renegades from the Mohawk Valley, who needed such a lesson as we were now
+in position to give them.
+
+With such proof as we had with us, Colonel Gansevoort could no longer
+doubt the report which had already been brought in by Jacob. He had not
+thought it possible the entire force of the enemy could be in a helpless
+condition, and it is hardly to be wondered at that he was incredulous.
+
+The prisoners were speedily cared for in such a fashion that there could
+be no possibility of their escaping, and then the commandant summoned all
+three of us who had visited the British encampment, to his headquarters,
+that we might tell the story to himself and the officers.
+
+No one could even make a guess as to what had happened within the enemy's
+lines; but there was not a man present who did not believe that now had
+come our time to raise the siege in such a manner that the fort would not
+be invested again for many days to come.
+
+"When your messenger came in with his report, he admitted that you had
+seen but a small portion of the encampment, therefore I hesitated to
+accept it as a fact regarding the entire army; but now, after you have
+made a tour of the works, it would be worse than folly to delay," the
+commandant said to the sergeant. "If you who have so lately returned want
+to join in the sortie, it will be necessary to make your preparations
+quickly."
+
+And the old man replied, grimly:
+
+"The advance can't be made any too soon to please us, sir."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIX.
+
+The Pursuit
+
+
+
+No more than three hundred men were sent out to take advantage of the
+singular state of affairs which we, the scouts, had reported as existing
+in the British camp, and when I expressed surprise because of the small
+number ordered on duty, Sergeant Corney replied, contentedly:
+
+"If you an' I told the truth, lad, as we know we did, then a detachment of
+three hundred is way off more than enough to take care of all St. Leger's
+army in its present condition; but if we made a mistake, or if in some way
+it turned out to be a big trick intended for our undoin',--though I don't
+see how it _can_ be,--then have men in plenty been taken from the garrison
+here."
+
+"All of which means that you're entirely satisfied with everything this
+night?" I said, with a laugh, for the capture of the Tories had pleased me
+so thoroughly that my mouth was stretched in a grin nearly all the time.
+
+"That's about the size of it, lad, though in this case I couldn't find
+anythin' to be disgruntled with, however soreheaded I might be. The
+colonel is sendin' out men in plenty."
+
+It was Captain Jackman who led the force, and I knew full well that if it
+was possible to punish the Britishers he was the one above all others to
+tackle the job, for a braver, more cool-headed man I have never seen.
+
+It is well that I make the story short, so far as our own movements were
+concerned, for what we said or did before visiting the enemy's camp in
+force is of very little importance.
+
+We set off within an hour after Sergeant Corney and I brought in the
+prisoners, and were marched boldly across the plain on a bee-line for the
+batteries without hearing a single note of alarm. It seemed to me that
+even the noises of the orgy had died away.
+
+Arriving at the batteries, Captain Jackman ordered thirty of his force to
+take possession of the guns and hold them until the last possible moment,
+in case the enemy rallied sufficiently to do anything toward caring for
+their own safety.
+
+A few yards farther on, at the redoubts covering the batteries, thirty
+more men were left, and, since there was an ample supply of ammunition for
+the big guns as well as the small arms, we who were entering the
+encampment would have a fine support in case of trouble.
+
+All these precautions were proper, and the captain would have been a poor
+soldier indeed had he failed to take them; but, as was soon shown, they
+were needless.
+
+When we arrived near General St. Leger's quarters we saw the last of the
+army fleeing as if panic-stricken in the direction of Oneida Lake, no
+longer preserving any semblance of military formation, but each man for
+himself, and, what was yet more puzzling, their Indian allies were in
+close pursuit, striking down laggards whenever the opportunity offered.
+
+These so-called warriors of whom Thayendanega had been so proud, were
+taking Tory and British scalps as if they had been summoned for no other
+purpose, and during two or three minutes all our people stood as if
+suddenly turned into graven images, so much of astonishment and
+bewilderment was caused by the wonderful change in affairs.
+
+Captain Jackman's first act, after understanding that the enemy was
+actually in retreat, with their former allies harassing the fleeing men to
+the best of their ability, was to send a messenger in hot haste to the
+fort with the word that he counted on taking his entire force, save those
+left to hold the batteries and redoubts, in pursuit, and advising that
+nearly all the British equipment could be seized upon without fear of
+interruption.
+
+Then we began the pursuit, and this, like the panic in the camp, was the
+oddest ever known. British regulars and Tories running helter-skelter,
+casting aside their weapons and accoutrements lest they be impeded in the
+unreasoning flight, and close at their heels the savages, who fell upon
+every unarmed man they saw, sometimes killing him outright, but, in many
+cases which came under my personal observation, disabling and then
+scalping the poor wretch, leaving him to a lingering death.
+
+More than once did the frightened soldiers flee toward us for protection,
+and again and again we lent them weapons with which to defend themselves
+against their late friends.
+
+It is almost impossible to give any details of that pursuit, which was not
+brought to an end until we were close upon the shore of Oneida Lake,
+because it was all so confusing--more like the wildest kind of a
+foot-race, wherein each man was trying to gain the lead, and the
+hindermost frantic with fear.
+
+It would have been strange indeed had our people been able to hold
+anything like a military formation. Captain Jackman yelled himself hoarse
+trying to keep us together, and, when it seemed as if he was on the point
+of succeeding, some one would set off at a mad pace to save the life of a
+British soldier who had fallen at the mercy of a savage.
+
+At first we turned our attention to taking prisoners; but before having
+left the main encampment a mile in the rear the Indians, eager for scalps,
+began to grow careless of what we might do, and then we paid off many an
+old score, although all could not have been settled had we slaughtered
+every last one of them.
+
+During that time of pursuit we saw nothing of the leaders, and I had come
+to believe that they were among the first to flee, when suddenly the
+sergeant, in whose company Jacob and I had remained, pointed out amid the
+bushes what appeared to be a large portmanteau which had evidently been
+cast aside by some of the fugitives.
+
+In the excitement of the chase either Jacob or I would have passed it by
+as being of no particular value when there were so many things to be
+picked up; but the old man was too good and experienced a soldier not to
+realize the possibilities of the find, and, heedless of all the wild
+scenes around him, he seized upon it, breaking the lock with a rock.
+
+Then it was we learned that the apparently valueless case was none other
+than the writing-desk, or official portfolio, belonging to General St.
+Leger himself, and in it were not only private letters and documents, but
+all his correspondence and papers relating to the campaign, such as
+afterward served to show that the king's officers had actually hired the
+Indians to murder those whom they called "rebels."
+
+"I reckon we've captured the prize of the day," the sergeant said,
+gleefully, after making certain as to the contents of the case. "This is
+of more value than a score of prisoners, although there's far less
+satisfaction in seizin' it."
+
+A moment later the old man began to understand that if he held on to the
+prize he would be left far behind in the chase by our people, because it
+was far too cumbersome to be carried at a rapid pace, and then he
+regretted having found it.
+
+I believe that for a moment he had it in his mind to throw the heavy
+portfolio away, willing to lose what he believed to be the most valuable
+of all the plunder that might be found, rather than miss the excitement of
+the chase; but, fortunately, just then John Sammons came limping back with
+a wound in the leg which had been inflicted by a savage whom he afterward
+succeeded in killing.
+
+"It's the toughest kind of ill-fortune to be crippled just when the fun is
+the hottest," he said, after explaining how the wound had been received.
+"I can't go on, an' I don't want to miss the show when the crazy
+Britishers an' Tories arrive at the shore of the lake."
+
+"It looks pretty bad," Sergeant Corney said, when he had made the most
+careless examination of the wound, and I was surprised to hear him speak
+in such a tone, for it was not his custom to make much ado over any
+injury, however severe. "I reckon you'd better hobble back to the fort
+without delay, an', once there, look well to it that you wash an' bandage
+the leg well."
+
+"I s'pose I'll have to go," Sammons replied, with a sigh, and the sergeant
+made haste to add:
+
+"Of course you will, lad, an' I've got here that which will ensure you a
+warm reception by Colonel Gansevoort. Take this case to him, an' you'll
+be glad you had to go back."
+
+Then it was that I understood why the old man was so solicitous regarding
+John's injury.
+
+Sammons took up the bulky portfolio and limped back in the direction of
+the fort, the sergeant saying with a peculiar twinkle of the eyes as the
+lad passed beyond earshot:
+
+"Now I reckon there's nothin' to prevent us from goin' on so long as do
+the others. Strike out lively, lads; we've wasted too much time already!"
+
+Then we tailed on behind the crowd of our people who howled and yelled as
+if at a fair, shooting at every bunch of feathers we saw amid the foliage,
+but making no effort to capture the fugitives lest we find ourselves so
+hampered that further advance would be out of the question.
+
+There were many of our people who thought much as we did on that day,
+otherwise Fort Schuyler might have been crowded with prisoners before
+morning.
+
+When we had finally come within sight of the lake, it was to find the
+foremost of our party drawn up in something approaching military order.
+Captain Jackman had succeeded in bringing them to a halt while yet half a
+mile from the shore, and this was done because the British and Tories had
+made a stand while their boats, which had been left at that point when
+they marched to the investment of Fort Schuyler, could be put in sailing
+trim.
+
+We of the American army were far too few in numbers to risk an action by
+pressing on, for, no matter how demoralized the enemy had become during
+the flight, it was more than probable they would fight with desperation
+now safety was within view.
+
+More than one of our party cried out in anger because the captain
+displayed too much caution according to their ideas; but the
+cooler-headed, among whom was Sergeant Corney, declared that it would be
+the height of folly for us to throw ourselves upon at least a thousand men
+when no great good could come from such a venture, and much of disaster to
+the Cause might result.
+
+The savages had no such reason for lagging, however, nor did they intend
+to fall upon their late friends in a manner which could involve them in a
+pitched battle; but yet they did a large amount of mischief without
+putting their precious bodies in danger.
+
+Wherever a squad of the fugitives was withdrawn from the main body, making
+ready a boat, the painted fiends would swoop down upon it, performing
+their murderous work and getting away with a fresh supply of scalps before
+the victims' friends could rush to their assistance.
+
+I saw a boat laden with men, the greater number of whom were unarmed
+because of having thrown away their weapons during the flight, push off in
+company with several others; but the oarsmen of this particular craft were
+clumsy, and she drifted down the shore until beyond range of the
+remainder of the force.
+
+Then it was that the feather-bedecked wolves began shooting at the
+helpless men until a full half of the crew were wounded, after which
+Thayendanega's beauties swam out to her, killing and scalping all on
+board.
+
+This is but a single instance of what the savages did during that mad
+retreat. More than once had my rifle been emptied in behalf of some
+sore-beset soldier, and I even went so far in my sympathy for the white
+men that I saved the life of a Tory who would have been killed had we not
+come up in the nick of time. After rescuing him, however, we turned the
+fellow over to a squad who were guarding twenty or more prisoners, thus
+making certain he would not be left at liberty to work mischief among our
+people.
+
+The following brief account of the retreat was written and printed by one
+who took every care to learn all the truth regarding the affair, and I set
+it down here that he who reads may know I have not exaggerated the story
+for the purpose of shaming the enemy:
+
+"The Indians, it is said, made merry at the precipitate flight of the
+whites, who threw away their arms and knapsacks, so that nothing should
+impede their progress. The savages also gratified their passion for murder
+and plunder by killing many of the retreating allies on the borders of the
+lake, and stripping them of every article of value. They also plundered
+them of their boats, and, according to St. Leger, 'became more formidable
+than the enemy they had to expect.'"
+
+It was late in the afternoon before Captain Jackman gave us the word to
+turn back. He would have returned sooner, but our men pleaded for
+permission to watch the fugitives until they had embarked, and he could
+hardly do otherwise than remain.
+
+A happy, light-hearted company it was that marched back to what had been
+the British encampment, there to find many of those we had left in the
+fort busily engaged hauling in the plunder abandoned by his Majesty's
+valiant army, to the fortification.
+
+Now we had ammunition in plenty, both for our own guns and those we
+brought in from the batteries, while there was such a store of provisions
+that the wagons were kept busy during the entire night transporting it.
+
+We feasted from sunset until sunrise, much after the fashion of the
+savages, for it made a fellow feel good to know from actual test that
+there was no longer any need of saving every scrap of food against that
+day when it might be necessary to fight and fast at the same time.
+
+Even though we had not thus made merry, I question if there was a man
+among us, from the highest to the lowest, who could have closed his eyes
+in slumber. The relief of mind was so great, and the wonderment because of
+what had happened so overpowering, that we were able to do nothing save
+discuss the matter again and again, but without coming to any satisfactory
+solution of the riddle.
+
+The Tory encampment, which was a long distance westward from St. Leger's
+quarters, presented the same scene of confusion and evidences of hasty
+departure as had the British, and from there we got a large quantity of
+plunder; but in the Indian camp was nothing left but the lodges, and these
+we carted into the fort, although they would be of little value to us. It
+was satisfying to despoil Thayendanega's snakes, even though only to a
+slight extent.
+
+When another day had come Colonel Gansevoort brought all us merrymakers up
+with a sharp turn, by forcing us to perform military duty once more. The
+stores of the British and Tories had all been brought in, and then we were
+called upon to level the earthworks which had been thrown up at the
+beginning of the siege, lest General Burgoyne, who had been reported as
+possibly coming our way, might be able to turn them to his own advantage
+and our discomfiture.
+
+It was downright hard work to handle shovel and pick hour after hour under
+the burning rays of the summer sun; but no fellow cared to show himself
+indolent after having had such rare good fortune, and we petitioned the
+commandant to let us continue the labor throughout the night, to the end
+that it might the sooner be performed.
+
+Within six and thirty hours after we had returned from the pursuit matters
+were so far straightened that we had nothing save ordinary garrison duty
+to perform, and we lounged around discussing the exciting and mysterious
+events which we had witnessed, until I dare venture to say that every man
+was absolutely weary with so much tongue-wagging.
+
+Messengers had been sent on the road toward Stillwater to learn, if
+possible, what had caused such a panic among the enemy, and Sergeant
+Corney said to Jacob and me while we were waiting with whatsoever of
+patience we could command for some definite information to be brought in:
+
+"We must get out of this, lads, within four an' twenty hours after the
+matter has been made plain, an' we know somewhat concernin' the movements
+of our friends on the outside."
+
+"How surprised the people of Cherry Valley will be when they hear all that
+we can tell them!" Jacob said, as if speaking to himself.
+
+"An' is it in your mind, lad, that we're to go back there rather than
+anywhere else?"
+
+"Where else could we go?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"I've been thinkin' that we might do our people at home more good by
+marchin' the Minute Boys to where they could be of real service, than
+goin' back to let 'em loaf 'round the settlement."
+
+At that moment the old soldier was called away to attend to some duty,
+and Jacob and I had ample food for thought as we turned over in mind what
+he had said.
+
+Before the day had come to an end we had reinforcements--when we no longer
+needed them--in plenty. Company after company of soldiers marched in from
+the direction of Stillwater, and through the earliest arrivals we learned
+that twelve hundred men, under General Benedict Arnold, had been sent to
+our relief.
+
+To our great joy, they could give valuable information regarding the
+strange behavior of St. Leger's army, and by putting together this and
+that bit of news we had a fairly good solution to the puzzle before the
+arrival of General Arnold, who came with a small force twenty hours behind
+the main body.
+
+And this is the story as we heard it from one source and another until
+there could be no question but that we had all the facts with no
+embellishments:
+
+Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell succeeded in getting past the
+several encampments without being discovered, and made their way to German
+Flats. There they procured horses, and rode at full speed until arriving
+at the headquarters of General Schuyler at Stillwater.
+
+Now it must be understood that when General Washington heard the news of
+the fall of Ticonderoga, he sent General Benedict Arnold with as many
+troops as could be gathered, to strengthen the northern army. General
+Arnold arrived at Stillwater nearabout three weeks before Colonel Willett
+rode into that place with the request that assistance be sent as soon as
+possible to Fort Schuyler.
+
+Now it seems, as I have heard it said by those who knew, and, later, have
+seen it printed, that immediately the messengers from the besieged fort
+stated the purpose of their coming, General Schuyler, eager to send
+Colonel Gansevoort all the succor he might, called a council of war to
+decide upon what should be done, when, greatly to his surprise, he found
+that the members of his staff were bitterly opposed to weakening the force
+then at Stillwater by sending any away, even on so important a mission as
+that of aiding the beleaguered garrison.
+
+Here is what I have seen printed regarding the matter, and I will copy it
+lest any one think I may have imagined some portion of this contention,
+which, as we look at the situation now, seems so improbable, for one can
+hardly believe that any officer in the patriot army would have refused at
+such a time to aid those who were so sorely pressed as were Gansevoort's
+troops:
+
+[Footnote: Fiske's "American Revolution."] "General Schuyler understood the
+importance of rescuing the stronghold and its brave garrison, and called a
+council of war; but he was bitterly opposed by his officers, one of whom
+presently said to another, in an audible whisper:
+
+"'He only wants to weaken the army!'
+
+"At this vile accusation the indignant general set his teeth so hard as to
+bite through the stem of the pipe he was smoking, which fell on the floor
+and was smashed.
+
+"'Enough!' he cried. 'I assume the whole responsibility. Where is the
+brigadier who will go?'
+
+"The brigadiers all sat in sullen silence, and Arnold, who had been
+brooding over his private grievances, suddenly jumped up.
+
+"'Here!' said he. 'Washington sent me here to make myself useful. I will
+go.'
+
+"The commander gratefully seized him by the hand, and the drum beat for
+volunteers. Arnold's unpopularity in New England was mainly with the
+politicians. It did not extend to the common soldiers, who admired his
+impulsive bravery and had unbounded faith in his resources as a leader.
+Accordingly twelve hundred Massachusetts men were easily enlisted in the
+course of the next forenoon, and the expedition started up the Mohawk
+Valley.
+
+"Arnold pushed on with characteristic energy, but the natural difficulties
+of the road were such that after a week of hard work he had only reached
+the German Flats, where he was still more than twenty miles from Fort
+Schuyler. Believing that no time should be lost, and that everything
+should be done to encourage the garrison and dishearten the enemy, he had
+recourse to a stratagem, which succeeded beyond his utmost anticipation.
+
+"A party of Tory spies had just been arrested in the neighborhood, and
+among them was a certain Yan Yost Cuyler, a queer, half-witted fellow not
+devoid of cunning, whom the Indians regarded with that mysterious awe with
+which fools and lunatics are wont to inspire them, as creatures possessed
+with a devil.
+
+"Yan Yost was summarily condemned to death, and his brother and gipsy-like
+mother, in wild alarm, hastened to the camp to plead for his life. Arnold
+for awhile was inexorable, but presently offered to pardon the culprit on
+condition that he should go and spread a panic in the camp of St. Leger.
+
+"Yan Yost joyfully consented, and started off forthwith, while his brother
+was detained as a hostage, to be hanged in case of his failure. To make
+the matter still surer, some friendly Oneidas were sent along to keep an
+eye upon him and act in concert with him.
+
+"Next day St. Leger's scouts, as they stole through the forest, began to
+hear rumors that Burgoyne had been totally defeated, and that a great
+American army was coming up the valley of the Mohawk. They carried back
+these rumors to the camp, and, while officers and soldiers were standing
+about in anxious consultation, Yan Yost came running in, with a dozen
+bullet-holes in his coat and terror in his face, and said that he had
+barely escaped with his life from the resistless American host which was
+close at hand.
+
+"As many knew him for a Tory, his tale found ready belief, and, when
+interrogated as to the numbers of the advancing host, he gave a warning
+frown and pointed significantly to the countless leaves that fluttered on
+the branches overhead."
+
+[Footnote: Lossing's "Field Book American Revolution."] "The Indians were
+greatly agitated. They had been decoyed into their present situation, and
+had been moody and uneasy since the battle of Oriskany. At the moment of
+Yan Yost's arrival they were engaged in a religious observance,--a
+consultation, through their prophet, of the Great Spirit, to supplicate
+his guidance and protection.
+
+"The council of chiefs at the powwow at once resolved upon flight, and
+told St. Leger so. He sent for and questioned Yan Yost, who told him that
+Arnold, with two thousand men, would be upon him in twenty-four hours.
+
+"At that moment, according to arrangements, the friendly Oneida who had
+taken a circuitous route approached the camp from another direction with a
+belt. On his way he met two or three straggling Indians of his tribe, who
+joined him, and they all confirmed the story of Yan Yost. They pretended
+that a bird had brought them the news that the valley below was swarming
+with warriors.
+
+"One said that the army of Burgoyne was cut in pieces, and another told
+St. Leger that Arnold had three thousand men near at hand. They shook
+their heads mysteriously when questioned about the numbers of the enemy,
+and pointed, like Yan Yost, upward to the leaves.
+
+"The savages, now thoroughly alarmed, prepared to flee. St. Leger tried
+every means, by offers of bribes and promises, to induce them to remain,
+but the panic and suspicion of foul play had determined them to go. He
+tried to make them drunk, but they refused to drink. He then besought them
+to take the rear of his army in retreating; this they refused, and
+indignantly said:
+
+"'You mean to sacrifice us. When you marched down, you said there would be
+no fighting for us Indians; we might go down and smoke our pipes; whereas
+numbers of our warriors have been killed, and you mean to sacrifice us
+also.'
+
+"Nothing more was needed to complete the panic. It was in vain that Sir
+John and St. Leger coaxed and threatened the savages. They were already
+filled with fear, and while a certain number deliberately ran away, taking
+their squaws with them, others drank rum until they were drunk, and began
+to assault the officers."
+
+That is the story as has been set down by others, and I have already told
+what we ourselves saw. All which seemed so unaccountable to us at that
+time, would have been as plain as the sun at noon-day had we possessed the
+key to the seeming riddle.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XX
+
+Enlisted Men
+
+
+
+On the morning after General Arnold's arrival, when we learned that the
+reinforcements which had been sent to us at Fort Schuyler were to be
+marched directly back to the main army then at Stillwater, the Minute Boys
+held a conference to decide what should be done, for it was in my mind
+that each member of the company had a right to discuss freely the question
+that must be settled without delay.
+
+We knew that Peter Sitz was to return to Cherry Valley as soon as he could
+make ready for the journey, and I was of the belief that Jacob desired to
+accompany his father; but never a word had passed between us on the
+subject.
+
+From all we could hear concerning affairs in the Mohawk Valley, it seemed
+much as if the senseless panic among St. Leger's force had resulted in
+breaking up the combination between the British and the Indians, in which
+case Thayendanega would not be able to ravage the country nearabout Cherry
+Valley, as he had doubtless counted on.
+
+When I considered the matter, with a sickness for home in my heart, it
+seemed much as if my proper place was with my parents, and there, if
+trouble should come, I would be able to strike a blow in defence of those
+I loved; but while listening to the conversation of the soldiers, and
+being brought to understand how sorely the colonists needed the aid which
+should come from their midst, I said to myself that strong, hulking lads
+like our Minute Boys ought to be ashamed to do other than remain in the
+service, doing their part in showing the king that we would have no more
+of his misrule.
+
+It seemed to me that Sergeant Corney was averse to talking with any of us
+concerning the future, for, as soon as it was known that we must decide at
+once upon some course, he kept aloof whenever he heard two or three
+discussing the question of what we Minute Boys ought to do, now that we
+were no longer needed at Fort Schuyler.
+
+I have thus set down that which was in my mind at the time, not that it is
+of any especial importance, but to the end that he who reads may
+understand how undecided I was as to what my company had best do at such a
+time; and I believe every person will realize that a lad's love for
+country must be great when it prompts him to turn his back on home and
+loved ones after having passed through as many dangers as had our boys
+from Cherry Valley.
+
+During the evening previous I had notified all the members of the company
+that we would meet in the barracks at eight o'clock in the morning to
+decide what course should be pursued, and considerably before the time
+set every lad was in waiting; but Sergeant Corney did not put in an
+appearance.
+
+We had come to consider him as the head and front of the Minute Boys, and
+his absence at such an important time seemed odd, to say the least.
+
+"I believe he has it in mind to join General Arnold's force," John Sammons
+said, when the hour for the conference had come and passed without the
+sergeant's having shown himself, and the idea of such a possibility
+brought a strange sensation of loneliness to my heart.
+
+Then Jacob suggested that the old man might have been detained against his
+will at headquarters, and I proposed that the lad go at once to learn if
+such was the case.
+
+He did not absolutely refuse to obey what might have been considered as an
+order from the captain, but tried to shift the duty by saying:
+
+"It would be of more avail for you to go, Noel, if so be the old man
+really has it in mind to enlist under General Arnold. You have ever been a
+favorite of his, whereas I am little more than an outsider, who has caused
+you an' he much trouble an' sufferin'."
+
+The lad did not really believe his own statements, but made them simply to
+shift the duty to my shoulders, for it was a bold and might be considered
+an impertinent act for us to presume to advise or urge one of so much and
+so varied experience as Sergeant Corney.
+
+I set off without further parley, and to my great surprise found the old
+man on the parade-ground talking idly with Peter Sitz.
+
+"Had you forgotten that the company was called together at eight o'clock
+this mornin'?" I asked, as if in surprise.
+
+"Not a bit of it, lad."
+
+"Then why didn't you come to the barracks?"
+
+"I knew you lads had somewhat of importance to decide, an' wasn't countin'
+on goin' where I might be said to have influenced you."
+
+"But don't you reckon yourself as belongin' any longer to the company?"
+
+"I didn't count on bein' able to pass myself off for a boy, even among
+blind men," the old soldier said, with a laugh, and I cried, hotly:
+
+"That isn't answerin' my question, sergeant. Is there any good reason why
+you should stand stiffly here while we're tryin' to make up our minds what
+to do?"
+
+"Yes, lad, I believe there is."
+
+"What may it be, if you're willin' to tell us?"
+
+"It shouldn't be hard to guess. All my life long I've followed soldierin'
+as another man follows a trade, an' I'm not the one who ought to speak
+when lads are makin' up their minds as to the future, lest I say that
+which pleases me, an' may not be the best thing for them."
+
+"Answer me one question squarely, Sergeant Corney, without beatin' about
+the bush. Do you think we're too young to enlist as soldiers, if it so be
+the lads decide that the Minute Boys ought to do all they can for the
+Cause?"
+
+"Not a bit of it; it strikes me your company has shown that it may be of
+value in any army, an' I'll go bail Colonel Gansevoort will agree with me.
+What say you, Peter Sitz?"
+
+"Speakin' for my Jacob, he's shown that his services are not to be
+despised in sich warfare as we're like to have in the valley; but it must
+be for him to say what he'll do, without word or look from me."
+
+Now it was that I began to understand what these two were driving at. They
+were minded that we of the company should decide the question before us
+without aid from them, and it was not difficult to guess that, in their
+opinion, the Minute Boys ought to remain where they could do the best
+service for the colony.
+
+However, I was determined that they should be present while we discussed
+the matter, and by dint of much coaxing finally succeeded in my purpose.
+
+When we were all together I put the matter before the lads to the best of
+my ability, asking each to say if he was minded to go home at once, or
+whether he would be willing to regularly enlist in the American army, and
+before any other could speak John Sammons made a suggestion which showed
+him to be a lad of rare good sense.
+
+"It seems to me that it would be a good idea to first learn whether we're
+wanted in the army. There's hardly one among us of an age to be taken as a
+recruit, an' if they won't let us enlist as a full company, allowin' our
+own officers to remain in command, I for my part would rather go home."
+
+There could be no question but that very many of us shared John's ideas,
+and then came the question as to how we might learn what we wanted to
+know.
+
+This we could not determine upon until Peter Sitz said, quietly:
+
+"Most likely Colonel Gansevoort can tell you in short order; but, if he
+can't, he won't be long in findin' out from General Arnold."
+
+This was just the suggestion we needed, and then came the question as to
+who would go to the commandant. I flatly refused, because it would look
+too much as if I was eager to hold my rank as captain, and after
+considerable tongue-wagging it was decided that Jacob should tackle the
+job, his father agreeing to go with him to headquarters.
+
+While these two were absent we talked much among ourselves, and I soon
+learned that every member of the company was willing to remain in service
+if it could be done as regularly enlisted men, holding together as a
+separate company.
+
+Sergeant Corney would take no part in the discussion. He flatly refused
+to give an opinion until after the matter had been fully decided; but I
+knew full well the old man would remain with us, even though we were only
+a company of boys.
+
+Then Jacob and his father returned, and there was no need of further talk.
+
+"The commandant says that we have only to present ourselves before General
+Schuyler in order to be enlisted as we desire," Jacob reported. "He
+promises to write a letter to the general at once, telling him of how much
+service we have been here in the fort, an' agrees to provide us with
+provisions for the march, with two baggage-wagons to haul the stores.
+We're to have from the plunder gotten out of St. Leger's camp all we may
+need in way of an outfit, so that we'll really show up before the
+commander equipped for service without cost to the colonies."
+
+Thus the matter was settled. With such a generous offer from the
+commandant never a member of the company could have hung back had he so
+desired; but I am proud to say that each and every one of them was eager
+to join the army, since it might be done as regular soldiers.
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney had his say, and he was by no means
+niggardly with words.
+
+First he congratulated us on having performed such good service that the
+commander under whom we served was pleased to do all in his power to give
+us a good send-off, and then declared that he had rather enlist with us
+than in any regiment of the army. If we had decided to go to Cherry
+Valley, it was his purpose to join General Arnold's force; but now that he
+could remain with the Minute Boys he was content.
+
+We were proud lads that day, for it seemed as if every officer and soldier
+in the fort was eager to give us some word of praise, and those with whom
+we had served watched jealously when our equipment was being selected from
+the plunder of the British camp, lest we might not get the best of
+everything.
+
+We had our hands full of business making ready for the march, when Reuben
+Cox came shyly up to where Sergeant Corney and I were looking after the
+stowage of goods in the wagons, and said to me in a half-whisper, as if
+fearing others might hear him:
+
+"I don't reckon your company is any place for a man who has shown himself
+sich a sneak as I am, eh?"
+
+"Would you like to go with us?" I asked, in surprise, and pitying from the
+bottom of my heart the man who was so deeply repentant.
+
+"That I would, Captain Campbell. It may be in time I can live down my
+record, providin' there be any one who'll look to what I may do, instead
+of always thinkin' of what I have done."
+
+"But the men in the fort have been kind to you of late, Cox?" I said,
+questioningly.
+
+"Ay, that they have, considerin' what I've done, an' how nearly I came to
+workin' the worst of harm to all hands here; but I can see by their eyes
+that they're always thinkin' I may play the same dirty game agin, though
+God knows I'd stand at the stake with never a whimper till the life was
+burned out of me rather than do one of them another wrong."
+
+Had I felt at liberty to decide the matter then and there, Cox would have
+been a member of the Minute Boys without further parley; but it was only
+right I should consult the others, therefore I told him to come again
+within an hour, when I would give him an answer.
+
+He thanked me humbly, and was about to go away, when Sergeant Corney took
+him by the hand as he said:
+
+"What's in the past can't be brought back for the fixin'; but we've got in
+our own keepin' the shapin' of the to-morrows. I'm thinkin' you won't go
+astray agin, Reuben Cox, an' whenever I see a chance to speak a good word
+for you it shall be said."
+
+The man's face lighted up wonderfully, and in my heart I thanked the old
+sergeant over and over for having been thus kind to one who, having
+committed the worst crime possible for a soldier, stood ready to give up
+his life cheerfully to the end that he might atone.
+
+I called the lads together without loss of time, repeating to them what
+Cox had said, and again was I made glad when they agreed without
+hesitation to take him among us.
+
+John Sammons was sent to bring up the new member of the company, and
+Sergeant Corney said, grimly, as he tried without avail to pucker his
+wrinkled face into a frown:
+
+"At this rate you'll soon lose the right to call yourselves Minute _Boys_,
+because this 'ere company is fast becomin' a refuge for the aged and
+outcast."
+
+There was to be mourning as well as gladness among us on this the last day
+we were to spend in Fort Schuyler.
+
+Toward noon a messenger from the general commanding came in, bringing with
+him the sad news that General Herkimer was dead of his wounds, or, perhaps
+I should say, because of his wounds.
+
+As we were told, the general was safely taken to his home after the
+battle, being carried on a litter the entire distance. The weather was
+very warm, and soon the wound became gangrenous. Nine days after his
+arrival, a young French surgeon who had been with General Arnold's force
+visited the house, and claimed that the injured limb should be cut off
+without delay, as the only means of saving the sufferer's life.
+
+The family doctor objected very strongly; but the general's family had
+faith in the Frenchman, although it is claimed he had evidently been
+drinking heavily, and the leg was cut off. The operation was performed so
+unskilfully that it was impossible to entirely check the flow of blood,
+and the Frenchman, indulging in more wine, became so badly intoxicated
+that, even had he known how, it would have been beyond his power to take
+the proper measures.
+
+There was no other surgeon to be had, and toward the close of the day,
+when the brave old general came to understand that his end was very near,
+he asked for the Bible, from which he read aloud the thirty-eighth psalm,
+immediately afterward sinking back upon the pillow dead.
+
+"Murdered if ever a man was!" Sergeant Corney cried, when the sad story
+had been brought to an end, and I was of the same opinion.
+
+There are several forms of mutiny, and some of them are called by other
+names, but all as dangerous as they are wicked. Because many of those who
+badgered the brave old soldier to his death paid the full penalty of their
+crime in the ravine under the hatchet or knife of the savages, it may not
+be well to say harsh words concerning them; but so long as I live there
+will always be anger in my heart whenever I hear their names mentioned.
+
+During that evening, after everything had been made ready for the march at
+an early hour next morning, we lads gave to Peter Sitz messages for the
+loved ones at Cherry Valley, promising that we would never bring disgrace
+upon the settlement, and so burdening his mind with this matter and the
+other that, if the poor man remembered but the half of all the words we
+entrusted him with, he must have had a most prodigious memory.
+
+Right proud was I when I marched out of the fort next morning at the head
+of my company, followed by the two baggage-wagons; but yet there was a
+sorrow in my heart because it seemed, in a certain degree, at least, as if
+by becoming regularly enlisted men we gave up our claim to the name of
+Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley.
+
+Those under whom we served did not view the matter in the same light I
+did, however, for we kept the title we liked best during all the time we
+served in the army.
+
+It would please me to set down here an account of the adventures which
+were ours after becoming enlisted men, but it must not be done, else I
+might never bring the tale to a close, for we saw very much during the
+time our people were convincing the king, and surely did our duty at Bemis
+Heights, otherwise our company would never have been mentioned in the
+flattering terms it then was.
+
+It causes me most profound sorrow to say that our company was far away,
+fighting for the Cause to the best of our ability, when our homes at
+Cherry Valley were destroyed and many of our loved ones massacred by the
+fiendish savages, and there is always in my heart a cruel joy that we lads
+who had been trained by Sergeant Corney avenged that dastardly act of
+Thayendanega's in such manly fashion that he must have remembered the
+reprisals to his dying day.
+
+Then it was we showed ourselves to be Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley in
+good truth, however we may have been spoken of elsewhere, and if it so be
+the good God spares my life sufficiently long I propose to set down the
+story of that vengeance, when more than one of us, sorely wounded,
+continued the chase, upheld even when exhausted nigh unto death by the
+thoughts of what our loved ones had been made to suffer by that wolf in
+human shape--Joseph Brant.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE MOHAWK
+VALLEY***
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+<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley, by James Otis</title>
+<style type="text/css">
+  <!--
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+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley, by
+James Otis</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley</p>
+<p>Author: James Otis</p>
+<p>Release Date: November 14, 2003  [eBook #10086]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Chatacter set encoding: iso-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY***</p>
+<br />
+<br />
+<center><b>E-text prepared by Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders</b></center>
+<br />
+<hr />
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "An Indian strode gravely into the encampment"]</p>
+
+
+
+<h1>The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley</h1>
+
+<p align="center" class="smallcaps">by</p>
+
+<h2>James Otis</h2>
+
+
+<p align="center" style="font-variant: small-caps; margin: 1em 25% 1em 25%">Author of "The Boys of Fort Schuyler," "The Boys of '98," "Teddy and
+Carrots," "Captain Tom, the Privateersman," "The Boys of 1745," "The Signal
+Boys of '75," "Under the Liberty Tree," "When Israel Putnam Served the
+King," "The Minute Boys of the Green Mountains," Etc., Etc.</p>
+
+<h3><i>Illustrated by</i> A. Burnham Shute</h3>
+
+<p align="center">1911</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h1>The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley</h1>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>Contents</h2>
+
+
+
+<ol style="list-style-type: upper-roman">
+<li><a href="#ch01">Young Soldiers</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch02">The Powwow</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch03">Disappointment</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch04">On the Oriskany</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch05">Divided Duty</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch06">Between the Lines</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch07">Insubordination</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch08">The Ambush</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch09">The Indian Camp</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch10">Prisoners</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch11">The Escape</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch12">In the Fort</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch13">The Assault</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch14">Mutiny</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch15">The Torture</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch16">Short Allowance</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch17">Perplexing Scenes</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch18">Close Quarters</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch19">The Pursuit</a></li>
+<li><a href="#ch20">Enlisted Men</a></li>
+</ol>
+
+
+
+
+<h2>Foreword</h2>
+
+
+
+<p>It seems not only proper, but necessary, that I should explain how the
+material for this story was obtained, and why it happens that I can thus
+set down exactly what Noel Campbell thought and did, during certain times
+while he was serving the patriot cause in the Mohawk Valley as few other
+boys could have done.</p>
+
+<p>At some time in Noel's life--most likely after he was grown to be a man
+with children, and, perhaps, grandchildren of his own--he wrote many
+letters to relatives of his in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, wherein he told
+with considerable of detail that which he did during the War of the
+Revolution, and more particularly while he and his friends were fighting
+against that wily Indian sachem, Thayendanega. These letters, together
+with many others concerning the struggles of our people for independence,
+came into my keeping a long while ago, and from the lines written by Noel
+Campbell I have put together the following story after much the same
+fashion as he himself set it down.</p>
+
+<p>When the work was begun I doubted if Thayendanega could have been
+frightened by a party of boys who were playing at being soldiers, and
+refused to make such statement until, quite by chance, I found the
+following in Lossing's "Field-Book of the Revolution":</p>
+
+<p>"It was a sunny morning toward the close of May, when Brant and his
+warriors cautiously moved up to the brow of the lofty hill on the east
+side of the town (Cherry Valley) to reconnoitre the settlement at their
+feet. He was astonished and chagrined on seeing a fortification where he
+supposed all was weak and defenceless, and greater was his disappointment
+when quite a large and well-armed garrison appeared upon the esplanade in
+front of Colonel Campbell's house.</p>
+
+<p>"These soldiers were not as formidable as the sachem supposed, for they
+were only half-grown boys, who, full of the martial spirit of the times,
+had formed themselves into companies, and, armed with wooden guns and
+swords, held regular drills each day.... He mistook the boys for
+full-grown soldiers, and, considering an attack dangerous, moved his party
+to a hiding-place in a deep ravine north of the village."</p>
+
+<p>Then again I questioned if General Herkimer would have sent two boys as
+messengers, even though an old and experienced soldier went with them,
+when he must have had under his command many men grown who were thoroughly
+familiar with Indian warfare. As if to combat this doubt, I found the
+following statement by one who has written much concerning the struggles
+of the colonists for freedom:</p>
+
+<p>"As soon as St. Leger's approach up Oneida Lake was known to General
+Herkimer, he summoned the militia of Tryon County to the succor of the
+garrison at Fort Schuyler. They rendezvoused at Fort Dayton, on the German
+Flats, and, on the day when the Indians encircled the fort, Herkimer was
+near Oriskany with more than eight hundred men, eager to face the enemy.
+He sent as messengers to Gansevoort two boys and a man, informing him of
+his approach, and requesting him to apprise him of the arrival of the
+couriers by discharging three guns in rapid succession, which he knew
+would be heard at Oriskany."</p>
+
+<p>Having thus proven, at least to my own satisfaction, that so much of
+Noel's story was true, I set about verifying the other portions, and in no
+single instance did I find that he had drawn upon his imagination,
+therefore I resolved to write it down as the lad himself would have
+spoken, being able, because of the letters, to put myself very nearly in
+his place.</p>
+
+<p>I would it had been possible to say more concerning Thayendanega and Sir
+John Johnson, for they played important parts in the making of Mohawk
+Valley history; but Noel's own account was of such length that I did not
+feel warranted in adding to it.</p>
+
+<p>To the best of my knowledge and belief, the tale of the "Minute Boys of
+the Mohawk Valley" is no more than a narration of facts, as can be
+verified by reference to any of our standard histories of the beginnings
+of this nation.</p>
+
+<p>If the reader can find in the reading one-half the pleasure I have had in
+interpreting Noel Campbell's odd speech, and smoothing down his too
+vigorous language, then will he be richly repaid for the perusal.</p>
+
+<p align="right" class="smallcaps">James Otis.</p>
+
+
+
+<h2>
+List of Illustrations</h2>
+
+
+
+<p>"An Indian strode gravely into the encampment"<br />
+"'You have done well to get back alive'"<br />
+"Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and fro"<br />
+"'Tire 'em out, lads!' the General shouted"<br />
+"Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a huge fire"<br />
+"With upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of foliage"<br />
+"The painted villain sank down upon the ground"<br />
+"Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet through the back'"</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch01"></a>Chapter I.</h2>
+
+<h3>Young Soldiers.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>It sounds like an unreasonable tale, or something after the style of a
+fairy-story, to say that a party of lads, drilling with wooden guns, were
+able, without being conscious of the fact, to frighten from his bloody
+work such a murderous, powerful sachem as Thayendanega, or Joseph Brant,
+to use his English name, but such is the undisputed fact.</p>
+
+<p>It was the month of May in the year of our Lord 1777, when we of Cherry
+Valley, in the Province of New York, learned that this same Thayendanega,
+a pure-blooded Mohawk Indian, whose father was chief of the Onondaga
+nation, had come into the Mohawk Valley from Canada with a large force of
+Indians, who, under the wicked tutoring of Sir John Johnson, were ripe for
+mischief.</p>
+
+<p>Col. Samuel Campbell, my uncle, was one of the leading patriots in that
+section of the province, and it was well known that the Johnsons,--Sir
+John and Guy,--the Butlers, Daniel Claus, and, in fact, all the Tories
+nearabout, would direct that the first blow be struck at Cherry Valley, in
+order that my uncle might be killed or made prisoner; therefore, at the
+time when we lads frightened Joseph Brant without our own knowledge, we
+were in daily fear of being set upon by our enemies.</p>
+
+<p>Among the boys of the settlement I, Noel Campbell, was looked upon as a
+leader simply because my uncle was the most influential Whig in the
+vicinity, and my particular friend and comrade was Jacob Sitz, son of
+Peter, a lad who could easily best us all in trials of strength or of
+woodcraft.</p>
+
+<p>We had heard of the Minute Men of Lexington and of the Green Mountains,
+and when the day came that all the able-bodied men of our valley banded
+themselves together for the protection of their homes against our
+neighbors, the Tories, who thirsted for patriot blood, we lads decided
+that we were old enough to do our share in whatsoever might be afoot.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was that two score of us formed a league to help defend the
+settlements, and gave ourselves the name of "Minute Boys of the Mohawk
+Valley."</p>
+
+<p>There was then living in Cherry Valley an old Prussian soldier by name
+Cornelius Braun, who, in his native land, had won the rank of sergeant;
+but, having grown too old for very active military duty, came to this
+country with the idea of making a home for himself. Sergeant Corney, as
+nearly every one called him, was not so old, however, but that he could
+strike a blow, and a heavy one, in his own defence, and when he learned
+what we lads proposed to do, he offered to drill us in the manual of arms.</p>
+
+<p>We were not overly well equipped in the way of weapons, although it is
+safe to say that each of us had a firearm of some sort; but it seemed to
+give Sergeant Corney the fidgets to see us carrying such a motley
+collection of guns, and he insisted on making a quantity of wooden muskets
+to be used in the drill, to the end that we might present a more soldierly
+appearance when lined up before him.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was that, when we came each day on the green in front of my
+uncle's house to go through such manoeuvres as our instructor thought
+necessary, we had in our hands only those harmless wooden guns.</p>
+
+<p>I was the captain of the company; Jacob Sitz acted as lieutenant, and all
+the others were privates. Sergeant Corney, as a matter of course, was the
+commander-in-chief.</p>
+
+<p>On a certain day during the last week in May--the exact date I have
+forgotten--we were drilling as usual, with Sergeant Corney finding more
+fault than ever, when we frightened the famous Thayendanega away from an
+attack on the settlement, although, as I have said, we knew nothing about
+it until many months afterward.</p>
+
+<p>It seems, as we learned later, that the villainous Brant had made all his
+plans for an attack upon Cherry Valley, and had secretly gained a position
+on the hill to the eastward of the place, counting on waiting there until
+nightfall, when he might surprise us; but, much to his astonishment, he
+saw what appeared from the distance to be a large body of well-equipped
+soldiers evidently making ready for serious work.</p>
+
+<p>The scoundrelly redskin was not so brave that he was willing to make an
+attack where it seemed that the Whigs were prepared to receive him, and,
+like the cur that he was, he marched his force to a hiding-place in a deep
+ravine north of the settlement, near the road leading to the Mohawk River,
+about a mile and a half from where we were drilling.</p>
+
+<p>Now hardly more than an hour before it is probable that the Indians got
+their first glimpse of us Minute Boys, Lieutenant Wormwood had arrived
+from Fort Plain with information to my uncle that a force of patriot
+soldiers was on the way to check Sir John's plans for killing all who did
+not quite agree with him in politics, and to request that arrangements be
+made to care for the men during such time as they might remain in that
+vicinity.</p>
+
+<p>When, late in the afternoon, the lieutenant was ready to return to Fort
+Plain, Jacob's father, Peter Sitz, was ordered to accompany him as bearer
+of a message from my uncle to the leader of the patriot force, and the two
+men set off on horseback, we lads envying them because it seemed a fine
+thing to ride to and fro over the country summoning this man or that to
+his duty.</p>
+
+<p>It was the last time Jacob saw his father until after many days had
+passed, and what happened to the two horsemen we could only guess when the
+lieutenant's lifeless body was found next day; but we learned the
+particulars later.</p>
+
+<p>It seems that when the messengers arrived near Brant's hiding-place, being
+forced to pass by where the Indians were concealed in order to get to Fort
+Plain, they were hailed by some one in the thicket; but instead of
+replying, the men put spurs to their horses.</p>
+
+<p>The savages in ambush fired a volley; Lieutenant Wormwood was killed
+instantly, while Jacob's father was so seriously wounded that he fell from
+his horse, and, a few seconds later, found himself a prisoner among
+Brant's wolves.</p>
+
+<p>When the tidings of this tragedy was brought into the settlement, Jacob
+was overwhelmed with grief, as might have been expected, and even my uncle
+had great difficulty in preventing the distressed lad from rushing into
+the wilderness with the poor hope that he might be able, single-handed, to
+effect his father's rescue.</p>
+
+<p>He was only sixteen years of age--two months older than I; but within an
+hour after we knew beyond a peradventure that Peter Sitz was a prisoner,
+it seemed as if the lad had grown to be a man.</p>
+
+<p>It was this first blow against the settlement of Cherry Valley by the
+murderous Brant, which brought us Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley into
+active service, for from that day we saw as much of warfare as did our
+elders, and I am proud to be able to set down the fact that we performed
+good work, although we failed, as did the men of the settlement, in
+preventing it from being destroyed a year and a half later, while the
+fighting force of the population was absent.</p>
+
+<p>The murder of Lieutenant Wormwood was sufficient evidence that the Tories
+and their savage allies were prepared to harry us, and within a very few
+minutes after the body of the officer had been brought in, the men made
+ready to defend their homes.</p>
+
+<p>A council of war was immediately called, and while it was in session
+Sergeant Corney made a proposition which was like to take away the breath
+from those who looked upon us of the Minute Boys as mere children, for he
+said in the tone of one who knows whereof he speaks:</p>
+
+<p>"I've been drillin' a force that can do good work in what's before us, if
+they're given a show, an' I'll answer for half a dozen of 'em,
+guaranteein' they'll show themselves to be men."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you speaking of the lads?" my uncle asked in surprise, and the old
+man replied promptly;</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that I am, sir, an', unless all signs fail, there's never one of 'em
+who'll bring reproach upon the settlement."</p>
+
+<p>"What is your plan, Sergeant Braun?" Master Dunlap, the preacher, asked,
+for so great did all believe the danger which threatened, that every man,
+whether able-bodied or crippled, had been summoned to the council.</p>
+
+<p>"It ain't what you might rightly call a plan, sir," Sergeant Corney
+replied. "It's only an idee, brought out by the fact that from this time
+we've got to keep a close watch on what's happenin' in this 'ere valley,
+unless we're willin' to be murdered in our beds. There are boys enough in
+the settlement to do the scoutin', leavin' the elders to stand by for
+defence, an' I see no good reason why they shouldn't perform full share of
+military duty."</p>
+
+<p>"Think you a lad like my nephew Noel could render any valuable assistance
+at such a time as this?" my uncle asked, with a smile, as if believing he
+had put an end to the old man's proposition, and my cheeks reddened with
+excitement and fear lest Sergeant Corney should allow himself to be backed
+down, as I listened intently for the answer.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long in coming, and I could have kissed the old soldier for
+speaking as he did.</p>
+
+<p>"Give me him an' Jacob Sitz, sir, an' I'll guarantee to follow
+Thayendanega an' his precious scoundrels till we know what deviltry
+they've got in mind."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall have full charge of all the boys in the settlement, and we will
+see if you can make good your boast," my uncle, who held command of our
+fighting force, said after a brief pause, and in a twinkling Sergeant
+Corney left the building, beckoning us lads to follow, for our company had
+gathered with the men to learn what was to be done.</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier did not need very much time in which to lay his plans; in
+fact, I believe he had mapped out the whole course before having spoken.</p>
+
+<p>He divided our company into squads of six, not reckoning in either Jacob
+or me, and these he gave stations at different points within a mile of the
+settlement, cautioning every one to be on the alert, for now had come the
+time when it was possible for them to prove the value of the Minute Boys
+as soldiers. It was to be their duty, by night as well as by day, to keep
+careful watch lest the Indians creep up unawares, and I could well
+understand that never one would shirk his duty, since upon their vigilance
+depended the lives or liberty of all the dwellers nearabout.</p>
+
+<p>Then, when some one asked why neither Jacob nor I had been assigned to
+sentinel duty, Sergeant Corney replied, gravely:</p>
+
+<p>"I promised that with two lads I would follow Thayendanega's gang until we
+found out what the villains were about, as all of you well know, an'
+within the hour we three will set off."</p>
+
+<p>Several of the more venturesome lads pleaded their right to take part in
+the dangerous service, claiming that they should not be left at home when
+it was possible to make names for themselves among men; but to all these
+entreaties Sergeant Corney made but one reply.</p>
+
+<p>"It was Colonel Campbell himself who mentioned Noel's name, an' of a
+surety he has the right to say who shall go or stay. As for Jacob, have
+any of you a better claim than he to follow the murderers?"</p>
+
+<p>This silenced the eager ones; but I would have been glad indeed had any
+member of the company shown that he had a better right to accompany the
+old soldier than I, for of a verity I was not itching to hug the heels of
+those savages who were doing the bidding of the Tories. However
+faint-hearted I might have been, however, I would have bitten the end of
+my tongue off before saying that which should show to my comrades that I
+was more than willing to remain behind, for if the captain of the Minute
+Boys showed the white feather, what might not have been excused in the
+rank and file?</p>
+
+<p>Never one of all that company raised his voice against my right to follow
+Sergeant Corney, however, and I did my best at making it appear that the
+work in hand was exactly to my liking.</p>
+
+<p>Even the dullest among us understood that we three might be absent from
+the settlement many days, and yet our preparations for the dangerous
+journey were most simple.</p>
+
+<p>I ran home to acquaint my mother with what was afoot, and while she was
+trying to keep back her tears lest I might be unnerved for the duty to
+which I had been assigned, I armed myself with rifle and hunting-knife,
+making certain each weapon was in proper order.</p>
+
+<p>From my father's store of powder and balls I took as much as could be
+conveniently carried, and this, with such small supply of corn bread and
+salt pork as filled my hunting-bag, made up an outfit for a journey from
+which it was reasonable to believe I might never return.</p>
+
+<p>Mother did no more than kiss me again and again in silence, when I was
+ready to set off, and I now understand that she did not dare trust herself
+to speak, which, I venture to say, saved me from much sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>On arriving at the green in front of my uncle's house, where we three had
+agreed to meet, I found that Jacob's outfit was even less than mine. In
+his grief because of his father's fate, he had thought only of his weapons
+and ammunition, and by the expression on his face I knew full well he
+would use them manfully if we came within striking distance of Lieutenant
+Wormwood's murderers.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney was equipped in much the same fashion as was I, and
+immediately after my arrival he said, impatiently:</p>
+
+<p>"There is no reason why we should remain here many minutes, as if tryin'
+to show ourselves. It stands us in hand to strike the trail while it is
+yet warm, an' by dallyin' the people will come to believe our only idee is
+to look bigger'n we really are."</p>
+
+<p>"It is for you to say when we shall set out," I replied, envying those of
+my comrades who stood near at hand to witness the departure, and the words
+had hardly more than been spoken before the old man started off at a smart
+pace in the direction of the thicket where Lieutenant Wormwood's body had
+so lately been found.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of course we two lads followed, I making every effort to keep
+pace with him, lest those who were watching should suspect I was not as
+brave as I looked, and in a few moments we had shut out from view the
+houses of the settlement.</p>
+
+<p>We were not long in traversing the short distance which led us to the tree
+at the foot of which the officer came to his death; it can well be
+understood that we did not linger many seconds in that gruesome locality.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob was eager to push on, hoping even against hope that it might be
+possible for him to rescue his father. Sergeant Corney had no desire to
+delay, lest we find it difficult to follow the trail later in the day, and
+there was no reason why I should care to remain in that place where were
+such evidences as might soon be found of our own fate.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega had apparently given no heed as to whether his movements were
+known, for never an effort had been made to cover the trail, and we
+followed it as readily as if it had been blazed.</p>
+
+<p>When we had travelled rapidly in silence for two full hours, Sergeant
+Corney called a halt, saying as he did so:</p>
+
+<p>"There's no reason why we should push on so fast, an' much need to husband
+our strength, for no one can tell how soon we may be forced to take part
+in a hand-to-hand scrimmage. We'll have a bite to eat, for I didn't
+overload my stomach this mornin', an' be all the better for a
+breathin'-spell."</p>
+
+<p>"We didn't come out to spend our time in eatin'," Jacob said, moodily, and
+I understood full well what was in his mind. "We can loiter when we have
+come up with the savages."</p>
+
+<p>"It ain't in the plan that we shall get too close at their heels,"
+Sergeant Corney replied, as he drew from his hunting-bag a generous supply
+of corn bread, and laid a good half of it in front of my comrade.</p>
+
+<p>"It may not be in your plan, but it is in mine," Jacob said, sharply,
+giving no heed to the food. "We shall be doin' our duty by those we have
+left behind if we hug as close to the villains as is possible, while
+there's no chance I can serve my father by hangin' back at a coward's
+distance."</p>
+
+<p>"An' it's in your mind, lad, that we might do him a good turn?" Sergeant
+Corney said, as if talking to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? It wouldn't be the first time the murderin' redskins had lost a
+prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>"True for you, lad, an' I know full well how you're feelin'; but the
+question is whether we can hope for anythin' while there's sich a crowd of
+'em?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not expectin' you an' Noel will run your heads into too much danger,"
+Jacob said, passionately. "I know you would help father if the chance came
+your way; but it's my duty to take every risk, an' I count on doin' so
+even though we part company within the hour! Do you suppose I can loiter
+at a safe distance from the painted devils when my father is expectin' to
+see some sign that I'm doin' all I may to help him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I question if Peter Sitz expects that any one from Cherry Valley will
+follow Thayendanega's snakes. He knows their strength, an' is man enough
+to understand what might be the price of an attempt to rescue him."</p>
+
+<p>Although Sergeant Corney spoke calmly, as if he had no vital interest in
+the matter, I knew him well enough to feel certain he was even then trying
+to settle in his own mind how a rescue might be effected; but Jacob was so
+blinded by his grief that at the moment I believe he really thought we
+would let him push ahead alone, therefore I said in as hearty a tone as
+was possible:</p>
+
+<p>"You should know, Jacob, that both of us stand ready to do all men may to
+aid your father, an' you may be certain we'll not let you go on alone; but
+just now Sergeant Corney must be our leader, since he knows better than
+you an' I put together what ought to be done."</p>
+
+<p>"But will he do his best?" Jacob cried, in a passion. "Will he help me, or
+does he think the work is done when we have learned where Joseph Brant has
+gone on his work of bloodshed?"</p>
+
+<p>I waited for the old soldier to make reply to this demand, and he
+hesitated so long that I began to fear I had been mistaken as to that
+which I had supposed was in his mind. At last, when it seemed as if Jacob
+could no longer restrain his impatience, Sergeant Corney said, speaking
+slowly, as if weighing well each word:</p>
+
+<p>"I will do my best, heedin' not my own safety, givin' no thought to the
+labor or difficulties, if it so be you lads are minded to do as I shall
+say, without questionin' when it seems as if I might be goin' wrong--"</p>
+
+<p>I would have interrupted him with an assurance that we were willing to
+serve him faithfully; but he checked me with a gesture, and added:</p>
+
+<p>"As Peter Sitz would were he in my place, so will I. He was my friend; I
+know if it was a question of savin' the lives of those at Cherry Valley,
+or turnin' his back on me, what he would do, an' even so shall I."</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' what?" Jacob demanded, fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' that while we can do our duty by those who sent us, we will
+strain every nerve in his behalf; but if it should so chance that their
+safety depended upon us, we would give service to the greatest number."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob stared as if not understanding what the old man had said, and I made
+haste to add:</p>
+
+<p>"He means that if, while followin' Brant with the hope of aidin' your
+father, we found out that danger threatened the settlement, it would be
+our duty to warn them rather than hold on for him."</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier nodded in token that I had but given different words to
+his idea, and Jacob replied in a tone of satisfaction:</p>
+
+<p>"I can ask for nothin' more. If it so happens that you must turn back, I
+can keep on, for two would aid the settlement as much as three."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, you shall then do as seems best to you," Sergeant Corney said,
+solemnly, and thus it was settled that, while it did not interfere with
+our duty as Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley, all our efforts should be
+for the relief of the unfortunate prisoner, although at the time I had
+little hope the savages would allow him to live many days.</p>
+
+<p>Having thus pledged himself to Jacob, Sergeant Corney showed no further
+disposition to "husband his strength," but led us on the march once more,
+and this time at a pace which we lads found difficult to maintain without
+actually running.</p>
+
+<p>Now it is not my purpose to set down all we did and said during this long
+chase. It would be of no interest to a stranger, since one hour was much
+like another until we were come near to the Indian town of Oghkwaga, where
+Brant usually made his headquarters while bent on such cruel work as that
+of harrying the settlers who favored the rebellion against the king, and
+it is not necessary I should write down here the well-known fact that
+Thayendanega was in the pay of the British.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed much as if the Indians had no care as to whether they were being
+followed, for, instead of sending back scouts along the trail, as Brant
+almost always did, the party remained in a body, and even when we were so
+close on them as to lie down within view of their camp-fires at night, we
+never saw one of the painted villains who appeared curious to know if any
+person was in the rear.</p>
+
+<p>We were within a day's march of the Indian town, and had lain down in a
+thicket of spruce bushes after having looked in vain for some signs of a
+prisoner, as we had done during each of the four days while we were
+directly behind the band and at no time more than two miles distant.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob's face was wrinkled, or so it seemed to me, with lines drawn by
+sorrow because we had not succeeded in getting a glimpse of his father,
+and it was evident that the lad was beginning to fear, as did I, that the
+savages, finding a prisoner too troublesome, had tortured him to death;
+for if Master Sitz was yet alive and in the keeping of Brant's followers,
+why had we not got a glimpse of him?</p>
+
+<p>"There is no reason why you should grieve so deeply, lad," Sergeant Corney
+said, as if he could read the boy's thoughts. "I'll answer for it that
+your father is as much alive as we are."</p>
+
+<p>"How can you be certain of that?" Jacob asked, moodily.</p>
+
+<p>"We have seen every one of their camps, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," Jacob replied, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"An' have you noted any sign of a prisoner's havin' been tortured--meanin'
+a half-burned tree, a pile of rocks near the fire, or sich other like
+thing?"</p>
+
+<p>Jacob shook his head; he could not bring himself to speak calmly of such a
+possibility.</p>
+
+<p>"No, you haven't, an' we know without bein' told that when sich devils as
+follow Joe Brant get a prisoner in their clutches, they never kill him
+without torture. Now, 'cordin' to my way of thinkin', we can count to a
+certainty that he's alive."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why haven't we come across him?" Jacob demanded, fiercely. "This is
+the fourth time we've had their camp in full view, an' if he was with 'em
+we ought to have seen somethin' of him."</p>
+
+<p>"I allow you're right, lad, an' that's why I've come to believe that he's
+been sent on ahead to the village."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I must be movin'!" Jacob cried, springing suddenly to his feet. "I
+should have had sense enough to guess that before!" And he made as if he
+would leave us; but Sergeant Corney pulled him back by the coat-sleeve.</p>
+
+<p>"Wait a bit. It was on my tongue's end to propose somethin' of the same
+kind; but we can't afford to take the chances of makin' a move till yonder
+nest of snakes has settled down for the night. An hour from now, an' we'll
+all pull out."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob could not well have made complaint after this, and he settled down
+with his back against a tree to wait with so much of patience as he could
+summon, until the old soldier should give the word.</p>
+
+<p>It surprised me that Jacob was not utterly cast down by the possibility
+that his father had already been carried to the Indian village, for once
+there we could not hope to effect a rescue; but since this thought had,
+apparently, never come into his mind, it was not for me to add to his
+distress by suggesting it.</p>
+
+<p>Well, we remained in the thicket until the red villains had quieted down
+for the night, and then Sergeant Corney led us toward the south, that we
+might make a long circle around the encampment, when would come the most
+dangerous portion of our task.</p>
+
+<p>Thus far we had done as Jacob would have us, and at the same time
+performed our full duty as Minute Boys, for our task was to learn what
+Brant counted on doing, and as to that we could not be certain until he
+was in the village.</p>
+
+<p>But now that the old soldier was leading us around the encampment to the
+end that we might gain a position between Brant's force and those at
+Oghkwaga, I said to myself, with many an inward shudder, that we were like
+to join Jacob's father after a different fashion than we had counted on.</p>
+
+<p>It was as if Sergeant Corney had no fear as to what might happen, for he
+plunged into the gloom of the forest like a man who walks among friends,
+and Jacob followed carelessly, all his thoughts on the possible
+whereabouts of the prisoner he was so eager to see.</p>
+
+<p>Apparently I was the only member of the party who gave heed to his steps,
+and so timid had I become through looking into the future for danger, that
+it was only with difficulty I repressed a cry of alarm when Sergeant
+Corney came to a sudden halt, as if he had stumbled upon an enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob, wrapped in his own gloomy thoughts, halted without showing signs of
+curiosity or surprise; but I pressed forward eagerly until standing close
+behind the old soldier, and then I understood full well why he had
+stopped.</p>
+
+<p>Not thirty paces from where we remained hidden in the thicket, it was
+possible to see the gleam of a camp-fire, and to hear the faint hum of
+voices, as if a large party was near at hand.</p>
+
+<p>After vainly trying to peer through the foliage, Sergeant Corney moved
+cautiously forward two or three paces, and, as a matter of course, I
+followed close at his heels, far enough to see the reflection of four or
+five other fires, as if those around them had no fear of being discovered.</p>
+
+<p>"They must be Britishers!" I whispered, and Sergeant Corney gripped my
+hand as if to say that he was of the same idea.</p>
+
+<p>It was our duty, however, to know exactly who it was encamped so near
+Brant's village, and, after telling Jacob in a whisper of what we had
+seen, the old soldier made his way swiftly through the thicket, my comrade
+and I copying his every movement.</p>
+
+<p>Then, when I had decided that we were dangerously near a large force of
+the king's soldiers who had come to join Thayendanega in his murderous
+work, Sergeant Corney called out in a loud tone:</p>
+
+<p>"In the camp! Here come friends who were like to have run over you!"</p>
+
+<p>In a twinkling the command was aroused, and before I had fully gathered my
+wits, which had been scattered by the old soldier's hail, I found myself
+in the midst of a large body of men, many of whom I had seen in my uncle's
+home at Cherry Valley.</p>
+
+<p>And now, that I may not dwell too long on a commonplace story when I have
+so much of adventure to relate, let me say that we had stumbled on
+upwards of three hundred men belonging to the patriot army, who, under
+command of General Herkimer, were bent on paying a friendly visit to the
+Indian village.</p>
+
+<p>As we soon learned, General Herkimer, having been intimately acquainted
+with Brant, hoped by an interview to persuade the sachem to join the
+patriots, or at least to remain neutral, and to such end had invited the
+chief to meet him at Unadilla for a powwow. At the same time that General
+Herkimer had set out to find Brant, Colonel Van Schaick, with one hundred
+and fifty men, went to Cherry Valley, even as poor Lieutenant Wormwood had
+announced, and the remainder of the American force in the vicinity was
+encamped at the proposed rendezvous lest the treacherous chief accept the
+invitation simply in order to work mischief.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll march with this company," Sergeant Corney said, in a tone of
+satisfaction, "an' it will be possible to have a look at the village
+without runnin' too many chances of losin' our hair."</p>
+
+<p>And thus it seemed to me that all our troubles were over, for I doubted
+not but that General Herkimer could induce the savages to give up their
+prisoner, and we would soon be on our way home with Peter Sitz as a
+companion; but, instead, we were just at the beginning of our
+difficulties.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch02"></a>Chapter II.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Powwow.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>When we had learned all that our acquaintances among the command could
+tell us, Jacob insisted that Sergeant Corney see General Herkimer without
+delay, in order to learn if that officer would so far interest himself in
+the fate of Peter Sitz as to make inquiries of Thayendanega regarding him,
+in case the opportunity offered.</p>
+
+<p>At first the old soldier was not inclined to ask for an interview with the
+commander, claiming that his own rank was not sufficiently high to warrant
+his making such a request; but those of the force who were listening to
+our conversation insisted that the general was not a stickler for rank,
+and would receive a private soldier with as much consideration as the
+commander of a brigade.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was that, after being alternately urged and entreated for
+half an hour, Sergeant Corney agreed to do as Jacob desired, and
+straightway set about seeking the leader, which was no difficult task,
+since his camp was a lean-to of fir boughs standing hardly more than fifty
+feet from where we were sitting.</p>
+
+<p>After the old man had left us, one of the soldiers asked if we had seen
+any Tories with Thayendanega's band, and I told him that, so far as I had
+been able to learn, the only white man among them was Peter Sitz, although
+we had not been so fortunate as to see him.</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you want to know?" Jacob asked, with mild curiosity, and the man
+replied:</p>
+
+<p>"It struck me that if any of the Mohawk Valley Tories were with Brant,
+General Herkimer would stand little chance of doing anything to aid the
+prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you say that the general would hardly be able to do anythin' of
+the kind?" I asked. "Surely to one so high in command Brant would listen,
+when he might refuse even to speak with one of less rank."</p>
+
+<p>"The thought was not in my mind that Thayendanega himself would be opposed
+to our commander; but if you know what was done last year, it is easy to
+understand my meaning."</p>
+
+<p>To me the soldier was speaking in riddles, and I asked for an explanation,
+whereupon he told us that more than a year ago, when the Johnsons had
+collected a large force of men nearabout Johnson Hall, and among them
+fully three hundred well-drilled Scotch soldiers, General Schuyler marched
+with nearly three thousand militia to within four miles of the settlement,
+demanding that Sir John surrender all arms, ammunition, and warlike stores
+in his possession, together with the weapons and military accoutrements
+then held by the Tories and Indians under his command. In addition to
+which, the baronet was required to give his parole of honor that he would
+not attempt any act against the patriot cause.</p>
+
+<p>Sir John was at first furious because such a demand had been made; but,
+badly frightened by General Schuyler's display of force, he finally
+consented, since he could do nothing better, and the colonists marched to
+Johnson Hall, where the surrender was made.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that General Herkimer was detailed to disarm the Tories in the
+valley, and while carrying out such orders quite naturally made enemies of
+the majority of them.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was, according to the belief of the soldier, that General
+Herkimer would have little or no weight with Brant so far as rescuing
+Peter Sitz was concerned, if there chanced at the moment to be Tories near
+at hand to whisper in his ear.</p>
+
+<p>Just now it seems necessary for me to set down that which happened after
+Sir John Johnson's surrender, if so it could be called, to General
+Schuyler, and I can best do it by copying that which I have seen in a
+printed sheet concerning our troubles in the Mohawk Valley:</p>
+
+<p>"It soon afterward became evident that what Sir John had promised, when
+constrained by fear, would not be performed when the cause of that fear
+was removed. He violated his parole of honor, and the Highlanders began
+to be as bold as ever in their oppressions of the Whigs. Congress thought
+it dangerous to allow Johnson his liberty, and directed Schuyler to seize
+his person, and to proceed vigorously against the Highlanders in his
+vicinity. Colonel Dayton was entrusted with the command of the expedition
+for the purpose, and in May (1776) he proceeded to Johnstown. The baronet
+had friends among the Loyalists in Albany, by whom he was timely informed
+of the intentions of Congress. Hastily collecting a large number of
+Scotchmen and other Tories, he fled to the woods by the way of the
+Sacandaga, where it is supposed they were met by Indians sent from Canada
+to escort them thither, for a certain time afterward, in one of his
+speeches, Thayendanega said: 'We went in a body to the town then in
+possession of the enemy, and rescued Sir John Johnson, bringing him
+fearlessly through the streets.'</p>
+
+<p>"Amid perils and hardships of every kind the baronet and his companions
+traversed the wilderness between the headwaters of the Hudson and the St.
+Lawrence, and after nineteen days' wanderings arrived at Montreal. Sir
+John was immediately commissioned a colonel in the British service; he
+raised two battalions of Loyalists called the Johnson Greens, and declared
+himself the bitterest and most implacable enemy of the Americans."</p>
+
+<p>Now it must be borne in mind that from information which we had received,
+there was every reason to believe Brant had come to place himself and his
+following under Sir John's command, and that before many days were passed
+we might expect the Mohawk Valley would be overflowed by all the Tories
+who had previously fled to Canada. Thus it can be understood that there
+would be such bloodshed and deeds of violence as had never before been
+known in the Province of New York.</p>
+
+<p>With this in mind, one can better understand why Sergeant Corney made the
+reservation which he did when promising Jacob he would do all within his
+power, up to a certain point, to aid in the rescue of his father.</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier returned from his interview with General Herkimer at about
+the same time our newly made friend finished his recital of what had been
+done in and around Johnson Hall, and, observing the look of satisfaction
+on the sergeant's face, I understood, even before he spoke, that his
+mission had been, at least in a certain degree, successful.</p>
+
+<p>"It is all right, lads," he said, seating himself by my side. "The general
+will do what he can; but whether that be much or little depends upon the
+way in which Thayendanega receives him."</p>
+
+<p>"Are we to march with this command to the village?" Jacob asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, an' remain with it so long as suits our purpose."</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me we could not in reason ask for anything more; that we
+were now in the best possible position to learn what Brant's purpose was,
+and at the same time to aid Peter Sitz, therefore I laid down to rest,
+contented in mind as I was wearied in body; but poor Jacob, feeling as if
+he might in some way wrong his father by seeking repose, paced to and fro
+near the camp-fire until my eyes were closed in slumber.</p>
+
+<p>The soldiers were astir at an early hour next morning; but before the
+column could be set in motion an Indian strode gravely into the encampment
+waving a bit of white cloth, and, on being questioned by the sentinels,
+announced himself as a messenger sent by Thayendanega with words to
+General Herkimer.</p>
+
+<p>The fact of his early arrival was sufficient to prove that the wily sachem
+had known of the movements of the soldiers for a certain length of time,
+--perhaps several days,--and this might explain why his march from Cherry
+Valley had been so steady and swift.</p>
+
+<p>It goes without saying that every man in the encampment was eager to know
+why this painted messenger had come, and I confess to crowding my way
+among the foremost of the curious in order to hear, if possible, all that
+was said.</p>
+
+<p>The Indian stood like a statue before the shelter of fir boughs, looking
+neither to the right nor the left until General Herkimer appeared and
+said to him, questioningly:</p>
+
+<p>"You have come from Captain Brant?"</p>
+
+<p>It is hardly necessary for me to set it down that, some time before this,
+Thayendanega had been given a commission in the British service.</p>
+
+<p>The messenger nodded gravely, and, after pausing until one might have
+counted ten, said:</p>
+
+<p>"Thayendanega asks why so many white soldiers are encamped near his
+village?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have come to see and talk with my brother, Captain Brant," General
+Herkimer replied, with the same stiff manner as that assumed by the
+messenger.</p>
+
+<p>"And do all these men want to talk with the chief, too?"</p>
+
+<p>"They have come to bear me company; they are my followers, as Captain
+Brant has his."</p>
+
+<p>"And do they also call Thayendanega 'brother'?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, and they hope he <i>is</i> a brother to them."</p>
+
+<p>The Indian turned slowly in what I thought a most offensive manner, as he
+looked around at the faces of those who completely encircled him, and then
+would have moved away, but that General Herkimer asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Is Captain Brant in his village?"</p>
+
+<p>"He will tell his white brother where he may be found, after I can run
+five miles."</p>
+
+<p>"Meaning that you will go from me to him, and return?" the general asked;
+but it was as if the Indian did not hear the question, for he said, in a
+tone which to me was one of menace:</p>
+
+<p>"You will come no nearer Oghkwaga until Thayendanega shall give his
+permission."</p>
+
+<p>Having said this, he turned slowly about until facing the direction where
+I knew Brant and his followers encamped the night previous, when he
+stalked slowly away, giving no more heed to those who pressed closely to
+him than if he was the only person in that vast wilderness.</p>
+
+<p>To Jacob this enforced halt, at a time when he believed it was vitally
+necessary he should be making search for his father, was most painful, and
+despite all Sergeant Corney and I could say or do to relieve his distress
+of mind, the poor lad paced to and fro, as I was told he had during the
+long hours of the night, in a nervous condition pitiable to behold.</p>
+
+<p>When half an hour or more had passed, the old soldier said to me, in a
+more kindly tone than I had ever suspected he could use:</p>
+
+<p>"The lad is eatin' his heart out, an' all to no purpose. Can't you quiet
+him a bit, Noel?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have said all within my power, an' he turns a deaf ear," I replied,
+sadly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I shall try my fist at it," and the old man went up to my comrade,
+taking him gently by the hand, and leading him into the thicket just
+beyond view of the encampment.</p>
+
+<p>There the two seemingly conversed for a long time, and I was left
+comparatively alone, until the soldier who had told us of General
+Herkimer's doings nearabout Johnson Hall, came up.</p>
+
+<p>Eager to get some idea of what the commander might be able to do with this
+Joseph Brant, whose name stood in my mind for all that was horrible in the
+way of cruelty, I asked how it was that General Herkimer could hope to
+influence one who was such a great enemy to the Whigs of the Mohawk
+Valley, and, in fact, to all white men save those who wore the uniform of
+the British king.</p>
+
+<p>He told me that at one time, before Thayendanega had become so powerful a
+sachem, he and General Herkimer were near neighbors, and quite intimate
+friends.</p>
+
+<p>It seems, from the story this soldier told me, that Sir William Johnson,
+Sir John's father, sent the Indian boy to school, and after he had
+received a good education gave him employment as secretary. During three
+years this now bloodthirsty savage acted as missionary interpreter, and it
+was said he did very much for the religious instruction of his tribe. When
+the colonists revolted against the oppressive rule of the king, Brant took
+the same side as did his patron, and having received a commission--some
+have said it was a captaincy, and others that it was a colonelcy--he
+became one of the most vengeful enemies we, who were devoted to the cause,
+had.</p>
+
+<p>Now, because of the past, General Herkimer hoped to turn him aside from
+his chosen path when he was just coming into power, and, boy though I was,
+it seemed to me a well-nigh hopeless task--one which had better never have
+been attempted, since in case of failure it would show to Thayendanega
+that the Whigs of the valley believed him an enemy who should be placated
+rather than resisted.</p>
+
+<p>However, that was none of my affairs, and I was not so forward as to air
+my views then when I was only a hanger-on by the sufferance of the
+commander.</p>
+
+<p>In two hours from the time he left our camp, the Indian messenger
+returned, still carrying the bit of white cloth, and came among us as if
+expecting we would bow before him.</p>
+
+<p>He was barely civil when General Herkimer advanced to receive him, and,
+without greeting the commander, he pointed toward a clearing in the
+wilderness half a mile or more away, as he said:</p>
+
+<p>"There will Thayendanega meet his brother, the white chief, and without
+firearms."</p>
+
+<p>"To-day?" General Herkimer asked.</p>
+
+<p>"When the next sun is three hours old Thayendanega will come with forty of
+his people, and his white brother will bring no more than that number."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well," General Herkimer replied, and it pleased me that he held
+himself yet more stiffly than did the messenger. "Say to my brother,
+Captain Brant, that we also will come without arms, and he and I shall
+meet as we met years ago, when there was no need to light the pipe of
+peace, because neither of us had listened to the songs of wicked men."</p>
+
+<p>The Indian stalked away as before, and when he was gone Jacob, who, with
+Sergeant Corney, had come up to hear what was being said, laid his hand on
+my shoulder affectionately.</p>
+
+<p>"I am goin' to be more of a man, Noel, havin' come to understand that
+nothin' can be gained by ill-temper or impatience; but it is hard to
+remain here idle when perhaps my father may at this moment be suffering
+torture."</p>
+
+<p>"If it was some one else's father, Jacob, you would say that there was no
+danger anything of the kind would happen while Brant is makin' ready for
+the interview with General Herkimer. Until that has come to an end your
+father is safe, an' perhaps when the powwow is over we shall have him with
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"So Sergeant Corney has been tryin' to make me believe, an' it must be
+true."</p>
+
+<p>During the remainder of the day Jacob did not give words to the sorrow
+which was in his heart, and perhaps it would have been wiser had he not
+tried to hold his peace, for, strive as he might, again and again I could
+see how earnestly he was struggling to remain silent.</p>
+
+<p>It is useless for me to attempt to set down all that we did or said while
+awaiting Thayendanega's pleasure. As a matter of course we indulged in
+much speculation regarding the outcome of the matter, and discussed at
+great length the possibility of General Herkimer's being able, even if he
+failed in other desired directions, to set free the prisoner whom Joseph
+Brant doubtless intended should suffer death at the stake.</p>
+
+<p>We passed the time as best we might, many of us finding it quite as
+difficult as did Jacob to restrain our impatience, and not a few openly
+declaring their belief that Brant was holding us idle simply that he might
+the better carry out some murderous scheme.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, it did seem to me no more than prudent General
+Herkimer should send out scouts to discover what the Indians were doing,
+and it was whispered about the encampment that one of his officers had
+suggested that such a precaution be taken; but the commander flatly
+refused, stating as his reason that it might prove fatal to all his hopes
+if the sachem should learn he was in any way suspicious because of the
+delay.</p>
+
+<p>"We must take our chances, remaining here idle and ignorant of what they
+may be doing, or it were better we faced about on the homeward march at
+once," the general was reported to have said, and after that he would have
+been a bold man indeed who suggested any other course.</p>
+
+<p>Well, the day passed, and so did the night, as all days and nights will
+whether one possesses his soul with patience or frets against that which
+he cannot remedy, and General Herkimer stood in the opening of his fir
+camp gazing at the men as if trying to decide whom he should take with him
+to the powwow, when Jacob stepped out in full view in order to attract the
+commander's attention.</p>
+
+<p>I knew that he made this move with the hope of being numbered among those
+who would leave camp to go to the rendezvous; but at the same moment I
+feared lest the general might be displeased because of his forwardness.</p>
+
+<p>Anything can be forgiven in a lad who burns with the desire to aid his
+father, however, and General Herkimer beckoned for my comrade to approach.</p>
+
+<p>I could not hear what was said during the brief conversation; but it was
+easy to guess the purport when Jacob came toward me with sparkling eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"We have the general's permission to go with him to meet Brant," he cried,
+and I asked with, perhaps, just a tinge of jealousy:</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' you an' Sergeant Corney, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"The three of us, so the general said."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did he happen to count me in?"</p>
+
+<p>"He asked how many had come with Sergeant Corney, an' when I told him, he
+said that all three of us could go with the detachment."</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of course we went, taking our stations at the head of the
+column just behind the commander, and when the word to march had been
+given I began to regret having thus been favored, for never one of us
+carried a weapon of any kind, and if Brant was in the humor he could have
+us all butchered before those whom we had left behind would get an inkling
+of what was going on.</p>
+
+<p>When we had come to the edge of the clearing which had been pointed out by
+the ill-mannered messenger, our further advance was stopped by two Indians
+who were rigged out in all the bravery of feathers, beads, and
+robes,--nothing missing in their toilet save the war-paint,--and told to
+remain at that spot until the sachem and his party arrived.</p>
+
+<p>It was treating General Herkimer rather shabbily, so I thought, to force
+him to wait like a child until the master was ready to put in an
+appearance; but there was nothing else to be done, and we squatted on the
+ferns and rocks a full half-hour before the man who was soon to be the
+great sachem of the Six Nations was pleased to show himself.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega had gotten himself up especially for the occasion, and a more
+gorgeous redskin I never saw.</p>
+
+<p>He had forty or more savages with him, and strutted on at their head as if
+he was a king, and we who had been waiting so long no more than the dirt
+beneath his feet.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly, as if until that moment he hadn't the slightest idea
+General Herkimer was anywhere in the vicinity, he sent one of his company
+to our commander, he himself continuing to move on until he stood in the
+very centre of the clearing. His followers ranged themselves behind him
+in a half-circle, remaining ten or twelve feet in the rear, and when the
+general went to meet his high mightiness our people took up their stations
+much as had the savages, thus completely surrounding the two leaders.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob and I stood where we could see all that was taking place, and hear a
+portion of what was said.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega began with compliments, and after General Herkimer had
+replied in much the same strain, the murdering villain asked bluntly why
+he had come.</p>
+
+<p>"To meet my old neighbor and friend," General Herkimer replied, whereupon
+Brant asked:</p>
+
+<p>"And have all those behind you come on a friendly visit, too? Do they also
+want to see the poor Indian? It is very kind."</p>
+
+<p>The general changed the subject of the conversation by speaking of the
+past, and wound up by hinting that it might be to Thayendanega's advantage
+to take sides with the colonists against the king; but he must soon have
+seen that he was not making much headway, for the sachem began to show
+signs of anger, and, after quite a long confab, said sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"We are with the king, as were our fathers before us. The king's belts are
+yet held by us, and we cannot break faith. You are resolute now in your
+rebellion; but before many days the king's soldiers will humble you to
+the dust."</p>
+
+<p>When this had been said, Colonel Cox, who was one of the general's party,
+cried sharply, and heeding not the fact that his voice was raised high:</p>
+
+<p>"We did not come here to listen to threats, and if we are humbled it will
+not be by such as those who follow Joseph Brant!"</p>
+
+<p>Unfortunately every Indian in the clearing heard the words distinctly, and
+in a twinkling the savages were running to and fro, giving vent to shrill
+war-whoops, while they called for those at the main encampment to bring
+their weapons.</p>
+
+<p>The colonel's incautious words were as a lighted match to gunpowder, and
+for the instant I firmly believed we would pay for his indiscretion with
+our lives.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch03"></a>Chapter III.</h2>
+
+<h3>Disappointment.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>During this time of confusion, when the life of every white man in the
+clearing was literally trembling in the balance, General Herkimer passed
+the word from one to another that we were all to stand firm without show
+of fear, and at the same time making no move which might be construed as
+in enmity.</p>
+
+<p>It was no easy matter to remain silent and motionless while the painted
+villains were running to and fro making a hideous outcry, and, as we knew
+full well, aching to strike us down.</p>
+
+<p>I know that, as for myself, I trembled like a leaf upon an aspen-tree--so
+violently that at times I feared the howling wretches would see the
+quivering of my limbs, and understand that already was I getting a
+foretaste of the death which they would have dealt out but for the
+restraining presence of Thayendanega.</p>
+
+<p>It was but natural I should look toward Sergeant Corney, and surely if
+there was one man in that clearing who obeyed General Herkimer's command,
+it was he! A graven image could not have been more stolid; one would have
+said that the uproar everywhere around was as the rippling of waters to
+him, and the Indians of less consequence than the dancing shafts of
+sunlight flickering amid the leaves when they are stirred by the morning
+breeze.</p>
+
+<p>I question if Jacob realized anything of what was going on around him. All
+his thoughts were centred upon the one idea of rescuing his father while
+there was yet time, and the lad waited eagerly for the conference between
+the leaders regarding the prisoner to be begun, heeding the remainder of
+the howling gang hardly more than did Sergeant Corney.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Cox, the cause of all this disturbance, was even more terrified
+than I, as could be told by the expression on his face, and the
+finger-nails pressed deeply into the palms of his hands that he might
+control himself in obedience to orders, while as for the others, I know
+not how they deported themselves.</p>
+
+<p>At that instant my world was of small dimensions, consisting of only so
+much earth as that impassive red man and the open-hearted, honest patriot
+officer stood upon.</p>
+
+<p>Like bees the angry Indians swarmed to and fro between the encampment and
+our place of meeting, until all were armed with rifles, and it needed but
+the lightest word to convert that sunlit clearing into a theatre of the
+bloodiest deed in the history of the tribe whose wildest delight was the
+shedding of blood.</p>
+
+<p>Not until his followers were in such a frenzied condition that it seemed
+impossible another's will could restrain them, did Thayendanega speak, and
+then in a few words of the Indian language, uttered in so low a tone that
+I could not distinguish a single syllable, he calmed the tempest on the
+instant, until those who had been howling for our lives became like lambs.</p>
+
+<p>When all was hushed once more, the sachem said to General Herkimer,
+speaking calmly, almost indifferently:</p>
+
+<p>"The war-path has been opened across the country as far as Esopus, and the
+Tories of Ulster and Orange will join with the braves of Thayendanega's
+tribe to quell this revolt against the king, who is their father."</p>
+
+<p>Now it was that General Herkimer spoke earnestly, pleadingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not allow so weighty a question to be settled without further
+consideration, Captain Brant. Why should not you and I discuss it calmly,
+as we have in the olden days many a matter which was not so grave?"</p>
+
+<p>"You have seen how well inclined my young men are toward anything of that
+kind," Brant said, with a cruel smile. "Were I to say at this moment that
+we would consider the matter in council, it might not be possible even for
+me to restrain them, because their decision has already been made. The
+hatchet is raised!"</p>
+
+<p>"But surely you and I, Captain Brant, may talk of it among ourselves?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that can be done," Thayendanega replied, indifferently, "and if it
+gives you pleasure to indulge in what can be of no profit, we will meet
+here again to-morrow morning; but now it were wiser my young men went back
+to the encampment."</p>
+
+<p>Then the sachem turned as if to move away, and General Herkimer,
+remembering what he had promised Sergeant Corney and Jacob, said, in a
+friendly tone:</p>
+
+<p>"Wait one moment, Captain Brant. I would make inquiries concerning a
+prisoner from Cherry Valley, whom it is said your people hold at this
+moment."</p>
+
+<p>"I know of no prisoner in our encampment," Brant replied, stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us not quibble on words, captain. Whether he be in your camp here, or
+at Oghkwaga, makes no difference. I ask if you will tell me concerning one
+Peter Sitz, who, but a few days since, when Lieutenant Wormwood of the
+American army was killed in ambush, your people made a prisoner?"</p>
+
+<p>"My young men may be able to tell you somewhat concerning him. I will ask
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"And will you, as a favor to a neighbor and an old friend, do whatsoever
+you may toward releasing the unfortunate man?" General Herkimer insisted.</p>
+
+<p>"I will ask my young men," was all the reply Brant would make, and then
+the powwow was brought to a sudden close as the sachem stalked toward the
+encampment, followed by all his people, and we of General Herkimer's party
+were left alone in the clearing.</p>
+
+<p>Now the word was given that we rejoin the main body quietly, and in double
+file, with no man straying from the ranks; but Sergeant Corney and I led
+Jacob between us, for the lad was well-nigh frantic with grief because no
+satisfaction concerning his father had been obtained from Thayendanega.</p>
+
+<p>We two said all we could in order to cheer the sorrowing lad, and that all
+was little. Neither he, nor we, nor General Herkimer himself, could effect
+anything whatsoever, save through the favor of the Mohawk sachem, and that
+was withheld for at least four and twenty hours, with the chances that at
+the expiration of such time we would receive nothing better from the wily
+savage than a refusal to answer any questions.</p>
+
+<p>I shall not attempt to set down very much concerning this long time of
+waiting for the second powwow, when it was doubtful if we would be allowed
+to leave the encampment without a bloody battle.</p>
+
+<p>Even General Herkimer had lost all hope of being able to dissuade Joseph
+Brant from the course he had already marked out for himself, and shared
+with his men the suspicion that before the second interview was come to
+an end we would be the victims of the sachem's treachery. This last we
+knew from the information which was whispered about the encampment, to the
+effect that the general had charged one of the soldiers--a man by the name
+of Wagner--with the duty of selecting two others, that the three might
+stand directly behind him at the next meeting with the Indians, and at the
+first show of hostilities shoot down Brant and the two sachems next him in
+authority.</p>
+
+<p>Wagner selected George and Abraham Herkimer, nephews of the general, and
+these three were prepared to face the most cruel of deaths, for certain it
+was that if they were obliged to make an attack upon the Mohawk chieftain,
+every Indian under his command would strive most earnestly to take them
+prisoners in order that they be made to suffer death by torture.</p>
+
+<p>How the day passed I hardly know. The soldiers talked among themselves in
+whispers, as men do in the presence of death. No one strayed beyond the
+limits of the encampment; but all waited in painful suspense for that hour
+to come when it should be known whether Joseph Brant was of the mind that
+we might return to our homes for the time being, or if he sought
+immediately to compass our death through treachery.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney and I spent our time in trying to soothe Jacob, who
+alternately reproached himself for remaining idle at the moment when he
+should be straining every nerve to aid his father, and relapsing into
+moody silence, which to me was far worse than the angry words.</p>
+
+<p>When another day had come we again marched into the clearing, the three
+who had been selected for the dangerous duty of protecting our leader in
+case of an outbreak, keeping close by his side.</p>
+
+<p>As I look back now upon what was afterward done throughout the length and
+breadth of that peaceful valley of ours, I regret most sincerely that
+those young men did not violate the unwritten laws and usages which the
+Indians themselves were ever ready to cast aside when it suited their
+purpose, and kill the bloodthirsty Brant whether his men showed signs of
+enmity or not.</p>
+
+<p>On this occasion we had not long to wait.</p>
+
+<p>Gathering in a semicircle behind General Herkimer as before, we were
+hardly in position when Thayendanega, clad in all the bravery of his
+savage garb, and, what was most ominous, bedecked in war-paint, strode
+into the enclosure, followed by such members of his party as had
+accompanied him the day previous.</p>
+
+<p>He did not wait for greetings, but began boastfully, while his painted
+fiends were yet taking their places, by saying, abruptly:</p>
+
+<p>"I have five hundred warriors with me, armed and ready for battle. You are
+in my power; but as we have been friends and neighbors, I will not take
+advantage of you."</p>
+
+<p>Then he made a gesture with his hand, and on the instant there burst from
+amid the foliage a seemingly endless number of savages, all painted for
+battle, who, coming down swiftly upon us as if to make an attack, uttered
+wild war-whoops as they discharged their rifles in the air.</p>
+
+<p>It was as hideous and terrifying a sight as I ever witnessed, and that our
+little company stood its ground is much to the credit of every man among
+us.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega remained half-turned from General Herkimer, and within two
+feet of the three men whose duty it was to shoot him with the rifles they
+had concealed under their blankets in case an absolute attack was made,
+and there watched the antics of his painted crew until perhaps five
+minutes had passed, when the savages sank down upon the ground as if
+exhausted, looking like so many images of demons.</p>
+
+<p>What Thayendanega said when the uproar was thus stilled, I cannot rightly
+set down, for my brain was in such a whirl, and fear so strong in my
+heart, as to prevent me from taking due heed of all that was passing--I
+realized only that death was literally staring us in the face.</p>
+
+<p>As Sergeant Corney afterward told me, Brant advised General Herkimer to go
+home, thanked him for having come to pay the visit, and said that at some
+near day he might return the compliment.</p>
+
+<p>"But the prisoner?" General Herkimer cried, when the sachem would have
+stalked away with a great assumption of dignity.</p>
+
+<p>"My young men will make no reply to my questions," Brant answered,
+unblushingly, although he must have known beyond a peradventure that we
+understood full well he was lying.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Peter Sitz yet alive?" General Herkimer asked, sternly.</p>
+
+<p>"There has been no prisoner put to death by my people since they left
+Cherry Valley," Thayendanega replied, as if irritated by the general's
+persistence, and, making another gesture with his hand, he sent back into
+the cover of the forest all his motley crew.</p>
+
+<p>Then he also walked away, as if fearing our commander would detain him
+with yet further questions, and the powwow, to take part in which three
+hundred men had marched so many miles, was come to an end without other
+result than the knowledge that the Mohawk chief would harry us of the
+valley to the best of his wicked powers.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega had hardly gained the shelter of the thicket before black
+clouds overspread the heavens, and it seemed as if in a twinkling the rain
+came down in torrents; sharp flashes of lightning zigzagged across the
+ominous-looking sky, and more than one around me declared it was a
+portent, a sign, a token of the tempest which was about to break upon our
+peaceful homes.</p>
+
+<p>When we were in camp once more, and General Herkimer was making his
+preparations to set off on the return march, Jacob declared that he alone,
+if we did not accompany him, would go into the Indian village, and there
+make inquiries for his father.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney and I spent a long hour persuading the lad of his folly,
+for after the powwow had come to such an abrupt end there was no question
+whatsoever but that Thayendanega would kill or make prisoner of every
+white man who crossed his path.</p>
+
+<p>For a time it was absolutely necessary that we two hold Jacob by force to
+prevent him from leaving us, and then gradually the boy came to understand
+that for his father's life he could only hope in the mercy of God, since
+even had General Herkimer been willing to risk a battle, in which he would
+have been greatly outnumbered by the savages, there was no hope he might
+effect the release of Peter Sitz.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney had an interview with the general after we had succeeded
+in quieting Jacob to a certain degree, and the commander advised that we
+return home without delay in order to give information as to what we had
+seen; but he did us three the honor of requesting, in case our services
+should not be needed immediately at Cherry Valley, that we would rejoin
+his force, which was to be stationed at the mouth of Oriskany Creek,
+without delay.</p>
+
+<p>He promised that we should have every opportunity of serving the patriot
+cause, and in order that we might be allowed to leave Cherry Valley again,
+he sent a written message to my uncle, of the purport of which I was then
+ignorant.</p>
+
+<p>We--meaning Sergeant Corney, Jacob, and myself--set off as soon as the
+conference with General Herkimer was at an end, on the long journey to our
+homes, knowing that the advance must be slow and cautious, for we had
+heard from Thayendanega's own lips that he was fully committed to the work
+of harrying the patriots.</p>
+
+<p>As I look back upon it now I wonder that we succeeded in traversing the
+wilderness, when Brant's force was so near at hand, without mishap; but,
+as it proved, we had more difficulty in persuading Jacob to accompany us
+than in eluding the foe whom we believed might spring upon us at any
+moment, and when we arrived home it was to learn that the danger to the
+inhabitants of the Mohawk Valley was more imminent even than when
+Thayendanega stalked away from the interview with General Herkimer.</p>
+
+<p>And this was the situation, as I afterward read it in printed letters:</p>
+
+<p>"A few days after this conference with General Herkimer, Brant withdrew
+his warriors from the Susquehanna and joined Sir John Johnson and Col.
+John Butler, who were collecting a large body of Tories and refugees at
+Oswego, preparatory to a descent upon the Mohawk and Schoharie
+settlements. There Guy Johnson and other officers of the British Indian
+Department summoned a grand council of the Six Nations.</p>
+
+<p>"They were invited to assemble to 'eat the flesh and drink the blood of a
+Bostonian'--in other words, to feast on the occasion of a proposed treaty
+of alliance against the patriots, whom the savages denominated
+'Bostonians' for the reason that Boston was the focus of the rebellion.
+There was a pretty full attendance at the council; but a large portion of
+the sachems adhered faithfully to their covenant of neutrality made with
+General Schuyler, until the appeals of the British commissioners to their
+avarice overcame their sense of honor.</p>
+
+<p>"The commissioners represented the people of the king to be numerous as
+the forest leaves and rich in every possession, while those of the
+colonies were exhibited as few and poor; that the armies of the king would
+soon subdue the rebels, and make them still weaker and poorer; that the
+rum of the king was as abundant as the waters of Lake Ontario; and that if
+the Indians would become his allies during the war, they should never want
+for goods or money.</p>
+
+<p>"Tawdry articles, such as scarlet cloths, beads, and trinkets, were then
+displayed and presented to the Indians, which pleased them greatly, and
+they concluded an alliance by binding themselves to take up the hatchet
+against the patriots, and to continue their warfare until the latter were
+subdued. To each Indian were then presented a brass kettle, a suit of
+clothes, a gun, a tomahawk and scalping-knife, a piece of gold, a quantity
+of ammunition, and a promise of a bounty upon every scalp he should bring
+in. Thayendanega was thenceforth the acknowledged grand sachem of the Six
+Nations, and at once commenced his terrible career in the midst of our
+border settlements."</p>
+
+<p>I had no more than time to tell my mother what I had seen, when my
+comrades were ready to set out for Oriskany Creek, counting to make their
+way over much the same ground we had just traversed.</p>
+
+<p>My uncle, Colonel Campbell, gave his consent to our departure after
+reading General Herkimer's message, and congratulated me, who deserved no
+praise, because I had succeeded in so far winning the confidence of a
+thorough soldier that he should make a personal request for the services
+of myself and my companions.</p>
+
+<p>It was not in our minds that we would remain very long with our new
+commander. Sergeant Corney believed General Herkimer had some especial
+matter in hand in which he thought we three might be of particular
+service, and when that was done we would be allowed to return home.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was that we still counted ourselves Minute Boys of the Mohawk
+Valley, and left our company in charge of John Sammons, who was to act in
+my stead until I came back.</p>
+
+<p>It pleased Jacob that we were to return to that portion of the country
+where we would be near Brant's forces, for he still cherished the hope of
+being able to aid in the rescuing of his father, if peradventure Peter
+Sitz yet remained in this world.</p>
+
+<p>Our stay in Cherry Valley was of no more than two hours' duration; but we
+learned much concerning the war in that time. Our little settlement seemed
+overrun with people because of the soldiers quartered there, regarding
+whom I have already written, and the inhabitants from miles around who had
+come to find a place of refuge.</p>
+
+<p>Already had word been brought in that there were then gathered at Oswego
+seven hundred Indians and four hundred British soldiers, under command of
+Sir John Johnson and Colonel Claus, and at Oswegatchie, or, as it is now
+called, Ogdensburg, were six hundred Tories ready to join Johnson's force.</p>
+
+<p>All that stood between these enemies and the broad bosom of the Mohawk
+Valley was Fort Dayton, that poor apology for a defence, and Fort
+Schuyler, not yet completely built and illy manned. That this last named
+fortification could withstand an assault by such an army as Sir John was
+evidently making ready to bring against it, few believed, and all with
+whom I talked during the short time of our stay at home, were looking
+forward to the future with the gravest fears and keenest anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>When, already weary and footsore, we took up our line of march to traverse
+the same paths over which we had just come, my company of Minute Boys
+insisted on accompanying us during the first half-dozen miles of the
+tedious journey; but it was not in triumph or rejoicing that we, all lads
+of Cherry Valley, left the little settlement. Our elders were disheartened
+and afraid, therefore we could well be excused for gloomy looks and timid
+whisperings, as we spoke of what might take place before I was able to
+resume command of the company which Sergeant Corney had spent so many
+hours in drilling.</p>
+
+<p>When the afternoon was well-nigh spent, and we had come to a halt that we
+might take leave of our escort, Sergeant Corney seemed to think it
+necessary he should do what he might toward putting courage into the
+hearts of those who had accompanied us, by saying, as if haranguing a full
+army:</p>
+
+<p>"You lads are looked upon in the settlement only as boys, and yet already
+have two of your number shown that they could stand steady, facing the
+gravest danger without flinching. Now is the time when you may prove
+yourselves men, as I believe you are in courage and ability. If you are
+called upon to confront the enemy, remember that there is nothing more
+glorious than to die in defence of your homes and your country. There is
+no way by which you can earn more honor than to have it said of you, 'He
+gave up his life for those he loved.' Better be shot down at the opening
+of an action, than to live through it in such a manner that your neighbors
+can point the finger of scorn at you, saying, 'There goes a coward!'"</p>
+
+<p>The old man ceased speaking abruptly, turned about without word or sign,
+and plunged into the thicket, Jacob and I following close at his heels.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch04"></a>Chapter IV.</h2>
+
+<h3>On the Oriskany.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>As we three plodded wearily on day after day, all our senses quickened by
+knowledge of the many dangers with which we were surrounded, it seemed to
+me that we had begun our work in behalf of the Cause backward--as if this
+going to and fro over the same ground was a wilful waste of time when
+every hour was so precious.</p>
+
+<p>I said to myself again and again, that if General Herkimer really needed
+such services as we could render, it would have been better had we
+remained with him, rather than spend so many days and be forced to such
+severe labor as was required for the march to Cherry Valley and back.</p>
+
+<p>We had accomplished nothing of importance by going home. Colonel Campbell
+knew even more regarding Brant's movements than we could tell him, and it
+was by no means necessary he should be informed immediately as to the
+result of General Herkimer's interview with the Mohawk sachem.</p>
+
+<p>As the days passed, and our every effort was needed to enable us to
+advance without absolutely running into the arms of the savages, for it
+seemed as if they were everywhere in the wilderness, Jacob became more
+resigned, or so it appeared, since he ceased to insist that this or that
+impracticable move be made. I did not suppose he no longer mourned for his
+father, but believed and hoped he had come to understand we could not do
+anything toward effecting a rescue until all the circumstances were
+favorable.</p>
+
+<p>One day's march was much like another, and many passed before we were with
+General Herkimer again. We always camped in a thicket, taking good care
+not to leave a trail leading up to the place, and in this last task we did
+not consider the time spent as wasted, for on every hand could be seen
+signs of the enemy, therefore the utmost precaution was needed.</p>
+
+<p>All of us gave ourselves over to slumber as soon as we were stretched out
+on the ground, for however careful a watch might have been kept, it would
+not have availed if the enemy was bent on surprising us.</p>
+
+<p>In the early light of the new day either Jacob or I went out in search of
+small game, for it goes without saying that we could not have brought from
+home a sufficient amount of food to sustain us during all the time we
+spent roaming to and fro between Cherry Valley and the Oriskany.</p>
+
+<p>If we were fortunate enough to get so much meat as would serve for one or
+more meals, we cooked it by digging a hole in the ground, building therein
+a fire, and screening the smoke as best we might with boughs and ferns.
+That done, we satisfied our hunger while creeping slowly onward,
+oftentimes forced to spend an hour or more in making a d&eacute;tour around some
+particularly dangerous locality.</p>
+
+<p>If, as often happened, we failed of finding game, we buckled our belts the
+tighter and went on, consoling ourselves with the hope that fortune would
+favor us before nightfall.</p>
+
+<p>More than once would we have run upon a party of savages--Thayendanega's
+scouts or hunters--had it not been for the almost excessive precautions
+Sergeant Corney insisted on taking, and in such case there was no other
+course than to hide as best we might, and wait until the enemy was pleased
+to move on.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately we did not come face to face with the redskins, therefore a
+detailed story of our march would be dull reading, for it could only be
+the same thing over and over again until the hour arrived when we entered
+General Herkimer's camp on the Oriskany, receiving there such a greeting
+from the commander himself as caused me to believe he really needed us for
+some important task.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done well to get back alive!" he cried, with a laugh. "It is
+pleasing to know that lads can do what many of their elders would balk at.
+So Colonel Campbell was willing to give you up to me?"</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "'You have done well to get back alive!'"]</p>
+
+<p>"He made no protest, sir," I replied, after waiting an instant for one of
+my companions to act the part of spokesman. "An hundred and fifty soldiers
+are quartered at Cherry Valley, and they, with the many who have made of
+the settlement a place of refuge, are in such numbers that three would
+neither be needed or missed."</p>
+
+<p>"That would depend on what stuff the three were made, according to my way
+of thinking. I have some work here which you can do better than any one
+else of whom I know, and the only question is whether you are willing to
+lay your shoulders to the wheel when there's a good bit of danger in so
+doing?"
+
+"We have come, sir, to do whatsoever offered, an' if the task which you
+have in mind could be performed with safety, then we might as well have
+stayed at home," I replied, and Sergeant Corney nodded to show that we
+were of one mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Since I last saw you the enemy has gathered in strong force about Fort
+Schuyler, and it is necessary we get some word to the commandant, who is,
+in fact, besieged."</p>
+
+<p>"That shouldn't be sich a terrible hard job, sir," Sergeant Corney said,
+speaking for the first time since we were received by the general.</p>
+
+<p>"True for you, but the reason why I haven't sent any of my own men before
+this is, that if the messenger should be discovered while trying to get
+inside, Joseph Brant would know for a certainty that we on the outside
+believed the garrison to be hard pressed, which would probably work no end
+of mischief, for at present the enemy has every reason to suppose Colonel
+Gansevoort has all the men and stores he can possibly need."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should he think differently if one of us was captured while tryin' to
+communicate with the besieged, sir?" Sergeant Corney asked, curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Because you have every reason for going there, even though you had never
+heard that the fort was invested."</p>
+
+<p>I could not repress a look of surprise, for it was much as if the general
+was speaking in riddles, and, seeing the question on my face, he
+continued:</p>
+
+<p>"It is only natural that you from Cherry Valley should be searching for
+Peter Sitz, and the Indians, in case you were captured, would perforce
+believe such a story--"</p>
+
+<p>"Is my father in their camp, sir?" Jacob cried, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, so I believe, otherwise I would not think it important you
+should act as my messengers. One of our scouts brought in word that
+Brant's immediate followers had a white prisoner with them, and it is
+reasonable to suppose him to be Peter Sitz, for, since we saw those
+scoundrels, they have kept out of mischief because of being in camp with
+the British and Tory soldiers."</p>
+
+<p>There was no need now of urging Jacob to undertake the mission; since he
+had what seemed like positive information of his father's whereabouts, he
+would have gone in the direction of the besieged fort whether General
+Herkimer so desired, or opposed it.</p>
+
+<p>As for my part, having really given up all hope of seeing Peter Sitz again
+in this world, the probable fact of his being alive quickened the blood in
+my veins until I forgot that our services were required for anything save
+the rescue of the prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney gave no token either of joy or indifference; he kept in
+mind only the duties of a soldier, and prepared himself for the dangerous
+mission by asking:</p>
+
+<p>"Can you tell me, sir, what force the enemy have in front of Fort
+Schuyler?"</p>
+
+<p>"Near one thousand seven hundred men--regulars, Tories, and Indians. St.
+Leger is in nominal command; but it is reasonable to believe that Sir John
+Johnson and Brant have much the same authority as he. Certain it is that
+they and none other can control their followers. Colonel Gansevoort has
+nearly a thousand men, with a six weeks' supply of provisions and
+ammunition for the small arms; but there is in the fort no more than four
+hundred rounds for the cannon, which is his most important means of
+defence. The situation is not yet critical, but may become so very soon,
+and we have more chance now for communicating with the commandant than is
+likely to be the case a week hence, when the besiegers have settled down
+to their work."</p>
+
+<p>"When shall we set out, sir?" I asked, as the general ceased speaking.</p>
+
+<p>"As soon as you have recovered from the fatigue of the journey. There is
+no time to be lost, unless you are eager to encounter more danger than is
+absolutely necessary."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no reason why we shouldn't set off at once," Jacob said,
+quickly. "We are not women, to be tired out by a bit of marchin'."</p>
+
+<p>I fancied from the expression on the general's face that it pleased him
+because my comrade showed himself so eager, and there was a tinge of
+bitterness in my heart as I understood that, whatever good to the Cause
+might be the purpose of our task, the commander was, in a certain degree,
+trading on Jacob's love for his father.</p>
+
+<p>It was not for me, however, to criticize, even in my own mind, anything of
+a military nature which might be on foot. I had had ample time since the
+powwow with Thayendanega to decide whether or no I would serve under
+General Herkimer, and, having come to a decision, it stood me in hand to
+do whatsoever lay before me without question.</p>
+
+<p>I held much the same opinion as did Jacob, however, although not because
+of the same reason.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me a most dangerous undertaking, this attempt to get a
+message into a fort which was besieged by so large a body of men; but
+since it must be done, unless we were willing to show the white feather,
+then I was eager to be at it, for danger appears greater when one stands
+idly by looking at it from the distance, than when it is actually
+encountered.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney, who had evidently been turning the matter over in his
+mind, said, after a time, to the commander:</p>
+
+<p>"It strikes me, sir, that we should get all the information we may
+concernin' the whereabouts of the enemy before settin' out. Not that I am
+askin' for any long delay," he added, quickly, observing a faint
+expression of displeasure on the general's face. "I would mingle among the
+men, to learn what they may know, from now until sunset, when, as it seems
+to me, our journey had best be begun. By startin' at that time we shall
+arrive before sunrise, an' thus have all the day in which to lay our plans
+for approachin' the fort."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob's eyes twinkled with satisfaction when he heard this proposition,
+and I believed he was thinking that if we lay in hiding a full day in
+front of the fortification, he might have opportunity to learn something
+concerning his father.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall leave to you who are most deeply concerned in the matter, the
+method of doing the work. Pick up all the information you can, and when
+you are ready to set out come to me for the final instructions."</p>
+
+<p>Then the commander half-turned, as if to show that the interview was at an
+end, and Sergeant Corney beckoned Jacob and me to follow him, reminding
+us, when we were comparatively alone, of the promise made at the time we
+first set out.</p>
+
+<p>"The day we left Cherry Valley on Brant's trail, you lads agreed to follow
+me without questionin', even when it seemed as if I might be goin' wrong,
+an' now has come the time for you to keep that well in mind."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no reason why we should not do so," I replied, promptly. "I
+doubt not but that you, who are versed in military matters, could direct
+such a task better than any in this encampment."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not takin' that much praise to myself, lad; but do claim, because of
+havin' had more experience, to be better fitted for the work, after we are
+once arrived, than are you. I will go even so far as to say that on the
+trail or in the thicket you are my superiors, owin' to havin' been brought
+up to work which, except in this country, would be considered almost
+unsoldierly. Here is my first order: Mingle with the men of this
+encampment with the idea of fillin' your stomachs with food, an', that
+done, lie down to sleep until I shall summon you."</p>
+
+<p>"Sleep!" Jacob exclaimed, angrily. "Think you it would be possible for me
+to sleep now, when we know that the moment has come in which I may be able
+to aid my father?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, but you must, whether you will or no. You can work for him best
+by preparin' your body for whatsoever of fatigue we may be called upon to
+undergo, an' since there is little chance we shall gain any rest durin'
+four an' twenty hours after leavin' here, it stands us all in hand to be
+prepared for the exertion."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you countin' on sleepin'?" Jacob asked, fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>"I am more accustomed to keepin' my eyes open durin' a long time than are
+you; but if it so be I have the chance, you may be certain I shall take
+advantage of it. Now, remember, eat an' sleep until I seek you out."</p>
+
+<p>Then the old man left us, and, watching for a moment, we saw him enter
+into conversation with this soldier and that, until it seemed as if he was
+bent on making the acquaintance of every member of the force.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob and I had little difficulty in finding as much food as we needed,
+after having explained why we had come into the encampment. The men were
+more than willing to divide their rations with us, and we might literally
+have gorged ourselves with the best in the camp had such been our desire.</p>
+
+<p>It was one thing for Sergeant Corney to say that we must sleep, and quite
+another for us to obey the command.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me that my eyes were never open wider than when I threw
+myself down upon the ground by the side of Jacob, striving my best to
+cross over into Dreamland. The thought of attempting to force our way
+through such an army as General St. Leger had under his command; of the
+possibility that we might, perhaps, come across Peter Sitz; the chances
+that Colonel Gansevoort would be forced to surrender even before we could
+arrive with information that reinforcements were near at hand, and, in
+fact, the numberless happenings which might occur to change the entire
+situation, served to drive sleep so far from my eyelids that I despaired
+of being able to summon it until sheer exhaustion should come.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob was lying, with closed eyes, so still that I half-believed he had
+succeeded in obeying Sergeant Corney's commands, and, bent on moving
+around among the men in the hope of thereby changing the current of my
+disagreeable thoughts, I crept softly from his side lest I awaken him.</p>
+
+<p>"Where are you goin'?" he asked, quietly, in a tone which told me he had
+been no nearer slumber than I.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot sleep, an' that's a fact. Perhaps after walkin' around a bit I
+shall feel more like it."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go with you," Jacob said, rising to his feet. "There is no hope I
+can sleep, although I am willin', if needs be, to make it appear as if I
+was unconscious."</p>
+
+<p>Taking heed not to go near Sergeant Corney, whom we could see in the
+distance, Jacob went from one group of soldiers to the other, and, as may
+be supposed, the chief topic of conversation everywhere was the
+possibility that Fort Schuyler could hold out against the large number of
+men who were besieging it, as well as the chances of General Herkimer's
+command being able to enter the place.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it was we learned that among Brant's following were savages from all
+the various tribes of the Six Nations, except the Oneidas, who remained
+faithful to their agreement to be neutral during the war. It was said that
+the besiegers were well supplied with everything necessary for the
+accomplishment of their purpose, including a large amount of ready money,
+and General St. Leger was willing to pay liberally for the services of
+those who would join him.</p>
+
+<p>It was also reported--the information having been brought in by
+scouts--that on the second day of the siege the British commander had sent
+to the fort a messenger, who, with many high-sounding words, recited the
+love of the king for those who remained loyal to him, and the punishment
+which would be inflicted upon those who continued in rebellion. This
+stream of bombast was concluded by direst threats in case the garrison
+held out against the demand for surrender, the sum and substance of which
+was that the savages would be allowed to commit every act of barbarity
+their ingenuity could devise, if an assault should become necessary.</p>
+
+<p>Nearly all the defenders of the fort laughed these threats and promises to
+scorn, and it was believed that Gansevoort's men would hold out to the
+bitter end.</p>
+
+<p>We heard very much in addition, which was really no more than camp gossip,
+and it is not necessary I set it down here.</p>
+
+<p>Before the close of the day both Jacob and I really succeeded in going to
+sleep, and the shadows of night were beginning to lengthen when we were
+aroused by Sergeant Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon I've heard all that the men in camp have to tell," he said, when
+I stood upright in obedience to the pressure of his hand upon my shoulder.
+"It only remains to get our instructions from General Herkimer before
+makin' the attempt to have speech with those in the fort."</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't you seen him yet?" I asked, in surprise, for it had been in my
+mind that the old man would make every preparation before summoning us.</p>
+
+<p>"No, lad. This is a venture in which we share the dangers equally, an'
+it's no more than right you should hear all which may pass between the
+general an' me. Therefore let us bring the business to an end as speedily
+as may be."</p>
+
+<p>Well, we presented ourselves before the commander, announcing that the
+time had come when we were to leave camp, and, considering all the risks
+which were to be run, it seemed to me as if the message he would have
+delivered was exceeding brief and unimportant, as compared with what might
+result from the attempt at delivery.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not give you a written message, lest you fall into the hands of
+the enemy," he said, speaking in a kindly tone, and looking at us, as I
+fancied, pityingly, much as one would at those who had been selected as
+sacrifices. "It is in the highest degree necessary you get speech with
+Colonel Gansevoort, and to such end make disposal of yourselves so that
+should one, or even two, be taken or killed, the second or third may press
+on. Having arrived, say to the commandant that I shall leave this camp
+to-morrow morning, marching slowly toward the fort, and immediately after
+he has received the information he is to fire three cannon in rapid
+succession, thus notifying me that he understands the situation. You will
+not, under the most favorable circumstances, finish the journey in less
+than four and twenty hours, and by that time I shall be where the reports
+of the guns can be heard. Once the signal has been given, it is my purpose
+to attack the enemy, and Colonel Gansevoort is to make a sortie at the
+same time, when it is to be hoped our forces can be united."</p>
+
+<p>Having said this, the general insisted that each of us repeat the
+instructions so that he might know we understood them thoroughly, and
+then, clasping us by hand in turn, he bade us "Godspeed."</p>
+
+<p>I wish I might be able to say that my heart was stout when we left the
+encampment and were swallowed up by the shadows of the thicket; but such
+was not the case.</p>
+
+<p>I realized only too well all the dangers which were before us, and the
+odds against our being able to obey the general's orders. At the same time
+I knew that in event of failure there would be no possibility of retreat;
+but we would find ourselves in the hands of an enemy whose greatest
+delight consists in the most fiendish murder.</p>
+
+<p>As I figured it, out of a hundred chances we had no more than one of
+getting into the fort, and there remained ninety and nine in favor of our
+falling victims to Brant's crew.</p>
+
+<p>We had but just set out when I observed that Sergeant Corney had left
+behind him every superfluous article of clothing, and all accoutrements
+save the knife in his belt, whereupon I asked the reason for thus laying
+himself bare to the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"You lads have each a rifle, which are all the weapons we need, for it can
+avail us nothing to make a fight. If we win it must be by strategy, not
+force, and in case of success it will be a small matter to provide
+ourselves with other arms."</p>
+
+<p>"At the same time it gives me courage to know that I have something with
+which to defend myself," Jacob said, with a laugh which had in it nothing
+of mirth.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, so I counted, otherwise I had advised that you follow my
+example. It can do no harm to take whatsoever you will, for that which
+hinders may readily be cast aside. Now let us come to an end of
+tongue-waggin', for silence is our safest ally."</p>
+
+<p>As the old man had said, either Jacob or I should have known more of
+woodcraft than did he, but on this night I dare venture to assert that
+there were not above a dozen in Joseph Brant's following who could have
+made their way through the thicket with less noise and in a more direct
+course than did he.</p>
+
+<p>From General Herkimer's encampment in an air-line through the forest to
+Fort Schuyler was not more than seven or eight miles, and, despite our
+slow progress, for one cannot travel rapidly when striving to advance
+without so much as the breaking of a twig, we counted on arriving in front
+of the enemy's lines by midnight. And this I believe we did.</p>
+
+<p>The first intimation we had that our journey was approaching a close came
+when we suddenly saw, directly in our line of advance, a faint light amid
+the thicket in the distance, and Sergeant Corney, who had been leading the
+way, halted quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"You lads are to remain here while I find out what portion of St. Leger's
+force is in front of us," he said, in a whisper, and then it was that I
+ventured to dispute his authority, having, as I believed, good reason for
+so doing.</p>
+
+<p>"You yourself have admitted that either Jacob or I could beat you out at
+work of this kind. Let me go, an' do you stay here."</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that Jacob insisted on performing the most dangerous portion
+of the work, and would have passed by me in the darkness to avoid a
+controversy, but that I clutched him by the arm, and Sergeant Corney
+whispered:</p>
+
+<p>"You lads shall lead the way, and I will follow at your heels; but
+remember what General Herkimer impressed upon us--that one <i>must</i> get
+through, therefore if he who leads is captured, the other two shall leave
+him to his fate, for the life of a single human being is not to be counted
+when we are tryin' to save hundreds."</p>
+
+<p>It was not a time nor a place for argument, and in token of agreement with
+him I took up the lead.</p>
+
+<p>I did not attempt to go forward rapidly; but, half-lying upon the ground,
+I crept onward inch by inch, removing carefully with my hands every twig
+or dry leaf which might be in the path, lest by the lightest rustling of
+the branches I give warning to the quick-eared enemy of our approach.</p>
+
+<p>In such manner it was not possible to make other than slow progress, and I
+believe fully half an hour was spent in traversing the distance of a dozen
+yards, when we were come to where could be had a view of that which had
+attracted our attention.</p>
+
+<p>Nine Indians were lounging, on the opposite side of a river that we knew
+to be the Mohawk, around a small fire, over which were being cooked slices
+of fresh meat. They were talking earnestly among themselves meanwhile, for
+these red sneaks of the forest do not, when alone, maintain that silent
+dignity with which so many writers, ignorant of their customs, try to
+invest them.</p>
+
+<p>They were members of Brant's own tribe, as I knew from the language, with
+which I was reasonably familiar, and after a few moments it was possible
+to gather from the conversation that St. Leger had interfered in some way
+with their plans, or thwarted their desires.</p>
+
+<p>The stream was not so wide at this point but that we could hear fairly
+well what they said. It seemed necessary I should learn all I might before
+we crept past the small encampment, and, never dreaming how much of
+anguish the listening might cause my comrade, I remained silent and
+motionless, until enough had been said to convince me that their grievance
+consisted in the fact that they had not been allowed to indulge in the
+amusement of torturing a prisoner during that same evening.</p>
+
+<p>Then it flashed upon me that it was Peter Sitz of whom they spoke, and
+involuntarily I moved backward, the one thought in my mind being to
+prevent Jacob from hearing; but the vigor with which he clutched me by the
+leg told that it was too late. The lad had heard as much as I, and to his
+mind the prisoner spoken of could be none other than his father.</p>
+
+<p>For a moment I ceased my efforts at retreat, and then, realizing that if
+we would take Jacob with us to the completion of General Herkimer's
+commands, he must not be allowed to hear anything more, I would have
+backed away rapidly.</p>
+
+<p>To my dismay and sorrow, however, he held me as if in a grip of iron, and,
+despite all silent efforts on my part, I was forced to remain.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch05"></a>Chapter V.</h2>
+
+<h3>Divided Duty.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>I could not find it in my heart to blame Jacob for being eager to learn
+all he could regarding his father, and it certainly seemed as if we might
+hear that which would at least tell us who this prisoner was that they
+were so keen to torture; but surely we were not warranted in lingering for
+the possible saving of one human life, when by our delay hundreds might be
+placed in gravest danger.</p>
+
+<p>However, I could not retreat, because Jacob held me firmly in his clutch,
+from which I would have been unable to release myself save at the cost of
+betraying our whereabouts.</p>
+
+<p>With the hope that the lad might soon come to realize that we must be
+attending to General Herkimer's business, I remained silent and
+motionless, straining my ears to hear what the painted snakes were saying,
+and at the same time expecting to receive a silent protest from Sergeant
+Corney because of remaining inactive when the moments were so precious.</p>
+
+<p>In less than a single minute I knew that the savages were speaking of
+Peter Site, and the tightening of Jacob's grip told that he too was aware
+of the fact.</p>
+
+<p>Because I can understand only a few words here or there of Brant's native
+tongue, it would be impossible to set down exactly what the villains said;
+but I caught enough to understand that the prisoner in whom we were so
+deeply interested was not far distant,--probably at the main
+encampment,--and Thayendanega was protecting him at least from the
+torture. Why the sachem had taken such an interest in the unfortunate man
+I could not make out; most likely the savages themselves were ignorant on
+that point.</p>
+
+<p>It appeared to me, from the conversation, that there was much hard feeling
+on the part of the Indians because they were not allowed to indulge in an
+amusement which had been countenanced by more than one officer of the
+British army, and I fancied that Thayendanega, great sachem though he now
+was of the Six Nations, would have no little trouble in holding his
+precious followers in check.</p>
+
+<p>When I had learned as much as has been set down here, I felt a tugging at
+my shirt, and knew, without seeing him, that Sergeant Corney was not
+willing to remain at this point any longer.</p>
+
+<p>The savages had begun to speak of St. Leger, and what he might succeed in
+doing so far as the siege was concerned, therefore it did not seem
+probable we would hear more regarding Peter Sitz.</p>
+
+<p>This much Jacob must have understood as well as I, for when I forced
+myself backward, pushing vigorously against him, he gave way, and we thus
+slowly retreated until having gained such a distance from the feasting
+murderers that it seemed safe to rise to our feet.</p>
+
+<p>"To what were you listenin'?" Sergeant Corney asked, in a whisper, and
+with no slight show of anger because I had lingered so long.</p>
+
+<p>In the fewest words possible I told him what we had heard, and when I was
+come to an end of the brief recital, Jacob asked, as if believing that now
+all our plans would be changed:</p>
+
+<p>"What are we to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"That for which we came," Sergeant Corney replied, decidedly.</p>
+
+<p>"But we know that my father is near at hand, and, if Thayendanega grows
+careless or indifferent, will be tortured to death."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, an' I could be no more sorry if Peter Sitz was my brother; but
+we cannot now do anything to aid him, even though the way lay clear before
+us," and the old man laid his hand on Jacob's shoulder as if to give
+emphasis to the words. "We are to push on toward the fort, an' must not
+heed any other duty."</p>
+
+<p>"But we stand as much chance of rescuing my father as we do of gettin'
+speech with Colonel Gansevoort, an' surely you will not leave a friend to
+be tortured to death?" Jacob said, pleadingly, and speaking incautiously
+loud.</p>
+
+<p>"Lad, we have no choice in the matter. If General Herkimer was in your
+father's place I would turn my back on him until after our work had been
+done. Can't you see that by loiterin' now we may be sacrificing all those
+brave fellows who are making ready to march from the Oriskany in the hope
+of aiding in holdin' the fort?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is your final word?" Jacob asked, sharply, and Sergeant Corney
+replied, feelingly:</p>
+
+<p>"It cannot be otherwise. We are bound first to obey orders, even though a
+dozen of our best friends were bein' led to the stake, an'--"</p>
+
+<p>"Then you will obey them without me," Jacob said, in a tone which I knew
+full well betokened a purpose from which he would not be turned by words.
+"Two will stand a better chance of gainin' the fort than three, an' <i>my</i>
+duty calls me to Thayendanega's camp."</p>
+
+<p>"But surely you will not attempt to go there alone!" I cried, in horror.
+"Even though you should come face to face with your father, you could not
+hope to set him free!"</p>
+
+<p>"I would rather die by his side than have him believe I remained idle
+while he was in such terrible danger."</p>
+
+<p>"If you cannot be persuaded, we must leave you, an' that without delay,"
+the old man said, sadly. "God knows I would do all a man might to aid
+Peter Sitz; but if he was here at this minute, knowin' that the stake was
+bein' made ready for him, he would say that we were bound to keep on
+toward the fort regardless of his fate."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall go to him," Jacob replied, quietly, and Sergeant Corney turned
+aside with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>But that I knew beyond a peradventure it was useless, I would have said
+all in my power to keep him with us; but his mind was fixed, and, to tell
+the truth, I could not well blame him for doing as I would have done,
+regardless of any duty I might owe to General Herkimer.</p>
+
+<p>"We can say nothing more, lad?" Sergeant Corney said to me, inquiringly,
+and I shook my head, for so great was the grief in my heart that just then
+I could make no reply.</p>
+
+<p>I believe Jacob understood how keen was my sorrow at thus parting, when
+the chances were that we would never meet again in this world, for, as if
+to put an end to the agony, he turned abruptly, not even stopping to press
+my hand, and in an instant was lost to view amid the gloom of the forest.</p>
+
+<p>Already had our venture, so it appeared to me, cost the life of one of our
+small party, and mentally I reproached myself bitterly for having left
+Cherry Valley to take service with this General Herkimer, who could as
+well have sent some other in our place, for surely all in his command were
+not known to Thayendanega's following. I, as captain of the Minute Boys
+stationed at Cherry Valley, could not have been accused of refusing to aid
+the Cause had I failed to serve under the general, so far from my post of
+duty.</p>
+
+<p>As it was, however, we had come a long distance from our friends, and
+already sacrificed a life uselessly, so it seemed to me then in my
+bitterness of spirit.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, lad," Sergeant Corney whispered, shaking me roughly by the shoulder
+as if he would drive from my mind the painful thoughts. "We cannot do as
+Jacob would have us, and there is an end of that matter. Get to work, and
+it may be that 'twixt now an' morning but one of us will remain to carry
+the message."</p>
+
+<p>I had never before heard the old man speak in so despondent a tone, and it
+seemed an evil omen, coming as the words did when we were ready to plunge
+into the most dangerous portion of the work.</p>
+
+<p>In silence I led the way once more, making such a d&eacute;tour as I thought
+would carry us safely past that party of savages from which we had gained
+such painful information, and perhaps half an hour was spent in advancing
+at a snail's pace; but in the direction where we supposed the fort stood.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was I realized that some one well acquainted with the locality
+should have been sent with us, for we were obliged to go on blindly, as it
+were, trusting that chance, and what we might see of the disposition of
+the enemy's forces, would bring us to the point we desired to gain, for
+neither of us had ever visited Fort Schuyler.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of half an hour I came to a sudden standstill, for we were
+within a few paces of half a dozen white men, as could be told even in the
+darkness by the outlines of their clothing.</p>
+
+<p>These last appeared to be stationed at that point, for none of them made
+any attempt to go away during the two or three minutes I remained
+motionless, although why so many should have been placed there as
+sentinels, when one would have served the purpose, I failed to understand,
+and it perplexed me not a little, for it was necessary that we should know
+whether we were inside the lines, or simply confronting their outlying
+pickets.</p>
+
+<p>There was nothing for it, however, but to crawl backward half a dozen
+yards, and then make another d&eacute;tour, and while this was being done
+Sergeant Corney had only a single question to ask, which was as to whether
+I had seen white men or Indians.</p>
+
+<p>"White men," I replied, "and no less than half a dozen standing in a
+group, as if stationed there."</p>
+
+<p>The old man paused an instant, as if quite as much perplexed as I, and
+then whispered:</p>
+
+<p>"Go on. We are like to run across more than one such snag, an', what is
+worse, don't have a clear idea of whether we shall come plump on to the
+fort, or go a considerable distance to one side of it."</p>
+
+<p>Again I advanced, making an even wider d&eacute;tour than before, and in ten
+minutes, perhaps, we were come upon a single sentinel,--a soldier,--who
+stood leaning against a tree as if half-asleep, and I was less careful in
+passing him because he did not appear to be particularly on the alert.</p>
+
+<p>Again and again we nearly stumbled upon a squad of men, small parties of
+Indians, or a single sentinel, until it seemed to me as if all St. Leger's
+force must be distributed throughout the thicket, and I began to despair
+of ever making our way through.</p>
+
+<p>Now we were where it seemed as dangerous to retreat as to advance, and I
+strove manfully to keep from my mind all thoughts of the perils that
+surrounded us, lest I grow faint-hearted at the very time when all my
+courage was needed if we would save our lives.</p>
+
+<p>To do this it was only necessary I think of Jacob and his hazardous
+venture, which could serve no good purpose even though he succeeded in
+avoiding the enemy, therefore my mind dwelt on the perils which confronted
+him, causing me in a measure to forget where I myself stood.</p>
+
+<p>To go on in such a manner was most wearisome, and I was well-nigh at the
+end of my strength when a faint lightness in the eastern sky gave warning
+that the day was near at hand.</p>
+
+<p>At the same moment I observed this fact, the sergeant gripped me by the
+arm, and, understanding he would have speech with me, I halted.</p>
+
+<p>"It is time we went into hidin', lad, although I did count we would come
+within sight of the fort before bein' obliged to call a halt."</p>
+
+<p>"Where can we hide here?" I asked, bitterly, and, strange as it may seem,
+I began to realize, for the first time since the general had explained
+what he would have us do, that we must remain concealed from view during
+all the hours of daylight, and that while we were literally surrounded by
+the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"We must take our chances in the first dense thicket, wherein may be found
+a stout tree, that we come across," he replied, "an' now instead of tryin'
+to get a sight of the fortification, turn all your efforts toward findin'
+a hidin'-place."</p>
+
+<p>This promised to be as difficult a task as I had ever undertaken, for how
+would it be possible in the darkness to say whether one thicket was denser
+than another, and, without spending precious time in the examination, to
+learn if there was a stout tree within any certain clump of bushes?</p>
+
+<p>Because the sergeant had said we were to halt where was a tree, I believed
+he proposed spending the day amid the branches, and any one who has ever
+been in a forest can readily understand how few there are of such
+hiding-places.</p>
+
+<p>However, we were there, and within another hour must be screened from view
+after some fashion, therefore it was useless to grumble, or say this or
+that movement was impossible; but rather I should do the best I might, and
+trust to the chapter of accidents that I did not lead my companion into
+what would prove to be a trap.</p>
+
+<p>All the thicket looked dense in the night, but when I was finally come to
+a clump of bushes through which it was difficult to force my way, I
+stopped and whispered to Sergeant Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"This seems to be such a place as you would have; but who can say whether
+it will answer our purpose?"</p>
+
+<p>"So much the worse for us if it does not," the old man replied, grimly.
+"Make your way in, an' if there be no tree to give us a roostin'-place, we
+must take our chances on the ground, for the day is comin' on apace."</p>
+
+<p>And indeed he said no more than the truth; already was it possible for me
+to see surrounding objects, dimly, to be sure, but more clearly than when
+we first began searching for a place of refuge.</p>
+
+<p>Unless we were concealed from view within half an hour, we might as well
+march straight to the nearest sentinel and give ourselves up as prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>There was much to be desired in this thicket which we had chosen by
+chance, as was learned when we were well within it. Several large trees
+grew amid the clump of bushes, to be sure; but the foliage was not so
+dense that one who passed near at hand with reasonable alertness would
+have failed to discover us lurking there.</p>
+
+<p>"It is better than the open country," Sergeant Corney said, when I would
+have found fault with our blind choice. "We will burrow amid these small
+bushes until daylight, an' then, if necessary, go to roost."</p>
+
+<p>I had in my pocket a small piece of corn bread, and, when I would have
+divided it with the old man, he showed me about the same quantity, which
+he had saved in event of just such an emergency, and we munched the dry
+food with no very keen appetites, but eating at this the first
+opportunity, in order to keep up our strength for the struggle which must
+ensue before we gained speech with those in the fort.</p>
+
+<p>My sorrow because Jacob had left us on a venture from which I did not
+believe he could ever return, was so great that I felt no desire for food,
+but ate it from a sense of duty, even as I had turned my back on my
+comrade when he needed aid.</p>
+
+<p>One does not make haste with such a meal, and when I had swallowed the
+last dry crumbs, which were like to have choked me, the day had fully
+come.</p>
+
+<p>It can readily be imagined that we crept even nearer the edge of the
+thicket than was really safe in order to get some idea of our position,
+and to my great surprise and delight I found that we had come in as direct
+a course as if we had followed a blazed trail.</p>
+
+<p>There before us, and less than three hundred yards distant, was the
+fortification over which was floating the flag made from Capt. Abraham
+Swartwout's cloak, and because we were on high ground it was possible to
+see the Americans moving about within, bent on this task or that duty.</p>
+
+<p>After one hasty glance we crept back into the middle of the thicket, and
+there, surrounded by hundreds of enemies, we two held a whispered
+conversation regarding the situation.</p>
+
+<p>It was only natural we should first congratulate each other on our good
+fortune in having come unwittingly to the very spot we most desired to
+gain, and then I said, simply giving words to the thoughts which had
+entered my mind as I gazed upon the fortification:</p>
+
+<p>"He who crosses the clearing between here and the fort, even though it be
+in the night, needs to wriggle along like a snake, else will one of
+Thayendanega's painted beauties lift his scalp."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a bit open jest in front of here; but I took note that further to
+the westward was a little more of green," Sergeant Corney said, half to
+himself, and I knew he was picturing in his mind the two of us making the
+attempt where was not a blade of grass to give shelter, for the "green" of
+which he spoke was nothing more than the fragment of a bush near the
+stockade.</p>
+
+<p>"How are we to attract their attention, providin' we succeed in creepin'
+up under the wall?" I asked, after a long pause, and he replied, grimly:</p>
+
+<p>"I'll answer that question after you've told me how we're goin' to stop
+'em shootin' at us while we're tryin' to get across."</p>
+
+<p>Then it was I understood that even though the enemy did not see us while
+we were making our way over the plain, the sentinels in the fort were
+doubtless on the alert against just such an attempt on the part of the
+Indians, and there was little question but that they would fire at any
+moving thing which came within their line of vision.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me that we'll be between two fires," I said, with a feeble
+attempt to speak in a jovial tone, and Sergeant Corney's reply was much
+like a bucket of cold water full in my face.</p>
+
+<p>"That's exactly the case, lad, an' I'm countin' that betwixt 'em we'll be
+peppered in fine shape, else there are some mighty poor marksmen
+hereabouts."</p>
+
+<p>"Why didn't you tell the general that we couldn't carry his message?
+Didn't you think of all this at the time?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, it was pictured in my mind much as we see it now; but he said we
+were to do the job, an' it wasn't for me to point out the danger."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not, if you felt certain we would be shot?" I cried, angrily.</p>
+
+<p>"Because a soldier has good reason when he enlists to expect he'll stop a
+bullet, else what would be the need of powder an' ball?"</p>
+
+<p>Having said this, the old man relapsed into silence, as if he was trying
+to figure out how the work might be done with less of danger, and I sat
+staring at him in a rage, for to my mind he had much the same as
+compassed his own death and mine by not speaking of all the perils in our
+path.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was that I almost envied Jacob his position. It is true the odds
+were strongly against his being able to make his way through the camp
+without being captured, yet it was possible for him at any time to give
+over the attempt and retrace his steps, whereas we were absolutely penned
+up in the thicket, where retreat was even more perilous than advance.</p>
+
+<p>Fume and fret as I might, it was not possible to mend matters, and I
+stretched myself out at full length under the bushes, with the idea in
+mind that it would be better if we were captured at once, for then we
+would be spared just so much suspense, yet when Sergeant Corney suggested
+that we were not as well hidden from view as we should be, I was alarmed
+on the instant.</p>
+
+<p>How that day was passed by us I can hardly say even now, when I look back
+calmly upon all the incidents which were then so terrifying.</p>
+
+<p>We had eaten the last crumb of our corn bread in the morning, without
+appeasing the hunger which assailed us, and now could only chew the twigs
+of the bushes, striving to make ourselves believe we extracted nourishment
+therefrom.</p>
+
+<p>More than once straggling soldiers or Indians passed near where we were
+hidden; but no one thought of searching the thicket for those who were
+friendly to the garrison, because none save idiots like ourselves would
+thus have ventured into the lion's mouth.</p>
+
+<p>Screened as we were from the lightest breath of wind, it was cruelly hot
+in that hiding-place. Tiny streams of perspiration ran down my face,
+wetting the leaves beneath my head, and I chewed them in the vain hope
+that the suspicion of moisture might serve to quench my thirst.</p>
+
+<p>I rejoiced when the sun began to sink in the west, even though it was, as
+I believed, bringing the hour of my death so much the nearer; but I soon
+came to understand that Sergeant Corney was not disposed to make the
+perilous venture without first having taken all possible precautions for
+our safety.</p>
+
+<p>When the day was within an hour of its close, I suddenly became aware that
+the old soldier was stripping the fringe from his shirt, and immediately I
+sat bolt upright, fancying for the moment that he had lost his reason.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you doin'?" I asked, sharply, and he replied, with a faint
+smile:</p>
+
+<p>"If the sentinel who stands on the wall of the fort facin' us is 'tendin'
+to his business as a soldier should, then there's a chance I can let him
+know these 'ere bushes shelter decent people."</p>
+
+<p>While speaking he had been cutting cautiously with his knife one of the
+longer branches which helped to screen us from view, and when it had been
+severed he trimmed it with infinite care, as if our welfare depended upon
+its being smooth and clean.</p>
+
+<p>When this had been done to his satisfaction, and it seemed to give him
+greatest pleasure to keep me in suspense as to his purpose, he tied to the
+smaller end of the stick the fringe from his shirt.</p>
+
+<p>"You're goin' to creep out an' wave that!" I cried, in the tone of one who
+has made a great discovery.</p>
+
+<p>"You can set it down as a fact that I won't creep very far out," the old
+man replied, with a smile. "It's only the ghost of a chance that anybody
+will take heed of it, an' yet there's no harm in the tryin'."</p>
+
+<p>When finally he crept cautiously out toward the edge of the thicket, I
+watched him as eagerly as if all our troubles would be over in case we
+succeeded in attracting the attention of those in the fort, whereas, no
+matter how many of our friends might see the waving fringe, we would still
+be in the same danger of getting a bullet from the besiegers.</p>
+
+<p>"It ain't any ways certain that some of these sneakin' Injuns don't see my
+signal before one of the garrison does, in which case we won't have to
+puzzle our heads about gettin' into the fort; but if they should jump on
+me, you'd best take to your heels. There's a bare chance you might give
+'em the slip in the squabble, for I shouldn't knock under while there was
+any fight left in me."</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and
+fro"]</p>
+
+<p>Then, peering through the branches, I could see the sentinel on the wall
+near the sally-port, and it goes without saying that I watched with my
+heart in my mouth for some gesture which might tell that he understood
+what was of so much importance to us.</p>
+
+<p>It was fortunate that we had blindly stumbled upon a hiding-place a few
+yards in advance of the enemy's line of watchers, otherwise the scheme
+could never have been successful. Even as it was, I expected each instant
+that some painted snake would take it into his wicked head to wander
+around in front of the thicket, when the game would come to a speedy end.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and fro in such a manner
+that the dull color of the deerskin might offer a contrast against the
+green of the foliage, and when five minutes or more had passed without any
+movement on the part of the sentinel, I said to myself that there was no
+possibility we could catch the man's eye.</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier was not one easily discouraged. During ten minutes more he
+continued his efforts, now moving the stick to and fro, and again giving
+to it an up-and-down motion, and then, at the very moment when all hope
+had fled from my heart, I saw the man straighten himself suddenly, as he
+shaded his eyes with his hand.</p>
+
+<p>Then there could be no doubt but that Sergeant Corney had succeeded in his
+purpose, for the soldier waved his hand twice, and bent over as if
+speaking to some one on the inside.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was that I expected the old man would return to my side and chuckle
+over our good fortune; but he remained at the edge of the thicket while I
+might have counted twenty, and then a second member of the garrison had
+clambered up beside the first.</p>
+
+<p>Another hand was waved in reply, and then, having finished his task in
+good shape, Sergeant Corney crept back to me as he whispered, gleefully:</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon we needn't fear that any of the garrison will shoot at us this
+night, an', what's more to our advantage, we won't be called on to lay
+behind the walls very long tryin' to attract attention."</p>
+
+<p>"It was a great plan!" I replied, as if all our troubles were at an end,
+and then again came the thought that it would be necessary for us to creep
+out from the thicket under the very noses of those who were on guard, and
+straightway all my fears returned.</p>
+
+<p>It no longer seemed to me as if we had gained any great advantage from the
+old man's efforts.
+</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch06"></a>Chapter VI.</h2>
+
+<h3>Between the Lines.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst
+and the hunger which had assailed me. So great was the fear in my mind
+because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed
+as nothing.</p>
+
+<p>It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances
+were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be
+killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet
+the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I
+have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.</p>
+
+<p>The only thing in our favor was that the night promised to be dark.
+Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger,
+and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be
+covered as with a black veil.</p>
+
+<p>After having succeeded in attracting the attention of the sentinels,
+Sergeant Corney crept back to my side, lying there at full length and in
+silence. I believed his anxiety as to the outcome of this mad venture was
+so great that he did not dare indulge in conversation, and because of such
+idea was I even more cast down in spirit.</p>
+
+<p>I tried to count the seconds in order to have some knowledge of the
+passage of time; but could not fix my mind upon such a simple act.</p>
+
+<p>When it seemed to me as if the night was considerably more than
+half-spent, I whispered tremblingly to my companion:</p>
+
+<p>"Have you given over tryin' to gain the fort?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why should you think so, lad?" he asked, as if in surprise. "We had best
+make the venture after midnight, rather than now while the enemy is
+astir."</p>
+
+<p>So great was my fear as to what the future might have in store for us that
+I had failed to hear the hum of voices, until my attention was thus
+attracted, and then I realized that it was yet quite early in the evening,
+instead of well toward morning, as I had supposed.</p>
+
+<p>Because he did not speak again I understood that Sergeant Corney was not
+inclined for conversation, and I lay there motionless and silent until it
+was as if twice four and twenty hours had passed, when the old man, rising
+to a sitting posture, whispered, cautiously:</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon, lad, that the time has come for us to make a try at deliverin'
+the general's message. As I figger it, we had best bear off to the
+westward, strikin' the fort on that side nearabout where the fragment of a
+bush stands, than to push on for the main gate. It seems reasonable the
+enemy will watch that part of the works closer than any other, in order to
+guard against a sortie, an' if Colonel Gansevoort has been told of our
+signals, every sentinel will be on the alert for us."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" I asked, as he ceased speaking for an instant.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll do the trick after this fashion: You shall go ahead, an' I'll keep
+two or three paces in the rear."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you propose such a plan as that?" I asked, suspiciously, and the
+old man replied, hesitatingly, as if averse to having his reasons known:</p>
+
+<p>"In case they see us before we are well on our way, he who is in advance
+stands the best show of escapin'."</p>
+
+<p>"But why should my chances be made any better than yours?" I asked,
+angrily, for even though I was afraid of the venture, it was not in my
+mind to be treated like a child, as seemed to be the case when the old man
+was considering my safety rather than his own.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, lad, there are two reasons, 'cordin' to my way of figgerin', but
+the last is the strongest. First off, I have a much shorter time to live
+in this world than you, therefore, if one life is taken, it had best be
+mine, so far as the patriot cause is concerned. Then agin, an' this has
+weight to it, in case we are chased you should be able to run faster than
+me, an' we must bear in mind the fact that to deliver the message is the
+one important thing--our lives amount to very little compared with that."</p>
+
+<p>I could not well make protest after this explanation, and, in fact, it
+seemed to me that there was little choice of position. If the enemy
+discovered us at any time while we were between the lines, our fate was
+well-nigh certain, and he who was three paces in advance would have no
+more show of escaping the bullets than the one who remained in the rear.</p>
+
+<p>"Are we to go now?" I asked, striving earnestly to prevent my voice from
+trembling.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, I reckon it's time," and the old man tightened his belt as he
+spoke. "Throw away your rifle, or strap it on your back where there's no
+chance it will hinder the progress, an', once havin' started, keep your
+mind well on the fact that we must get there, heedin' not what lies
+behind."</p>
+
+<p>Then he gently forced me to the edge of the thicket, where we halted an
+instant to make certain there was no one in the immediate vicinity, after
+which was begun such an advance as I hope never to be forced into again,
+for of a verity it was nerve-shattering.</p>
+
+<p>Strive as I might it was impossible, during the first two or three minutes
+of the painful journey, to prevent myself from fancying that half a dozen
+of Thayendanega's painted wolves were creeping up close behind me,
+enjoying the mental torture caused by my suspense, and then suddenly my
+mind was cleared of fears, even as the heavens are of clouds after a
+storm, as I ceased to think of what lay behind, remembering that my
+efforts <i>must </i> be successful else patriot blood might flow in streams.</p>
+
+<p>We were lying flat upon the ground, pulling ourselves painfully along by
+our hands, and pushing with our toes whenever it was possible to get a
+leverage on the hard earth, moving perhaps no more than twelve inches each
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>Had St. Leger's sentinels kept the strict watch which the siege demanded
+of them, we would not have gone a dozen paces before being discovered.</p>
+
+<p>But that we did move out from the thicket without causing an alarm was, as
+I believe, due to the fact that the enemy contented themselves with
+watching the main gate of the fort, fancying that only from such quarter
+could any danger menace them. They had so many scouts out between the fort
+and Oriskany that it probably seemed to be an absolute impossibility any
+of the patriots could come through their lines undetected.</p>
+
+<p>However it may be, we did succeed in crossing that open space without
+being seen by those who would have delighted in torturing us to death; but
+it was as if I lived a full lifetime before coming within the deep shadows
+cast by the walls on the west side, at the point decided upon by Sergeant
+Corney.</p>
+
+<p>Some moments before we arrived I understood, and my heart literally
+bounded with joy, that those on the inside were already aware of our
+approach, and waiting to receive us, for we heard subdued voices from the
+sentinels on the walls, as if they were giving information to those below
+of our progress.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a big thing we have done, lad," Sergeant Corney said, as he drew
+himself up by my side while both of us hugged the earthworks as limpets do
+a rock. "It stands to reason we'll be in danger many a time before we go
+out from this world, unless it so chances that we come to grief here; but
+I dare venture to say we'll never be nearer death than we have been since
+leaving the thicket."</p>
+
+<p>The relief of mind was so great, and the knowledge that we had come thus
+far undetected under the very eyes of a watchful enemy was so
+overpowering, that I could not for a moment make reply, and by the time I
+had gathered my scattered senses--scattered through very joy--we heard
+voices from the inside which told that the men were seeking to learn
+exactly where we were.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep right on till you come to the horn-works," I heard a voice whisper,
+and the words had little or no meaning to me, for I was not familiar with
+the names of different portions of a regular fort; but the sergeant seemed
+to understand the command, for he began to creep in a southerly direction,
+still keeping within the shadow of the wall, until we arrived where was a
+stockade.</p>
+
+<p>This, as I afterward came to know, was the "horn-works," which as yet was
+in an unfinished condition, and protected by a stockade of logs, between
+each of which last were spaces, in some cases two or three inches wide.</p>
+
+<p>By lying with our faces against these narrow openings, it was possible to
+hold converse with those on the inside almost as well as if we were within
+the walls.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you, and where did you come from?" a voice asked, and Sergeant
+Corney took it upon himself, much to my relief, to act as spokesman.</p>
+
+<p>"Messengers sent by General Herkimer, who have come from Oriskany."</p>
+
+<p>"When did you leave there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>"We thought the woods were overrun with Indians and Tories."</p>
+
+<p>"So they are; but by some lucky chance we have come through thus far in
+safety, and would have speech with the commandant."</p>
+
+<p>"I am Colonel Gansevoort. My people saw your signal this afternoon, and I
+myself have been watching for your arrival, but supposed you to be
+fugitives, for I never dared hope there was a possibility of
+reinforcements so near at hand. Will you make an attempt to get in by the
+sally-port?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is there any other entrance, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; but the enemy have been keeping sharp watch there since noon, as if
+thinking something of this same kind might be attempted."</p>
+
+<p>"We will deliver our message, sir, and then decide what to do," the old
+man said, grimly. "The words had best be repeated now, for we may be
+unable to utter them half an hour later."</p>
+
+<p>Then Sergeant Corney delivered the message with which we were charged, and
+during a full minute after he ceased speaking the commandant remained
+silent.</p>
+
+<p>When he spoke again, it was to say:</p>
+
+<p>"It would be folly to give him now the signal of your arrival, since to
+discharge one of the cannon when there is no direct target in sight would
+be to apprise St. Leger of all the facts. If it were possible for you to
+return, I would say that we will signal the moment my men are ready for
+the sortie."</p>
+
+<p>"I am of the mind that there will be no more danger in going back than in
+trying to enter the fort," Sergeant Corney said, half to himself.
+"Doubtless the enemy are watchin' the sally-port so closely that we would
+be seen tryin' to gain it, for on that side the shadow is less than here,
+and if there be large numbers posted to prevent an entrance, then must we
+come to grief."</p>
+
+<p>"Meaning what?" Colonel Gansevoort asked, with no slight tinge of
+impatience in his tone, as if he did not care to hear the old soldier
+summing up all the situation.</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' that we are runnin' no greater risks in goin' back to General
+Herkimer, or at least not many more, than by tryin' to gain admission to
+the fort."</p>
+
+<p>"It will simplify matters if you choose to return; but I would not ask any
+man to do so, in view of all the danger."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you say, lad?" Sergeant Corney asked, laying his hand on my
+shoulder, and, although I would have given anything I possessed to have
+been at that moment behind the walls, I was not minded to show that my
+courage was less than his, therefore I replied:</p>
+
+<p>"It is for you to say, accordin' to the agreement we made."</p>
+
+<p>"But I would not set off against your wishes, because of the danger in the
+road, although I claim it would be quite as great if we attempted to enter
+the fort at once."</p>
+
+<p>"Then it is decided you will return to General Herkimer," Colonel
+Gansevoort said, quickly, as if fearing lest we might repent of our
+decision. "Tell him that within five minutes after giving the signal we
+will make a sortie from the main gate in the direction of Oriskany."</p>
+
+<p>"An' if it should be that we didn't get through alive?" Sergeant Corney
+said as if to himself, and the commandant replied, quickly:</p>
+
+<p>"In such case, without means of knowing what has happened to you, we shall
+make the sortie and shed much blood uselessly. Is there anything I can do
+for you before you start?"</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier hesitated, as if unable to think of anything we needed,
+and I, remembering the hunger which had assailed us while we lay hidden in
+the thicket, replied:</p>
+
+<p>"If it so be you could spare us a bit of corn bread, we would be the
+better able to make a hurried journey."</p>
+
+<p>"That you shall have, and in plenty," the commandant said, as if relieved
+at knowing our wants could be gratified with so little trouble, and
+Sergeant Corney added:</p>
+
+<p>"Only so much as we can put in our pockets, for this is not the time to
+encumber ourselves even with provisions."</p>
+
+<p>Some of the soldiers who had been standing near by hurried away, returning
+a few moments later with as much bread as would have served to satisfy our
+hunger for a week at least.
+
+When such a quantity as we needed for one meal had been pushed out between
+the logs of the stockade, my companion whispered to the commandant:</p>
+
+<p>"We shall strike into the thicket to the westward, making a circle to the
+south around the fort, until coming to the road leading to Oriskany,
+crossing the river just below here, and now, sir, if you have no further
+demands, we will go."</p>
+
+<p>"May God have you in His keeping," the colonel said, fervently, and
+without waiting to hear more the old soldier set off, this time leaving
+it for me to bring up the rear.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was I came to understand that the rain was beginning to fall; the
+wind came in spiteful gusts, betokening a storm, and I could have hugged
+myself with glee at the thought that the elements were favoring us in the
+attempt which, at the outset, had seemed doomed to failure.</p>
+
+<p>Before we had traversed half the distance from the fort to the thicket on
+the westerly side, the rain was falling heavily, and the wind whistling at
+such a rate as to have drowned any ordinary noise we might make in forcing
+our way through the foliage.</p>
+
+<p>Never had a storm, which promised much bodily discomfort, been so warmly
+welcomed by me; never had one been more sadly needed by those who fought
+against the king and his savage followers for the cause of American
+liberty.</p>
+
+<p>It is well known that Indians, like cats, are averse to exposing their
+bodies to rain, and when we set out on the return I had but little fear,
+believing that every one of Thayendanega's followers would be hugging his
+lodge closely, while the Tories would find it difficult to discern us from
+any great distance as we lay prone upon the ground.</p>
+
+<p>Lest I spend too many words in the telling of it, let me say, in short,
+that we gained the thicket without causing an alarm, and, what was really
+strange, made our way through it in a westerly direction for fully a mile
+without meeting any living being.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that Sergeant Corney came to a halt, and, taking the corn
+bread from his pocket, began to munch it greedily as he said to me,
+speaking indistinctly because of the fulness of his mouth:</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon, lad, we've passed the Britishers' lines, an' can begin to
+circle southward from this point."</p>
+
+<p>While we were creeping away from the fort, beginning the second journey
+before having had time to rest from the first, I had said to myself again
+and again that it was the act of madmen for us to make any attempt at
+gaining General Herkimer's forces. In the first place there was no real
+necessity for such dangerous labor, because the signal could have been
+given by Colonel Gansevoort at a reasonably early hour next morning, and
+thus our commander would have known that the message was delivered. We
+were risking our lives foolishly, and when the old soldier spoke of making
+a circle from that point, in a tone which told that he was very well
+contented with himself and what he had done, I lost my temper, and
+replied, sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, we have got through the lines safely because of the storm, which was
+a lucky chance in our favor, and one we could not have foreseen when you
+were so foolish as to propose that we go back to-night."</p>
+
+<p>"It would have pleased you better had we made the attempt to get into the
+fort?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ten times over, for then instead of roaming these woods, taking a
+fool's chances of bein' shot down, we might be comfortable and in safety."</p>
+
+<p>"An' remained there so long as pleased Colonel Gansevoort, for once inside
+that fort we placed ourselves under his command."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, and why not?" I asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Because it does not please me to linger when there is other work to be
+done."</p>
+
+<p>"But there was no real need of undertakin' this task," I said, with
+irritation.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet it gave us an excuse to which he would listen for leavin', when, had
+we told the truth, I question if he had not tried to stop us."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what is the truth?" I cried, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"Is there nothin' in your mind that we are bound to do, now the message
+has been delivered?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to aid Jacob?" I asked, as a sudden light began to dawn on
+me.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, all of that. Neither you nor I would have let him gone alone in
+the hopeless task of rescuin' his father, had it not been that duty
+demanded of us to keep our faces turned toward yonder fort. Now we have
+done that which General Herkimer required, we can set out to fulfil our
+duty toward the lad, an' this goin' back on the road to Oriskany is but
+little more than we would be forced to do in order to gain the spot where
+we parted with him, for I'm countin' that he was then near by the place
+where his father is held prisoner."</p>
+
+<p>I could have hugged the old man, but that he might have fancied I had
+lost my senses.</p>
+
+<p>When we parted with Jacob there was no thought in my mind that Sergeant
+Corney had the slightest idea of joining in what was a most desperate
+venture, and I even fancied he felt a certain sense of relief in having
+such a good excuse for not sticking his nose into the Indian encampment.
+But now I understood that all the while he held firm to the determination
+to do whatsoever he might toward aiding Peter Sitz, and I began to feel
+real affection for the noble old man.</p>
+
+<p>Whether we might be able to find Jacob or not, and the chances were that
+he had already been made prisoner, we could say to ourselves that the poor
+lad was not deserted by us in his hour of need, and, if the worst
+happened, it would be no slight satisfaction to us in after years.</p>
+
+<p>The storm increased each moment, and we were soon wetted to the skin, but
+hardly conscious of the discomfort because of the safety which this
+downpour brought to us.</p>
+
+<p>I had never given Sergeant Corney credit for any great knowledge of
+woodcraft, because he came to us from over the seas where his life had
+been spent fighting battles in the open, and could not be expected to cope
+with the savage foe, as did our people who had always been accustomed to
+the skulking methods of warfare practised by the redskins.</p>
+
+<p>Now, however, I was forced to give him credit for being wiser than I in
+the forest, since in the darkness and amid the tumult caused by the wind
+and rain he made the d&eacute;tour as if a broad trail stretched out before him
+under the sunlight, and we half-circled around the fortification, at the
+distance of a mile or more, without varying, so far as could be told, a
+single hair from the true course.</p>
+
+<p>Not until we were come to the trail which led to Oriskany did the old man
+halt, and then it was to say to me:</p>
+
+<p>"From this on I'm allowin' we had better be cautious how we move."</p>
+
+<p>"But surely there is no danger of meetin' any of the savages now," I said,
+like a simple, and he replied, with a laugh:</p>
+
+<p>"True for you, lad; but General Herkimer was to begin an advance on the
+mornin' after we left camp, and he should be nearabout. To run upon his
+sentinels in the darkness might not be agreeable."</p>
+
+<p>From that on, until half an hour had passed, we pressed forward
+cautiously, and well it was that we did so, for suddenly I came upon a
+levelled musket, which would have been discharged but for my crying out
+quickly, as I swerved to one side:</p>
+
+<p>"We are messengers for the general! We are friends!"</p>
+
+<p>"You come from an odd direction if that be true," was the reply, and at
+the same instant a vigorous hand seized me by the shirt-collar.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that Sergeant Corney stepped forward, as he asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Are you of General Herkimer's force?"</p>
+
+<p>"How much will it benefit you to get such information?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, nay, friend; there is no need of bein' overcautious with us. We are
+two of the three messengers who left camp at Oriskany to go to Fort
+Schuyler, and are now returnin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Returnin'?" the soldier said, for it was indeed one of General Herkimer's
+sentinels whom we had come upon. "It must please you to skulk around among
+the Tories and savages, if, after having once gained the fort, you come
+back."</p>
+
+<p>"That is exactly what we have done, my friend," Sergeant Corney replied,
+gravely, "and for the good reason that Colonel Gansevoort had a message
+for us to deliver to the general. You are right in questioning us, for
+under such situations a soldier had best be overcautious than too
+credulous. But now we ask to be sent to the commander."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen any of the enemy near at hand?" the man asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I can swear there are none within half a mile."</p>
+
+<p>"Then come with me," and the sentinel deserted his post to lead us into
+camp, a proceeding which called forth harsh criticisms from Sergeant
+Corney, despite the fact that he was being benefited thereby.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch07"></a>Chapter VII.</h2>
+
+<h3>Insubordination.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>It was near to daybreak when we followed the soldier to where General
+Herkimer lay under a shelter of pine boughs; but owing to the storm the
+gloom was quite as profound as at any time during the night.</p>
+
+<p>To my surprise, the general came out from his poor apology for a tent on
+hearing our voices, although we spoke cautiously low, and even then I
+could but ask myself why it was that an experienced soldier such as he was
+not giving more heed to his bodily welfare, for men on the eve of
+encountering a strong enemy surely need all the repose which can be had.</p>
+
+<p>I was soon to understand why the commander slept so lightly, and to learn
+for the first time that even patriots may be insubordinate.</p>
+
+<p>General Herkimer did not at first recognize us in the gloom; but when
+Sergeant Corney made himself known, the leader said, in a tone of bitter
+disappointment:</p>
+
+<p>"Then you did not succeed in getting there?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that we did, sir," the old soldier replied, emphatically; "but
+Colonel Gansevoort had the desire to send a message to you, and we have
+brought it, hopin' to be excused from further duty for a short time."</p>
+
+<p>"What had Gansevoort to say?" General Herkimer asked, impatiently, and
+Sergeant Corney repeated the message twice over, in order that there
+should be no misunderstanding as to its meaning.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. We will be on the alert if these hotheads can be restrained,"
+the general replied, and his words were a riddle to me until half an hour
+later.</p>
+
+<p>Then he asked what the old soldier meant by wishing to be excused from
+duty, and the sergeant, in the fewest words possible, gave him an account
+of our proceedings since leaving the camp at Oriskany, concluding by
+saying:</p>
+
+<p>"There is no question but that Jacob Sitz will make his way through the
+Indian encampment, if it can be done by any person. Yet the lad is blinded
+by love for his father, an' will take altogether too desperate chances,
+unless there be some one at hand who can restrain him."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it in your mind that the prisoner may be taken out of Thayendanega's
+camp?" General Herkimer exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"We do not count on any such good fortune; but follow the lad simply that
+he may know he has not been forgotten. If it so be you need us, sir, we
+will wait until you have gained the fort before making any effort to join
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, it was not from such motives that I spoke," the general
+interrupted, hastily. "With a force as large as this two men would not
+make much of a count either way. Go where you please, Sergeant Braun, and
+when you are once more at liberty report to me."</p>
+
+<p>"We reckon on resting our legs a bit, sir, before settin' out. You will
+not advance for some time to come, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"How far do you count we are from the enemy's pickets?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not above two miles, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Then we shall remain here, unless matters get beyond my control, until
+having heard the signal."</p>
+
+<p>Having made this, to me, odd remark, the commander disappeared from view
+inside the shelter of boughs, and Sergeant Corney led me a dozen yards or
+more from what might by courtesy have been called "headquarters," when he
+halted to say, gravely:</p>
+
+<p>"It appears that things are not just as they should be in this camp, lad."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you mean?" I asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"You heard what the general said?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, who of his men are making the trouble?"</p>
+
+<p>Before I could so much as make a guess at the proper answer, I must needs
+be told that there was trouble, for, through having failed to understand
+exactly what the commander meant, I had not suspected that there was
+anything serious brewing. But Sergeant Corney, experienced as he was in
+such matters, seemed to know as if he had been informed in so many words
+that insubordination was rife in the camp, and at a time when it was in
+the highest degree necessary the men should move in harmony.</p>
+
+<p>Since I could not even so much as hazard a guess, the old man, forgetting
+his weariness and the need of gaining repose, led me out to where he had
+been halted by the sentinel, and, finding him at his post, began his
+investigations by saying:</p>
+
+<p>"We two have just come from Fort Schuyler, an' knowin' full well how
+strong a force is in front of the place, have a better idea of the kind of
+work in hand than you who haven't seen the enemy."</p>
+
+<p>"Did the general send you over here to tell me that?" the man asked, in a
+certain tone of irritation, and Sergeant Corney replied, soothingly:</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it, my friend; but while we were having an interview with
+the commander it struck me that matters here were not just as pleasant as
+they should be, an' instead of awakenin' some one who might need more
+slumber, we thought to come to you for an explanation."</p>
+
+<p>"Of what?"</p>
+
+<p>"That we cannot say; but there is a question I would ask you, as between
+man and man, for mayhap the lives of us all depend upon the general sense
+of good fellowship. Tell me plainly, is there insubordination in the
+camp?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know not if you may call it by that name," the sentinel said, somewhat
+moodily; "but certain it is we would have relieved the fort four and
+twenty hours ago had General Herkimer not held us back. With such a force
+as we have here, it cannot be a hard matter to do about as we please. Look
+you," the man continued, growing more confidential, "the general has no
+less than eight hundred men under his command, and what may not a company
+of that number do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very much, my friend; but your eight hundred would be weak indeed unless
+the advance was made at the proper time and in a soldierly fashion. So
+your people have been complaining because the commander holds them back?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, and with good cause. When Colonels Cox and Paris say openly that it
+is cowardly for us to loiter here, surely there must be some reason in
+their words. A full third of this force believe we should have come in
+front of Fort Schuyler yesterday mornin', an' think you all those can be
+mistaken, an' only General Herkimer stand in the right?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then it <i>is</i> insubordination!" Sergeant Corney said, sadly, and the
+sentinel replied, angrily:</p>
+
+<p>"It is only common sense and a desire to aid the Cause. If we are eager to
+begin a battle which will drive the Tories and their painted allies from
+the valley, surely that man is a criminal who would hold us back."</p>
+
+<p>"If you had been where this lad and I have just come from, able to see
+what was seen by us, you would talk in a different strain," the old
+soldier said, hotly. "Why, man, Colonel Gansevoort himself sent us back to
+request that you remain here until he signals, so that everything may be
+prepared for your comin', and we, knowin' how important it was you delay
+until the proper moment, risked our lives twenty times over in the effort
+to bring the word."</p>
+
+<p>"Then Colonel Gansevoort is as great a coward as General Herkimer, for we
+are of sufficient strength to march whithersoever we will."</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney turned as if to go, and then suddenly wheeling upon the
+sentinel, said:</p>
+
+<p>"I do not read my Bible, as a man should; but yet I remember that in it
+can be found these words: 'Fools die for want of wisdom,' an' I'm
+allowin', my friend, if you have any desire to linger in this 'ere world,
+that you take the statement home mighty strong."</p>
+
+<p>With this cutting remark, which for a moment I feared would provoke a
+downright quarrel, Sergeant Corney strode off into the darkness, I
+following meekly at his heels.</p>
+
+<p>"Surely there can be nothing which would work harm in this desire of the
+men to go forward," I said, when the sergeant had come to a halt,
+throwing himself down under a tree as if to rest. "It should be a good
+sign when soldiers are eager to go into battle."</p>
+
+<p>"Insubordination, wherever you find it, is the most dangerous condition of
+affairs that can be figgered out. When a man puts himself under a leader,
+whether to fight or to till the land, an' then sets up his opinions
+against those of the one who is supposed to know best, else he wouldn't be
+in command, matters have come to a mighty dangerous pass. Instead of
+helpin' the men inside the fort, this regiment is likely to bring them to
+grief, unless things are changed, an' that right soon. Now get what sleep
+you can, lad, before the encampment is astir," the old man added, changing
+his tone very suddenly, and before I could obey he drew out his rifle from
+the hiding-place where he had left it when we set off for the fort.</p>
+
+<p>I laid myself down by his side; but it was not to sleep, for I realized
+that the old soldier would not have spoken in such a tone unless matters,
+according to his belief, had been in a most serious condition.</p>
+
+<p>I was still speculating upon the situation, sorrowing because the men
+would, at such a time, while the lives of so many depended upon concerted
+action, set up their individual opinions against those who had been put in
+authority over them, when a bustle on every side told that the soldiers
+were awakening to a day of noble struggle for their country, or worse
+than criminal bickerings.</p>
+
+<p>If Sergeant Corney had really closed his eyes in slumber, which I doubted,
+he was now awakened by the many noises, and a plan of action must have
+been presented to him in his dreams, for he spoke like one who is
+determined upon some decided course, as he said to me:</p>
+
+<p>"Now, lad, we'll fill ourselves up with one good hearty meal, if it so be
+this mutinously inclined army has a proper store of provisions, and then
+it is for us to decide whether we stay among those who are like to come to
+grief if they have their own way, or push out for ourselves."</p>
+
+<p>I did not understand fully what he meant; but it was sufficient for me
+that he was no longer in doubt as to what was best, and right willingly
+did I obey his orders, for my stomach was uncomfortably empty.</p>
+
+<p>There was no lack of food in this command which seemed to be divided
+against itself, and the breakfast would have been to me most enjoyable but
+for the sauce with which it was served.</p>
+
+<p>Every man's tongue was loosened as if its owner was the only man amid all
+the company who knew exactly which was the wisest course to pursue, and I
+dare venture to say never a commander had under him at a critical moment,
+such as this certainly was, so many pig-headed recruits.</p>
+
+<p>Only once during the brief meal was Sergeant Corney asked for
+information, although the word had passed around the encampment that he
+and I were but just come from Fort Schuyler, and then it was that the old
+soldier gave those insubordinate men such a tongue-lashing as they
+deserved and I dare say had never before received; but, storm as he might,
+it seemed as if all the arguments he brought up in favor of General
+Herkimer's carrying out the plans suggested by Colonel Gansevoort, only
+served to make those imitation soldiers more fixed in their opinions.</p>
+
+<p>And for all this unseemly wrangling, when it was almost a crime to raise
+one's voice against an order of the commander, I lay the blame upon the
+two colonels, Cox and Paris, who, instead of holding their men firmly in
+check, as was their duty, openly declared that General Herkimer was in the
+wrong; thus fomenting what promised to be a most serious disturbance, and
+what was finally paid for over and over again in blood.</p>
+
+<p>It was perhaps half an hour after daybreak when Colonel Cox, the same
+officer who by injudicious use of his tongue had well-nigh compassed the
+death of us all during the powwow with Thayendanega, approached General
+Herkimer while the latter was walking slowly around the encampment as if
+on a tour of inspection, and said, in a tone so loud that all in the
+vicinity might hear it:</p>
+
+<p>"Are we to go forward, sir, as men should who set out to relieve a
+besieged fort, or must we loiter here until the enemy has worked his
+will?"</p>
+
+<p>For an instant the general made no reply, and Sergeant Corney whispered to
+me, angrily:</p>
+
+<p>"That man deserves to be shot, an' all the more so because he is high in
+command. I've seen troops in many a tight place durin' my life, but never
+before heard any thin' that quite come up to that."</p>
+
+<p>When, after a pause of fully a moment, General Herkimer spoke, it was to
+ask:</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know that messengers have come from Gansevoort, asking that we
+hold our hands until he shall give the signal?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard that it is pretended such a message has come," Colonel Cox
+replied, in a most offensive tone, and I could see Sergeant Corney
+clenching his fists tightly, as if thereby the better to hold himself in
+check, for surely were we two entitled to make reply to such an implied
+accusation.</p>
+
+<p>"The garrison will make a sortie immediately after giving the signal, and
+we can thus go into action with some hope of success," General Herkimer
+said, mildly and firmly. "To advance before Gansevoort is ready would be
+to imperil the lives of all this command."</p>
+
+<p>"Speaking more particularly for yourself, sir, I suppose," Colonel Paris
+said, with a sneer, and it would have given me the greatest pleasure to
+have struck him down for that insult.</p>
+
+<p>Then the three officers, still disputing, or, I should have said, the two
+colonels still insulting their commander, who continued to bear with them
+beyond that point where forbearance ceases to be a virtue, passed out of
+earshot for the time being, and the men in the immediate vicinity took up
+the subject, until, to my surprise, I found that nearly all of them sided
+with the insubordinate colonels.</p>
+
+<p>Five minutes later the three officers had approached so near where
+Sergeant Corney and I were sitting that we could hear their words once
+more, and then, to my indignation and the old soldier's anger, Colonel Cox
+cried, in a fury, as he planted himself directly in front of the
+commander:</p>
+
+<p>"You are not only a coward, sir, but a Tory!"</p>
+
+<p>I shall always hold that General Herkimer was a brave man, because, after
+a severe effort which was evident to us all, he so far mastered his
+righteous anger as to say, quietly:</p>
+
+<p>"I am placed over you as a father and guardian, and shall not lead you
+into difficulties from which I may not be able to extricate you."</p>
+
+<p>Unless the soldiers of the command had been literally beside themselves,
+such words would have brought them to a proper frame of mind; but as it
+was, the temperate reply seemed to inflame their anger, and on the moment
+there was a very babel of outcries, amid which it was only possible to
+distinguish the demand that the force be led toward Fort Schuyler without
+delay, regardless of any message which the sergeant and I might have
+brought.</p>
+
+<p>I could see, rather than hear, for the tumult was exceeding great, that
+the two colonels continued to demand that the commander follow their plans
+rather than adhere to his own, and it was a veritable fishwoman's squabble
+during twenty minutes or more, when General Herkimer apparently lost his
+temper for the first time, and cried, in a tone so loud that the words
+could be distinctly heard all over the encampment:</p>
+
+<p>"I will give the command to march forward, and you shall soon see that
+those who have been boasting loudest of their courage will be the first to
+run on meeting the enemy."</p>
+
+<p>"I was afraid it would come to that," Sergeant Corney whispered to me,
+with a sigh. "It don't stand to reason that any man could hold his temper
+a great while under such a tongue-lashin' as those curs gave the
+commander, an' I'm predictin' that every mother's son of 'em will rue this
+mornin's work."</p>
+
+<p>Immediately the unwilling permission for them to do as they pleased had
+been given, the men set about making ready for the advance as if each
+moment was of the greatest value, and in an incredibly short time after
+General Herkimer had been bullied into agreeing to that which his better
+judgment told him to be wrong, the company was ready for the march.</p>
+
+<p>"Are we to go with them?" I asked of the sergeant, believing for the
+moment that it would be wiser for us to form an independent command of
+two.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, I'm thinkin' that we had best stand by the general, for he may
+be needin' us before this mornin's work is done, an' we sha'n't be takin'
+a great deal of time from Jacob, because, in case of arrivin' before
+Colonel Gansevoort is ready for us, the scrimmage will soon be over."</p>
+
+<p>The two colonels, who were responsible for this unsoldierly method of
+conducting a campaign, busied themselves with getting the men into lines,
+and all the while telling what it was possible for them to do to St. Leger
+and his force, as if anything of value could be done when the idiots did
+not have sufficient sense to make inquiries of those who could give them
+full information regarding the strength of the enemy whom they were so
+soon to meet.</p>
+
+<p>Even had Sergeant Corney not decided to follow the commander before the
+line of march had been arranged, he would have done so later, because
+General Herkimer beckoned us to approach when he took his place at the
+head of the column.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you counting on coming with me, despite the unnecessary danger which
+we know will be encountered?" he asked, and Sergeant Corney replied,
+promptly:</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, sir, that we are, and had already settled it in our own minds."</p>
+
+<p>"Which portion of the besieging troops are we likely to meet first, if we
+follow the trail?" the general asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Thayendanega's camp lies southeasterly from the fort; but how far it may
+be from the trail, I cannot say."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment the report of a rifle from the direction of where the
+outermost sentinels were stationed startled every one, including those
+bloodthirsty colonels, and for a moment all stood silent and motionless,
+waiting to learn the cause of the alarm.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that the sentinel with whom the sergeant and I had already
+spoken, came running into camp, for it seemed a favorite trick of his to
+desert a post of duty whenever inclination prompted.</p>
+
+<p>It was Colonel Cox who asked, advancing:</p>
+
+<p>"Did you fire that gun?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, sir; I saw two Indians in the thicket, coming as if from the
+direction of this camp."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you kill either of them?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think I even scratched 'em. The wood is too dense for much good
+shooting."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Cox wheeled around as if the information was of no especial
+importance, when even a boy like me understood somewhat of its import,
+and, carelessly saluting the commander, reported that the troops were
+ready for the word to march.</p>
+
+<p>The general, who was mounted, spurred his horse on to the head of the
+column, Sergeant Corney and I following as best we might, and once in the
+lead he gave the command.</p>
+
+<p>"Is nothing to be done toward finding out whether the Indians whom the
+sentinel saw, succeeded in getting back to their own camp?" I asked of my
+companion, and he replied, grimly, with what was very like a smile of
+satisfaction on his wrinkled face:</p>
+
+<p>"These officers who have so much wind to spare in camp cannot afford the
+time to consider such trifles as a few scouts skulkin' around to make
+certain of what we are doin'."</p>
+
+<p>"An' we are like to find ourselves ambushed!" I cried, in dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that's what we are, lad, an' I'm thinkin' there will be no way out of
+the difficulty until some of these insubordinates are killed off, which
+will be greatly to the advantage of the command, accordin' to my way of
+thinkin'."</p>
+
+<p>I will set down here that which I read in a book several years after the
+day Sergeant Corney and I followed General Herkimer on what we believed to
+be a most ill-advised and hazardous march, in view of Colonel Gansevoort's
+request, and from the words it will be seen that I am not the only person
+who lays blame of all that happened upon those loud-mouthed, imitation
+soldiers who were so soon to show themselves cowards.</p>
+
+<p>"The morning was dark, sultry, and lowering. General Herkimer's troops,
+composed chiefly of the militia regiments of Colonels Cox, Paris,
+Visscher, and Klock, were quite undisciplined, and their order of march
+was irregular and without precaution. The contentions of the morning had
+delayed their advance until about nine o'clock, and the hard feelings
+which existed between the commander and some of his officers caused a
+degree of insubordination which proved fatal in its consequences.... A
+deep ravine crossed the path of Herkimer in a north and south direction,
+extending from the high grounds on the south to the river, and curving
+toward the east in semicircular form. The bottom of this ravine was
+marshy, and the road crossed it by means of a causeway of earth and logs.
+On each side of the ravine the ground was nearly level, and heavily
+timbered. A thick growth of underwood, particularly along the margin of
+the ravine, favored the concealment of the enemy."</p>
+
+<p>All the colonels of this small army were on horseback, a fact which caused
+me no little astonishment, for I had heard my uncle say again and again,
+and there can be no question but that he was a brave and skilful soldier,
+that the man who went in the saddle to meet savages was courting his own
+death.</p>
+
+<p>So great was my indignation against these men who had badgered the
+commander that I mentally hugged myself with delight because of their
+folly, not only in thus riding, but in moving the column without scouts
+ahead to learn the whereabouts of the enemy, or to ascertain what might be
+in front of, or on either side of them.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that Colonel Visscher's regiment was detailed as a rear-guard,
+and I question if even such a precaution would have been taken but for the
+fact that the provision and ammunition wagons, which were not able to move
+at as rapid a pace as the men, needed something in the way of protection.</p>
+
+<p>It was not until we had advanced half a mile or more that I bethought
+myself of the position in the column which Sergeant Corney and I occupied
+because of attempting to follow General Herkimer closely.</p>
+
+<p>In event of an ambush being prepared for our reception, and I confidently
+expected that such would be the case after the sentinel had seen Indians
+lurking nearabout the camp, we two would be in a most dangerous position,
+and I made mention of that which was in my mind to the sergeant.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, you may be right, an' yet I am questionin' whether we shall be
+any worse off here than further in the rear, for if it so be
+Thayendanega's sneaks count on ambushin' us, I can tell you to a dot just
+where it'll be done. They will let this gang of men--you can't call 'em
+soldiers after what we have seen--get well into the ravine before makin'
+any attack. Consequently it will be about the centre of the line that
+suffers most."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean that if trouble comes it will be at the ravine over which is
+the causeway?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, an' there's no question about our gettin' it hot there!"</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch08"></a>Chapter VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Ambush.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>I am willing to confess that I grew more and more frightened as we neared
+the ravine, and but for the disgraceful scenes of insubordination which
+occurred earlier in the morning, I would have cried out against the folly
+of thus going blindly into such trap as Thayendanega's murderers had
+probably prepared for us.</p>
+
+<p>As it was, however, I would not let these mutinous men who called
+themselves soldiers see that we from Cherry Valley would question a
+commander's orders, whatever might be the situation, and I held my peace,
+but with much effort and inward fear.</p>
+
+<p>There was little attempt made by these representatives of the Tryon County
+militia to hold in military formation during the march, each man trying to
+outstrip his neighbor, as if this advance upon a foe of superior strength
+could have no more serious consequences than that some might be left
+behind, and when one of the company came up to my side with words of
+complaint because the general would not move faster than a walk, I said,
+angrily:</p>
+
+<p>"It can make but little difference if you are not killed at the first
+volley, for the savages will have ample time to finish us all off after we
+have walked into their trap."</p>
+
+<p>"So you are one of the weak-kneed, eh?" the man cried, with a sneer, and
+my anger was too great to permit of my making reply; but Sergeant Corney,
+who had heard the insulting words, said, sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"You may talk to that lad about bein' weak-kneed after you have shown the
+courage he has within the past four an' twenty hours. You an' your
+mutinous comrades prate loudly of bravery when there is no enemy in sight;
+but I'll lay odds that not one out of an hundred like you would dare go
+alone from here to the fort!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you are the messengers who claim that Colonel Gansevoort asked us to
+remain idle until he should give the signal, eh?" the fellow said, in an
+offensive tone, and Sergeant Corney raised his rifle clubwise, as if to
+strike him down, but held his hand as he said, slowly, and in a tone which
+was full of menace:</p>
+
+<p>"But that you are already so near your death at the hands of the enemy, I
+would make certain you never again questioned my word! We did go to the
+fort, while you were engaged in the manly sport of badgerin' your
+commander, an old soldier who knows his business, an' had you been with us
+it is certain you'd never made the attempt to get back. Go on to your
+death, you fool, an' I'll hope it don't come so soon but that you'll have
+time to realize you did all in your power to bring it about the more
+speedily."</p>
+
+<p>By this time we were well within the ravine which has already been
+described, and the old soldier had hardly ceased speaking when from amid
+the foliage ahead and on every side came a circle of fire like unto the
+lightning's flash, followed by the crackling of firearms, which served to
+drown the death-cries from every portion of our lines.</p>
+
+<p>We had marched like children into the ambush, and on the instant a blind
+rage took possession of me because I had followed the mutineers when I
+knew full well to what they were hastening.</p>
+
+<p>Even as the flashes of light sprang out from among the leaves, I saw
+Colonel Cox, he who was responsible for all that flood of death, leap high
+in the air, only to fall back dead, and at the same moment General
+Herkimer's horse reared and screamed in a death-agony.</p>
+
+<p>It was as if every second man of the command fell before that withering
+fire, and in the midst of the tumult of groans, screams, and savage
+war-whoops could be heard shouts behind us, telling that the rear-guard,
+who a few moments previous were prating of their bravery, had turned and
+fled like cowards that they were.</p>
+
+<p>More than the rear-guard would have beat a retreat at that moment, but for
+the fact that the baggage-wagons hemmed us in so that flight was
+well-nigh impossible.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as if I lived a full hour during the terrible ten seconds that
+elapsed after the first volley was fired by the hidden foe, and then I
+heard Sergeant Corney crying in my ear, his voice sounding as if afar off:</p>
+
+<p>"It is for you an' I, lad, to look after the general! He is wounded!"</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that I realized the commander was pinned to the earth by his
+dead horse, and, without being really conscious of my movements, I ran to
+his side.</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier and I had no more than bent over General Herkimer to learn
+how we could best release him from his dangerous position, when a second
+volley came from amid the foliage, and those alleged soldiers of the
+command who were yet alive ran wildly to and fro like frightened chickens,
+seeking some way of escape, rather than standing up like men to battle for
+their own lives.</p>
+
+<p>Without really seeing it, I was conscious that all this was taking place
+around us, and then I heard Sergeant Corney say to the general, in a
+matter-of-fact tone:</p>
+
+<p>"That's a bad wound in your knee, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, but there's no time to think of ourselves just now. The cowards must
+be brought to their senses, or every one of them will be shot down," was
+the reply of the man whom his own soldiers had taunted with cowardice not
+an hour previous.</p>
+
+<p>Acting under Sergeant Corney's commands, for the old man was as cool as if
+he had been born amid just such scenes of carnage, I helped raise the body
+of the horse until it was possible for General Herkimer to roll himself
+out from beneath the dead animal, and, while we worked to aid him, the
+commander was crying to his men to stand firm if they would save their own
+lives.</p>
+
+<p>"Rally, there!" he shouted, yet lying, unable to move, upon the ground.
+"Stand firm, and we yet have a good chance of holding our own!"</p>
+
+<p>All the while Sergeant Corney and I worked over him he continued to cheer
+the frightened men, until, by the time we had dragged him to where he
+could sit upright with his back against a huge tree, placing his saddle
+beneath him to serve as a prop, the men were beginning to understand that
+the only chance for life was to fight desperately.</p>
+
+<p>The wagons in the rear, and the horde of savages which had closed in upon
+us, prevented any save those who had first fled, from retreating, and by
+the time a full third of the command had been killed or disabled, the
+remainder understood that it would be well to turn to the man they had so
+lately reviled, for possible safety.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney and I gave no heed to what was going on around us until we
+had bound up the general's knee in such a manner that there was no longer
+danger he would bleed to death, and when this had been done I noted that
+our people had taken shelter behind the trees, where they could strike a
+blow in their own defence.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians, understanding that the first daze of terror had passed away,
+leaving their intended victims in condition to do considerable execution,
+fell back a short distance to where they could find shelter, and thus,
+thanks to General Herkimer, it was no longer a massacre, but a battle.</p>
+
+<p>When Sergeant Corney and I had done all we could to render the commander
+more comfortable, we took our share in the fight, remaining close beside
+General Herkimer meanwhile, lest the Indians make an attempt to take him
+prisoner.</p>
+
+<p>Within half an hour from the time the first volley had been fired, our
+people were doing good execution, and yet the enemy's line was closing in
+upon us slowly but surely.
+
+"Tire 'em out, lads!" the general shouted, encouragingly. "You never yet
+saw a painted snake who could take much punishment, an' it's only a
+question of holding your own awhile longer. Make every bullet count, for,
+although we have ammunition in plenty, there is no good reason why we
+should waste any."</p>
+
+<p>Then the commander, most likely in order to set his men an example of
+coolness, rather than because he needed the fumes of tobacco, quietly
+lighted his pipe, and, seeing this, our people cheered at the same time
+they shot down every feather-bedecked form that was exposed to view.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "'Tire 'em out, lads!' the General shouted"]</p>
+
+<p>A few moments later General Herkimer gave the word that our force form a
+circle, in order to meet the foe at every point, and after this had been
+done the enemy were the better held in check.</p>
+
+<p>Even at the moment I was surprised when I found myself thinking of the
+danger to which Jacob must be exposed, rather than of my own desperate
+plight. While on the alert for a living target, I speculated whether he
+was yet free, and if he had discovered the whereabouts of his father.</p>
+
+<p>I had no idea as to the flight of time, and could not have told whether we
+had spent ten minutes or sixty in that struggle for life, when, without
+warning, the floodgates of heaven were opened. The rain came down
+literally in torrents; it seemed as if the water descended in solid sheets
+rather than drops, and, no matter how bloodthirsty a man might have been,
+he could no more have continued the battle than if he had been neck-deep
+in the river.</p>
+
+<p>Savages as well as white men were forced to cease their efforts to kill,
+and for a time we crouched beneath such poor shelter as the trees
+afforded, but drenched to the skin in a twinkling.</p>
+
+<p>General Herkimer was in no better plight than those who were the most
+exposed. The fire in his pipe was drowned out; but he continued to hold it
+between his teeth as he said, in a low tone, to Sergeant Corney:</p>
+
+<p>"Pass the word quietly for our people to close in where it will be
+possible to hear what I say. Thus far I've noted that the savages have
+watched until a rifle has been discharged, when they rush up and use their
+hatchets. We can put an end to that kind of butchery."</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier did as he had been bidden, moving to and fro without fear
+of exposing himself, for the downpour was so great that no man could have
+loaded a musket with dry powder, and even while the storm continued the
+circle was contracted until the commander was enclosed by a living hedge.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that orders were given for the men to take their stations in
+couples, and, when one had discharged his rifle, the other was to wait
+until the Indians came up to kill the supposedly defenceless soldier, when
+a second bullet would be ready for them.</p>
+
+<p>Much to my surprise, I heard General Herkimer say that a full hour had
+elapsed from the time the first volley had been fired, and it stiffened
+the courage of all to learn that we had been able to hold the foe in check
+so long.</p>
+
+<p>Immediately the summer storm had so far sub-sided that the weapons could
+be loaded, the battle was continued, raging with even more fury than
+before, as the enemy tried to overwhelm us by a sudden rush, and in a very
+few seconds the painted fiends came to understand that it was no longer an
+easy matter to tomahawk a man immediately after he had fired a shot.</p>
+
+<p>When the savages found that their tactics were guarded against, it seemed
+as if they lost courage, and gradually fell back a little, having had
+quite as much of Whig marksmanship as was pleasing.</p>
+
+<p>Because we could no longer see as many targets before us, the fire was
+slackened considerably, and then some one on the outer lines of our
+defensive circle shouted:</p>
+
+<p>"They are bringin' up the Tories! Here come the Johnson Greens!"</p>
+
+<p>Although I was standing well in the centre of our force, it was possible
+to see the uniforms of that band of renegades which Sir John had armed and
+equipped that they might kill their neighbors, as the men came up to take
+the place of the retreating redskins, and, if anything had been needed to
+stiffen the backs of our people, surely they got it when seeing those whom
+they had once called friends, moving into line to compass their death.</p>
+
+<p>I had thought that the men under General Herkimer's command fought bravely
+after the cowards were weeded out, and those who were left understood
+that, but for the mutiny in camp, the ambush would not have been
+successful; but now they seemed like veritable tigers as the Tories came
+into the battle.</p>
+
+<p>There was no longer any thought of fighting from behind trees, but each
+man pushed forward intent only on vanquishing the renegades, until none
+save Sergeant Corney and I were left to guard our wounded commander.</p>
+
+<p>I will set down here that account of the battle from this point, which I
+found some time since in a book containing the story of the fight in the
+ravine, sometimes called the Battle of Oriskany:</p>
+
+<p>"Major Watts came up with a detachment of Johnson's Greens to support them
+(the savages), but the presence of these men, mostly refugees from the
+Mohawk, made the patriots more furious, and mutual resentments, as the
+parties faced and recognized each other, seemed to give new strength to
+their arms. They leaped upon each other with the fierceness of tigers, and
+fought hand to hand and foot to foot with bayonets and knives."</p>
+
+<p>While this portion of the battle was at its height, we suddenly heard the
+reports of firearms from the direction of the fort, and my heart leaped
+into my throat, for I understood that Colonel Gansevoort was making the
+sortie for which we should have waited.</p>
+
+<p>Nor was I the only one who thus realized that the Britishers and their
+painted allies were at the end of their rope, so far as this fight in the
+ravine was concerned, for our people pressed the foe yet more hotly, and
+in a short time the savages raised the cry of "Oonah! Oonah!" which told
+that they had had enough of the battle.</p>
+
+<p>So far as my experience goes, and I have had considerable from first to
+last, Indians are only brave when they have the advantage; but, let the
+tide turn against them, and they are veriest cowards.</p>
+
+<p>Hemmed in as we were, our ranks thinned by death and the desertion of the
+rear-guard, it should have been possible for the enemy to cut us down to a
+man, and yet the retreating cry of the savages sufficed to send all that
+force back to the encampment, leaving us in possession of the field, even
+though we might not rightly be called victors.</p>
+
+<p>Some of our people, upon whom the fever of battle had fastened more
+firmly, would have pursued the cowards, even though it might have been to
+come directly upon the main army, who were then, doubtless, engaged in
+checking the sortie from the fort; but General Herkimer sent a squad of
+the cooler soldiers after them, with the result that the valiant Johnson
+Greens were allowed to continue their retreat unmolested.</p>
+
+<p>And it was high time we had a breathing-spell. More than two hundred of
+General Herkimer's force lay dead among the trees, while even a larger
+number were so seriously wounded as to be unable to defend themselves,
+therefore it was impossible for us to act in concert with those who were
+making the sortie, and the commander issued orders to fall back.</p>
+
+<p>The contents of the baggage-wagons were thrown out to make room for our
+wounded, and, while the uproar of the battle near the fort rang in our
+ears, we retreated from that valley of death.</p>
+
+<p>Now those who had raised their voices against the general, accusing him of
+cowardice, did all within their power to make atonement by their care of
+him, and willing hands bore him on a litter that he might be spared the
+pain of transportation in the lumbering wagons.</p>
+
+<p>It was a sorry train that left the ravine, not stopping to bury the dead
+because of the certainty that St. Leger's army would come to finish the
+bloody work as soon as the force from the fort had been driven back, and
+when it was in motion Sergeant Corney gripped me by the arm, as he said:</p>
+
+<p>"Our road is not in that direction, lad. Yonder men may take the repose
+which they do not deserve after havin' brought about all this disaster;
+but we must face danger once more, an' perhaps for the last time."</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' that we're to go back in search of Jacob?" I asked, feeling for
+the moment as if it would be impossible for me to voluntarily turn my face
+in the direction of the enemy, now that I was no longer animated by the
+fever of battle.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, our duty is now toward him, havin' done all we may under General
+Herkimer's command. As I figger it, we're free to do as we choose, for we
+can no longer aid those who are goin' back when, but for rankest mutiny,
+they might have entered the fort amid the cheers of victory. If Colonel
+Gansevoort is forced to surrender, it can all be set down to the credit
+of those who howled so loudly this mornin' that they could march straight
+through the enemy's lines."</p>
+
+<p>"There is little hope we can find Jacob after so long a time has passed,"
+I said, thinking of the perils that must necessarily await us while we
+tried to make our way through Thayendanega's camp.</p>
+
+<p>"I grant you that, lad, an' yet we are bound to make the venture, or let
+it be said that we deserted a comrade when he needed us."</p>
+
+<p>"We did that same when we pressed on toward the fort," I suggested,
+feebly.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, an' because we were in duty bound to carry the general's message. Now
+that work has been done, we are free."</p>
+
+<p>I could not well say anything more against his plan without laying myself
+open to a charge of cowardice,--and at that moment I really was a
+coward,--therefore I stood ready to follow him.</p>
+
+<p>There were provisions in plenty strewn on the ground, having been thrown
+out of the wagons to make room for the wounded, and from such store
+Sergeant Corney gathered up as much as would serve us during four and
+twenty hours.</p>
+
+<p>This we stuffed into the pockets of our shirts; filled our powder-horns
+and bullet-pouches from the ammunition on the dead bodies, and then we
+were ready to leave that valley of death.</p>
+
+<p>All this while it was possible to hear the din of that battle which was
+being fought near the fort; but as we advanced it became evident that the
+conflict was subsiding.</p>
+
+<p>It would have been folly for the besieged to do other than beat a retreat,
+when it could be seen that General Herkimer's men were not in a position
+to take advantage of the sortie, and as soon as might be the brave fellows
+sought the shelter of the fort once more, leaving twenty of their comrades
+between the lines as victims of the mutiny among the Tryon County
+militiamen.</p>
+
+<p>Much to my surprise, Sergeant Corney appeared sadly disappointed when the
+tumult of battle died away, and I asked if he believed that the people
+from the fort should have made an attempt to inflict more punishment upon
+the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it, lad," the old soldier replied, promptly. "They have
+already done more than could have been expected; but yet I had a hope that
+the scrimmage would have lasted a bit longer."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" I asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Because we stand a better chance of circlin' around to where we left
+Jacob, while the villains have somethin' to keep 'em busy. Now there's no
+longer any need to fight, they'll likely keep sharper watch. Yet I count
+that Peter Sitz, if they haven't killed him already, has a bigger show of
+livin' a spell longer than he had last night."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because it stands to reason that Thayendanega's beauties have taken more
+than one prisoner, an' will have a better supply of livin' material for
+the stake than before. Peter may be lucky enough to keep his hair a spell
+longer; but there'll be many a poor wretch who'll taste of torture this
+night."</p>
+
+<p>"An' perhaps Jacob may be one of them!" I cried, in an agony of
+apprehension, and from that moment it was not necessary the old soldier
+urge me forward, for I burned with the desire to do all I might to find
+our comrade before it should be too late.</p>
+
+<p>When we left the ravine in search of the lad, it was necessary we advance
+over much the same course as when we carried General Herkimer's message,
+and it was slightly in our favor that we knew fairly well at how great a
+distance from the general encampment of the enemy we must keep in order to
+avoid running into the Indians.</p>
+
+<p>Then, again, it seemed probable we had a better chance of making our way
+around this circle than when we first traversed it, because just at this
+time Thayendanega's villains had received such a drubbing at the hands of
+the patriots as would most likely prevent them from having any keen desire
+to come upon more white men.</p>
+
+<p>It was also probable, as Sergeant Corney had suggested, that they had
+taken a number of prisoners during the fight with the garrison of the
+fort, as well as at the ravine, and the murderous scoundrels would be so
+occupied with making preparations for torturing such poor unfortunates as
+to neglect their duties as St. Leger's allies.</p>
+
+<p>When I had thus viewed the situation, it did not appear such a difficult
+matter for us to gain a station to the southward of Thayendanega's
+encampment; but coming across Jacob was quite a different proposition.
+Finding a needle in a hay-stack seemed much more simple than running upon
+a lad who was doing his best to remain hidden from view, unless,
+perchance, he had already been captured.</p>
+
+<p>"It ain't any easy job, figger as you will," Sergeant Corney said, when I
+had put the situation before him from my point of view. "But I'm reckonin'
+that we're goin' to come somewhere near succeedin'. We can count on doin'
+pretty much as we please from now till to-morrow mornin', providin' we
+don't stick our noses into the camps of the Britishers or Tories, for you
+can set it down as a fact that every red-faced wretch will have
+considerable on hand this night. The only trouble will be that we may have
+to keep within cover while they're torturin' some poor fellow under our
+very shadows. You'll have to keep in mind that Peter an' Jacob Sitz are
+the only white men we're after, an' shut both eyes an' ears to every one
+else."</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose Jacob has been made prisoner? Would you risk your life to save
+him?"</p>
+
+<p>The old man made no reply until I had repeated the question, and then he
+said, slowly:</p>
+
+<p>"If there was any show of bein' able to work the trick, you could count
+on me to the end; but if he <i>has</i> fallen into their clutches, unless some
+wonderfully big turn of affairs comes in our path, we would be only
+throwin' away the lives of both without chance of helpin' him. I've heard
+long-tongued boasters tellin' how they'd rescued a prisoner from an Indian
+camp, but I never believed anything of the kind, for it ain't to be done
+more'n one time in a thousand, an' then you'd have to find a lot of
+red-skinned idjuts to work on."</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney had used a good many words in replying to my short
+question, and I believed he had done so to the end that I might not fully
+understand what he meant.</p>
+
+<p>As I made it out, however, he would turn his back on poor Jacob in case
+the savages had him in their power, and I asked myself again and again
+what course I should pursue in such a situation.</p>
+
+<p>We made a long d&eacute;tour around the battle-field in order to avoid as much as
+possible the danger of stumbling upon the enemy's scouts, and, when the
+afternoon was half-spent, had come, as nearly as we could guess, to a
+point due south from Thayendanega's camp.</p>
+
+<p>"How far do you reckon we are from St. Leger's force?" I asked, when
+Sergeant Corney threw himself on the ground within shelter of a clump of
+bushes, as if for a long halt.</p>
+
+<p>"Three miles or more from their lines of sentinels, if they've got any
+out, an' we're none too far away, 'cordin' to my figgerin'. After sunset
+we'll work in toward 'em; but there needn't be any hurry, for I'm
+reckonin' that we don't want to do much work till after midnight. If Jacob
+is still free to do as he pleases, there's little danger he'll come to
+grief 'twixt now an' mornin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Unless he should see them torturin' his father, an' then it's certain
+he'd make a fight, no matter how great the odds against him," I suggested,
+thinking of what I would be tempted to do under similar circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>"In that case we're better off where we are. I don't allow that a lad has
+any right to deliberately throw away his own life, an' that's what Jacob
+would be doin' if he showed himself when the villains had his father at
+the stake."</p>
+
+<p>"He couldn't stand still an' see it done."</p>
+
+<p>"True for you; but, no matter how he might feel, it's his duty to think of
+his mother, an' surely she would say that it was better one came home,
+than for both to be killed."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a mighty hard outlook," I said, with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"You're right, an' at the same time you ain't makin' matters any better by
+chewin' it over. A man don't fit himself for a fight by figgerin' out all
+the possible horrors."</p>
+
+<p>"An' you think we'll have a fight before this venture is ended?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll leave it to you if somethin' of the kind don't seem reasonable,"
+the old man replied, grimly, and then he set about making a dinner from
+the supply of provisions we had found in the ravine.</p>
+
+<p>After that I made no more effort to keep up a conversation, and tried very
+hard to force from my mind any speculations regarding Jacob and his
+father, but with poor success. It seemed as if every subject had some
+bearing upon the matter, and so disagreeable was the constant harking back
+to what was beyond my control, that I really felt glad when the shadows of
+night began to lengthen, for almost any kind of action was better than
+remaining there in hiding, eating one's heart out.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney gave no sign that he realized night had come, until I
+called his attention to the fact, and then he said:</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, the time is drawin' nigh; but I reckon that we'll be wise to
+hold on as we are a spell longer."</p>
+
+<p>Then he lay back as if bent on going to sleep, and I held my peace,
+determined to say no more even though he remained there until sunrise.</p>
+
+<p>It must have been ten o'clock before he showed signs of life, and then he
+rose to his feet as he said:</p>
+
+<p>"I allow that we'd better be movin', though there ain't any great need of
+hurryin'. We'll be able to cover three miles in an hour, an' even then be
+a bit early for good work."</p>
+
+<p>"How will you set about findin' Jacob?" I asked, giving words to the
+question which had been in my mind ever since we came to a halt.</p>
+
+<p>"Our only chance is to keep movin' nearabout Thayendanega's camp, an'
+trustin' to accident for comin' across him."</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney strapped his rifle on his back, as if believing he would
+have no use for it; but he made certain his knife was loose in its sheath,
+and I understood that if we had trouble it would be at close quarters.</p>
+
+<p>At last we were ready, and this time the sergeant did not propose that I
+lead the way.</p>
+
+<p>He strode off in advance, with never a glance backward to see if I was
+following, and in silence we went on toward the danger-point at a swift
+pace, until the old man halted to say, in a whisper:</p>
+
+<p>"There should be sentinels nearabout, unless Thayendanega believes he has
+killed all the decent men in the Mohawk Valley; so have your wits about
+you, lad, for a mistake now will cost us dearly."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch09"></a>Chapter IX.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Indian Camp.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>I claim that it is nothing to my discredit when I say that there was a
+great fear in my heart while we advanced at a snail's pace, after having
+come to that point where we might reasonably expect the Indian sentinels
+would be posted.</p>
+
+<p>In the darkness, moving amidst the dense foliage, where it required the
+utmost care to avoid betraying one's whereabouts, advancing blindly into
+you knew not what peril, was well calculated to make even the most
+courageous feel a bit timid.</p>
+
+<p>At any moment we might literally stumble over a party of warriors in such
+numbers that there could be no possibility of making our escape, and in
+case we should come face to face with no more than four or five of the
+enemy, it would be well-nigh useless to show fight, because of the
+hundreds everywhere around who could be summoned to the assistance of
+their comrades.</p>
+
+<p>Before we had advanced an hundred paces, I became convinced that it was
+impossible we should be able to reconnoitre the camp and return to the
+point from where we had set out without being killed, or, what was worse,
+taken prisoner, and yet, had I known for a certainty that such fate
+awaited us, I would not have let Sergeant Corney know of my unwillingness
+to follow him.</p>
+
+<p>Sorely did I blame Jacob for having forced us into such a position of
+danger, when there was little hope any good could be effected by our
+coming, and more than once I promised myself that, if by any fortunate
+chance I succeeded in arriving at Cherry Valley again, no one could tempt
+me to leave it.</p>
+
+<p>It was useless, however, to mourn over what could not be cured. We had
+come there voluntarily, and, unless both of us were willing to write
+ourselves down as cowards, must perform the task.</p>
+
+<p>It was well-nigh midnight before we heard anything of the enemy, and then
+a faint hum of voices in the distance told that Sergeant Corney had led
+the way truly and wonderfully well. Never again would I say that he was
+not thoroughly versed in woodcraft.</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier gripped my arm to make certain I understood that we had
+come near to the enemy, and then inch by inch we moved forward, halting a
+few moments every time we incautiously caused a rustling among the
+foliage.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a
+huge fire"]</p>
+
+<p>How long that slow progress continued I cannot rightly say; but it seemed
+to me as if the morning was near at hand when we were arrived, having
+miraculously passed such stragglers, scouts, or sentinels as might have
+been in the vicinity, at a point where we could have a view of this
+particular portion of the encampment.</p>
+
+<p>Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a huge fire,
+while half as many more were feasting, preparing their own food by cutting
+it from the carcasses of two oxen which lay near at hand, and broiling it
+on the live coals.</p>
+
+<p>I knew sufficient of savage customs to understand that, if there had been
+any torturing of prisoners during the evening, such fiendish work was at
+an end, and that which we were witnessing was but the ending of the
+barbarous sport.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was that I mentally thanked Sergeant Corney for having delayed so
+long before starting, for it would have been agony indeed had we been
+forced to witness the horrible spectacle of a white man suffering under
+the knives and by the fire of these wolves in human form.</p>
+
+<p>We remained there stretched out at full length on the ground, with no
+possibility of gaining information which might be of service to us in the
+future, ten minutes or more, and then, suddenly, I was forced to exert all
+my will-power to prevent a scream of fear from escaping my lips, for what
+was unmistakably a human foot had been planted directly upon my leg.</p>
+
+<p>Like a flash, after I succeeded in restraining myself from giving an
+alarm, came the knowledge, I know not how, that he who had stumbled upon
+me was no less frightened than I, and, clutching Sergeant Corney's leg
+nervously to attract his attention, I sprang upon the newcomer, believing
+him to be some Indian straggler whom it was absolutely necessary we should
+silence in order to save our own lives.</p>
+
+<p>So quick had been my motions that the fellow had no opportunity to get
+away, save at the cost of betraying himself to us, and by what seemed to
+be the most fortunate chance, I succeeded, when leaping blindly forward,
+in gripping him by the throat.</p>
+
+<p>We went down together, I on top striving most earnestly to strangle him to
+death, and he fighting quite as strenuously to throw off my hold.</p>
+
+<p>Before one could have counted ten I began to realize that this stranger
+who was at my mercy appeared quite as much afraid of making a noise as did
+I, and involuntarily my grasp was loosened ever so slightly, for I
+understood that had it been an Indian he would have done his best to
+attract the attention of those near the camp-fire.</p>
+
+<p>With this thought came the knowledge that I had beneath me one clad much
+like myself, and not the half-naked body of such villains as marched in
+Thayendanega's train.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was, and just as Sergeant Corney came up to us, that I loosened my
+grasp entirely in order to pass my hands over the stranger's face and
+head.</p>
+
+<p>There were no feathers, no daubs of paint, which should have been
+apparent to the touch, and I whispered, with my mouth close to the
+fellow's ear, while yet pinioning his arms in such a fashion that he could
+not well move:</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"A white man," came the reply, the words sounding thick and muffled
+because of the squeezing which the speaker's throat had received.</p>
+
+<p>Then like a flash came to me that which I should have suspected before!</p>
+
+<p>It was my comrade for whom we had been searching that I was grappling
+with, and, just as the old soldier knelt by my side knife in hand to put
+an end to the struggle, I whispered, for the darkness was so intense that
+I could not even see the face which was but a few inches from my own:</p>
+
+<p>"Are you Jacob Sitz?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay; an' you?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is the sergeant an' Noel, lad, an' right glad am I that we came to
+know each other just as we did, else would your blood have been on our
+hands."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob apparently gave no heed to the close shave which had been his, so
+great was the delight at knowing we were with him once more, and we three
+sat with our heads close together in order that we might question and be
+questioned without fear of betraying our whereabouts.</p>
+
+<p>"Where have you been all this time?" I asked, and Jacob replied, softly:</p>
+
+<p>"Hangin' around this camp. Twice have I come near bein' discovered, an'
+of a verity I believed, when you clutched my throat, that this was the
+last--the endin' of it all."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen your father?" Sergeant Corney asked, and the lad replied,
+triumphantly:</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, an' had speech with him."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is he?"</p>
+
+<p>"In a lodge near Thayendanega's, an' until to-night there has been no
+great danger he would be tortured, as I believe because of the sachem's
+promise that he shall not be killed."</p>
+
+<p>"How did you get to speak with him?" I asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Within three hours after leavin' you I was hereabout, an' saw him. That
+night I crept through the village undiscovered, for even the dogs failed
+to bark at me, I know not why, an' there talked with my father as I now
+talk with you."</p>
+
+<p>"If you got away, why could not he have done the same?" I asked, surprised
+that Jacob should have succeeded in making his way among the lodges.</p>
+
+<p>"I urged him to make the attempt, but he claimed that there was no hope we
+two could leave the village undiscovered. First he was bound hand an'
+foot, an', although I might have cut my way through the lodge to release
+him from the fetters, he forbade it because of the risk, sayin' I must not
+endanger my life on account of mother, an' insistin' that at some future
+time escape would be more easy than then. He ordered me to go home at
+once, providin' I could not find you, an' I would have done so this night
+but for the battle of the mornin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did that stop you?" I asked. "Surely you had no part in it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; but the savages were so infuriated that I feared even Thayendanega
+himself would be unable to prevent the wretches from leadin' my father to
+the stake, therefore I remained on watch. Three prisoners have been
+murdered in a most barbarous manner, but yet he was left unmolested in the
+lodge. Have you somethin' to eat?"</p>
+
+<p>I took from my pocket all the food remaining, and the lad devoured it like
+one famished, whereupon Sergeant Corney asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Have you had nothin' to eat since we left you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I gathered some roots an' berries, but not enough to satisfy my hunger."</p>
+
+<p>"An' yet you would have stayed here longer in danger of starvation?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, until havin' satisfied myself that father was as safe as one can be
+who remains in the power of such as are encamped here. Did you come for no
+other purpose than to find me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nothin' more," I said, not minded to let him know that if he could show
+any reasonable chance of rescuing Peter Sitz it was our purpose to give
+him aid.</p>
+
+<p>"Where have you been all this while?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is too long a story to tell now," Sergeant Corney interrupted. "If
+the savages are not likely to do more than dance from now till mornin', we
+may as well find a shelter in which to spend the morrow, an' then I'm of
+the opinion that the three of us had best make tracks for Cherry Valley,
+as Jacob's father advised."</p>
+
+<p>As he ceased speaking, Sergeant Corney would have led us out of the
+thicket; but Jacob whispered, softly:</p>
+
+<p>"Not half a mile away is a small cave--no more than a hole in the
+hillside, an' there we may remain hidden durin' the hours of daylight."</p>
+
+<p>"Lead the way, an' we will follow," the old man said, in a tone of
+command, and straightway Jacob did as he was thus ordered.</p>
+
+<p>Knowing, as the lad did, very nearly where the Indians might be found, we
+advanced with reasonable rapidity, until having come to the place of which
+he had spoken.</p>
+
+<p>It was indeed no more than a hole in the ground, and so small that when we
+three were lying at full length inside with our heads toward the opening,
+it would have been a very small cat who could have found a chance to lie
+down comfortably with us.</p>
+
+<p>Some bushes and a tangle of creeping vines hid the entrance most
+admirably; but, after we were once inside, I questioned to myself whether
+we had not been reckless in coming directly to this place without taking
+precautions to cover our footprints, for, should a keen-eyed savage chance
+to see our trail, there was good reason for believing he would follow it
+up.</p>
+
+<p>However, we were there, and the mischief might not be undone readily,
+therefore I held my peace, saying mentally that if Sergeant Corney and
+Jacob were satisfied with having taken no especial precautions, then of a
+verity ought I, the least experienced in woodcraft of the three, be
+content.</p>
+
+<p>When Jacob had eaten all the small store of provisions which I gave him
+without having apparently satisfied his hunger, he insisted on our telling
+him what we had done since he left us, and I related the story much as it
+is set down here, spending a full hour in the recital.</p>
+
+<p>When I had finally come to an end, the old soldier proposed that as soon
+as another day had passed we should turn our faces toward Cherry Valley,
+for, after receiving the commands of his father, Jacob could do no less
+than go home.</p>
+
+<p>I understood full well that the lad would have encountered any danger or
+suffered every privation rather than leave this place where his father was
+held prisoner, even though there was little or no hope he could aid him;
+but yet he did not argue against the plan, and thus was it settled that
+when night came again we would start on our journey.</p>
+
+<p>"Save for the fact that father himself insisted I should go, no one could
+force me to leave here," Jacob said, after a long pause, and Sergeant
+Corney added, soothingly, saying that which I question if he himself
+really believed:</p>
+
+<p>"You can do no better, lad. If Thayendanega has given his word to save
+your father's life, so will it be, despite all the howlin' wolves in his
+followin'. But if you should stay here and be discovered tryin' to rescue
+him, there is little doubt that it would result in the death of both."</p>
+
+<p>With that we fell silent once more, and I was right glad of an opportunity
+to sleep.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob insisted that the old soldier and I give ourselves up to slumber
+while he kept guard, for he did not need the rest as much as we.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was that I slept soundly and sweetly until a full hour past
+noon, and when I awakened the sergeant was peering out through the leafy
+curtain in front of the cave, while Jacob was enjoying his turn at sleep.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you see the camp?" I asked, wriggling forward until my head was close
+beside his, and then it was not necessary he should make reply, for we had
+from this place of vantage a fairly good view of the red-skinned portion
+of St. Leger's army.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that the trees and bushes screened certain portions of the
+encampment, but the greater number of the lodges were in a clearing, and
+Sergeant Corney pointed out to me that shelter which Jacob had told him
+was the one where his father was confined.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians were lounging about lazily, some stretched at full length
+sleeping, others gathered in little companies, squatting on the ground as
+they smoked and talked, and not a few moving slowly to and fro; but never
+one who appeared to have any business on hand.</p>
+
+<p>There were both women and children in the camp, which struck me as being
+odd, for when savages set off on the war-path it is not customary for them
+to take their families; but I explained this peculiar state of affairs to
+myself by the supposition that the women had been brought that they might
+do the work, which is deemed unfitting a warrior.</p>
+
+<p>"Jacob counts on payin' one more visit to his father before we start,"
+Sergeant Corney said to me, when, having wearied with gazing at the scene,
+I turned away.</p>
+
+<p>"To what end?" I asked, with somewhat of irritation, for it did not seem
+to me wise the lad should run the chances of capture when nothing was to
+be effected by taking such risks.</p>
+
+<p>"Only that he may speak with him."</p>
+
+<p>"But it is folly!" I said, sharply. "It has been possible for him to go
+into the village twice; but of a certainty it cannot be done many times in
+safety."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right, lad, an' yet how can we refuse him? Fancy if your father
+was in the same tight place, an' ask yourself if, when about to turn your
+back on him, perhaps forever, the desire to hold converse with him once
+more would not be stronger than the fear of disaster?"</p>
+
+<p>To this I could make no reply, as a matter of course; yet I was still
+firmly convinced that it was a foolhardy venture. If there had been a
+possibility of his doing the prisoner any good, then would I have said
+that we would stay on until further efforts were of no avail. As it was,
+however, Peter Sitz himself had said it was wiser for Jacob to go, and
+surely he, the most interested and the most experienced in such matters,
+should be the judge.</p>
+
+<p>I held my tongue, even though rebelling against the scheme, because of
+knowing that the lad was prompted only by love, and yet my heart grew
+heavy within me, until I had become convinced that something of evil would
+follow.</p>
+
+<p>So disturbed was I in mind that it was impossible to close my eyes in
+slumber again, even though knowing that my best preparation for the
+journey would consist in getting all the rest I could.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney had fallen into what seemed to me a moody silence; I
+looked out now and then at the painted forms of those human wolves, who
+would lay waste our happy valley, and wished most fervently that I had the
+power to destroy them all with one blow.</p>
+
+<p>When one has seen, as have I, women and children butchered in the most
+fiendish manner which a wicked man can devise, he cannot consider
+bloodthirsty the person who would, if he could, wipe out the entire race.
+It would only be an act of mercy to the colonists, who lived in momentary
+fear, not so much of sudden death as of barbarous torture.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob slept until nightfall, and when he awakened the first thought in his
+mind was to set off on his dangerous and useless venture; but Sergeant
+Corney advised that he wait until the night was well advanced, and to this
+I agreed, although chafing against the expenditure of time, because he
+would but have ensured his own capture had he ventured among the wretches
+while the entire encampment was astir.</p>
+
+<p>We did not have supper for the very good reason that we had no provisions,
+but buckled our belts a bit tighter, because already was hunger beginning
+to assail us.</p>
+
+<p>As we waited for the lengthening of the night, Jacob went over in detail
+his experiences while Sergeant Corney and I were with General Herkimer,
+and this served to make the time seemingly pass more swiftly.</p>
+
+<p>The savages evidently had no fiendish sport on their programme for this
+evening, most likely because of having exhausted themselves the night
+previous, and at a reasonably early hour this portion of St. Leger's army
+was in a comparative state of quietude.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, if ever, is the time when you can go, lad; but remember that I
+advise against it, as would your father," Sergeant Corney said, gravely.
+"I am not minded to argue you out of what your heart is set upon, but ask
+that you give the matter due weight before goin' so far that retreat will
+be impossible."</p>
+
+<p>"I must speak with my father once more," Jacob said, in a tone so piteous
+that I did not have the heart to make any protest.</p>
+
+<p>"Then God go with you," the old soldier said, solemnly, and in a twinkling
+my comrade had slipped out of the cave, being lost to our view almost
+immediately amid the foliage near at hand.</p>
+
+<p>When we were thus left alone a silence fell upon us. Because of the
+forebodings in my heart I was not inclined for conversation, and I dare
+venture to say the sergeant held his peace for much the same reason.</p>
+
+<p>During half an hour, perhaps, we listened intently, fearing each instant
+lest we hear those sounds which would betoken the capture of Jacob, and
+then did it seem probable he had succeeded in the venture, at least so far
+as gaining the village was concerned.</p>
+
+<p>Regarding him I had no further anxiety, and, without being aware that
+slumber was weighing heavily upon my eyelids, I fell asleep.</p>
+
+<p>I could not have been unconscious many moments, for it seemed as if my
+eyes had but just closed, when I was aroused by the pressure of Sergeant
+Corney's hand upon my arm, and as I would have sprung up he forced me
+down, whispering:</p>
+
+<p>"The savages are comin' this way, an' it looks to me mightily as if they
+counted on stoppin' hereabouts."
+
+Involuntarily I parted the vines at the mouth of the cave, for I had been
+lying with my head close upon them, and gazed down the side of the small
+hill, where it was possible to see, even despite the gloom of the night,
+no less than ten forms coming up the incline as if following a trail.</p>
+
+<p>"They have taken Jacob, an' he has told them where we are," I said on the
+impulse of the moment, not meaning to cast reproach upon the lad, but
+knowing what fiendish means those wretches employed in order to extort
+information.</p>
+
+<p>"We would have heard the noise of a squabble if he had been captured, an'
+I have stood watch ever since he left," Sergeant Corney said, decidedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Can they be followin' our trail in the darkness?" I cried, and my
+companion replied, grimly, drawing his rifle nearer to him:</p>
+
+<p>"It makes no difference to us, lad, why or how they are comin'. The
+question is whether, in case they find this place, we shall fight to the
+death or submit without resistance."</p>
+
+<p>It was a question I could not answer. I knew full well that we could not
+hope to hold the cave any considerable length of time, and that if, during
+the fight, we killed any of the villains, our end at the stake would come
+before morning, even though Thayendanega himself should do all he might to
+prevent it.</p>
+
+<p>I remained silent, the Indians approaching nearer and nearer each instant,
+and, when they were half-way up the hill, within perhaps thirty yards of
+the mouth of the cave, the sergeant said, as if speaking to himself:</p>
+
+<p>"All we can hope for, if we should put up a fight, is to die with weapons
+in our hands, for death in some form would come to us within a few hours.
+While there's life there's a chance."</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' that we had best give ourselves up?" I asked, in alarm.
+
+"Ay, lad, that is my idee, unless you can show me something better."</p>
+
+<p>There was little time for reflection. Already were the Indians so near
+that I fancied I could hear them breathing. I knew that the cave had no
+other outlet than this one at which we crouched, but also that two
+determined men might hold half an hundred in check as long as their
+ammunition lasted--but then?</p>
+
+<p>The foremost of the red-skinned snakes were within a dozen feet of us when
+I whispered, with tremulous voice:</p>
+
+<p>"It shall be as you say, sergeant!"</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "With upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of
+foliage"]</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch10"></a>Chapter X.</h2>
+
+<h3>Prisoners.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>I believe if at that critical moment I had decided it was best we hold the
+cave against the foe, regardless of the ultimate consequence, Sergeant
+Corney would have done my bidding. But immediately I declared myself
+willing to act as he thought best, the old man threw down his rifle, and,
+with upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of foliage into the
+very arms of those who were coming up the slope.</p>
+
+<p>Just for one instant there was in my mind the thought that I might slink
+back into the further end of the cave, and possibly escape detection,
+unless it so chanced that the savages knew exactly how many were hidden
+there. But, fortunately, before there was time to do anything so cowardly,
+a realization of what it meant to thus hang back when I had spoken the
+words which sent my comrade forward came upon me with full force, and I
+followed him so closely that he could not have had any suspicion of that
+which, for the merest fraction of time, found lodgment in my heart.</p>
+
+<p>It was too dark for me to see the look of triumph on the faces of our
+captors; but I knew they wore such expressions, because of the cries of
+satisfaction and shouts of delight which burst from them when we, unarmed,
+stood in their midst.</p>
+
+<p>I was satisfied in my own mind that they had seen the trail, even in the
+darkness, which had been made when we three entered the cave, or by Jacob
+as he went out, and had followed it rather from curiosity than the belief
+that white men were in the vicinity.</p>
+
+<p>This idea of mine, although there was in it nothing favoring to us, gave
+me no little relief of mind, for it led to the conclusion that Jacob was
+yet free.</p>
+
+<p>After the first outburst of rejoicing at having taken two captives at a
+time and in a place where they least expected to find them, the Indians
+set about securing us in the most businesslike manner.</p>
+
+<p>Some one of the party brought strips of rawhide, by which our hands and
+arms were bound tightly to our sides, and with so large a surrounding that
+it would have been impossible to escape even had we been unfettered, they
+led us down to the village, where we were greeted by the squaws and the
+children with fiendish cries of delight.</p>
+
+<p>I knew enough of savage customs to understand that we would be forced to
+submit to a certain amount of ill-treatment from the female portion of the
+band before the warriors decided upon our fate, and nerved myself to bear
+it as best I might, realizing that any show of weakness at such a time
+would work to our disadvantage later.</p>
+
+<p>We were tied to a tree, Sergeant Corney on one side and I on the other,
+within twenty paces of Thayendanega's lodge, where the light of the
+camp-fire shone full upon us.</p>
+
+<p>The braves of the tribe seated themselves in a circle, as if holding a
+council to determine our fate, while the squaws and the young boys amused
+themselves by holding stout sticks in the fire until one end was a living
+coal, and then placing these against our hands, until the pain was so
+great that only by summoning all my strength of will could I prevent
+myself from screaming.</p>
+
+<p>Even at such a time, when our lives were literally hanging in the balance,
+I found somewhat of comfort in the thought that Sergeant Corney was with
+me, and not very far away Peter Sitz could probably see us.</p>
+
+<p>It may be difficult to understand why knowledge of that kind should serve
+to cheer one at such a horrible moment, and I myself cannot explain it. It
+simply remains a fact that I seemed in less danger of being murdered than
+if I had been the only prisoner in the encampment.</p>
+
+<p>"It's plain that Jacob was not captured, else we would see him near by,"
+Sergeant Corney said to me, and I tried my best to enter into conversation
+with him, to the end that I might in some slight degree take my mind from
+the torture which, perhaps, was but a foretaste of what I would be forced
+to suffer.</p>
+
+<p>"He will be overcome with grief on knowin' that by lingerin' to speak once
+more with his father we were captured, an' I fear the lad may be led to
+some foolishly reckless move," I said, at the same moment trying to stifle
+a groan.</p>
+
+<p>"If he will but stop a moment to rigger the matter out, he'll understand
+that only by keepin' clear of this camp can he hope to help us," the old
+man replied, and I asked, sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really believe, sergeant, that any one can aid us now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Tut, tut, lad; do not give yourself up for dead yet awhile. So long as
+there's life there's a chance. Peter Sitz has been in the clutches of
+these villains many a day, an' yet, 'cordin' to Jacob's story, he's as
+sound an' hearty as when he left Cherry Valley."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay; but his life has been saved because Joseph Brant knew him before the
+dream of bein' made great sachem of the Six Nations turned that redskin
+into the most bloodthirsty of savages."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet had you been in Peter Sitz's place when he was first taken prisoner,
+your despair would likely have been as great as it seems to be now."</p>
+
+<p>I knew that Sergeant Corney would say many things which he himself did not
+believe, if he thought thereby he might strengthen my courage for the
+terrible ordeal which was probably before us; therefore his words of
+cheer had less weight than might otherwise have been the case.</p>
+
+<p>Not until it seemed to me every square inch of my hands had been burned to
+a blister, and there was a livid, red mark across my forehead, where an
+old hag had scorched me with a burning brand, did the squaws tire of their
+cruel sport, and then we were left comparatively alone, with sufficient of
+pain to keep us so keenly alive to the situation that weariness of body
+did not make itself apparent.</p>
+
+<p>"We came to aid Jacob, and now ourselves are standing in need of
+assistance," I said, bitterly, for this seemed like the irony of fate.</p>
+
+<p>"True for you, lad, an' yet we won't look at it in that light. But for
+marvellous good luck we would have been made prisoners before this,
+therefore let us reckon it simply as the fortune of war, and not count
+Jacob the cause of our trouble."</p>
+
+<p>I would have replied yet more bitterly than before, but for the fact that
+at the moment it so chanced my eyes were fixed upon the lodge wherein our
+comrade had said his father was held prisoner, and I saw the flap pulled
+cautiously aside.</p>
+
+<p>Then the face of a man could be seen close to the ground, and I said,
+eagerly, to my companion, who, perforce, had his head turned in the
+opposite direction:</p>
+
+<p>"Peter Sitz is lookin' at us."</p>
+
+<p>"I would he had remained ignorant of our whereabouts," Sergeant Corney
+muttered, and I asked, in surprise:</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because, in addition to his own sufferin', he must believe that we've
+been brought to this plight through tryin' to aid him, an' it only serves
+to make his troubles greater, without lessenin' ours."</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney was rapidly becoming a hero in my eyes, for surely it is a
+brave man who, when he stands in most imminent danger, can think rather of
+others than himself.</p>
+
+<p>We spoke but little from this time on, the sergeant and I. The rawhides,
+which were tied so tightly as to nearly stop the circulation of blood,
+were eating their way into our flesh, and the pain thus caused became
+greater than the smarting of the blisters raised by the burning brands.</p>
+
+<p>We knew that those who formed that circle of painted forms but a short
+distance away were deciding whether we be put to torture immediately, or
+reserved for some especial time of rejoicing, and there grew upon me such
+a fascination as is sometimes brought about by keenest peril, until I
+almost forgot the desperate situation as I watched those who held our fate
+in their hands, trying to discover from the expression on their hideous
+faces what might be the result of the conference.</p>
+
+<p>As the moments passed I sank into a sort of apathy, until it was as if
+some other lad's fate trembled in the balance, and I myself was looking
+down upon the encampment from a secure place of refuge.</p>
+
+<p>The fires burned dim. One by one Thayendanega's heathens stalked away to
+his lodge, until the council was finally brought to a close; a deep
+silence came over the encampment, as if all, save that white face which I
+could see just beneath the flap of the lodge in front of me, and we two
+who were bound to the tree, were wrapped in slumber.</p>
+
+<p>"We can count on remainin' alive at least until to-morrow night," Sergeant
+Corney said, as if imparting some cheering information, "for these
+wretches do not torture a prisoner in the daytime."</p>
+
+<p>"Unless some change is made speedily I will not be in their power, for of
+a verity I am dyin', Sergeant Corney," I said, and he, thinking, of
+course, to cheer me, laughed almost merrily as he replied:</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, lad, you are a long ways from bein' dead. I allow your body is
+numbed, but that's all. If these strips of rawhide were slackened a bit,
+you'd soon find yourself feelin' as well as ever, save, perchance, for the
+blisters upon your hands."</p>
+
+<p>"If we <i>could</i> stretch them a bit," I cried, trying vainly to change the
+position of my arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, but you can't, lad, an' by makin' the effort you'll only cause them
+to bind the tighter."</p>
+
+<p>How that long night passed I cannot well say. The agony of mind, together
+with the bodily pain, benumbed all my senses until I was like one in a
+trance, hearing nothing, seeing nothing, save the gleam of that white
+face beneath the flap of the lodge where Peter Sitz kept mournful watch
+upon us.</p>
+
+<p>The morning came, and like one under the influence of some hideous
+nightmare I became aware that the savages were loosening the rawhide
+thongs. Faintly, with but little curiosity regarding the matter, I
+wondered if we were to be killed at once, regardless of the usual customs
+of such wretches.</p>
+
+<p>When the bonds had been removed the sergeant and I sank down upon the
+ground helpless, unable to move hand or foot, and in that condition we
+were dragged into the lodge where was Jacob's father.</p>
+
+<p>There we were bound quite as securely and cruelly as before, the thongs
+cutting fresh welts into our wrists and ankles; but the relief caused by
+the change of position was so great that it seemed as if I had every
+reason for thankfulness.</p>
+
+<p>Here, when our captors had made certain we could not by any possibility
+escape, we were left alone with Peter Sitz, and his first question was as
+to why we had ventured within reach of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney, minded to save our neighbor from the self-reproach which
+might be his if he knew we were in such plight through desire to aid his
+son or himself, replied that we had been sent into the vicinity by General
+Herkimer, and then explained how we came across Jacob, as well was the
+manner in which we had been taken prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>"Will they torture us to death?" I asked, giving words to that question
+which had been uppermost in my mind from the moment we saw the painted
+sneaks approaching the cave, and Master Sitz replied, with a painful
+effort at cheerfulness:</p>
+
+<p>"It's for you to believe that they won't, lad. Remember how long I've been
+in their power, an' yet have come to no real harm, so far as life is
+concerned, although this bein' trussed up like a chicken ready for the
+roastin' is by no means pleasant or comfortable."</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that Sergeant Corney, minded as I now believe only to change
+the subject of conversation, asked Master Sitz why it was we had failed to
+see him during the march from Cherry Valley to the Indian village.</p>
+
+<p>The explanation was simple, and at the same time served to show, to my
+mind at least, that Jacob's father would not be led to the stake.</p>
+
+<p>It seems that when he was first captured, at the time Lieutenant Wormwood
+was killed, he came face to face with Thayendanega, and that savage
+recognized him at once, speaking in such a friendly tone that Master Sitz
+immediately appealed for mercy.</p>
+
+<p>The sachem declared that if he remained with the war party it might be
+impossible to save him, and even went so far in his friendliness as to
+explain that it were better he be sent ahead to the Indian village, for,
+having once arrived at that place, there was little fear of the warriors
+demanding his death until on some especial occasion.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore, within half an hour after having been made prisoner, Master
+Sitz was being hurried forward to Oghkwaga, under charge of two savages,
+and was well on his journey before we started.</p>
+
+<p>When, immediately after the interview with General Herkimer, Thayendanega
+hurried his tribe on to join St. Leger's forces, he so far submitted to
+the demands of his followers as to allow them to take Peter Sitz on the
+war-path with them.</p>
+
+<p>"More than once have the red devils insisted on torturin' me; but each
+time Joseph Brant has prevented them, although I question if he could have
+done so but for the unfortunate men who were captured in the battle with
+General Herkimer's troops."</p>
+
+<p>Peter Sitz ceased speaking very suddenly, and I had not the courage to ask
+him how those prisoners suffered; I could imagine that they came to a most
+horrible end, and knew that my worst picturing of it would fall far short
+of the reality.</p>
+
+<p>Then Jacob's father spoke of the possibility that we might escape with our
+lives; but it was evident he did so with an effort, and I had it in mind
+that he only tried to cheer me, while he was convinced that his end, as
+well as ours, would come at the stake before the siege was finished.</p>
+
+<p>And now I do not propose to make any effort at giving in detail all that
+occurred while we lay cruelly bound, during a greater portion of the time,
+in this lodge, situate almost in the centre of the Indian camp.</p>
+
+<p>For eight days we were kept thus close prisoners, without a ray of hope,
+and then came the unexpected.</p>
+
+<p>At least once in every twenty-four hours, and sometimes twice, the bonds
+were taken from our arms that we might feed ourselves on such food as
+savages cast to their dogs. Perhaps thrice in that long term of captivity
+were we permitted to walk around the lodge, and, save for that short
+respite from our suffering, I believe of a verity we would have lost the
+use of our limbs.</p>
+
+<p>Half-starved, suffering oftentimes the keenest pangs of thirst, and
+believing that all this torture was the preface to something yet worse, it
+can well be imagined that we were indeed a sorry party. Even Sergeant
+Corney ceased trying to animate us, for despair had seized upon him.</p>
+
+<p>When we did hold converse among ourselves, it was usually regarding Jacob.
+We had neither seen nor heard anything of the lad since the hour he left
+us in the cave to get speech with his father, and it was to me wondrous
+strange that he who had been so eager when there was but one prisoner, had
+apparently lost all desire to render aid after two more had been captured.</p>
+
+<p>During the first two or three days we believed he was skulking around
+somewhere near at hand, with the vain hope that he might be able to effect
+our escape; but as the time passed on it became certain that such could
+not be the case, otherwise he would have succeeded in making his way to
+the lodge, as he had done when his father was the only occupant of it.</p>
+
+<p>So far as I could make out, there was no more vigilant guard kept after we
+were taken than before, and the lad must have succeeded in getting speech
+with us had he made the effort during those times when the savages gave
+themselves up to dancing or feasting, as occurred at least once in every
+eight and forty hours.</p>
+
+<p>Then we decided he had gone in search of General Herkimer's men, thinking
+to enlist a sufficient number of them in our behalf; but if such had been
+the case we should have heard something from him, at least when eight days
+were passed, and after that time we made no mention of the lad, believing
+he had been discovered near the encampment and killed outright.</p>
+
+<p>And now it must be understood that during all this time St. Leger's army
+was laying close siege to Fort Schuyler, and, strange as it may seem, we,
+closely confined in that lodge of skins, had a fairly good idea of what
+was happening.</p>
+
+<p>More than one of the Indians spoke English, and, not unfrequently, the
+Tories or British officers came to visit Thayendanega in his own lodge,
+when we could overhear a goodly portion of the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it was we knew that Colonel Billinger and Major Frey, officers from
+General Herkimer's force, who had been taken prisoners by some of the
+British during the battle of Oriskany, had been compelled, under threats
+of torture, to write a letter to Colonel Gansevoort, misrepresenting St.
+Leger's strength, and advising him to surrender.</p>
+
+<p>We also knew that this letter, written under pressure, was delivered by
+Colonel Butler, who went to the fort with a flag of truce, and, when the
+commandant flatly refused to surrender, the Tory officer threatened that,
+in case it became necessary to take the fortification by force, the women
+and children inside would be delivered over to the mercies of the Indians.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately Colonel Gansevoort was too brave a man to be frightened by
+such threats, and when Colonel Butler told him that Burgoyne had already
+taken possession of Albany, he became thoroughly well convinced that the
+officer was deliberately lying to him.</p>
+
+<p>At all events, he refused to surrender, and two days later General St.
+Leger sent a written demand, the reply to which contained the emphatic
+statement that it was Colonel Gansevoort's determined resolution with the
+force under his command, to defend the fort to the last extremity.</p>
+
+<p>We learned also, through different friendly visits which were paid to
+Joseph Brant by the officers, that General St. Leger was continuing the
+siege in true military fashion, advancing by parallels slowly but surely,
+and it was the belief of all our enemies that they must of a necessity
+soon succeed in their purpose.</p>
+
+<p>The information which we thus obtained did not tend to make us feel any
+more comfortable in mind. In case the fort was taken, the utmost we could
+hope for would be to escape death, but at the cost of remaining, no one
+knows how long, as slaves to the savages.</p>
+
+<p>If, however, the garrison made such a resistance as we believed they
+would, and then were finally overcome, the Indians being allowed to wreak
+vengeance until their thirst for blood was satisfied, then was it probable
+we would go to the stake with a goodly company and little chance of
+escape.</p>
+
+<p>However, I am not minded to set down here all our fears. One can readily
+understand how many and great they were, and how we twisted and turned
+each additional bit of information which we gathered by eavesdropping,
+until it seemed as if matters which had no bearing whatsoever on our
+condition were a direct and deadly menace.</p>
+
+<p>I have said that we were eight days closely confined in this one lodge,
+and then came the night when we were lifted from out the mire of despair
+into which we had fallen, so suddenly as to make us literally dizzy with
+hope.</p>
+
+<p>During the afternoon of this day Thayendanega's warriors had spent their
+time laying on an unusual quantity of paint, and arraying themselves to
+the last feather of their finery, therefore we knew that something of
+considerable importance was on foot. When they marched out of the
+encampment, the medicine-men leading the way, with the beating of drums
+and blowing of horns, we believed a council of war was to be held, in
+which these wretches, most likely to tickle their vanity, had been invited
+to take part.</p>
+
+<p>When, just as they were setting out, the rain began to fall heavily and
+the wind to blow in a manner which betokened a summer storm, I found the
+wildest delight in picturing to myself the discomforts which would be
+theirs unless St. Leger had tents sufficient to provide them all with
+shelter.</p>
+
+<p>At another time I would have given little heed to such a trifling matter,
+but now it seemed of so much importance that I spoke to my companions in
+misery regarding it, picturing the bedraggled condition of the fine
+feathers after they had become thoroughly saturated, and was talking with
+more of animation than at any time since having been made prisoner, when
+suddenly a sound, as of some one scratching on the skin of the lodge,
+caused my heart to bound until it seemed positive its furious beatings
+could be heard a long distance off.</p>
+
+<p>"It is Jacob!" I cried, speaking incautiously loud.</p>
+
+<p>A warning hiss from Peter Sitz brought me to my senses, and in a fever of
+suspense I listened for the sound which had first attracted my attention,
+to be repeated.</p>
+
+<p>The silence remained unbroken, save for the lightest rustling of the
+skins, until, in the dim light to which my eyes had been so long
+accustomed, I saw Jacob's head and shoulders inside the lodge.</p>
+
+<p>It was only with difficulty I restrained myself from crying aloud with
+joy, for now it seemed, even surrounded by enemies though we were, that
+because my comrade had come were we rescued.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch11"></a>Chapter XI.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Escape.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>So great was my delight at seeing Jacob slowly working his way into the
+lodge, that there was no room in my heart for surprise. I entirely forgot
+to be astonished because after so long a time he had returned, or to
+question why it was he dared venture within the encampment.</p>
+
+<p>Only the fact that he was there presented itself to my mind, and I gave no
+heed to anything else.</p>
+
+<p>I struggled violently to reach the dear lad, intent on throwing my arms
+around him in order to show how deeply I felt this devotion of his which
+had brought him back, perhaps, to a terrible death; but Master Sitz and
+Sergeant Corney remained silent and motionless until Jacob was well within
+the lodge. Then his father said, conveying reproach even in the whisper:</p>
+
+<p>"Why have you come here after once having gotten well away from the place?
+You can do us no good, an' only hope to add to the savages' list of
+victims."</p>
+
+<p>"They have not got me yet," Jacob replied, cheerily, and I understood
+that his courage had been greatly stiffened since the night he crept out
+from the cave. "There's a big powwow goin' on over at St. Leger's camp,
+an' no one is on guard hereabouts. This is the time when, if ever, you can
+escape."</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me as if the lad talked the veriest nonsense in speaking of
+our escape by simply crawling away from the lodge, situate as it was in
+the very midst of the encampment; but Jacob had the whole plan in his
+mind, and was not to be disheartened, however much cold water we might
+throw upon it.</p>
+
+<p>It may seem strange, but such is the fact, that even when thus surrounded
+by danger my curiosity was so great that I asked him, even before he had
+time to explain how he hoped to effect our rescue, where he had been so
+long.</p>
+
+<p>"At Cherry Valley," he replied, as if a journey there and back was the
+most simple thing imaginable.</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' that you have been home since the night you left the cave?" I
+repeated, in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, no less than that."</p>
+
+<p>"But why did you do it?" I cried, speaking so loudly as to call forth a
+warning groan from Sergeant Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"Because I believed it might be possible for you to escape, providin' we
+had help enough near at hand," he replied, and I said, even more
+mystified than before:</p>
+
+<p>"Surely you could not expect to get help for us from Cherry Valley?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay; and that is just what I did."</p>
+
+<p>"Is my uncle here?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed; he believed my scheme to be so wild that he would hardly
+listen to me, and said you three had the same as come to your death
+already, therefore it was useless to raise a finger in your behalf while
+there were so many hundred people near at hand needin' assistance."</p>
+
+<p>"Who then did you expect would come to our aid?" I asked, and Jacob
+replied, with what sounded very like a chuckle of satisfaction:</p>
+
+<p>"Who else, save the Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley?"</p>
+
+<p>But for the rawhide ropes which held me so cruelly immovable, I would have
+leaped to my feet in astonishment; as it was, I involuntarily gave so
+violent a start as to cause myself considerable pain, and then asked, in
+great heat:</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you play upon our hopes, so lately raised, by declaring that the
+company of lads is here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of play about it, Noel," Jacob replied, in so cheery a tone
+that my heart became wondrously light. "Four an' twenty of our company,
+with John Sammons still acting as captain, are within an hundred yards of
+this lodge, an', what is more, we count on takin' you away with us before
+another day shall dawn."</p>
+
+<p>Then it was as if Jacob believed he had satisfied our curiosity so much as
+was necessary at such a time, for without delay he moved from one to the
+other, deftly cutting the rawhide which held us motionless, and three
+minutes had not elapsed from the time he first showed himself inside the
+lodge until our limbs were freed.</p>
+
+<p>We were no longer bound, but yet remained helpless. I could move neither
+hand nor foot, struggle as I might. It was as if my limbs were dead while
+my body yet remained alive; but Jacob, who had in his wild plan considered
+just such a probability, set about chafing my arms and legs until the
+feeling began to return.</p>
+
+<p>He performed the same office for Sergeant Corney, I aiding in the task
+before it was finished; but a good ten minutes elapsed before we had
+command of our limbs, and then it was that even Master Sitz began to
+believe it might be possible for us to escape from the encampment.</p>
+
+<p>While he worked over us, Jacob, understanding that we were being literally
+overwhelmed with curiosity regarding his movements during the long
+absence, explained that he was but a short distance from the cave when we
+were made prisoners, and at first almost gave way to despair because of
+what seemed to him the hardest stroke which an ill fortune could deliver.</p>
+
+<p>During that night he kept us in view, until learning that we would not be
+put to death immediately, and then the lad searched in his mind for some
+plan which might give promise, however slight, of success.</p>
+
+<p>He could not hope that those in the fort, closely besieged as they were,
+would be willing to make a desperate venture in order to aid three men,
+when so many hundred were in peril, and, even though the chances might be
+in favor of Colonel Gansevoort's being ready to make a sortie in our
+behalf, they were decidedly against Jacob's being able to communicate with
+the garrison.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was he bethought himself of the Minute Boys, who were not
+absolutely needed in Cherry Valley after the hundred and fifty soldiers
+were quartered there, and, without knowing how they might be able to aid
+him in the almost hopeless task, he set off at full speed for our home,
+travelling by night as by day, with no more halts than were absolutely
+necessary in order to recruit his strength.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Campbell, my uncle, was much averse to Jacob's wild plans. He
+believed that, because of the danger which threatened all the inhabitants
+of the Mohawk Valley, it was in the highest degree foolhardy to make any
+such effort toward saving the lives of three people as might jeopardize an
+hundred times that number. However, while saying flatly it was a boy's
+scheme, and not worthy the attention of men, he stated that he would not
+put any obstruction in the way of those who chose to make the hazard,
+save to state openly that whosoever left on such a mission was but
+hastening his own death.</p>
+
+<p>It quickened the sluggish blood in my veins when Jacob said that, after he
+had summoned the Minute Boys and explained to them in what peril we three
+were, never one showed the slightest disinclination to do as he proposed.</p>
+
+<p>John Sammons, the lad who was acting as captain in my absence, insisted
+that it was plainly the duty of every member of the company to do
+whatsoever he might in our behalf, and the result was that the lad had
+been in Cherry Valley no more than half an hour before every member of the
+company was armed and outfitted for the perilous venture.</p>
+
+<p>At the very last moment, however, eight or ten of the number were
+dissuaded by their parents; but the remainder started hotfoot for Fort
+Schuyler, arriving an hour before this last day had dawned.</p>
+
+<p>The only plan which Jacob had formed in his mind was to get speech with us
+as speedily as possible after arriving. Then, if needs be, he would make a
+dash upon the encampment, and trust to the Minute Boys fighting their way
+out with us in their midst.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately, however, he saw very speedily after daybreak that something
+of import was taking place, and wisely waited until it could be seen that
+every warrior was making ready for a grand powwow.</p>
+
+<p>Now, so he told us, the Minute Boys were waiting hardly more than an
+hundred yards distant, and, if it should be possible for us to make our
+way through the encampment to that point, it was the determination of
+every lad to fight to the best of his ability, with the hope of being able
+to retreat meanwhile in case the Indians were aroused.</p>
+
+<p>He who would not have done his best at escaping after all Jacob's work,
+and in face of the pluck shown by our comrades, deserved of a verity to
+remain prisoner even until he was led to the stake; but, as can well be
+imagined, neither of us three hung back from the hazard, for surely it was
+better to die fighting than be tortured as Thayendanega's wolves could
+torture a human being.</p>
+
+<p>Master Sitz made one stipulation, however, which was that Jacob should
+lead the way as we crept out from the lodge, and, in event of our attempt
+at escape being discovered while we were yet within the encampment, the
+lad was to save himself without giving heed to us.</p>
+
+<p>"There shall not be another victim added to our number," Jacob's father
+said, in a tone of determination. "Strike out for your comrades, in case
+the alarm is given, my boy, and if we are taken again leave us to our
+fate."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob made no reply to this; but I believed that if the need arose he
+would disobey his father's command without compunction.</p>
+
+<p>There was no time to linger. At any moment the powwow might be brought to
+an end, or some warrior return to the encampment, therefore it stood us in
+hand to move quickly, and so we did.</p>
+
+<p>Not until Jacob was well outside the lodge did either of us three make any
+move to follow him, and then Sergeant Corney would have pushed me under
+the skins, which he raised slightly, but that I hung back, declaring it
+was Master Sitz's place to go first; but the old man forced me forward.</p>
+
+<p>How my heart beat when for the first time in eight days I had full command
+of my limbs, and wriggled myself out into the clear air! It seemed as if
+every movement of my arms or legs caused so much noise that the few who
+remained in the lodges must be alarmed, and that I moved at even less than
+a snail's pace, when every muscle was being strained in the effort to
+advance rapidly.</p>
+
+<p>The perspiration came out upon my forehead in great drops, caused, not by
+the heat, but by the mental anguish, and again and again I said to myself
+that Jacob had labored for naught, since it would be impossible I could
+crawl undetected even over the short distance.</p>
+
+<p>And when, in my excited frame of mind, it seemed as if the escape was but
+just begun, I found myself in the thicket amid those lads who had been my
+playmates since I could remember, while each strove to show in silence
+how delighted he was that I had come safely.</p>
+
+<p>Then ensued another time of keenest suspense, when we strained our ears to
+hear the lightest sound which should betoken that the squaws of the
+encampment had been alarmed, and once more our hearts leaped up in joy as
+Master Sitz came behind the screen of bushes.</p>
+
+<p>Now we had only to wait for Sergeant Corney, and, having seen what he
+could do in the wilderness, I had no doubt but that he would succeed in
+his purpose, which he soon did.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps no more than half an hour had passed from the time we first saw
+Jacob until we three, so lately prisoners, were surrounded by that brave
+band of lads who, by calling themselves "Minute Boys," had excited the
+mirth of the elders of Cherry Valley, and yet never one who was not
+prepared to sacrifice his own life for the welfare of the others.</p>
+
+<p>"What are we to do?" Sergeant Corney said, turning to me, as if I should
+resume command of this company of mine, and I replied, promptly, with
+never a thought of claiming my rights as captain:</p>
+
+<p>"It is for you to lead, sergeant, an' we will obey. There's not one in
+this company so well fitted as you to take us out from amid the dangers
+which surround us."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet my idea of what is safest may seem to the rest of you like veriest
+folly," he replied, as if he would shirk the responsibility, and Master
+Sitz said, eagerly:</p>
+
+<p>"It all seems to me like a piece of folly, Sergeant Corney, even though
+because of it are we brought out from the power of our enemies. You can do
+no more hairbrained things than has already been done by my son."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, if the command be left to me, we shall make our way into Fort
+Schuyler, provided that be possible."</p>
+
+<p>"Fort Schuyler!" I cried, in dismay.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, an' we shall be there before another day dawns if we live,
+provided we make the start."</p>
+
+<p>"But why not put as many miles between us and this place as is possible?"
+I cried, with no slight show of irritation, for the imminence of the
+danger set every nerve tingling until I could think of nothing save the
+most hurried flight.</p>
+
+<p>"It stands us in hand to go there, first, because they are in need of our
+help, and, secondly, because we shall stand a better show of finally
+escaping from the savages."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you make that out?" John Sammons asked, and I understood from his
+tone that he was not inclined for the hazard.</p>
+
+<p>"Think you Thayendanega's wolves will lose the prisoners whom they counted
+on seeing at the stake, without some effort to retake them?" the old man
+asked, sharply, and John Sammons replied:</p>
+
+<p>"All that we understand; but reckon on puttin' a goodly distance between
+us an' yonder encampment before to-morrow mornin'. Unless there is an
+accident the escape will not be known for many hours, and then should we
+have so much the lead that we could count with some degree of assurance
+upon gaining Cherry Valley."</p>
+
+<p>"In that I do not agree, lad, an' for many reasons. We cannot advance at
+full speed, because it will be necessary to spend some time in learnin'
+whether there be an enemy in the road; but the savages followin' the trail
+may come as fast as their legs can bring them, therefore will they travel
+three miles to our two."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay; but we should be able to hold in good play as many as may overtake
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"That must be accordin' to the fortunes of war. It is hardly to be
+reckoned that we could fight a pitched battle without losin' some portion
+of our company, and I would have this brave rescue of yours accomplished
+with as little cost as may be. Therefore have I in mind to enter Fort
+Schuyler."</p>
+
+<p>I cannot truly say that Sergeant Corney convinced us his plan was the
+best; but certain it is we were silenced, as was no more than proper,
+since it stood to reason he knew best about such affairs.</p>
+
+<p>After this, having made up our minds that we must attempt the perilous
+task, came the question of how it should be done, and on this point the
+old soldier gave us very little opportunity for discussion.</p>
+
+<p>"It is my plan that we circle around the encampment, even beyond St.
+Leger's quarters, in order to get a general idea of what may be goin' on,
+an', havin' arrived at the road westward of the fortification, you lads
+shall get in hidin' while I try once more to open communication with the
+garrison."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should you go alone?" I asked. "We might remain in a body, and thus
+save just so much time. If one can do the trick, then may it be possible
+for two, or a dozen."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, to make one's way across the open country, I grant you; but
+remember, lad, how long it would have taken to gain admission when we were
+there before had the garrison not been warned that we were in the
+vicinity. This time they will look upon us as enemies until we are near
+enough to make ourselves known, and such a force as is here would appear
+to them like an attackin' party."</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant was right, as I now understood full well, and, although I
+craved not the dangerous work, because my comrades were near at hand I
+desired they should see that I shirked not peril.</p>
+
+<p>However, all seemed to understand that, if the sergeant's plan was to be
+carried out, he should arrange the details, and therefore I held my peace.</p>
+
+<p>In order to gain the westerly side of the fort from the Indian encampment,
+in the vicinity of which we then were, and learn what might be going on
+at St. Leger's headquarters, it would be necessary to cross the river and
+traverse at least two-thirds of a complete circle around the
+fortification.</p>
+
+<p>Much time might have been saved had we crossed the Mohawk to the
+southward, without venturing near the camps of the British.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney seemed to consider that it was more important to get a
+general idea of the disposition of St. Leger's forces before entering the
+fort, than to save ourselves so much labor, therefore he led the way
+eastwardly half a mile or more, until we were come to the narrowest part
+of the river, when we swam over, afterward heading directly for the main
+encampment of the besiegers.</p>
+
+<p>Still acting under Sergeant Corney's directions, the greater part of the
+company kept at a respectful distance when we were come within the
+vicinity of St. Leger's headquarters, while he, Jacob, and I crept forward
+to reconnoitre.</p>
+
+<p>Because of the many fires and the apparent confidence of the enemy that no
+attempt would be made to surprise them, we had ample opportunity to see
+all that was required.</p>
+
+<p>The biggest kind of a feast, or powwow, or council, or whatever it might
+have been called, was in progress, and so deeply interested were the
+Britishers, Tories, and Indians alike that I believe of a verity we could
+have approached within fifty feet and not been discovered save by purest
+accident.</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever they've got on hand seems to be somethin' that'll last well
+through the night," Sergeant Corney said, as he lay amid the bushes
+watching the various groups of men, both white and red. "If Colonel
+Gansevoort could only know what's goin' on at this minute, I allow he'd
+make such a sortie as would raise this siege in quick order. We couldn't
+have a better night for enterin' the fort, an', if we don't succeed, it'll
+be our fault, or through the blundering of some fool sentinel."</p>
+
+<p>To one who had not been in this vicinity, as had I, the old soldier's
+words might have induced the belief that we were really not exposed to
+danger in making the proposed venture; but I knew full well he believed,
+as did I, that, however many might be feasting and dancing in the
+encampment, there were a certain number watching the fort, and if one of
+them should catch a glimpse of us the business would be at an end right
+speedily.</p>
+
+<p>When Sergeant Corney had satisfied himself with a scrutiny of the camp, he
+led the way to the northward, where the Minute Boys were in hiding, and,
+arriving there, explained in few words the situation, to the end that they
+might be encouraged for that which was to come.</p>
+
+<p>I question if, after showing the bravery they already had, the lads needed
+any words to stiffen their backs; but it pleased the old soldier to make
+it appear as if we had clear sailing before us, and did no real harm.</p>
+
+<p>Then we started on the march, which would be long because it was
+necessary, after passing the encampment, to make considerable of a d&eacute;tour
+in order to avoid, first, a battery of three guns, then one of four
+mortars, and, lastly, a battery of three more guns, all of which extended
+northwesterly from St. Leger's headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>After this distance had been traversed, we passed within less than two
+hundred feet of the line of trenches which had been begun as an approach
+to the fort, and then bore to the southward again, crossing the Albany
+road.</p>
+
+<p>Finally, at perhaps two o'clock in the morning, we arrived at a broad
+elevation, the easternmost slope of which came very near to the outer
+walls of the fort.</p>
+
+<p>Here it would be necessary to advance without cover for perhaps an hundred
+yards, and it was this last and most dangerous work that Sergeant Corney
+insisted on doing himself.</p>
+
+<p>My company found fairly good hiding-places in the thicket near at hand,
+Jacob and I creeping out to the edge of the foliage in order to keep watch
+upon the old soldier as he made his way like a snake over the plain, which
+was almost entirely destitute of vegetation.</p>
+
+<p>He set off without delay, for, owing to the lateness of the hour, there
+was no time to be wasted, and our hearts were literally in our mouths as
+we watched him make his way slowly along, at imminent danger each second
+of being fired upon by the sentinels inside the fort.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch12"></a>Chapter XII.</h2>
+
+<h3>In the Fort.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>Everything was in our favor on this night, otherwise Sergeant Corney's
+attempt would not have been the simple matter which it appears as set down
+by me.</p>
+
+<p>True it is we had previously visited the fort, and that while many of the
+enemy's sentinels were on the alert; but because a task has once been done
+is no proof that it may be accomplished a second time. In fact, it is by
+trying a hazardous venture again and again that it becomes yet more
+dangerous, or, in other words, "The pitcher that goes often to the well
+will one day return broken."</p>
+
+<p>I question if there could have been found in the entire Mohawk Valley a
+man who would have performed the task better than did Sergeant Corney. The
+night was not particularly dark, and we who were watching from the
+undergrowth knew exactly where to look for him, but yet there were many
+times when I failed utterly to distinguish his form, although, as I have
+already said, there was nothing in the way of vegetation to screen his
+movements.</p>
+
+<p>Only when he half-raised himself to make certain he was advancing in a
+direct course could we see him, and when, after perhaps twenty minutes of
+such stealthy approach, the deeper shadow cast by the fortification itself
+had been gained, he was entirely lost to our view.</p>
+
+<p>Then was come the time when I feared most for his safety, although, if the
+sentinel had failed to see him making his way across the open space, we
+might have reasonable hope that the remainder of his scheme, less
+dangerous, could be worked without mishap.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me as if an hour elapsed from the time he disappeared before
+we saw any sign of him again. The minutes passed laggingly, although while
+there was no outcry we knew full well he had come to no harm; but yet I
+trembled with anxiety until we finally saw a figure upon the wall waving
+its arms, and I said to Jacob:</p>
+
+<p>"That is the signal for us to advance."</p>
+
+<p>"Advance where?" he asked, in perplexity. "Surely it is not possible for
+us to get in at any point."</p>
+
+<p>"We can at least hold communication with those inside if we creep to the
+new portion of the fort, which as yet is only a stockade--the same place
+where the sergeant and I had converse with Colonel Gansevoort."</p>
+
+<p>It appears, as I finally learned, that the sergeant believed I would have
+sufficient sense to understand it was at this place we must effect an
+entrance, if anywhere, and I ought to have known at the time, for, after
+waving his arms to attract attention, he walked along the wall,
+disappearing near what was known as the "horn-works," which as yet were
+enclosed only by a stockade of logs.</p>
+
+<p>To summon the Minute Boys and bring them to the edge of the clearing was
+but the work of a few moments, and then was done that which I venture to
+say has seldom been accomplished during such a siege as was then in
+progress.</p>
+
+<p>For an armed party of nearly thirty to cross an open plain, supposedly
+under the very eyes of the enemy's sentinels, without being discovered, is
+something of which to boast, yet we Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley did
+it without raising an alarm.</p>
+
+<p>When the foremost of us, among whom I was, gained that portion of the
+fortification of which I have already spoken, the sergeant was lowering a
+long ladder over the stockade, and up this we clambered without delay, the
+entire party getting inside the fort within two minutes after the ascent
+was begun.</p>
+
+<p>What a time of congratulation that was! The garrison pressed around to
+praise us and pat themselves on the head, because we had come at what was,
+for them, an opportune time. Not only was the fort reinforced by no
+inconsiderable number, but we brought with us fairly good information as
+to the condition of affairs in the enemy's camp.</p>
+
+<p>The men were yet praising and thanking us for having come at such a time,
+when an officer approached with the word that Colonel Gansevoort wished to
+speak with the leaders of the party.</p>
+
+<p>"That means you, Noel," the sergeant said, patting me on the shoulder.
+"The colonel quite rightly believes that we can give him valuable
+information, an' is eager to have it."</p>
+
+<p>"But I am not the leader of the party," I said, finding time to be a bit
+bashful, now that the imminent danger was passed.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is, if not the captain of the company?" the old man asked, with a
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>"You, an' you always were when we were at home, Sergeant Corney, therefore
+are you doubly the leader now, after having brought us safely in from the
+encampment."</p>
+
+<p>The old soldier flatly refused to present himself as being in command of
+the Minute Boys, and there is no saying how long we might have wrangled
+among ourselves had not Colonel Willett, impatient to see us, come up just
+at that moment.</p>
+
+<p>After asking a few questions, he settled the matter by saying:</p>
+
+<p>"If you lads who have accomplished so much which men might well have
+feared to attempt, are not willing that one should have more praise than
+another, let all those who have been in command at different times present
+themselves to Colonel Gansevoort, and then, mayhap, we shall hear that for
+which we are so eager."</p>
+
+<p>I am free to admit that it was childish in any of us to hang back at such
+a moment, but, thanks to Colonel Willett, the matter was arranged as he
+suggested, Sergeant Corney, John Sammons, Jacob, and I going to the
+commandant's quarters, escorted by the colonel and the messenger who had
+been sent for us.</p>
+
+<p>There was no real occasion for us to have been timid regarding the
+interview with the commandant of Fort Schuyler, for a more pleasantly
+spoken, neighborly-like man it was never my good fortune to come in
+contact with.</p>
+
+<p>One would have said that he was interested personally in each and every
+one of us, from the questions he asked concerning our having organized a
+company of Minute Boys, how we had been drilled, and such like homely
+matters.</p>
+
+<p>Then, having shown himself to be a friend, as it were, he began getting
+that information which was necessary for the safety of the garrison. First
+he was eager to learn regarding the battle of Oriskany, for those inside
+the fort knew nothing whatsoever of that disastrous ambush, save such as
+could be guessed by the reports of the firearms and the bearing of the
+Indians after they beat a retreat.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney flatly refused to tell the story, insisting that I was the
+better able to do so, and, in the presence of Colonel Gansevoort and all
+his principal officers, I related the events of that day when an able
+soldier and a brave man was forced by the prating of cowards to lead his
+soldiers where he knew, almost beyond a peradventure, he had no hope of
+winning a victory.</p>
+
+<p>Then Jacob and I in turn gave an account of what had been done, bringing
+our story up to the time when Sergeant Corney took the lead in the attempt
+to gain the fort, and the old man could not well refuse to describe what
+he had seen that night regarding the disposition of the enemy's forces.</p>
+
+<p>That Colonel Gansevoort and his officers were deeply interested in our
+recital may be understood by the fact that day had fully come before we
+were at an end of our stories, and yet never one of them had shown the
+slightest impatience or a desire to cut us short.</p>
+
+<p>"I know of no greater favor which could have been done the garrison, save
+that of bringing in additional stores and larger reinforcements, than what
+has come to us through you," Colonel Gansevoort said, when we had imparted
+all our information. "I hope you will not regret having made this effort
+to aid us, and, if it so be an opportunity ever offers, I will see to it
+that, so far as is within my power, the Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley
+shall receive substantial credit from their country-men because of
+services rendered. We will give you as good quarters as we have; but if
+the rations seem scanty now and then, you must remember that we are not in
+position to get all we may require in the way of eatables."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you answer me one question, sir, an' not deem it impertinent?"
+Sergeant Corney asked, with a degree of humility such as I had never
+before seen him exhibit.</p>
+
+<p>"An hundred if you please. We can hardly refuse anything to those who have
+given us so much encouragement this night as have you and your comrades."</p>
+
+<p>"I would like to know, sir, simply from curiosity, an' not because it
+would make any difference with my desire to go or stay, if you have a good
+show of holdin' the fort against so strong a force as is under St. Leger's
+command?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe we have," the colonel replied, thoughtfully. "At all events, I
+promise you that we will not surrender; but, if the worst comes to the
+worst, I shall sally out at night with the idea of cutting my way through
+the enemy's lines. Our provisions are running low; the enemy has advanced
+by parallels within an hundred and fifty yards, and the store of
+ammunition is by no means as great as we could wish. Our only hope is that
+General Schuyler may be able to succor us."</p>
+
+<p>"If a company of thirty boys can move through Thayendanega's camp, spy
+upon the British, and force their way into this fort unharmed, then of a
+surety can I do half as much," Colonel Willett said, vehemently. "I will
+undertake to make my way to General Schuyler, setting out when another
+night shall have come."</p>
+
+<p>"And I will go with you!" an officer, whom I afterward came to know was
+Lieutenant Stockwell cried heartily, whereupon the sergeant, puffed up
+because of what we had already done, declared that Jacob, he, and I would
+act as messengers.</p>
+
+<p>"It is enough for you to have shown us that the task can be accomplished,"
+Colonel Willett said with a smile. "I have been the first to volunteer for
+such service, and claim the right to go."</p>
+
+<p>At this point the commandant suggested in the most friendly manner that
+perhaps we who had lately arrived might be in need of food, and I fancied
+he made this suggestion in order to be rid of us while he and his officers
+discussed the proposition.</p>
+
+<p>At all events, we left headquarters and were conducted by Lieutenant
+Stockwell to a portion of the barracks which was set aside especially for
+the Minute Boys, to the end that we might all be together.</p>
+
+<p>"Rations shall be served you at once," the lieutenant said, as he turned
+to leave us, and, although he kept his word, it was past noon before we
+had an opportunity to break our fast, because it seemed as if nearly every
+man in the garrison was eager to hold personal converse with us in order
+to learn what he might concerning the besieging army.</p>
+
+<p>No matter however much we as a company might succeed in doing in the
+future, certain it is we could not be petted or praised more than we were
+during that first day in the fort.</p>
+
+<p>We had not accomplished anything remarkable, so far as I could see; aided
+by all the circumstances, and particularly by the fact that St. Leger's
+force had concluded to hold a powwow with the Indians on that certain
+night, we had come across the plain when, at another time and under other
+conditions, we might have made an hundred attempts without succeeding.</p>
+
+<p>It was, as Sergeant Corney would put it, the fortune of war, or the
+accident of war, which enabled us to do as we had done, and only the old
+soldier himself could take personal credit for our being there.</p>
+
+<p>If the garrison was on short allowance, we never would have suspected it
+during the first four and twenty hours of our stay, for every man inside
+the walls who had anything in the way of food which he thought might tempt
+our appetites, offered it to us, and the wonder of it all is that we were
+not so puffed up with pride as to behave very foolishly.</p>
+
+<p>Late in the afternoon, on the day after we arrived, Colonel Willett came
+to our quarters, and, sitting down among us regardless of his rank and
+high attainments as a military officer, talked in the most neighborly
+fashion with us concerning the surrounding country, the different routes
+we had pursued when coming to or going from the fort, and, particularly,
+concerning what we might have heard regarding the movements of the enemy
+between Fort Schuyler and Oswego.</p>
+
+<p>Of course to this last question we could give no satisfactory reply; but
+certain it is that he gained very much of useful information which would
+serve him in his attempt to reach General Schuyler. Having come to an end
+of his inquiries, he told us that it had been determined between himself
+and the commandant that on the next stormy night he and Lieutenant
+Stockwell would make an effort to leave the fort on their way to
+Stillwater, where it seems he believed the general would be found.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney begged hard to be allowed to accompany the two officers,
+but the colonel said, laughingly:</p>
+
+<p>"You will remain where you are, sir, unless it is in your mind to leave
+here because of the danger which threatens. Already have you done enough
+in the way of scouting."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you do not think, sir, that I would run away because of anythin'
+like that?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, my man, I am quite certain you never would; but you are not to gain
+all the credit in this siege, for I count on taking some of it myself,
+unless, peradventure, the enemy treat me worse than they did you."</p>
+
+<p>Then the colonel left us, and right glad was I that he had not accepted
+the sergeant's offer, for I might in some way have been dragged into the
+venture, and of a verity I had had enough in that line of work to last me
+so long as I might live. It is all very well when a fellow is beyond reach
+of danger to speculate upon what might be done to gain a name for himself;
+but quite another matter to take his life in his hand any oftener than may
+be absolutely necessary.</p>
+
+<p>On the following morning I presented myself to the commandant with a
+complaint, having been prompted thereto by Sergeant Corney. We had not yet
+been assigned to any duty, and each member of the garrison seemed
+particularly averse to allowing us to even help ourselves.</p>
+
+<p>There was not a member of our company who wished to remain there idle, and
+I visited headquarters to ask that we might be called upon for the regular
+garrison work, the same as if we were enlisted men.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Gansevoort very kindly assured me that there was no real reason
+why we should do duty while the force was so large; but promised, if we
+insisted upon it, to consider us when making a detail, exactly as he would
+any of the others.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Willett had not long to wait before beginning his perilous
+journey. By noon of the second day after our arrival the wind veered
+around into the south, bringing heavy clouds across the sky, and even the
+poorest weather prophets among us knew that a summer storm was close at
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>Once during the afternoon the colonel passed near where I was furbishing
+up my rifle, and halted to say:</p>
+
+<p>"The lieutenant and I count on leaving the fort shortly before midnight.
+If you and your friends have any desire to see us set out, go down to the
+new works at about that time."</p>
+
+<p>By the "new works" he meant the stockade over which we had come, and I
+hastened to impart the information to Sergeant Corney and Jacob, knowing
+full well that they would be as interested in the venture as was I.</p>
+
+<p>The volunteer messengers could not have asked for a better night. When the
+day had come to an end the storm burst with no inconsiderable fury, and it
+was safe to predict that it would not clear away before sunrise.</p>
+
+<p>Had I been going on the venture I would have set out much before the
+appointed time, because while the rain came down so furiously there was
+little chance the enemy's sentinels could see what might be going on at
+the southerly end of the fortification, and it seemed as if my opinion was
+shared by Colonel Willett, for he and the lieutenant were ready to leave
+at about ten o'clock.</p>
+
+<p>I considered it very friendly in him to send us word as to his change of
+plans, that we might not miss seeing them set forth, and thus it was we
+beheld the two brave men as they imperilled their lives voluntarily and
+solely in the hope of aiding their comrades.</p>
+
+<p>They carried no weapons save spears, wore no clothing except what was
+absolutely necessary for comfort, and, stripped to the lightest possible
+marching trim, they went out into the blackness of the night like true
+heroes, with a smile and a jest upon their lips.</p>
+
+<p>There were not above twenty of us who witnessed the departure, but it is
+safe to say that no more fervent prayers for their safety could have been
+offered up if the whole garrison had bent the knee.</p>
+
+<p>The darkness of night had literally swallowed them up, and the downpour of
+rain drowned every noise that might have been made by their advance. It
+was a brave venture, more particularly because, without chance of being
+accused in the slightest degree of cowardice, they might have yielded
+their places to others.</p>
+
+<p>During half an hour or more we remained exposed to the storm, as we
+listened with painful intentness for some sound which should tell us that
+they had been discovered, and when at the end of that time we had heard
+nothing, it was believed they were on their way in safety.</p>
+
+<p>Later in the day we learned that it was Colonel Willett's intention to
+push on to German Flats, and there, procuring horses, ride at full speed
+down the valley to General Schuyler's headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>Having once got clear of the fort and its vicinity, as we believed to be
+the fact, the only thing which might prove the undoing of the venture was
+that the general had gone to some other section of the country, and they
+would not succeed in finding him until St. Leger had accomplished his
+purpose.</p>
+
+<p>Well, we settled down to garrison duty, taking our turn with the squads of
+from fifty to an hundred men who remained constantly on the alert to shoot
+such of the enemy as might be sufficiently obliging as to show themselves,
+and ready to give warning of any signs of an attack.</p>
+
+<p>This last was not believed probable. The officers of the garrison argued
+that neither the Indians nor the Tories could be depended upon to make a
+direct assault on such a fortification as Fort Schuyler, and that all St.
+Leger's efforts would be directed toward advancing his parallels until he
+was sufficiently near to mine.</p>
+
+<p>And yet how true is the old maxim that "it is always the unexpected which
+happens!"</p>
+
+<p>On the third morning after we had entered the fort Sergeant Corney and I
+were on duty as sharpshooters, and, before we had been upon the walls many
+moments, I called his attention to what seemed like an unusual hurrying to
+and fro on the part of the enemy. It was as if they were making ready for
+some important movement, and, according to my way of thinking, that could
+only mean an assault, improbable as our officers believed it to be.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of course, we gave immediate information to the officer of the
+day of what we fancied had been discovered, and within half an hour more
+there could no longer be any doubt but that St. Leger had made up his mind
+to see what might be accomplished by a direct attack.</p>
+
+<p>I was disposed to make light of the matter, not believing it possible the
+enemy could effect anything of importance, but lost somewhat of my
+confidence on observing the grave expression on the faces of the officers.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" I asked of Sergeant Corney. "Do they fancy for a moment
+that, even though the Indians should be willing to take part in the
+assault, the fort could be carried?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, lad, I reckon they're not sich fools as that; but it has come to my
+ears that ammunition for the cannon is runnin' mighty low, an' to repel an
+attack, even though there be no danger come from it, will be a serious
+matter."</p>
+
+<p>Even then I failed to understand what the old soldier meant, and asked him
+to explain more fully, which he did.</p>
+
+<p>Then I came to realize that to expend our ammunition for the big guns at
+that time might result disastrously for us later, when, the parallels
+having been brought nearer, an assault would be vastly more menacing.</p>
+
+<p>However, St. Leger had the right to do whatsoever he might, and he could
+not have chosen a wiser course had he known exactly the amount of powder
+in our magazine.</p>
+
+<p>The gunners were sent to their stations, the remainder of the force
+disposed here or there as they might be the most useful, we Minute Boys
+being stationed near the sally-port, which, as Sergeant Corney said, was a
+great compliment, because at about that place might the hottest work be
+expected.</p>
+
+<p>It was not pleasant, this making ready for a battle. When we went into
+action with General Herkimer it was done quickly; we suspected something
+of the kind might happen, but were not certain of it. Now there could be
+no question but that, in a short time at the most, we would be striving to
+kill human beings, and unable, except at the cost of being branded as
+cowards, to do anything toward saving our own lives.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch13"></a>Chapter XIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Assault.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>If I have not spoken of Peter Sitz since he was rescued by the Minute
+Boys, it is because he did not remain in the barracks with us from Cherry
+Valley, but messed with some of his acquaintances from German Flats,
+therefore we saw very little of him until the garrison was mustered to
+repel the threatened attack.</p>
+
+<p>Then I noted that Colonel Gansevoort had entrusted to him the charge of a
+certain portion of the wall nearly opposite where the Minute Boys were
+stationed, and because he had been placed in command, even though it was
+of course only temporary, I judged, and truly, that Jacob's father was
+accounted an able assistant in such work as we most likely had before us.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney remained with the Minute Boys, as was his duty. I believe
+of a verity my company would have grumbled almost as loudly as had General
+Herkimer's men on the morning before the fight at Oriskany, had the old
+soldier taken station elsewhere, and yet it would have been but natural
+for him to go into the fight side by side with those of the garrison who
+were most experienced in warfare.</p>
+
+<p>As I have said, we were given a post which had in it no inconsiderable
+honor, since it was at that point where the most fighting might be
+expected, and from where we stood it was possible to have a fairly good
+view of the plain immediately surrounding the fort.</p>
+
+<p>Within twenty minutes after the alarm was first given, we could see the
+British and Tory soldiers forming in line, while to the southward, below
+the bend in the river, the Indians were crossing hurriedly, which last
+fact caused me to say to the sergeant:</p>
+
+<p>"I am of the mind that the savages count on attacking the stockaded
+portion of the fortification," and the old man replied:</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, an' one might have guessed that without stopping to see from
+which direction they were comin'. Thayendanega may prate as much as he
+pleases about the bravery of his warriors, but he cannot find a corporal's
+guard among the whole crowd that would dare march up to a direct assault
+upon earthworks."</p>
+
+<p>"What portion of the force is on duty in the stockade?" Jacob asked, but
+none of our company could answer him. It was reasonable to suppose Colonel
+Gansevoort had stationed there those of his men who were most experienced
+in savage warfare, and we whose duty it was to hold the walls in the
+vicinity of the sally-port had no need to trouble our heads concerning
+them.</p>
+
+<p>The one thing which puzzled me was as to why St. Leger was making this
+attack, since he had begun to approach the fort by parallels. I was eager
+to have some expert opinion as to whether the British were apparently
+abandoning the slow method of reducing the fortification, or if, having
+learned perchance that we were running short of ammunition for the big
+guns, they were making an attack in order to provoke us to waste powder
+which would be more sadly needed at some later day. Therefore it was that
+I asked Sergeant Corney what his belief was regarding the matter.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks to me much as if Colonel Willett an' Lieutenant Stockwell had
+been captured."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you figure that out?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because an assault is evidently about to be made. If they are not
+prisoners, the enemy has learned that they left the fort."</p>
+
+<p>I was still in darkness as to why he arrived at such conclusion, but found
+the reason exceedingly plain when he said:</p>
+
+<p>"If St. Leger knows that a man of Colonel Willett's rank was eager to take
+the chances of leaving the fortification to summon assistance, he must
+believe the garrison is in sore straits, an' therefore it is that I
+believe the mistake was made in allowin' him to go out when there were
+plenty of others here willin' to take the chances."</p>
+
+<p>It grieved me sorely to think that the brave officer might be at that
+moment in the hands of the savages, or, what amounted to much the same
+thing, in the custody of the Britishers, for it was charged openly that,
+in order to keep the Indian allies in good temper, prisoners taken by his
+Majesty's troops were often delivered over to the red-skinned wolves for
+torture.</p>
+
+<p>However, there was but little time left me in which to speculate upon this
+painful matter, for even as Sergeant Corney and I spoke together the
+British troops, supported by the Johnson Greens, came out into view from
+amid the encampment, marching directly toward the fort.</p>
+
+<p>"There is more in this than an ordinary assault," I heard the sergeant
+mutter, as he looked to the priming of his musket. "St. Leger would not
+expose his men to the slaughter which must follow without good and
+sufficient cause. I'm not overly given to praising the Britishers; but we
+must admit that he who's in command here is a thoroughly good soldier."</p>
+
+<p>Under ordinary circumstances I would have been conscious of a certain
+chill along my spine, and felt my knees trembling beneath me at the
+certainty of soon being engaged in a life or death struggle; but after my
+experience as a prisoner there was but one thought in my heart, and that
+of repaying the enemy for some of the sufferings I had undergone.</p>
+
+<p>The desire for revenge was greater than the fear of death.</p>
+
+<p>Before many moments passed Sergeant Corney hit upon what I firmly believed
+was the true answer to my question of why an assault was to be made at
+this time.</p>
+
+<p>The Britishers and Tories advanced in good order until facing the
+northerly and westerly sides of the fort, within musket-shot range, and
+from that distance poured their bullets into us without doing much
+execution; but calling for strict attention on our part lest a charge be
+made, for the ditch was not so wide or deep but that a body of trained
+soldiers could have overcome the obstacle.</p>
+
+<p>Only twice were the guns, which could be trained in that direction,
+discharged, and then we inflicted no slight injury upon the foe; but
+Colonel Gansevoort soon showed that he was far too prudent a commander to
+shoot away all his powder at one time, even though it was possible to
+punish the enemy severely.</p>
+
+<p>It looked much as if the king's forces were bent on continuing the battle
+with small arms at short range, for they discharged their pieces as
+rapidly as it was possible to reload them, making a great din even though
+the execution was slight.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that Sergeant Corney hit upon the meaning of this odd move.
+Without a word he leaped down from the wall where he had been stationed,
+running swiftly toward the unfinished portion of the fortification, and
+was gone no more than three or four minutes when he returned with more
+show of excitement than I had ever known him to exhibit.</p>
+
+<p>"Yonder Britishers and renegades are but holding our attention in order to
+give Thayendanega's wolves a chance to scale the stockade," he said,
+hurriedly. "The force there is all too small. I will take half of the
+company, at risk of disobeying orders, to that point, while you go with
+all speed and tell the commandant what I have learned."</p>
+
+<p>I understood the situation without further explanation, and, realizing the
+necessity for haste, went as rapidly as my legs would carry me to the
+northeast bastion, where I had last seen Colonel Gansevoort.</p>
+
+<p>Fortunately for my purpose he was still there, giving directions as to the
+firing of the guns, and in a twinkling I had acquainted him with the
+situation as described by Sergeant Corney, at the same time explaining
+that half the Minute Boys had been withdrawn from near the sally-port.</p>
+
+<p>"The sergeant has done well," the commandant replied. "Ten of your number
+should be more than sufficient there, if matters are as they seem. Tell
+Sergeant Braun I will join him as soon as possible."</p>
+
+<p>Then I ran with all speed to my company, and, explaining to John Sammons
+my purpose, took with me half the number remaining under his command.
+With this small force I set off at full speed, and we arrived none too
+soon at the place where the most desperate fighting was going on.</p>
+
+<p>At the beginning of the action no more than forty men had been stationed
+in the "horn-works," and it seemed to me as if the entire stockaded
+portion was surrounded by a dancing horde of howling, maddened Indians,
+who, bringing with them tree-trunks or stout branches, were throwing up
+such a heap of odds and ends as admitted of their gaining the top of the
+logs despite the fire which our people were pouring upon them.</p>
+
+<p>It must be set down here that there were no cannon in this unfinished
+portion of the fortification. The so-called rebellion against the king had
+broken out before this very necessary adjunct to the strength of the fort
+could be completed, and, consequently, it was the weakest portion of our
+defence.</p>
+
+<p>When I arrived with my comrades at this point, our people were engaged in
+a hand-to-hand struggle with the savages, three score or more having
+succeeded in effecting an entrance, and it needed no experienced eye to
+say that unless the onrush could be speedily checked, the capture of the
+fort might be effected at a time when we had believed St. Leger was simply
+making a feint.</p>
+
+<p>Exactly what happened during the next half-hour I am unable to state of my
+own knowledge, for I had no sooner entered the horn-works than it became
+necessary to put forth every effort in the saving of my own life.</p>
+
+<p>A gigantic savage discharged his musket with seemingly true aim directly
+at my head; but, strangely enough, missed the target, and then he came at
+me, hatchet in hand, with such fury that for an instant it seemed as if I
+was at his mercy.</p>
+
+<p>So excited was I that my bullet, which should have found lodgment in his
+heart, went as wild as had his, and then was I forced to use a clubbed
+musket for defence.</p>
+
+<p>Had any one asked me on that morning if I believed it possible to
+withstand the attack of an Indian, the two of us using the weapons I have
+just described, my answer would have been a decided "no," and yet now I
+held him in good play, although realizing that each moment I was growing
+weaker and he gaining the advantage.</p>
+
+<p>Already were my eyes becoming suffused with blood; my brain was in a
+whirl, as I leaped here or there, parrying with the butt of the musket the
+blows of his hatchet, and all the time he continued to press me nearer and
+nearer toward the wall, where my resistance would have been overcome
+within a very short time.</p>
+
+<p>I wondered why it was that Colonel Gansevoort delayed in the coming, and
+could see, without looking in any direction save at my foe, that the
+number of savages inside the stockade was increasing each moment.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "The painted villain sank down upon the ground"]</p>
+
+<p>Only a brief delay now on the part of the commandant, and they would gain
+so great an advantage that such portion of the garrison as could be
+withdrawn from the walls where the Britishers were making the pretended
+attack, would not be able to dislodge them.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly, at the very moment when it seemed impossible I could
+struggle any longer, the painted villain sank down upon the ground as if
+having received his death-blow, and I dimly heard Sergeant Corney cry,
+cheerily:</p>
+
+<p>"That was a narrow squeak, lad, an' we'll hope there'll be many more of
+'em before the last one comes! Keep yourself well in hand, for of a verity
+our work is cut out for us here!"</p>
+
+<p>Now it was I knew that a shot from the old soldier's musket had put an end
+to the combat in which I was most deeply interested, and I strained every
+nerve to gather myself together as he had commanded.</p>
+
+<p>By this time I dare venture to say no less than two hundred of the howling
+demons had scaled the stockade, and we who were defending this weakest
+portion of the fortification were pressed back and back until we stood
+massed against that opening which gave entrance to the main fortification.</p>
+
+<p>We were in good position for the enemy to mow us down with bullets, and in
+such close formation that only those in the outermost ranks could use
+their weapons to advantage.</p>
+
+<p>"It is all over," I said to myself, realizing that within a very few
+moments we must be killed or disabled under such a fire as Thayendanega's
+scoundrels were pouring upon us. Then from our rear I heard ringing
+cheers, the trampling of many feet, and realized that assistance had come
+at the most critical moment.</p>
+
+<p>Sixty seconds later we had all been slain like sheep in the shambles!</p>
+
+<p>"Give way, give way, lads in front!" I heard Colonel Gansevoort shout,
+and, hardly understanding the words, instinctively we surged either side
+of the passage, having hardly done so before a shower of grape-shot came
+hurtling between our ranks, dealing death to scores of the
+feather-bedecked wretches.</p>
+
+<p>"Stand to your muskets, you Minute Boys!" Sergeant Corney shouted, and the
+sound of his voice stiffened my courage wonderfully. "Now is the time to
+pay back some of our old scores, and every bullet should cut short a life
+from among those who would harry us of the valley."</p>
+
+<p>He had hardly more than ceased speaking when a great uproar could be heard
+from the distance, and, without turning my head, I understood that the
+British regulars and the Johnson Greens were pressing the attack on the
+west and the front, in order to hold our men at the walls that we might
+not be able to regain possession of the stockade.</p>
+
+<p>Now the fight was on in good earnest, and a bloodier one or a more
+desperate struggle I hope never to see again.</p>
+
+<p>After the single cannon which Colonel Gansevoort had caused to be brought
+in was discharged, the reinforcements betook themselves to their muskets,
+for our frontiersmen were more accustomed to the use of small arms than
+big guns, and the tide surged this way and that, with the fate of the fort
+trembling more than once in the balance, until I had before my eyes only
+great billows of feathered forms, which rose and fell, advanced and were
+forced back, until I was well-nigh bewildered.</p>
+
+<p>Before this portion of the fighting had come to an end, fully half the
+garrison was engaged in repelling the attack of Thayendanega's forces, and
+during such time the white portion of the enemy's army might have made a
+successful assault upon the walls, I verily believe, but for the cowardice
+displayed by the Tories.</p>
+
+<p>How long we struggled there hand to hand, stumbling now over the lifeless
+forms of our comrades, and again finding our way checked by the dead
+bodies of the savages, I cannot say; but certain it is that we finally
+drove the last of the hated foe over the stockade, and gave Thayendanega's
+boasting braves such a lesson as they would not need to have repeated for
+many days.</p>
+
+<p>I was not less wearied with the carnage than those around me. Even
+Sergeant Corney, to whom such scenes were not strange, leaned against a
+portion of the earthworks as if for support while he dashed the
+perspiration from his eyes, and then we knew by the sounds that the battle
+was being waged severely over against the sally-port.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was I called for the Minute Boys to follow me, as I ran at the
+best pace possible in that direction, for there was our post of duty.</p>
+
+<p>Now Colonel Gansevoort no longer husbanded his store of ammunition
+intended for the cannon, and every piece in the northern and eastern
+bastions was being worked with the utmost rapidity, sending among the
+Tories such a shower of iron as their cowardly hearts could not hold out
+against, and, when they turned with cries of fear to flee, the British
+regulars, understanding that they were too few in number to effect
+anything against us, joined in the retreat.</p>
+
+<p>The assault had come to an end, and we of the garrison were triumphant,
+but at such an expense of life that we could not well afford many more
+such victories.</p>
+
+<p>During that night we buried our dead,--four and twenty men,--committing
+them to the dust under cover of darkness lest the enemy see how much
+injury he had inflicted, and, thank God, never a member of my company who
+could not answer to the roll-call.</p>
+
+<p>There were forty-one so seriously wounded that it was necessary a certain
+force be told off from among the garrison to play the part of nurses, and,
+when to the number of disabled is added those who were to care for them,
+it can be seen that St. Leger struck us a severe blow, even though he did
+not succeed in his purpose.</p>
+
+<p>We buried our comrades in the horn-works, just under the stockade they had
+defended so gallantly, and threw over the fence of logs fifty-two of
+Thayendanega's wolves who would take no further part in murder and rapine.
+It is positive that there must have been many wounded among the Indians,
+some so severely that it would have been impossible for them to accompany
+their fellows in the retreat; but yet we found none that had any life in
+them when we searched among the ghastly evidences of the fight for our own
+people.</p>
+
+<p>Peter Sitz declared that he had seen one of the wounded savages
+deliberately kill himself with a knife, when it was seen that the assault
+had failed, and I doubt not but that several did the same rather than fall
+into our hands. Then, also, it is possible, in the heat of battle, and
+remembering what these human wolves had done to the women and children of
+the settlements which had been attacked, some of our men had sent more
+than one of the helpless wretches to the Happy Hunting Grounds. I count
+myself as tender-hearted as any other, and yet it would not have troubled
+my conscience had I put a few wounded villains out of the world, rather
+than let them live to commit yet more murders.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning after the assault a white flag was raised over the fort,
+and when St. Leger sent in hot haste a messenger to learn what we wanted,
+thinking, most like, we had made up our minds to surrender, he was
+informed that Colonel Gansevoort was willing to grant an hour's truce that
+the British and Indian dead might be buried.</p>
+
+<p>This the enemy accepted, and I was surprised to see that never one of
+Thayendanega's beauties came forward to carry off the slain of his tribe.
+I had always heard it said that the redskins would brave any danger rather
+than allow a dead Indian to fall into the hands of an enemy; but certain
+it is that on this day the rascally Tories dragged away the bodies, with
+not even a squaw to help them.</p>
+
+<p>Within the time set we were rid of the ghastly evidence of the battle,
+which might have proven a menace to the health of the garrison had the
+corpses been allowed to remain unburied while the weather was so warm, and
+during all the coming night we could hear distinctly cries of lamentation
+from the Indian camp. It was as if every brave, squaw, and papoose howled
+his or her loudest in token of sorrow, and three of us within the fort had
+a very good idea of what would have been our fate had we not been rescued
+before the assault.</p>
+
+<p>"This would have been our last night on earth, had the Minute Boys not
+come to the rescue," Peter Sitz said to me, as we stood near the
+sally-port for an instant, listening to the wild cries, and, strong man
+though he was, I took note of the fact that his face shone pale in the
+faint light.</p>
+
+<p>It did not need that I should strain my imagination very much to paint a
+mental picture of our condition at that time, if we had remained in the
+power of the savages. Of a verity we would have tested their keenest
+torture before death came to our relief.</p>
+
+<p>"It would seem as if that company of ours had been formed to some purpose,
+an' not all of them were children," I said, minded that he who had laughed
+most heartily at what he was pleased to call our "pretensions," should
+give credit where it was due.</p>
+
+<p>"If I live to see home again, there is never a man in Cherry Valley who
+shall not hear from me what I owe to you lads!"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't forget that I had no part in the rescue, Master Sitz, for surely I
+was trussed up as stoutly as either you or Sergeant Corney."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet but for your persistence we would never have thought of enlisting the
+boys to aid in our defence, therefore must you take your portion of the
+praise, an' more especially since it is said by Sergeant Corney himself
+that you have proven yourself a man at every time when danger threatened."</p>
+
+<p>"Sergeant Corney has no idea how my knees shook beneath me when, as he
+believed, I was stout-hearted," I replied, with a careless laugh that
+served to cloak the feeling of pride which rose in my bosom when he gave
+good words to the Minute Boys.</p>
+
+<p>While weeping over our dead, and rejoicing because of having beaten back
+the enemy when it seemed as if the assault was about to be successful,
+fear regarding the safety of Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell lay
+heavily upon our hearts. It was the belief of nearly all the garrison that
+the two officers had been captured, and, if such had been the case, there
+could be no question but that they suffered a terrible death at the stake
+while the savages were mourning over their loss.</p>
+
+<p>Those among us who felt convinced that the messengers had succeeded in
+their attempt, and Colonel Gansevoort was one of the hopeful ones,
+insisted that if the Indians had tortured any prisoners to death, we must
+have heard yells and shouts of triumph; yet the night wind had brought to
+our ears nothing more than the cries of sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>Viewing the situation in the brightest light possible, many days must of a
+necessity elapse before we could hope for any good results from their
+brave venture, and if in the meantime the enemy pressed us sharply, we
+would be in hard straits, more particularly since so much of our
+ammunition had been expended in defending the fort against that first
+assault.</p>
+
+<p>When a large number of men are confined in a limited space, and exposed to
+danger, it needs but the lightest word to make cowards of the more
+faint-hearted, as we soon had good proof.</p>
+
+<p>On the day following the truce, after the enemy had buried their dead,
+work on the parallels was continued, and it gave me no little satisfaction
+to see that the Tories were forced to perform the greater portion of the
+labor.</p>
+
+<p>As I have already said, these trenches extended within an hundred and
+fifty yards of the fort by this time, and we knew only too well that it
+was not within our power to prevent their being advanced as near as the
+enemy saw fit to carry them.</p>
+
+<p>After a certain time mining would probably be begun, and then, if our
+supply of ammunition had not been replenished, the end must be near at
+hand, when St. Leger would have opportunity to carry into execution his
+threat of allowing Thayendanega's murderers to work their cruel will.</p>
+
+<p>All this was talked over and commented upon by our people as the days wore
+on, and the more timid seemed to find delight in picturing what would take
+place if the fort was captured.</p>
+
+<p>"Why must they keep harpin' on that possibility all the time?" I asked,
+angrily, of Sergeant Corney, when I had turned away in disgust from a
+group of men who were painting horrible word-pictures, and the old soldier
+had followed me to the parade-ground beyond sound of such words.</p>
+
+<p>"It is all as plain as the nose on your face, lad," the old man said,
+grimly. "Look about, an' you'll see that them as are makin' the howl over
+what the Injuns may do are the faintest-hearted among us. It's all done
+for one purpose."</p>
+
+<p>"What can that be?" I asked, in surprise. "How do they suppose any good
+can come of conjuring up everything horrible?"</p>
+
+<p>"They're of the same kidney that drove General Herkimer into the ambush,
+an' are tryin' to force the colonel to surrender."</p>
+
+<p>"That can't be possible!" I cried, sharply. "There's never one among them
+who does not know full well what the result will be if Colonel Gansevoort
+surrenders the fort! St. Leger's promises would be as the idle wind when
+Thayendanega's followers wanted victims for the stake!"</p>
+
+<p>"True for you, lad, an' yet these cowards are ready to howl for
+capitulation rather than fight as men should, in the presence of such an
+enemy, to the last ditch," the sergeant replied, bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>I could not believe that among the entire garrison might be found one
+soldier who would willingly consent to a surrender, and said as much to
+the old man, who replied, grimly:</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't been around here for the past four an' twenty hours with my
+eyes shut an' my ears filled with moss. Take a turn about the works,
+listenin' to all that is said, an' you'll find I'm not wrong in my
+figgerin'. The colonel knows as well as do I what's in the wind, an' I'll
+agree never to eat sweet-cake agin if he ain't makin' ready for trouble
+inside the fort as well as outside."</p>
+
+<p>I remained silent a full minute, horrified by the bare possibility, and
+then asked, in a voice which trembled despite all my efforts to render it
+steady:</p>
+
+<p>"Think you they can force him against his will, as the militia did General
+Herkimer?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is my belief that he'd shoot down a round dozen before consentin' to
+give us all over to death; but there's no knowin' what a man may be forced
+into when pressure enough has been brought to bear upon him."</p>
+
+<p>At this moment Jacob came up, looking like his old self now that his
+father was safe, at least, for the time being, and to him I put the matter
+much as I had had it from the sergeant.</p>
+
+<p>"Within the hour I have heard the same word from my father. He believes
+there are a full hundred of the garrison who, when they have worked
+themselves up to just such a pitch, will howl for surrender."</p>
+
+<p>Even then I refused to believe in what was as yet no more than a
+suspicion, and Sergeant Corney said, impatiently:</p>
+
+<p>"It won't cost you much time to find out for yourself, lad. Take a couple
+of turns around, an' I'll guarantee you'll agree that Peter Sitz an' I are
+not tryin' to make mountains out of mole-hills."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go with you," Jacob said, promptly, and straightway we set out,
+keeping our ears open whenever we came within speaking distance of a
+group of men who appeared to be talking earnestly upon some particular
+subject.</p>
+
+<p>It was not necessary that we should go twice around the inside of the
+fortification, for before we completed the first circuit I had heard
+enough to convince me that Sergeant Corney, instead of exaggerating the
+matter, had not made his statements strong enough by one-half.</p>
+
+<p>As it seemed to me, a full third of the garrison were arguing in favor of
+surrender, giving as their reasons the scanty supply of powder for the
+cannon, and the probability that St. Leger's army would constantly
+increase as the Tories from the Mohawk Valley got wind of what was going
+on.</p>
+
+<p>I was sick at heart and literally faint with fear when this knowledge was
+forced in upon me, for I knew only too well how idle would be all the
+promises of St. Leger if the savages were inclined to massacre the
+prisoners that were surrendered on promises of fair treatment.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch14"></a>Chapter XIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>Mutiny.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>I had thought that we would never again be called upon to witness such a
+scene as that in General Herkimer's encampment on the morning when those
+who, later, were the first to show the white feather, literally drove him
+into a place where he, as a soldier, knew it was not safe to venture until
+all the arrangements for a sortie from the fort were completed.</p>
+
+<p>Now, however, it seemed to me that we were to be treated to a second dose
+of mutiny, and this one more serious than the first, for, in case these
+fools in the fort succeeded in badgering Colonel Gansevoort as the others
+had the general, then would nearly a thousand men be given over to the
+savage foe, whom we knew full well would show no mercy.</p>
+
+<p>To me the strange part of it all was that these very simpletons who were
+howling so loudly for surrender would be among those counted as prisoners,
+and I failed utterly to understand how they could figure themselves as
+being better off in the power of Thayendanega's wolves, than in the fort
+where they had a chance of fighting to the death.</p>
+
+<p>Even to this day it seems so strange that I would not dare set it down as
+a fact unless those gentlemen who write history had spoken of it so
+plainly.</p>
+
+<p>"You can make up your mind that those fellows who are lettin' out the most
+noise are the ones who've got a cowardly streak in 'em somewhere,"
+Sergeant Corney said, when Jacob and I, having satisfied ourselves that
+mutiny was rife in the fort, went to him for the purpose of talking the
+matter over.</p>
+
+<p>"The greater the cowards the less inclined they should be to surrender, as
+it seems to me," I replied, in perplexity.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, that's the way it looks to a decent man; but sich fellows as
+these here who are makin' a row, are the ones who're always lookin' ahead,
+thinkin' matters may be bettered, an' regardin' not the possibility of
+their growin' worse. Here they are, like to come on short allowance, an'
+obleeged to take their turn at bein' shot at now an' then, consequently,
+not havin' the heart to endure even the lightest sufferin', they say we
+can't be any worse off, an' ought to surrender."</p>
+
+<p>"But they know the nature of Thayendanega's wolves as well as do you or
+I."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, they did know yesterday; but now, because their stomachs are not
+quite full, they're ready to admit that every redskin is an imitation
+angel."</p>
+
+<p>"Think you they can badger the colonel?" Jacob asked, thoughtfully, thus
+repeating my question in different words.</p>
+
+<p>"I will say to you as I did to Noel, that they're like to get the rough
+end of it before drivin' him into a mistake. We who are not inclined to be
+mutinous can help him out a good bit in this matter."</p>
+
+<p>"How?" I asked, in perplexity.</p>
+
+<p>"By standin' out stiffly against their fool talk, though there ain't much
+chance you can convince 'em with words; but if one, or half a dozen, for
+that matter, gives me an openin', I'll see if the weight of my fist can't
+beat some sense into them."</p>
+
+<p>It is not agreeable to set down the details of such a disgraceful scene as
+we witnessed during the next four and twenty hours, and more than painful
+to describe how the mutiny was finally checked. It must be done, however,
+if I would write fairly the part which we Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley
+took in the troubles and triumphs round-about Fort Schuyler; but I will
+give the story in as few words as possible.</p>
+
+<p>It so chanced that during this day the rations dealt out to us were
+smaller than before, and this gave the fool croakers an opportunity of
+airing their grievances in fine style.</p>
+
+<p>Those who should have been steadily attentive to their duties, with never
+a thought in their minds of anything save besting the motley crew that
+besieged us, began to talk openly of starvation, as if there was no
+question whatsoever but that we had come nearly to the end of our
+provisions, and thus, as I believe, they brought over to their way of
+thinking many who never would have listened to such wild talk, but for the
+fact that it seemed probable the hour of surrender must be near at hand.</p>
+
+<p>I saw to it that none of the Minute Boys sided with these malcontents,
+while Sergeant Corney and Peter Sitz moved here and there throughout the
+day, trying to persuade the men to do only that which was for their own
+good, but without success.</p>
+
+<p>The longer such talk ran through the garrison the stronger it became,
+until shortly before sunset the mutiny was so well advanced that the
+commandant could do no less than take serious notice of it, and it pleased
+me that he did not delay.</p>
+
+<p>Save for the sentinels on the walls, the entire garrison was called out as
+for parade, and, having been clumsily formed in a hollow square, Colonel
+Gansevoort, surrounded by his staff of officers, undertook to still the
+rising tempest.</p>
+
+<p>He began by saying that it was the opinion of himself and his staff that
+the men ought to know exactly the condition of affairs, lest they be led
+astray by idle fears, and to that end he called upon the quartermaster for
+a detailed statement of the amount of eatables then on hand.</p>
+
+<p>When this had been given, and it required some time to read the entire
+list, he announced the number of men, women, and children which were
+inside the walls of the fort, figuring out that by slightly decreasing the
+size of the rations it would be possible to provide every person with food
+during three weeks at least.</p>
+
+<p>True it is the supply was not large enough to admit of our gorging
+ourselves; but I dare venture to say that many there would have lived on
+much less had they been thrown upon their own resources in their own
+homes.</p>
+
+<p>Then he told how many times the big guns had been fired during the late
+assault, and stated that we had two hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition
+remaining for the cannon. He claimed that it was possible for us to hold
+the fort even though we did not use the heavy weapons, and showed that we
+could yet put up as much of a fight as St. Leger's army would be able to
+stomach.</p>
+
+<p>After all these details, he described to the men what would likely be
+their fate in event of surrender, declaring that we had every reason and
+the ability to hold the fort if we were so minded, and urged us to be men
+rather than cowards.</p>
+
+<p>It was a good speech, and one which should have put heart into the veriest
+white-livered militiaman that ever pretended to be a soldier; but, to my
+surprise, I could see on the faces of those who had talked surrender the
+loudest, an expression telling that the words passed by them as does the
+wind.</p>
+
+<p>When we were dismissed the contention was greater than before the colonel
+spoke, and I began to believe it would have been better had he held his
+peace, for surely it seemed as if they believed his words of cheer were
+but proof that he shared their fears.</p>
+
+<p>During the evening one of the bolder poltroons declared it was the duty of
+all the garrison, in order to save their lives, to force Colonel
+Gansevoort to do as they desired, and while the talk was the hottest
+Sergeant Corney "broke loose," as he afterward expressed it.</p>
+
+<p>"This lad an' I," he said, laying his hand on my shoulder, after
+attracting the attention of all within sound of his voice, "have within a
+short time seen just such scoundrelly curs as you are provin' yourselves
+to be. We have heard them cry out against a commander who was fitted to
+lead brave men, and their blood is not yet dry on the banks of the
+Oriskany. They forced General Herkimer into an ambush against his better
+judgment,--against his will,--an' at the first volley from Thayendanega's
+painted wretches they turned tail. Until that time I had thought an Indian
+was the meanest specimen of humanity on the face of the earth; but I have
+come to know different, an' am yet gettin' fresh proof. If you talk so
+boldly of what St. Leger's promises are worth, why don't you put 'em to
+the test? If you believe death by starvation awaits you here, an' that all
+the heart of man can desire is to be found among yonder yellin' imps, why
+don't you make an exchange? The garrison would be the stronger for your
+absence, an' if it so be any man here wants to consort with the red
+wolves, I, who pride myself on never yet havin' disobeyed a military
+order, will stand by an' help him to leave the fort."</p>
+
+<p>For a moment after the old man ceased speaking I fully expected he would
+be set upon and ill-treated by those whom he had so severely lashed with
+his tongue.</p>
+
+<p>That no move toward open violence was attempted simply gave proof that
+they were the cowards he had accused them of being; but I believed it was
+possible to see in their faces that his ironical advice might bear fruit,
+and so I told him when the opportunity came.</p>
+
+<p>"More than one of them has had it in his mind to desert an' go over to the
+enemy," I said, whereupon he replied, as if the possibility gave him great
+satisfaction:</p>
+
+<p>"I wish they might! It's true I said more than I meant when declarin' my
+willingness to help 'em get away; but I promise you, Noel Campbell, that
+my hand never will be raised to stop them, if they try any sich fool
+trick."</p>
+
+<p>When my lads were together in the barracks once more, and had settled down
+for the night, none of us having been detailed for guard-duty, the thought
+of what I fancied I saw on the faces of the mutineers troubled me not a
+little, and, instead of lying down to sleep with the majority of my
+comrades, I called Peter Sitz and Sergeant Corney aside, urging that one
+or the other go to Colonel Gansevoort for the purpose of telling him what
+it was possible some of the garrison might attempt to do before morning.</p>
+
+<p>Peter Sitz claimed that, since he was not a soldier, he had no right to
+make what might seem to the commandant like a suggestion, and shoved all
+the responsibility on the sergeant.</p>
+
+<p>The old man declared, as he had previously, that the men might do as they
+pleased; that if it was possible to stop them by a single word his lips
+should remain closed.</p>
+
+<p>Whereupon I suggested that if the men should desert, in however small
+numbers, they might leave some portion of the fortification unguarded,
+which would work to the peril of all, and insisted, if the sergeant would
+not do what he might to prevent the desertion, it was at least our duty to
+so act that the remainder of the garrison would not be put in jeopardy
+because of their folly.</p>
+
+<p>Not until I had spoken at some length would the old soldier give any heed,
+and then, upon a suggestion from Peter Sitz, he said:</p>
+
+<p>"This much I'm willin' to do, an' no more: from now till mornin' I'll make
+it my business, although clearly I am goin' beyond the bounds of ordinary
+duty, to move to an' fro around the fort, an' will summon the Minute Boys
+in case any point is left unguarded."</p>
+
+<p>Both Jacob and I proposed to share the labor with him; but he would have
+none of it.</p>
+
+<p>"Stay where you are," he said, "for I'm not minded you shall do that which
+may disgruntle the commandant. When he learns that we took it upon
+ourselves to look after the safety of the garrison without orders from
+him, there'll be a good chance for a row. I'll stand the brunt of it
+alone, without draggin' you lads into the scrape."</p>
+
+<p>I knew from the expression on his face that any attempt at argument with
+him at the time would be useless, therefore held my peace; but had it in
+mind that by thus interfering he might be committing an offence such as
+the commandant would not readily forget.</p>
+
+<p>If any number of men should desert on this night, there could not be any
+question but that we, having had an inkling of it, might justly be held
+accountable, but yet I was not pleased at the thought of doing or
+suffering to be done that which the old soldier had set his face against.</p>
+
+<p>However, as has been said, I could have done nothing to change matters
+save by going to the commandant, and therefore remained in the barracks,
+mightily uncomfortable in mind, but trying my best at holding conversation
+with Jacob on indifferent subjects.</p>
+
+<p>The majority of my company had no idea of what might be done that night,
+therefore they lay down to sleep as usual, Jacob and I seeking the open
+air after we found it was impossible to take interest in any subject save
+that which lay, just at that time, nearest our hearts.</p>
+
+<p>We paced to and fro in front of the barracks, taking good care not to
+disturb the sleepers, until perhaps half an hour before midnight, and then
+the sergeant came up, looking much like a man who has just settled a very
+disagreeable question.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it's done," he said, abruptly, "an' to-morrow at this time I reckon
+there'll be less fools in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" I cried, excitedly, for, although expecting to hear
+that a certain number of men had deserted, I could not but feel
+astonishment when the suspicions thus became a certainty.</p>
+
+<p>"Five of the cowards have deserted, countin' that St. Leger will receive
+'em with open arms. They had a good deal to say about the need of
+somethin' to fill up their stomachs, an' I reckon that within four an'
+twenty hours sich a question as that won't give 'em any further trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"How did they go?" Jacob asked, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Out through the horn-works, an' over the stockade."</p>
+
+<p>"How did it happen that only five started?"</p>
+
+<p>"The rest of the mutinous ones were not quite sich fools when it came to
+the last pinch, an' I'm allowin' we're well rid of those who have gone,
+save that they can carry information to St. Leger of a kind he'll be glad
+to receive."</p>
+
+<p>That was a possibility which I had failed to realize until this moment,
+and immediately the knowledge came I understood clearly that it was our
+duty to have notified the commandant at once of what we suspected, for, if
+the enemy learned that we were on short allowance and with a scarcity of
+ammunition, as he certainly would from these men who were bound to make
+matters appear as bad as possible, we might expect more than one vigorous
+assault within a very short time.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you stand quietly by while they went?" Jacob asked, in a tone of
+reproach.</p>
+
+<p>"I wasn't quite sich a fool as that, lad, even though I did advise 'em to
+go. I kept my eye on the gang, however, an' was hidden in the horn-works
+when they made the final plans. Those who had been left behind seemed to
+be frightened, an' I reckon there'll be less show of mutiny in this 'ere
+fort to-morrow mornin' than we've seen in the past four an' twenty hours."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob and I would have insisted that the old soldier tell us more
+regarding the desertion, although it was evident he had imparted all the
+information at his command; but he, bent on getting some rest before
+morning, entered the barracks, and we could hardly do better than follow
+him.</p>
+
+<p>Although it had not seemed possible I would close my eyes in slumber that
+night, with so much which was disagreeable to keep me awake, I did fall
+asleep, and that right soon after I lay down by the side of Jacob.</p>
+
+<p>We were astir very early next morning, through some whim of Sergeant
+Corney's, who insisted that the Minute Boys should be the first to make an
+appearance, and I left the barracks fully expecting to find a scene of
+confusion outside.</p>
+
+<p>Matters were much as they had been the night previous, and I came to the
+conclusion, that as yet the commandant was ignorant of the fact that five
+of his men had gone over to the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>However that may have been, no signs of disquietude among the officers
+were apparent until the sun was two hours or more high, and then half a
+dozen men belonging to the same company as those who had deserted, were
+summoned to headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>"You might save the commandant a good bit of trouble by telling him what
+you know," Jacob suggested to Sergeant Corney, and the latter replied,
+grimly:</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not sich a fool. It's one thing to let a lot of sneaks get away when
+you think the garrison will be the better off without 'em, an' quite
+another to own up to your superior officer that you've winked at
+desertion. I'll keep a close tongue in my head, an' so will them as are my
+friends."</p>
+
+<p>With this the old man walked away, leaving us gazing at each other in
+something very like astonishment, for we understood by his tone that he
+was much the same as threatening us in case we should take it upon
+ourselves to tell what we knew regarding the matter.</p>
+
+<p>Before ten o'clock all of the garrison were aware that five of the force
+had deserted, and those men who had been loudest spoken regarding the
+wisdom of surrendering, were now moving about very uneasily, doubtless
+fearing they might be called upon to answer for some of the unsoldierly
+remarks in which they had indulged.</p>
+
+<p>There was no real confusion in the fort, but a general air of disquietude
+and apprehension, which I thought quite wholesome, since it caused every
+man to do his duty more promptly and more thoroughly than I had ever seen
+it done.</p>
+
+<p>When those who had been summoned to headquarters appeared on the
+parade-ground once more, they were surrounded by eager comrades, all
+anxious to know what had been said to them; but they could give very
+little definite information, and were unwilling to talk openly regarding
+the matter, for the reason, as I fancied, that some of them, being privy
+to the desertion, had denied such fact to the officers.</p>
+
+<p>Well, by noon it seemed as if the matter had entirely blown over.
+Everything went along much as on the day previous, save that, according to
+my idea, there was a more healthy tone among the men, because we no longer
+heard talk of surrender, and I suggested that perhaps Colonel Gansevoort
+was as glad to be rid of his mutinous soldiers as Sergeant Corney had been
+to see them depart.</p>
+
+<p>It goes without saying that all of us, whether on duty or not, kept a
+sharper lookout over the enemy's encampment than ever before, for there
+was good reason to expect that St. Leger would order another assault; but
+not one of us dreamed of that horrible spectacle which was to be
+presented, much as if Thayendanega's murderers were of a mind to give
+would-be deserters such a lesson as could never be forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>The afternoon passed quietly and without unusual incident; but when the
+sun was just about to set we observed the Indians crossing the river from
+their encampment to the meadow at a point near the creek, where it was
+possible for us to hold them in plain view, while they were yet beyond
+range of any except the heavier guns, which could not be brought to bear
+upon them.</p>
+
+<p>The first movement was made by a party of a dozen or more, who seemed to
+be carrying heavy burdens on their backs, and this was such an unusual
+thing for a redskin to do that we were keenly curious.</p>
+
+<p>This first squad was followed by a veritable swarm of the painted
+murderers, and I said nervously to Sergeant Corney, who was standing near
+me at the moment:</p>
+
+<p>"The savages are goin' to try their hand at an assault, an' we're like to
+have warm work before mornin'."</p>
+
+<p>"There's little fear anything of that kind will happen, lad. The painted
+devil never lived who was willin' to stand up an' fight face to face,
+man-fashion."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why are they goin' out of their encampment like a swarm of bees?"</p>
+
+<p>"There's some mischief afoot, though what it is I can't rightly make out.
+Perhaps St. Leger has summoned 'em to another powwow, in order that they
+may know of our condition, as has been told by the deserters."</p>
+
+<p>In a very few moments it was positive that this guess was not correct,
+for, instead of crossing the creek to approach the British encampment, the
+Indians halted when they were about midway between the fort, the camps of
+the British soldiers, and the quarters of the Tories.</p>
+
+<p>It was at a point where every man on either side could see what was being
+done, and yet so far away that, save by a sortie, no one could molest
+them.</p>
+
+<p>I dare venture to say that every man in the garrison, save perhaps the
+officers, was watching intently the movements of Thayendanega's gang, and
+it was as if the knowledge of what was about to be done burst upon us all
+at the same instant.</p>
+
+<p>A low murmur of horror involuntarily came from our lips, and men said in
+whispers, one to another, the blood suddenly leaving their bronzed faces:</p>
+
+<p>"The Indians are going to torture prisoners!"</p>
+
+<p>By this time we could see that two stout posts had been set firmly in the
+earth, and around them were heaped piles of light wood, such as the squaws
+and children were bringing up in great quantities.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega's bloodthirsty crew was bent on showing us what would be our
+fate if we fell into their clutches.</p>
+
+<p>When the first shock of horror had passed away in a measure, there came
+the question as to who might be the victims, and then those who had talked
+mutiny and urged their fellows on to rankest insubordination turned pale
+as death, while many of them walked totteringly away as if unable to
+control their limbs. We all believed, and with good reason, that those
+unfortunates who were to suffer death at the hands of the most
+cruel-minded men God ever made, were none other than the deserters from
+our ranks.</p>
+
+<p>During the assault not one of the garrison had been taken prisoner, and
+certain it was that the besiegers had not left the vicinity of the fort
+for such length of time as would be sufficient to enable them to procure
+captives elsewhere, therefore did we know beyond a peradventure who the
+victims would be, but why only two were to suffer was something at which
+we could not even so much as guess.</p>
+
+<p>I saw Colonel Gansevoort and several of the officers come out from
+headquarters, having most likely been informed as to what was going on,
+and, when they stood where it was possible to have an unobstructed view of
+the horrible preparations, the entire garrison of Fort Schuyler were
+assembled as spectators.</p>
+
+<p>"Cannot something be done for the poor fellows?" I heard a man behind me
+ask in a quavering tone, and, turning, I saw one who had declared most
+vehemently but a few hours previous that if we would surrender the fort we
+could be assured beyond question of such treatment as civilized people
+give to prisoners of war.</p>
+
+<p>No one answered his question, and in a whisper I repeated it to Sergeant
+Corney, whereupon he shook his head decidedly.</p>
+
+<p>"The commander who would make a sortie for the purpose of savin' only two
+lives would be guilty of criminal folly," the old soldier said,
+emphatically. "If those who are to suffer were Colonel Gansevoort's
+nearest friends, still must he remain here idle rather than put in
+jeopardy all the garrison. As it is, those painted devils are givin' us
+sich a lesson as will cause every man here to fight until the death,
+rather than so much as hint that we might trust to the enemy's promises.
+It's a harsh remedy--the harshest man could imagine; but yet there are an
+hundred or more lookin' on at this minute who need it."</p>
+
+<p>I cannot make the feeblest attempt at describing the horror which took
+possession of me as I realized that we could make no effort toward saving
+the unfortunate men, who were not the less to be pitied because they had
+brought about their own misery, and, unable longer to gaze at what was so
+soon to be such a terrible scene, I turned away with a mind to shut myself
+up in the barracks.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch15"></a>Chapter XV.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Torture.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>There was one odd thing I noted while turning away, sick at heart, which
+was that those friends of the deserters, the men whose voices had been
+raised highest against Colonel Gansevoort because he would not surrender
+the fort at St. Leger's bidding, had no word to say now that their friends
+were in such dire distress, while those who had struggled to quell the
+mutiny were asking loudly if it were not possible to do something toward
+saving the lives of the unfortunate men.</p>
+
+<p>Twenty or more of the bolder spirits, among whom was Sergeant Corney, were
+making ready to ask permission of the commandant to their creeping out of
+the fort on that side nearest the river, and then trying by a sudden dash
+to rescue the prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>Even the slight experience which I had had in savage warfare was
+sufficient to show me that there was nothing which we could do in behalf
+of the wretched men, and any plan, however promising, could not fail of
+exposing the entire garrison to the keenest peril.</p>
+
+<p>There could be no question but that the enemy hoped we might be so
+venturesome as to sally out, and I doubt if there was a man within the
+fortification who did not feel convinced that St. Leger's troops were
+ready to swoop down in assault at the first show of our having sent away
+any portion of our force.</p>
+
+<p>All knew that we inside the fortification were powerless to aid those who
+had wilfully gone to their doom, and none better than those same brave
+fellows who were ready to risk their lives in behalf of comrades who would
+have worked disaster to the entire garrison, yet they could not stand idle
+without at least a show of willingness to face danger in the hope of
+saving life.</p>
+
+<p>The one lesson which all of us learned at this time was as to how much
+dependence might be placed upon the word of the British commander. He had
+declared that he would protect all who came to him promising to serve the
+king, and yet, when the five foolish cowards from our garrison presented
+themselves, they were given over to the merciless savages, much as honest
+people give play-things to their children.</p>
+
+<p>I had turned away from the scene sick with horror, even though the
+fiendish work had not yet begun; but as I stood near the barracks,
+trembling in every limb, the thought came that perhaps our deserters were
+not the ones for whom the stakes were intended. Of course, it would be
+equally terrible to see any human being tortured to death; but at the
+moment it seemed as if the frightfulness of it would in some degree be
+lessened if it were strangers who suffered, and straightway I went back to
+the walls, taking station by the side of Jacob, as I strained my eyes to
+see who the Indians led out.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is the sergeant?" I asked, in a whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"Gone, in company with a dozen others, to ask permission of the commandant
+to leave the fort for a short time."</p>
+
+<p>"Do they want to compass their own death?" I asked, angrily. "I dare
+venture to say every Tory in yonder encampment is ready to cut off any
+who, from motives of mercy and pity, venture beyond the walls."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, so my father believes. He says that Colonel Gansevoort cannot, in
+justice to the remainder of the force, allow such a sacrifice of life as
+would result from a sortie."</p>
+
+<p>"But we are not yet certain that it is our deserters who are to be put to
+death," I suggested, and at the moment a hoarse cry went up from all that
+company of heart-sick spectators.</p>
+
+<p>Accompanied by war-songs from the warriors and hoots and yells from the
+squaws and fiendish children, the unfortunate men were being brought
+across the river in triumph, and then a deep hush fell upon our garrison,
+as every person within the walls bent forward anxiously to get a glimpse
+of those who were being carried to the theatre of a terrible death.</p>
+
+<p>The unfortunate prisoners were yet too far away for me to distinguish
+their features, when a soldier standing near by, a man whom I recognized
+as one of those who had howled most loudly for surrender, cried with a
+groan as of mortal agony:</p>
+
+<p>"There is Seth Morton!"</p>
+
+<p>This was the name of one of the deserters, and there was no longer any
+hope but that the savages were ready to show us how our own people could
+die.</p>
+
+<p>At this moment the party with whom Sergeant Corney had gone to the
+commandant for permission to attempt a rescue came up, and but one glance
+at their faces was needed to show that the request had been denied.</p>
+
+<p>"He wouldn't let you go?" I whispered, as the old man stood by my side.</p>
+
+<p>"No, lad, an' we should have had better sense than to ask him. A
+commandant who would agree to sich a plan has no right to expect his
+troops can rely upon his showin' good judgment in a tight fix."</p>
+
+<p>"What did he say?"</p>
+
+<p>"He talked like a gentleman who speaks with his friends. Instead of
+roarin' out that we were all kinds of idjuts, as another commander might
+have done, he told us exactly what would be the result if any of us
+attempted to leave the fort, an' wound up by sayin' that if his own
+brother was in the hands of the red devils, he would not consider it doin'
+justice by the garrison even to let one man venture forth. He only told us
+the truth, an' I'm not sorry I went to him, even though nothin' came of
+it, for it ain't cheerful to stand still without makin' a little bit of a
+try while sich work as that yonder is goin' on."</p>
+
+<p>When the prisoners had been taken across the stream the savages lost no
+time in setting about their terrible work, and, although so many years
+have elapsed since then, I cannot bring myself to set down that which I
+know was done.</p>
+
+<p>While the poor fellows were being bound to the stakes, Jacob and I ran
+into the barracks, where we remained, trying to shut out from our ears the
+yells and whoops which told of what was going on.</p>
+
+<p>"And I would have suffered the same bitter death but for what you did,
+dear lad!" I said, hardly able to control my voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't think of it, Noel," he replied, soothingly, as he pressed my hand.
+"An', above everything, don't give me the credit. All our company had a
+part in that rescue."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, yet they'd never known of our peril but for you, an' it was you
+alone, when they were arrived, who braved the danger of coming across the
+encampment to the lodge."</p>
+
+<p>"Talk of somethin' else, Noel Campbell!" Jacob cried, fiercely. "Even
+though the colonel knows best what should be done, it seems cowardly for
+us to be sittin' here in safety while those poor fellows are sufferin' all
+that men can!"</p>
+
+<p>I tried to do as he would have me; but one can readily understand that at
+such a time it would be well-nigh impossible to think of anything save
+that which was being done within sight of all the garrison.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me like a very long time before the sergeant joined us, and
+then I knew that the unfortunate men were out of their misery at last.</p>
+
+<p>"They have paid a fearful price for their folly," the old man said,
+solemnly; "but by thus dyin' they've ensured the holdin' of this fort, for
+there's not a man within the walls who wouldn't delight in drawin' his
+last breath at the post of duty rather than take the chances of sich
+protection as St. Leger has shown he's ready to give. We'll have no more
+mutiny, an' all hands will be starved to death before the enemy gets
+possession of the fortification."</p>
+
+<p>"What about the other three men?" Jacob asked, in a whisper, not daring to
+trust his voice lest it should betray the fear in his heart.</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon their turn will come soon--perhaps to-morrow night.
+Thayendanega's 'noble red men' can't afford to waste their victims. But,
+hark ye, lads, it won't do for you to moon over what is enough to turn any
+man's blood to water. Take a brisk walk up an' down the parade-ground for
+half an hour, an' then come to bed. I'm thinkin' we may have a bit of
+work cut out for us within the next four an' twenty hours."</p>
+
+<p>"Of what kind?" I asked, not inclined to follow the old man's advice so
+far as to venture out while the howling Indians were making night
+something of which to be afraid.</p>
+
+<p>"It stands to reason that before the deserters were turned over to the
+painted wolves St. Leger got from them all the information concernin' this
+fort which they could give. The British general now knows that we haven't
+any too much ammunition for the cannon, an' it'll be odd if he don't give
+us a chance to spend a good bit more of it."</p>
+
+<p>This seemed a plausible line of reasoning, and yet I was not in the
+lightest degree troubled by the possibility; I had known so much of horror
+during the past few hours that an assault, however desperate, was
+something to be courted rather than feared.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney smoked his pipe long and furiously that night as he sat in
+the barracks, giving no heed as to whether we followed his advice, and we
+two lads sat side by side with little inclination to indulge in
+conversation.</p>
+
+<p>One by one our boys, pale-faced and trembling, entered the
+sleeping-quarters, some even going so far as to lie down, but positive am
+I that never an eye was closed in slumber during all that night, and every
+one of us welcomed the first rays of the rising sun as if years had
+passed since he last showed his face.</p>
+
+<p>Before another six hours passed we had good proof that those who deserted
+gave all the information at their command to General St. Leger regarding
+the condition of affairs at the fort, and yet never a word was spoken
+against them, because of the frightful punishment which followed their
+treachery.</p>
+
+<p>From what our party of Minute Boys had seen up to this time, the work of
+the siege was not pushed vigorously by the Britishers, and even the little
+which was done had been performed by the Tories. It is true that the
+parallels were run unpleasantly near the fort, yet, had the besiegers so
+desired, there would have been twice as much to show for their efforts.</p>
+
+<p>On the morning after two of the deserters had been tortured to death, it
+began to look as if our people would have little time for idleness.</p>
+
+<p>The enemy's trenches were filled with men,--regulars as well as
+Tories,--all of whom worked with a will, and at different points
+sharpshooters were stationed to pick off our sentinels.</p>
+
+<p>"Now this is somethin' like business," Sergeant Corney said, as if the
+sense of additional danger was most pleasing to him. "Barry St. Leger has
+just found out that there's a chance of takin' this fort by storm, an'
+from now on we'll have our hands full."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob and I were in the barracks trying to sleep when the old man burst
+in upon us with the remark I have set down, and as he spoke he began
+furbishing up his rifle with unusual care.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you any especial work on hand?" I asked, looking curiously at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, that's what I have. This 'ere garrison ain't in any very great
+danger of runnin' short of ammunition for the small arms, an' we're goin'
+to give the enemy lead in the place of iron for a spell."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" I asked, somewhat petulantly, for it seemed as if the
+old man was making sport of me.</p>
+
+<p>"Only that we've given the enemy's sharpshooters a chance all the forenoon
+without interferin' to any great extent, an' now we're countin' on takin'
+our turn. Fifty men have been detailed to pick off as many of St. Leger's
+force as we can draw a bead on. I reckon workin' in the trenches won't be
+a healthy job from this time on. Colonel Gansevoort allows to show the
+Britishers that he can stir his stumps if needs must."</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant left the barracks without giving us further information; but
+we soon learned that our people were to be kept sharply up to their work,
+instead of being allowed to spend five hours out of every six in lounging
+around.</p>
+
+<p>The force of sharpshooters to which Sergeant Corney was assigned had been
+stationed on the north and east sides of the fort, where they could
+command a view of the British and Tory encampments and the trenches.</p>
+
+<p>Another company of fifty was told off especially for the horn-works, while
+we Minute Boys were ordered to keep at least ten of our number constantly
+on watch over the sally-port, from which point the best view of the Indian
+encampment could be had.</p>
+
+<p>Yet others of the force were detailed to go from one division to another
+of those I have named, in order to lend a hand in case it might become
+necessary, and thus it was we no longer had any loungers on the
+parade-grounds or near the barracks.</p>
+
+<p>The orders were that every effort be made to pick off such of the enemy as
+offered themselves for targets, and before the day had come to an end St.
+Leger's men must have begun to understand that the siege of Fort Schuyler
+was no longer the one-sided affair which it had been.</p>
+
+<p>My lads could not have been stationed in any other position where they
+would have been as well satisfied, for thus were they fighting the savages
+who had threatened to ravage the Mohawk Valley, and every time we made a
+successful shot it was much as if we struck a blow in defence of our
+homes.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega's so-called braves did not give us very much opportunity to
+display our skill as marksmen, however. Within five minutes after the
+curs discovered that we were straining every effort to reduce their
+number, they hugged the encampment mighty snug, and I am of the opinion
+that General St. Leger would have found it difficult to make them obey any
+order which might necessitate their coming within our line of fire.</p>
+
+<p>In addition to this slow method of whipping a large force, I noted the
+fact that twenty men or more were at work moving one of the guns in the
+northwest bastion, and was not a little puzzled to make out why such a
+piece of work should be done at a time when we could not afford to use the
+cannon any more than was absolutely necessary.</p>
+
+<p>My surprise was not lessened when the laborers with great difficulty
+transferred the big gun directly to our station, mounting it almost
+directly over the port, after which six rounds of ammunition were brought
+from the magazine and placed where it could be got at handily.</p>
+
+<p>"Does the commandant think we lads can handle that cannon properly?" I
+asked of the corporal who was superintending the work, and he replied,
+with a laugh of satisfaction:</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon he wasn't thinkin' very much about you when he gave orders to
+have the gun moved. That's to help out on our surprise-party; it'll carry
+a ball farther an' with truer aim than any other piece in the fort, as I
+know, havin' had somewhat to do with all of 'em."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean by a surprise-party?" I asked, in perplexity. "An' why
+should the best gun be brought here?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see, lad, the chances are them bloody sneaks will soon try to
+work the same deviltry which we had to look at idly last night, for it
+stands to reason that all who deserted from this fort fell into their
+clutches. The next time they start in to kill a man by inches, believin'
+they're out of range, we'll plump a ball into the middle of the gang
+that'll make em' hop a bit."</p>
+
+<p>I laughed in glee at the prospect of turning the tables on the
+bloodthirsty wretches, but very shortly came the thought that the
+unfortunate prisoners would be in as much danger as the savages, and this
+I suggested to the corporal, whereupon he said, gravely:</p>
+
+<p>"We'll hope the first shot kills as many as are trussed up to the stakes,
+lad, because a quick death is the only favor we can do for the poor
+fellows."</p>
+
+<p>It would indeed be a mercy to kill the prisoners, if we could not save
+their lives; but of a verity we were come to hard lines when it was to be
+hoped our missiles would slay those who had been our comrades.</p>
+
+<p>I believed all the garrison were better content, now that Colonel
+Gansevoort was finding work for every man. Certainly there was less chance
+for searching out bugbears when they were busily engaged, and each of us
+felt a grim satisfaction at knowing that we inflicted some punishment on
+the enemy, however slight.</p>
+
+<p>It must not be supposed that our sharpshooters found all the targets they
+desired, else had we wiped St. Leger's force out in a twinkling; but there
+were in the white portion of his army a sufficient number who scorned to
+show fear of what we might be able to do, and these kept our men so
+engaged that the reports of the rifles were ringing out almost without
+intermission.</p>
+
+<p>As I have already said, we Minute Boys had but little opportunity to show
+our skill after the first hour, because the savages kept so close within
+their lodges; but now and then we had a crack at a painted figure, and
+seldom missed our aim.</p>
+
+<p>As the day wore away it became evident that the Indians counted on
+torturing the remainder of their prisoners as before, and, instead of
+suffering from the sickness of horror, as I had twenty-four hours
+previous, there was in my mind a most pleasing anticipation of what would
+be the result.</p>
+
+<p>Half an hour before sunset they began setting up new posts, a fact which
+told that St. Leger had indeed turned over to them all the deserters.</p>
+
+<p>Word was passed around the fort that the commandant counted on putting an
+end to their cruel sport, if perchance the distance was not greater than
+he had estimated, and by sunset every person inside the walls, save those
+who were acting as sentinels on the westerly side, had their faces turned
+in the direction of the Indian encampment.</p>
+
+<p>It was claimed that the corporal with whom I had previously spoken was the
+best gunner in the command, and to him had been entrusted the work of
+sighting the cannon.</p>
+
+<p>He had already charged it heavily, and when the savages began setting up
+new posts he knew the time had come to look for the proper range.</p>
+
+<p>The corporal had no need to call for a crew to aid him. An hundred pairs
+of hands were out-stretched eagerly whenever he signified the desire to
+have this thing or that done, and he was more like to suffer from a
+surplus of helpers than a lack.</p>
+
+<p>It looked much as if Colonel Gansevoort feared that, while our attention
+was attracted toward the fiendish work of the savages, the British and
+Tory soldiers might make an assault, for he ordered the number of
+sentinels doubled and all the spectators to be in line, weapons in hand,
+that no time might be lost in case it became necessary to move them from
+one point to another.</p>
+
+<p>Thayendanega's wolves did not count on keeping us waiting very long; but
+as soon as the sun had set began crossing the river with their unfortunate
+prisoners, singing and shouting, as if the capture and torturing of these
+unarmed men was some signal act of bravery.</p>
+
+<p>The corporal told off a certain number of those nearest to act as crew
+for the gun, explaining to them just how they should set about the task of
+recharging when once it had been discharged, and then the remainder of the
+spectators, save we Minute Boys who were entitled to remain at our
+stations, were forced to fall back that they might not impede the work
+after it was once begun.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Colonel Gansevoort himself had come up, and thus we
+understood that he was to direct the firing. If our cannon could carry a
+missile to the place of torture, then certain it was the red-skinned
+brutes would receive a lesson well calculated to surprise those who were
+left alive after the piece had been discharged.</p>
+
+<p>The commandant did not wait until the horrible work was begun; but, once
+the stakes were surrounded by the howling, screaming, dancing mob as they
+placed the prisoners in the desired positions, the corporal got the word
+for which he had been eagerly waiting.</p>
+
+<p>A puff of dense white smoke, a report which was almost deafening to those
+of us standing near by rang out.</p>
+
+<p>Then we could follow the flight of the missile in the air until it struck,
+as it seemed to me, within a dozen paces of those bloodthirsty villains
+who stood on the outside of the throng, and, rebounding as does a flat
+stone when a boy drives it along the surface of the water, it plunged into
+the very midst of the fiendish crew.</p>
+
+<p>I could see that one of the posts had been carried away by the ball, but
+whether or no the prisoner was killed could not be told from so great a
+distance and while he was surrounded by such numbers.</p>
+
+<p>It was to be hoped the poor fellow had gone to his final account without
+pain, as would have been the case had the huge shot struck him.</p>
+
+<p>The gunners did not wait to see the result of their work; but instantly
+the cannon was discharged every man sprang to the task allotted him, and
+the savages had not yet recovered from the first surprise before a second
+shot came hurtling among them, striking down half a score before it
+rebounded.</p>
+
+<p>I do not believe forty seconds elapsed before the gunners were ready for
+the third discharge. In order to save time they did not wait to swab out
+the piece, and the only preparation make by them was to clear the interior
+of smoke.</p>
+
+<p>To tell it in the fewest possible words, the corporal had for his target
+nearly the entire number of Indians who had attempted to witness the
+torture, while we fired four shots, and not until then did the
+panic-stricken crew get their wits about them sufficiently to beat a
+retreat.</p>
+
+<p>But the gun was discharged twice more while they were crossing the river,
+and I know for a certainty that one boat was swamped, while the ground in
+the vicinity of the posts set up for the prisoners seemed literally
+strewn with the dead and the dying.</p>
+
+<p>At that moment, while we were making the air ring with our shouts of
+triumph, I saw a figure emerge from that sinister pile of dead and maimed
+and come limpingly in the direction of the fort, moving evidently with
+great effort and slowly.</p>
+
+<p>At first I believed it was a wounded Indian, who was so crazed with pain
+or fear as not to be aware of the direction in which he was proceeding,
+and then a cry went up from the soldiers nearabout me:</p>
+
+<p>"Reuben Cox! Reuben Cox!"</p>
+
+<p>"Was he one of the deserters?" I asked of the corporal, who, his work
+having been done, was leaning out over the wall to watch the frightened
+sneaks as they scuttled into their lodges out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that he was," the corporal replied, "an' it looks much as if he stood
+a chance to gain the fort before those painted beauties dare stick their
+noses out from cover."</p>
+
+<p>As we watched it was possible to see that the man's arms were tied behind
+him, while it seemed as if his legs were fettered in some way; yet he was
+able to take short steps, and in his eagerness to make better speed he
+fell to the ground again and again, rising only with difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>The fugitive was a deserter from the fort, one who had doubtless given
+such information to the British general as might work serious harm to all
+of us; but yet never a cry was heard from our garrison, save such as
+expressed hope that he might escape the terrible doom from which we had at
+least temporarily saved him, and all appeared eager for him to gain the
+fortification.</p>
+
+<p>Even Colonel Gansevoort seemed to lose sight of the fact that if this man
+came among us once more it would be necessary to treat him as a deserter;
+but to check, if possible, pursuit from the British and Tory soldiers, he
+lined the walls with men under command to fire without waiting for the
+word, upon any of the enemy who might approach within range.</p>
+
+<p>The crews of the guns in the northeastern bastion were sent to their posts
+of duty, in order that the pieces might be used in case an opportunity
+presented itself, and, in fact, every possible effort, save the absolute
+sallying out of a relief party, was made to preserve the life of the man
+who by all military laws deserved death.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me as if I did not breathe while that poor, struggling
+creature was straining every effort to find a place of refuge among those
+whom he had wronged. It was as if the distance increased even as he came
+toward us, and I found it difficult to remain silent while he stumbled,
+fell, rose, and fell again during his painful flight.</p>
+
+<p>Fifty men or more ran to the sally-port, ready to open the gates if he
+should draw near, and Colonel Gansevoort made no effort to check them.</p>
+
+<p>I believe at the moment that he entirely lost sight of the fact that this
+man could no longer claim the right of entrance, having forfeited it when
+he went over to the enemy. He, and all within the walls, saw before them
+only a wretched prisoner, striving to escape from those who would torture
+him to death, and had he been a dear friend no greater anxiety could have
+been shown for his safety.</p>
+
+<p>Not until he was within fifty yards of the walls of the fort did a shot
+come from the direction of the Indian encampment, and then the bullet sped
+wide of its mark.</p>
+
+<p>From the camp of the Tories a squad of men dashed out, as if intent on
+cutting off the poor fellow even after he was close under the walls, but a
+gun from the northeastern bastion hurled a shot uncomfortably near,
+sending them flying back beyond range, and five minutes later Reuben Cox
+was in our midst, as nearly dead from wounds and fatigue as he ever would
+be again until his final moment had come.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch16"></a>Chapter XVI.</h2>
+
+<h3>Short Allowance.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>Five men had deserted from the fort trusting to the promises made by
+General St. Leger, and one had returned, after having suffered more than
+death, rejoicing because he was able to be once again with those whom he
+had betrayed.</p>
+
+<p>At the moment, however, we had no thought of the deserter, but saw before
+us only a former comrade who had come out from the very jaws of death to
+claim protection.</p>
+
+<p>The poor fellow had been cruelly cut on the legs and arms by the savages
+while they were bringing him across the river, and had lost much blood.
+His face and hands were covered with huge blisters, and it was not
+necessary either Sergeant Corney or I should ask how he came by them, for
+we knew through bitterest experience what the squaws and children would do
+when a white man was at their mercy.</p>
+
+<p>Not until a full hour had passed could Reuben Cox tell his story, and even
+then he was in such a sorry plight that it was possible for him to speak
+only a moment at a time; but before morning came--before we were able to
+do very much toward relieving his sufferings--we had a fairly good account
+of all that had occurred from the moment the five foolish men clambered
+over the stockade until our cannon had done its work of mercy.</p>
+
+<p>It seems that the deserters, after getting outside the fort, decided to
+make their way as nearly to St. Leger's quarters as might be possible, and
+to that end made a long d&eacute;tour to the westward. The sun had risen before
+they came upon a sentinel, and he was, fortunately, as it seemed to them,
+one of the British regulars.</p>
+
+<p>Their story was soon told; no attempt was made to hide the fact that they
+had deserted, for all believed that such a statement would ensure their
+receiving a hearty welcome from the commander.</p>
+
+<p>Much to their surprise, however, the British soldiers treated them with
+the utmost contempt and no slight degree of harshness. The Tories were the
+only white men who appeared particularly pleased with what had been done,
+and they gave the fellows a friendly reception only because, being
+renegades themselves, it gladdened them to know there were others in the
+valley who could be so contemptible.</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of course they were soon taken before the commander that he
+might question them; but even he evidently looked upon them with no slight
+disgust, for he forced them to remain standing while in his presence, and
+failed to give any instructions as to how they should be quartered or fed.</p>
+
+<p>Reuben Cox admitted, with many a groan and plea for mercy, that he and his
+companions had given St. Leger all the information concerning the fort
+which was in their power, and even made our situation appear more
+desperate than really was the case; but when they asked for permission to
+serve the king under his command, he roughly told them to present
+themselves to Sir John Johnson, declaring that the regulars would not
+receive them as companions-in-arms.</p>
+
+<p>Just at that moment it was impossible for them to find Sir John, and, more
+hungry than they had ever been inside Fort Schuyler, they wandered about
+until arriving face to face with a party of Indians, who had come from
+their encampment to lounge around near the white soldiers, from whom they
+begged rum and tobacco.</p>
+
+<p>That meeting sealed their fate, and the poor wretches came to understand
+what was in store for them, even before St. Leger had agreed that they
+might be turned over to the tender mercies of his savage allies.</p>
+
+<p>During an hour they did their best to escape, but only to be dragged back
+with many a kick and blow each time they endeavored to sneak out of the
+encampment.</p>
+
+<p>As nearly as the unhappy men could understand, there was a long, angry
+interview between Sir John, Thayendanega, and some of the British officers
+before the matter was settled, and then they were delivered up to the
+Indians, even the Tories shutting their ears to the prayers for mercy.</p>
+
+<p>It was not necessary I should hear what he had to say about the treatment
+the deserters received in the Indian encampment prior to being led out to
+the stake. I knew full well what suffering must have been theirs before
+the hour arrived when all was to be ended. I had had some slight
+experience as a prisoner in the power of the savages, and even then could
+not listen to another's story of similar treatment without severe mental
+pain.</p>
+
+<p>The three who were reserved for the second evening's entertainment
+suffered nearly all the agonies of death when their comrades were
+tortured, for the Indians forced them to be present as spectators, and it
+is little wonder they were half-dead with fear when their turn came to
+afford amusement for those who found their greatest delight in listening
+to screams of agony from helpless victims.</p>
+
+<p>The first shot from the fort killed two of the deserters outright and
+overturned the post to which Cox was being bound. He could not tell very
+much about the execution done by the balls, for at first he believed it
+was some new form of torture which the savages had invented; but when the
+painted crew fled across the river in abject fear, leaving him
+comparatively at liberty, he began to understand that the comrades whom he
+had wickedly wronged were doing what they could to aid him.</p>
+
+<p>He declared that there were no less than twenty dead savages lying
+nearabout the place when he started for the fort, while as many more,
+badly wounded, were putting forth every effort at escaping beyond range of
+our gun.</p>
+
+<p>All this was repeated to me by Sergeant Corney, who had heard it from
+Reuben Cox himself, and when he was come to an end of the recital I asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Now that he is here, an' likely to live, what will be done with him?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what I can't say, lad, an' I'm of the belief that it puzzles the
+commandant not a little. Desertion in the face of an enemy is punishable
+by death the world over, an' rightly, for a soldier can commit no greater
+crime; but what about shootin' a man who has already suffered a dozen
+deaths?"</p>
+
+<p>I soon came to know that the question I had asked of the sergeant was
+being discussed by all the garrison, many of the men declaring that Reuben
+Cox deserved to be treated as any other deserter, while a large number
+claimed that the sufferings he had endured should be considered as having
+atoned for the crime.</p>
+
+<p>The arguments became so warm that it was evident Colonel Gansevoort would
+be forced to come to some decision regarding the matter, and so he did on
+this same day when we were called out on the parade-ground, being formed
+in a hollow square.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that the commandant laid the affair before us without comment,
+save as he declared that neither he nor his staff were willing to settle
+the question themselves, and he had decided to leave it to the
+garrison,--the men who must suffer because of the information given to St.
+Leger, if it so chanced that the British commander gained any advantage
+through it.</p>
+
+<p>"Discuss it thoroughly among yourselves," the colonel said, "and, having
+made up your minds as to what punishment should be dealt out to Cox, write
+the verdict on a bit of paper, signing your names thereto, and leave the
+same at headquarters. Whatsoever the majority of you declare just to all
+concerned, shall be done."</p>
+
+<p>Then we were dismissed from parade, and on the instant there ensued such a
+buzzing and humming that one might have thought an hundred swarms of bees
+had taken possession of the fort, as each man tried to impress upon his
+neighbor that he had the only correct solution to the painful question.</p>
+
+<p>Our Minute Boys were all of the same mind, and it gave me no little
+satisfaction to know that my company were of the mind that Cox had been
+fully punished for his wrong-doing. Without any delay we stated our views
+in few words at the top of a sheet of paper, and each member signed his
+name, after which I carried it to headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>It was Colonel Gansevoort himself whom I saw, and he asked, after glancing
+over the list of names:</p>
+
+<p>"How does it happen that you lads arrived at a decision so quickly?
+Desertion is a very serious offence, and, because of the lesson which
+others may receive, should be punished severely."</p>
+
+<p>"True, sir," I made bold to say; "but among those who signed the paper are
+two who were prisoners among the savages, and, while not havin' been
+subjected to great torture, they have a fair idea of what Cox must have
+suffered."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you speaking of yourself and the old soldier?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet because of what Cox has told St. Leger you may soon be again in
+the power of the Indians."</p>
+
+<p>"That can never be, sir," I replied, gravely. "We know full well you will
+not surrender, however sore our plight, therefore the savages must take
+their prisoners in a fight, an' one need not be captured alive."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you would rather die with a musket in your hands than fall into
+their clutches?"</p>
+
+<p>"A good many times over, if that could be, sir," and so great was the
+horror in my heart through simply calling the possibility to mind that the
+colonel must have understood I spoke no more than the truth.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my lad, I will tell you this much for the gratification of yourself
+and friends: When it comes, if it ever does, that I am convinced, because
+of lack of food, ammunition, or any other contingency, that we cannot hold
+the fort, I will lead as many of the garrison as choose to follow me in an
+attempt to cut our way through the enemy's lines. I, like you, prefer to
+die fighting, rather than at the stake."</p>
+
+<p>These words gave me greatest relief of mind, even though to do as the
+colonel promised was much like going to certain death, and I asked:</p>
+
+<p>"May I repeat to my comrades what you have said, sir?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that you may, lad, and unless succor comes soon I shall speak quite
+as plainly to all the garrison, for to-morrow morning the rations are of a
+necessity to be cut down one-half, which will give our discontented men
+good chance to talk of starvation."</p>
+
+<p>It would have given me greatest satisfaction to ask him a few questions
+concerning our supplies, which, when he made the statement to the
+garrison, had seemed so plentiful; but, fortunately, I had sense enough to
+understand that, for a lad like me, to make searching inquiries of the
+commandant of a fort was something which the most easy-going officer would
+not tolerate for an instant.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore, thanking him for having given me the assurance which he had, I
+took my leave, going with all speed to the barracks that I might acquaint
+Sergeant Corney with what I had heard.</p>
+
+<p>"It's good news, lad, though not much different from what I've come to
+expect from sich a soldier as the commandant. Now we've nothin' in
+particular to worry about, seem's there won't be any question of takin'
+advantage of the Britisher's offer, which would be kept in the case of all
+hands much as it was when our poor fools deserted. But what is this about
+short allowance? I thought it was proven to us that we had supplies in
+plenty for many days to come?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can only tell you what the commandant said."</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon he'll explain matters when he tells us why the rations are
+short, an' that he'll have to do in order to satisfy some of the imitation
+soldiers we've got in this 'ere fort."</p>
+
+<p>Then the old man went to his post of duty, and I rejoined the Minute Boys
+over the sally-port, where every member of my company was aching to get a
+fair shot at one of Thayendanega's curs.</p>
+
+<p>The Indians were not inclined to show themselves on this morning after we
+gave our surprise-party. I fancy they had come to understand it wouldn't
+be an easy matter to get the best of us, and were having considerably more
+of fighting than was pleasing.</p>
+
+<p>Never one of the painted snakes came within range of our rifles. At some
+time during the night they had plucked up courage enough to drag off their
+wounded, and, if they visited the British or Tory camp that day, it was
+after making such a d&eacute;tour through the thicket as kept them screened from
+our view.</p>
+
+<p>In the trenches the white portion of St. Leger's army worked like men who
+feel the whip behind them, and our people succeeded in sending six to the
+hospital or their last resting-place, without receiving a scratch.</p>
+
+<p>Such a siege as had been carried on during the past eight and forty hours
+could not be cheerful amusement, and I began to have an idea that it would
+not take very much of a reverse to send the Tories flying to some other
+section of the country. If our people would only follow the example set
+them by Colonel Gansevoort, it seemed certain we could hold the fort at no
+greater cost than that of being hungry during a certain length of time!</p>
+
+<p>When another day had come, and the rations were reduced in size as the
+commandant had said they would be, there was a hum of dissatisfaction all
+over the fort, even those whom we counted as being the stoutest-hearted
+doing their full share of grumbling, and wholly because the commandant had
+so lately told them that we had sufficient of food for many days.</p>
+
+<p>They were not yet done with the business of deciding what punishment
+should be dealt out to Cox; but that was entirely lost sight of in face
+of this apparent change in the situation. It seemed as if the store of
+provisions must be very low indeed, else the rations would not have been
+cut down so soon after the statements made by the quartermaster.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that there was no mutinous talk to be heard; the fate of the
+deserters had taught the grumblers a lesson that would not soon be
+forgotten, but much was said that did not tend to improve the discipline.</p>
+
+<p>At noon word was passed among the men that the last of the votes on Cox's
+case must be in the commandant's hands within two hours, and it was
+generally understood, if not stated as a fact, that at nightfall we would
+hear the verdict. Then also, so nearly all the members of the garrison
+believed, Colonel Gansevoort would explain the reason for putting us on
+short allowance after having stated that we had food in plenty.</p>
+
+<p>Therefore it was the men went about their work as usual, content to wait
+until night; but the commandant would have been unwise to keep them in
+ignorance longer.</p>
+
+<p>"The only mistake that has been made in this business was when Colonel
+Gansevoort condescended to give out any statement while the men were ripe
+for mutiny," Sergeant Corney stopped to say to me, as I met him on the
+parade-ground while going to the barracks to summon some of the lads whose
+time for sentinel-duty had come. "If a dozen or more of the
+loudest-mouthed had been put under arrest, an' such as the deserters
+strung up by the thumbs, four lives might have been saved, an' there
+wouldn't be any foolish talk made now."</p>
+
+<p>I had no time to reply to the old man, for, having thus relieved his mind,
+he passed on, and I went about my duties.</p>
+
+<p>The Britishers and Tories worked half-heartedly in the trenches, the
+savages kept well out of sight, and we of the garrison watched eagerly for
+an opportunity to send home a bullet where it would do the most good,
+until nightfall, and then came the call for us to fall into line.</p>
+
+<p>The fate of Cox had been decided, and we were to be told about the
+reduction of rations, therefore nearly every man wore an expression of
+anxious expectation.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney was an exception to the general rule; he apparently had no
+particular interest in either matter, and obeyed the call as if he did so
+only because it was necessary.</p>
+
+<p>As on the previous occasion, we were drawn up in a hollow square, with
+Colonel Gansevoort and his staff inside, and without wasting many words in
+leading up to the subject, the commandant announced that the majority of
+the men had decided there was no need of further punishment for Reuben
+Cox; that the penalty which he had already paid was a sufficient lesson
+for those of us who entertained any idea of trusting to the promises made
+by the British commander.</p>
+
+<p>Then he spoke of our being put on short allowance, and straightway the men
+pricked up their ears, listening intently to the end that they might be
+able to prove the quartermaster had told a deliberate falsehood.</p>
+
+<p>"You were told that we had food sufficient with which to feed all inside
+the walls for a term of three weeks," he said, speaking slowly that there
+might be no mistake as to his words. "The statement, under the conditions
+then existing, was true; but you must bear in mind that since that time
+General St. Leger has been informed of our situation, so far as the
+deserters understood it. The result of his learning that the stock of
+provisions is not as great as it should be has been the increased activity
+of the foe, which entails much severe labor upon you, and causes him to
+guard more closely against the succor which may be sent us.</p>
+
+<p>"Therefore my officers and I have believed it wisest to say to ourselves
+that it is not reasonable to expect aid from the outside can come to us
+for four or five weeks, even if Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell
+finally succeed in finding General Schuyler, because it must arrive in
+sufficient force to break through the lines St. Leger will throw around
+us. Now in order that we may safely count on having sufficient food to
+sustain life during at least five weeks, it has been decided, after due
+deliberation, to put the entire garrison, the commandant as well as the
+men, on short allowance."</p>
+
+<p>"And what if General Schuyler has so much on his hands because of Burgoyne
+that he can't come to our relief?"</p>
+
+<p>"If when we are come to our last two rations we get no definite
+information that relief is near at hand, we will sally out at night and
+cut our way through the enemy's lines!" Colonel Gansevoort cried in
+ringing tones, and straightway Sergeant Corney set about clapping his
+hands with such vigor that, almost before the men were aware of the fact,
+they were applauding the commandant heartily.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of this involuntary token of good-will the officers very
+wisely went to their quarters, leaving us to stew over the situation in
+such fashion as best pleased us.</p>
+
+<p>Every man on the parade-ground understood full well that if he would save
+his life it stood him in hand to get back to his post of duty without
+unnecessary delay, and in a very few minutes those whose turn it was to go
+on duty were setting about the regular routine as laid down since the
+besiegers displayed unusual activity.</p>
+
+<p>That night, when Sergeant Corney should have been sleeping, he came to my
+post, and the two of us discussed the situation in all its bearings,
+coming to the conclusion that the garrison was in much better shape than
+it would have been but for the horrible lesson Thayendanega's villains
+gave us regarding their treatment of prisoners.</p>
+
+<p>Certain it was that we would hear no more about surrendering, therefore we
+need not fear another mutiny, and, as the old man said grimly:</p>
+
+<p>"If the men want more to eat, let 'em go outside to get it, for it won't
+do any good to whine after what has been said."</p>
+
+<p>During the week which followed every man did his full duty, and we heard
+very little grumbling, although I am sorry to set it down that some of the
+faint-hearted did wag their tongues more than was seemly; but on the whole
+the garrison showed themselves to be fairly good soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>Reuben Cox was able to move about on the fourth day after he succeeded in
+getting inside the fort, and as I saw this man and that, who had formerly
+been his close comrades, move aside lest he should speak to them, I
+decided that the man's punishment was far greater than any we could have
+inflicted upon him. Death, according to my way of thinking, would have
+been far preferable to being thus scorned.</p>
+
+<p>Cox must have had some such thoughts himself, for, coming full upon the
+commandant one day, the two being not above twenty paces from where I was
+stationed, he pleaded piteously to leave the fort in order that he might
+do what he could toward hurrying forward the relief for which we were
+hoping.</p>
+
+<p>"You would not live to get two hundred yards away," Colonel Gansevoort
+replied, speaking not unkindly. "The enemy are doubtless on the alert for
+some such attempt on our part, since knowing we are not overly burdened
+with food."</p>
+
+<p>"I would like to make the try, sir," Cox said, in a pleading tone, "an',
+if it so be that they get hold of me again, it'll be better to die in
+their hands than stay here where every man looks upon me as somethin' to
+be despised."</p>
+
+<p>"You can't be surprised, Cox, that the brave fellows, whose plight has
+been rendered more desperate by what you and your companions did, should
+be averse to making friendly with you."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not surprised, sir, an' I'd like to end it all by showin' that I've
+still got man enough in me to die tryin' to repair the mischief that's
+been done."</p>
+
+<p>"The only way to make atonement is by doing whatsoever comes to your hand
+here in the fort. There's like to be plenty of fighting ahead of us, and
+you should be able to do more than your share."</p>
+
+<p>"Could it be fixed, sir, so that I might give up nearly all my rations to
+those who need 'em the most?" the poor fellow asked, in a tone so pitiful
+and weak that my heart really went out in sympathy to him.</p>
+
+<p>"We will stand or fall on the same footing, my man," the colonel said, as
+he walked away, and immediately I was relieved of duty I made it my
+business to repeat the conversation to every man I came across.</p>
+
+<p>We were all so near death just then that it surely seemed as if we should
+have forgiveness in our hearts for such as Cox, lest we be denied that
+same boon in the next world.</p>
+
+<p>From that day our people showed less aversion for the repentant deserter,
+and of a verity he did the work of three men during every four and twenty
+hours thereafter while we remained in Fort Schuyler.</p>
+
+<p>In just eight days after that assault when the Indians so nearly succeeded
+in gaining a foothold in the horn-works, another attack was threatened,
+and this time it was not unexpected.</p>
+
+<p>We had been punishing so severely those who were working in the trenches,
+and had kept the savages such close prisoners in their own encampment,
+that it seemed only natural the more soldierly of the men in St. Leger's
+army should insist on being led against us.</p>
+
+<p>It was possible for us to tell by the shouts and yells that on a certain
+night Thayendanega's cowards had assembled in the British camp for a
+powwow, although they had taken good care not to let us see them going
+there, and Sergeant Corney said to me, as if he had a written programme
+of the entire proceedings:</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow we will have redcoats in plenty at which to shoot."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you say that?" I asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll eat my head if Barry St. Leger hasn't called Thayendanega's gang
+together with the idea of stiffenin' their backs so they'll be willin' to
+make an assault. The regulars have been gettin' mighty uneasy these two
+days, an' somethin' has got to be done, different from ditch-diggin', to
+keep 'em in good spirits."</p>
+
+<p>"Won't Cox fight if he gets another show at the beauties who came so near
+killing him at the stake!" I cried, giving words to the first thought
+which entered my mind.</p>
+
+<p>"He won't get the chance. The assault will be made before to-morrow night,
+an' never a feather can be seen."</p>
+
+<p>"Why are you so positive about that?"</p>
+
+<p>"They've much the same as told us. If we hadn't got 'em cowed by sendin' a
+bullet their way whenever one of the sneaks showed his nose, they'd been
+cavortin' 'round here this week past tryin' to make it lively for us. I
+tell you, Noel, we can count the painted murderers out of the game from
+this on."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you may be right," I said, with a long-drawn sigh, "for if St.
+Leger has lost as many of his army as Thayendanega's crowd represents, it
+won't be such a desperate venture to cut our way through his lines when
+we've eaten the last ration."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't stop believin' that General Schuyler will contrive to give us a
+lift. I'm countin' that he's lookin' after the matter now," the sergeant
+replied, and then he walked away whistling softly, as if the thought of
+taking part against another assault pleased him mightily.</p>
+
+<p>Before morning came I understood that Sergeant Corney was not the only one
+in the garrison who believed the enemy would soon show unusual signs of
+life.</p>
+
+<p>The howling and yelling of the savages at the powwow continued until near
+to midnight, and the noise had hardly more than died away when the
+commandant came to where I was stationed, halting a moment to gaze in the
+direction of the Indian camp before he asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen any targets in this direction lately?"</p>
+
+<p>"It has been a good many days since any of the crew gave us a chance to
+show what we could do with a bullet, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"How long are you on duty to-night?"</p>
+
+<p>"Until morning, sir. Jacob Sitz and I have thought best to stay with the
+sentinels of our company during all the hours of darkness. We catch a
+cat-nap now and then, so it isn't like doin' extra work."</p>
+
+<p>"Your lads will make good names for themselves among those who love the
+Cause, if they keep on as they've begun," the colonel said in the most
+kindly tone, and the praise made me as proud as any peacock, for I had
+hoped we might be able to show him we could do the work of men.</p>
+
+<p>For the life of me I couldn't get my wits together quickly enough to thank
+him as I should have done, and immediately he said, as if speaking to one
+of his officers:</p>
+
+<p>"See that a sharp watch be kept from now on, and do not hesitate to raise
+an alarm if anything unusual is seen, Captain Campbell."</p>
+
+<p>I am certain my cheeks reddened when he thus recognized my rank, yet I was
+such a simple that I could only stammer:</p>
+
+<p>"You must have in mind, sir, somethin' the same as has Sergeant Corney. He
+has lately been here predicting an assault for to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"The sergeant uses his ears to some purpose," the colonel said, with a
+laugh, and then he walked away, leaving me with a determination to keep
+guard as I had never kept it before.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch17"></a>Chapter XVII.</h2>
+
+<h3>Perplexing Scenes.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and
+the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my
+duty.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was
+depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or
+sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance,
+I might disappoint him.</p>
+
+<p>After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue
+prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in
+an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the
+conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other
+to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "If the
+sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege,
+then we're not likely to see much from this point."</p>
+
+<p>"But we're not certain the old man knows better than any one else; he has
+figured it out to suit himself, without havin' definite knowledge. The
+commandant has much the same as praised our company, an' we must see to it
+that he has no cause to blame."</p>
+
+<p>By this time Jacob was fully awake, and he set out along such portion of
+the wall as was under our charge, straining his eyes in the direction of
+the Indian encampment, but without seeing anything whatsoever. Not a
+camp-fire was burning, and I failed to hear even the howling of a dog,
+which was something so unusual as to cause us no little surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Can it be that Thayendanega's gang has deserted General St. Leger?" I
+asked, in a whisper. "The sergeant will have it that they are done with
+the siege, in which case it wouldn't be surprisin' if they had sneaked
+away."</p>
+
+<p>"There's no such good news as that," Jacob said, with a laugh; "but I'm
+puzzled to make out why they're so quiet."</p>
+
+<p>Had we been left to our own counsels ten minutes longer I believe I might
+have been tempted to waken the sergeant, which would have given him an
+opportunity to laugh at us because we had grown nervous over the absence
+of all danger-signs; but just then Peter Sitz approached, and I whispered
+to my comrade in a tone of relief that he and I were not the only nervous
+members of the garrison.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems as if all hands had it in mind that we need lookin' after,"
+Jacob replied, grimly, and then his father asked if we had seen anything
+unusual since the powwow came to an end.</p>
+
+<p>"It's what we've neither seen nor heard that's puzzlin' us, sir," my
+comrade said, and then he called his father's attention to the remarkable
+quiet which reigned where, ordinarily, noises of some kind could be heard
+during every hour of the night.</p>
+
+<p>Master Sitz appeared decidedly disturbed in mind, yet he made no comment,
+and, after listening in vain five minutes or more, he walked away without
+giving heed to us.</p>
+
+<p>It really appeared, before that long night had come to an end, as if every
+officer in the fort suspected something might be wrong, and, what seemed
+yet more strange to me, they all came directly to our post, instead of
+visiting those sentinels who, if the savages had really cut loose from St.
+Leger, should have been in the best positions to hear or see the first
+signs of the expected assault.</p>
+
+<p>I have set all this down at considerable length because, in view of what
+finally occurred, it was much as if our people had a premonition of that
+which was to come.</p>
+
+<p>The night passed without alarm, and I am willing to take my oath that if
+any animal as large as a dog had passed within an hundred yards of the
+sally-port we would have seen it.</p>
+
+<p>The entire garrison, even including women and children, was astir when the
+first gray light of coming day appeared in the eastern sky, and as each
+man came out upon the parade-ground I noted the fact that he had all his
+weapons with him.</p>
+
+<p>Of course these details are of no particular importance, and yet I have
+set them down in order to show how strong was the belief of every person
+in the fort that something unusual was about to happen, although, with the
+exception of the powwow held in St. Leger's camp the evening previous, we
+had seen nothing to betoken especial activity on the part of the enemy.</p>
+
+<p>It was early in the morning; the men had not yet broken their fast, when
+one of the sentinels shouted:</p>
+
+<p>"Here they come! Here they come!"</p>
+
+<p>I expected to see every man spring toward the walls in order to learn for
+himself what had caused the alarm, and at any other time they would have
+done so; but so great was the sense of impending danger that instinctively
+the garrison formed in line ready for orders.</p>
+
+<p>I had not yet been relieved from duty, and therefore remained where it was
+possible to have a fairly good view of all the encampments occupied by the
+enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Near the quarters of the British regulars I could see the men drawn up in
+line as if making ready to advance, and in the Tory camp there was a
+bustle and confusion such as might have been made by half-baked soldiers,
+while trying to copy after those who knew their business; but the Indians
+gave no signs of life, save as their squaws went about the ordinary camp
+work.</p>
+
+<p>Because everything had been so suspiciously quiet in this last quarter
+during the night, I more than half expected to discover that they had
+withdrawn under cover of darkness; but the presence of the women and
+children told I was mistaken. Unless the entire gang had spent the night
+with the white men, however, it was positive these exceedingly brave
+warriors of whom Thayendanega boasted, had no idea of continuing the part
+of allies during this day at least.</p>
+
+<p>A plentiful supply of ammunition was dealt out to our men, and the big
+guns were served as if our magazine was filled to overflowing, after which
+the garrison went to quarters, Reuben Cox being the happiest member of the
+army, for he believed the time was near at hand when it might be possible
+for him to wipe out some of the stain which rested upon him.</p>
+
+<p>The Minute Boys were ordered to remain at their post over the sally-port,
+much to my disappointment, for if the Indians did not take part in the
+assault, which we had every reason to believe was near at hand, then would
+our duties be so light that we could not hope to win much credit.</p>
+
+<p>Do not let it be supposed that I had become a swash-buckler of a soldier.
+The cold chill of fear still crept up and down my spine whenever I thought
+of taking part in an engagement; but I was becoming so nearly a man as to
+desire, in case it became necessary to fight, that I might gain some honor
+for standing stiffly when really my heart was faint.</p>
+
+<p>We remained at quarters a full half-hour, expecting each instant to see
+the long lines of soldiers emerge from amid the fringe of foliage which
+partially screened their encampment, and yet the advance was delayed.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" Jacob asked, nervously, as he pressed close to my
+side.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I knew, lad," was my reply, in a voice that was not overly steady.
+"This waitin' while others are gettin' ready to try to kill a fellow is
+not to my likin'."</p>
+
+<p>"I had rather have a full hour of hot fightin' than such idleness, when we
+know that soon the bullets will be whistlin' around our ears," Jacob
+replied, and just then John Sammons came up, as he said:</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon they're goin' to bring their siege-guns with 'em this time. It
+looks to me much as if a big crowd was gatherin' in the rear of the line."</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that we could see the Tories running to and fro, each man for
+himself, and in a twinkling the line of regulars melted away. There was no
+longer any semblance of military formation to be seen, and yet certain it
+was that a few moments previous the enemy was nearly ready for an
+assault.</p>
+
+<p>We lads were not the only ones who felt disturbed because of this strange
+behavior on the part of the enemy. I could see that Colonel Gansevoort and
+all his officers were on that portion of the wall nearest the British
+camp, gazing earnestly toward it, while our men moved about uneasily, as
+if having forgotten that they had been sent to their several posts of
+duty.</p>
+
+<p>Strain our eyes as we might, it was impossible to make so much as a guess
+regarding what could be the cause of the odd proceedings, and it was in my
+mind to go in search of Sergeant Corney to ask his opinion of the
+situation, when John Sammons cried, suddenly:</p>
+
+<p>"Look there! The sneaks are comin' out at last! I reckon the Britishers
+have been waitin' for 'em!"</p>
+
+<p>But one glance was sufficient to show me that John had spoken truly. From
+the lodges I could see troops of savages pouring forth with every token of
+excitement, like a swarm of hornets, and that something unusual was afoot
+might be told by the fact that no effort was made to keep beyond range of
+our guns, as the befeathered and painted horde went swiftly toward St.
+Leger's quarters.</p>
+
+<p>I was determined that my company should remain at its post, no matter what
+might happen, until we got the word that it was no longer needed, there
+fore neither Jacob nor I could hear the speculations of the men as to
+what had happened in the enemy's encampment; but after a time Sergeant
+Corney came along as if looking for us, and, on seeing the Minute Boys
+standing in rank while all the remainder of the garrison were flitting
+here and there like flies on the scent of molasses, he said, grimly:</p>
+
+<p>"Here's a sight I never expected to see in this blessed country where
+private soldiers have the habit of commandin' their superiors! Why ain't
+you lads huntin' 'round to find out what's goin' on?"</p>
+
+<p>"We were ordered here, an' to be ready for action," I replied, not a
+little pleased to hear the old soldier's tone of approval. "This company
+will stay where it is until I have permission to break ranks."</p>
+
+<p>"It don't seem to be the military fashion for Americans to obey a command
+so strictly, an' I'm afraid you're settin' a bad example to them who
+demand that a list of the supplies be read to 'em whenever they're feelin'
+a bit out of sorts. There's a chance I'll grow proud of havin' licked you
+into shape if you don't change your ways mighty quick."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't fancy you came here just to see why we stayed on duty," Jacob
+said, with a laugh, which told me he was well pleased with what the old
+man had said.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm free to admit that I didn't expect to see anythin' quite so soldierly
+in this 'ere fort, an' that's the fact. I had been detailed to hang
+'round headquarters till the scrimmage began, but was given liberty to do
+as I pleased five minutes ago, consequently I came here to find out why
+the fight ain't on."</p>
+
+<p>"We're expectin' you to answer that question, sergeant. You've never been
+backward in findin' fault with the ways of American soldiers, an' now
+perhaps you can tell what's gone wrong with the Britishers?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I knew, lad, an' that's the fact! It looks as if they'd clean
+forgot we're waitin' for 'em, an' as for them precious babies of
+Thayendanega's, they've gone out of their heads completely. It's a puzzle
+all 'round, an' I reckon the commandant is as much in the dark as are the
+rest of us."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't you make a guess?" Jacob asked, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it, lad; but it's certain there's trouble of some kind at
+Barry St. Leger's quarters, an' I'm of the mind to find out, if you an'
+Jacob want to stir yourselves a bit."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you count on doin' it?" I asked in surprise, half-inclined to
+believe the old man was joking.</p>
+
+<p>"Look at the Indian encampment; do you think there's anybody nearabout
+that place who's keepin' an eye on this 'ere fort?"</p>
+
+<p>"Even the squaws have gone over to the British quarters; they've been
+paddlin' across the river for the last half-hour," Jacob replied, and as a
+matter of fact I failed to see a living being outside the lodges, search
+with my eyes as I might.</p>
+
+<p>"An' it's much the same over yonder," Sergeant Corney said, as he pointed
+to the other encampments. "Every blessed one of us might sneak out an' not
+attract any attention from them as are supposed to be besiegin' us."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" I asked, as the old man paused.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you an' Jacob feel like havin' a look around, I'll ask the
+commandant's permission to do a little scoutin' on our own account,
+agreein', in case we're laid by the heels, not to expect any help from
+this 'ere garrison."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to go outside the fort?" John Sammons asked, his eyes opening
+wide in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"You've guessed it the first time," Sergeant Corney replied, with a laugh,
+and I said, in a tone of conviction:</p>
+
+<p>"The commandant never will give you permission. I heard him refuse Reuben
+Cox most emphatically."</p>
+
+<p>"But that was when everythin' seemed to be runnin' smooth, an' Cox only
+wanted to get himself killed. Now I'll go bail that Colonel Gansevoort is
+more eager than we to know the meanin' of this queer business, an' will
+jump at the plan."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll know better after you've asked him," I suggested. "If he gives
+permission, Jacob an' I are with you."</p>
+
+<p>The old man sauntered away as if he had nothing of importance to do, and
+with a look on his face which told that he was certain of getting the
+desired permission without very much difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>The thought was in my mind that he would receive a very decided answer
+from the commandant without delay, and after a fashion that would not be
+pleasing to him, for it seemed to me that no sane officer could sanction
+an attempt to send out scouts across the open plain in the clear light of
+day, therefore one can imagine somewhat of my surprise when word came for
+Jacob and me to report at headquarters without delay.</p>
+
+<p>"Can it be possible that Colonel Gansevoort is seriously thinkin' of
+allowin' the sergeant to leave the fort in the daytime?" I asked of my
+comrade, as we went rapidly across the parade-ground to obey the summons.</p>
+
+<p>"It looks like it, for a fact, else why should we have been sent for? I'm
+beginnin' to think, Noel, that you said 'yes' to his wild scheme too
+quickly. There won't be any child's play in tryin' to get from the fort to
+where we can find the first show of cover."</p>
+
+<p>"Meanin' that you're not willin' to make the venture?" I asked, quickly,
+hoping my comrade would flatly refuse to go, for, now that the venture
+seemed countenanced by Colonel Gansevoort, I was growing mighty
+weak-kneed.</p>
+
+<p>"I would stick my nose into a good deal of danger before bein' willin' to
+go back on a promise made to the sergeant," Jacob replied, thoughtfully.
+"If he has told the commandant that we are minded to go, there's nothin'
+for it but to tackle the job."</p>
+
+<p>I was decidedly disappointed by the reply, and yet could make no protest,
+since I was the one who had spoken for us both when the old man broached
+the subject, and in silence we walked on until having come to the door of
+the colonel's quarters.</p>
+
+<p>The sentinel on duty there had evidently received orders concerning us,
+for he announced that we were to go in at once, and I pushed Jacob ahead
+as we entered the apartment where Sergeant Corney was standing in a
+soldierly attitude in front of the commandant.</p>
+
+<p>We were not called on to wait many seconds before learning the reason for
+the summons, since Colonel Gansevoort jumped into the subject by saying:</p>
+
+<p>"So you lads are keen for a hazardous venture, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>I would have given much if at that moment I could have called up
+sufficient courage to say that I was well content to remain within the
+walls of the fort; but instead of boldly declaring myself I remained
+silent until Jacob said, with only a faint show of enthusiasm:</p>
+
+<p>"We told Sergeant Corney that we would go with him to find out what may
+be the trouble in General St. Leger's camp, if so be you gave permission,
+sir."</p>
+
+<p>Now was I fully committed to a matter which was by no means to my liking,
+and, with a certain sense of being ill-treated, I listened to that which
+followed.</p>
+
+<p>"Under almost any other circumstances I would flatly refuse permission for
+any man to leave the fort; but now it seems as if it was of the highest
+importance we should know what is taking place in the enemy's camp.
+Whatever it may be is of such a serious nature as to attract the attention
+of the entire encampment so entirely that no attention whatsoever appears
+to be paid to us. I believe that, by leaving through the horn-works, you
+can make your way to the rear of the British encampment without incurring
+any very grave danger, and if it is the desire of you lads to go with the
+sergeant you have my permission."</p>
+
+<p>It was just what I didn't want, but, under the circumstances, I could do
+no less than look as if he had granted us the greatest favor possible, and
+at the same moment it would have done me solid good had I been able to
+kick the sergeant with sufficient vigor to convince him that he had made
+an ass of himself.</p>
+
+<p>Then the colonel, after receiving our thanks for permission to run our
+heads into unnecessary danger, went on to explain what he would have us
+do in case we lived long enough to get an idea of that which was going on
+in the enemy's camp.</p>
+
+<p>As he had already said, we were to scale the stockade in the horn-works,
+and then, making a d&eacute;tour to the westward, gain the cover of such shelter
+as might be found on the high lands, working well toward the ruins of Fort
+Newport before trying to strike across to and behind the line of
+earthworks which St. Leger had caused to be thrown up early in the siege.</p>
+
+<p>He had laid out a long journey for us, and one that might not be performed
+before nightfall; but it had the merit of being comparatively safe until
+we were in the vicinity of the British encampment.</p>
+
+<p>The interview was brought to a close within five minutes after it had
+begun, and then we were at liberty to make our preparations for that which
+might result in our death by torture, for it was certain that if the
+Indians laid hands on another man from the fort they would take good care
+he was neither rescued nor killed until they had worked their cruel will
+upon him.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney was inclined to boast of having succeeded when I had
+declared he must fail, and would have congratulated himself in great shape
+while we were crossing the parade-ground on our way to the barracks, but
+that I said, curtly:</p>
+
+<p>"That man who exerts himself to go into danger will one day find himself
+in a box from which his best friends can't extricate him."</p>
+
+<p>"Which is the same as sayin' that you've changed your mind about goin' out
+scoutin'?" he cried sharply, looking me squarely in the face. "There is no
+reason why you should go if the job isn't to your likin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Both Jacob an' I must keep on with you, or write ourselves down as
+cowards; but at the same time we have the right to think it a foolish
+venture."</p>
+
+<p>The words had no sooner escaped my lips than I regretted having spoken,
+and without delay I hastened to make amends by explaining that I was in
+truth frightened at the idea of venturing into that nest of snakes from
+which we had once barely gotten away with our lives.</p>
+
+<p>The old man must have understood that I spoke rather from nervousness than
+because I was really in anger, and immediately he acted as if nothing
+unpleasant had been said, but began to discuss the question of whether it
+would be wise to burden ourselves with weapons when, if brought to bay, we
+could not hope to fight our way through.</p>
+
+<p>Before we had more than gained the barracks half the men in the
+fortification had some knowledge of our intentions, and we were
+overwhelmed alike with questions and suggestions.</p>
+
+<p>But very few minutes were needed in which to make ready for the venture,
+and when we came out of the barracks all three of us had rifles strapped
+upon our backs in such a manner that they would not interfere with our
+movements in case it became necessary to trust to the fleetness of our
+feet. Three rounds of ammunition for each one, sufficient corn bread to
+make a single meal, and hunting-knives, completed the outfit.</p>
+
+<p>It would have pleased us better had we been allowed to depart unaided; but
+a full half of the garrison appeared to think it absolutely necessary to
+go with us to the very limits of the fort, and if good wishes are of any
+avail at such a time, then were we certain of returning in good condition.</p>
+
+<p>Once on the plain outside the stockaded portion of the works, Sergeant
+Corney led the way by going in a southerly direction for a distance of an
+hundred yards or more, and then striking sharply off toward the west,
+where was to be found the nearest cover.</p>
+
+<p>Having gained the line of foliage which fringed the high tract of land, it
+was possible to march off at a smart pace without need of taking
+particular heed to our steps, and we travelled rapidly until having
+arrived at a point midway between our starting-place and the ruins of Fort
+Newport.</p>
+
+<p>"Here's where I allow we'll be wise to change the commandant's plan a
+bit," the old man said, coming to a halt for the first time since we set
+out. "We can't gain very much in lengthenin' the journey by three or four
+miles, an' I'm in favor of strikin' across to the hill from here?"</p>
+
+<p>The statement was made in the form of a question, and I replied that it
+suited me to do as he thought best, for when Colonel Gansevoort mapped out
+the route I believed he was sending us on a longer d&eacute;tour than was
+necessary.</p>
+
+<p>We crossed the Albany road at that point where it bends in toward the
+hill, walking at our best pace, and, once behind the elevation, were
+screened from view of the enemy's camp.</p>
+
+<p>While we were going over the open country I kept my eyes fixed upon the
+British batteries and the redoubts thrown up to cover them, but failed to
+see any signs of human life. That the enemy had abandoned these posts even
+for a few moments seemed incredible, and yet it was all of the same piece
+with what we could see in their camp.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney led us directly into the redoubts which had made so much
+trouble for us in the fort, and, had we been disposed, we might have
+loaded ourselves down with plunder of every description, for the
+belongings of the men were strewn about as if cast aside in great haste.</p>
+
+<p>It was not safe to remain many moments where we were; in fact, I came near
+to believing the sergeant had lost his wits when he led us into the
+British nest, and we hurried out of the works, going directly toward St.
+Leger's quarters until we were sufficiently near to see men moving about
+excitedly, when he struck off for the rear of the encampment, where could
+be found such cover as stout bushes and small fir-trees would afford.</p>
+
+<p>We had advanced boldly on this last stage of the journey, emboldened to do
+so by the evidences of panic, or something near akin to it, which we saw
+on every hand, and trusting to the possibility that if seen it would be
+believed that we belonged to the encampment.</p>
+
+<p>The sun was yet an hour high in the heavens when we found a hiding-place
+overlooking the camp, and so easy of accomplishment had been our task,
+with nothing of danger attaching to it, that I was heartily ashamed of
+having displayed ill-temper in the sergeant's presence.</p>
+
+<p>Neither of us spoke when we were finally come to where we could have a
+fairly good view of the scene of confusion. The surprise at what we saw,
+and the perplexity because of it, was so great that we could do no more or
+no less than stare in bewilderment at this army, every member of which
+appeared to have suddenly been deprived of his reason.</p>
+
+<p>The foremost scene which met our wondering gaze was a group composed of
+General St. Leger himself, Sir John Johnson, Thayendanega, and a dozen or
+more leading sachems of the Six Nations.</p>
+
+<p>These men were too far away to admit of our hearing the spirited
+conversation which was going on. It appeared to me at times that the
+commander was pleading for some favor, and, again, that he threatened;
+but the savages seemed to give little heed to his words.</p>
+
+<p>Then Sir John talked for several moments, apparently appealing to each of
+his companions in turn, whereupon one of the sachems spoke excitedly,
+using more gestures than I ever saw one of the scoundrels employ, and when
+he was come to an end all the savages save Thayendanega stalked off as if
+in a rage.</p>
+
+<p>Our stupefaction was complete when General St. Leger made a peculiar
+gesture, and straightway two soldiers led forward a half-grown man whose
+vacant look proclaimed him to be one of those unfortunates whom God has
+deprived of wits, and in his wake came three Oneida Indians.</p>
+
+<p>It was enough to make a fellow lose a full year's growth, thus seeing his
+Majesty's general in such company; but when the Oneidas appeared my
+surprise gave way to fear.</p>
+
+<p>We had always counted, and with good cause, on these Indians being
+friendly to our people who were struggling to throw off the yoke which the
+king had put upon us, yet the fact that they were in the encampment,
+apparently on friendly terms with our enemies, seemed to betoken still
+more trouble and misery for us of the valley.</p>
+
+<p>Jacob gripped my hand tightly as the Oneidas appeared, and I could see the
+corners of the sergeant's mouth twitching as if he had suddenly lost that
+feeling of security which had been so strong upon him until this moment.</p>
+
+<p>Then the foolish man began to tell a long story to the general, the
+Indians added a word now and then, and even Thayendanega began to wear a
+troubled look.</p>
+
+<p>It was all so strange and unnatural that I pinched my own arm more than
+once to make certain I was not in a dream.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch18"></a>Chapter XVIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>Close Quarters.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>The scenes shifted before us as if they had been painted on bubbles which
+were blown hither and thither by the wind.</p>
+
+<p>Even as we gazed at the leaders of the army while they stood listening to
+the foolish man as if believing him to be inspired, a mob of Tories and
+Indians surged toward that portion of the encampment, and in an instant
+St. Leger, Thayendanega, and Sir John Johnson were blotted out from our
+view.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing could have happened to give us who crouched amid the stunted
+bushes a more vivid idea of the change which had come over the besieging
+army than this one incident, when the commanders, at whose frowns savages
+as well as white men cringed, were treated with such utter lack of
+ceremony.</p>
+
+<p>I fully expected to hear one or the other of these three burst into a
+towering rage, and order the immediate punishment of those who had
+offended, whereas the men extricated themselves from the tangle of
+half-drunken soldiers and savages as best they could, immediately
+resuming the apparently confidential conversation with the idiot.</p>
+
+<p>I saw Sergeant Corney shrug his shoulders, as if to say that he had given
+over even trying to guess what might have happened, and then he beckoned
+for us to follow as he crept straight away from the, to us, perplexing
+scene.</p>
+
+<p>There was little need for us to give much heed to our movements so far as
+concerned making a noise, for I dare venture to say that a full company of
+men might have marched boldly past without raising an alarm, so long as
+they remained hidden from view.</p>
+
+<p>When we were twenty yards or more from where the commanders stood trying
+to hold their position against the drunken tide of reds and whites, the
+sergeant halted and looked at us lads inquiringly:</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" I said, irritably, vexed because of my bewilderment. "If you can't
+explain the situation there is no need to look at us. It beats anything I
+ever heard of or dreamed about. Have they all lost their senses?"</p>
+
+<p>"Somethin' is goin' mightily wrong!" Sergeant Corney said, impressively,
+as if he was imparting valuable information.</p>
+
+<p>"Goin' wrong!" Jacob repeated. "I should say it had already gone wrong
+with a vengeance. Can't you make some kind of a guess, sergeant?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it, lad. This 'ere business lays way over anythin' I ever
+saw in all my experience as a soldier. There's one thing certain,
+howsomever, which is that jest now an hundred of our people could walk
+through the entire encampment without bein' called upon to spill a drop of
+blood."</p>
+
+<p>"Well?" I asked again, as the old man ceased speaking.</p>
+
+<p>"Colonel Gansevoort must know how mixed up is this 'ere army."</p>
+
+<p>"We can go back an' tell him," Jacob replied, promptly. "I reckon we might
+walk straight out toward the fort, an' never a man here would give heed to
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"If we knew exactly what had happened it might be as well for all three to
+go back to the fort; but there's no knowin' when matters may take a turn,
+an' we must keep a sharp watch lest through us our people are brought into
+a trap."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you say what you mean, without talkin' all around the subject?"
+I cried, nervously. "What have you got in your mind?"</p>
+
+<p>"That one of us must go back to the fort, while the others stay here on
+watch to give the alarm in case this 'ere army suddenly comes to its
+senses."</p>
+
+<p>It was not my desire to travel back alone to carry the tidings. There was
+no thought in my mind that any danger might threaten while the enemy was
+in such a state of confusion; and I was most eager to watch these
+apparently crazy people, in the hope of being able to come at a solution
+of the riddle, therefore I asked, sharply:</p>
+
+<p>"Who do you think should go back?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do either of you lads want to tackle the job?" the sergeant asked, and I
+understood by his tone that he was as loath to leave the place as was I.</p>
+
+<p>Neither of us made reply, and he went on, as if already having had the
+plan fixed in his mind:</p>
+
+<p>"Then we'll draw lots to see who it shall be. As the matter stands, we
+know full well that the commandant must be told of what we have seen. It
+won't require two hours' travelling because there's no call to make a very
+wide circuit, an', in case these fellows pull themselves together before
+midnight, them as stays on watch can warn our people."</p>
+
+<p>"Fix the drawin' of lots to suit yourself, an' he who gets the worst of it
+will set out at once," I said, curtly, and the old man broke off three
+small twigs, which he held in his closed hand.</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't taken note of which is the shortest; but, in case you might
+think I had, make your choice, an' the one which is left shall be mine."</p>
+
+<p>"He who gets the shortest goes back, eh?" Jacob asked, and I replied:</p>
+
+<p>"That is understood. Take the first choice, an' let us settle this
+business as soon as we can, for I am wild to get over yonder where I can
+see the king's army playin' the fool, if it so be that I'm not forced to
+turn back."</p>
+
+<p>Jacob drew one of the twigs without stopping to make a selection, I took
+the second, and Sergeant Corney opened his hand to show the third.</p>
+
+<p>They were all so nearly of a length that we were forced to measure each
+in order to learn who was the unfortunate, and then it was found that
+Jacob had been selected to play the part of messenger.</p>
+
+<p>Disappointed though the lad must have been, he did not make any delay, but
+asked as he rose to his feet:</p>
+
+<p>"What shall I say to the commandant?"</p>
+
+<p>"Tell him what you have seen," the sergeant replied, "an' say that with
+two hundred men at the most he can capture the whole blessed army. If
+there should be any change within the next two hours, one or both of us
+will hurry back, goin' around by way of the hill opposite the
+batteries,--the same course we came,--therefore, if he sends out a
+detachment, let it approach by that route."</p>
+
+<p>Immediately the old man ceased speaking Jacob wheeled about, and in a
+twinkling was lost to our view in the gloom.</p>
+
+<p>By this time night had fully come, and I knew the lad would be in no
+danger if he made a direct line for the fort, therefore I ceased to think
+of him as I urged my companion to return with me to where we could
+overlook the scene of confusion.</p>
+
+<p>We went back at once without giving especial heed to moving noiselessly,
+and soon were gazing upon the wildest, oddest scene that ever a military
+encampment presented.</p>
+
+<p>During the short time we were absent the men had built small fires here,
+there, and everywhere around, and now that which had at first looked like
+a panic began to present the appearance of an orgy.</p>
+
+<p>We saw directly in front of General St. Leger's camp a dozen or more
+Indians broaching a cask of rum, and hardly more than twenty feet away
+were a lot of Tories, drinking from bottles which had evidently been
+plundered from the commander's private store.</p>
+
+<p>Had the camp been in the possession of an enemy there could not have been
+greater evidences of lawlessness, and again and again I asked myself what
+could have happened to bring about such a condition of affairs.</p>
+
+<p>It would be well-nigh impossible to set down all the wild pictures we saw
+during the hour which followed. Instead of recovering from their panic,
+insubordination, or whatever it may have been, the men were momentarily
+growing more disorderly, and that the officers made no effort to preserve
+even the semblance of order, we knew from seeing them from time to time
+moving about the encampment with no heed to what was being done.</p>
+
+<p>The three commanders, however, remained beyond our line of vision, and,
+because no one save the rioting soldiery and the savages entered or came
+out of the headquarters tent, I began to suspect that the leaders had run
+away.</p>
+
+<p>As can be supposed, in a comparatively short time the Indians were
+thoroughly under the influence of the enormous amount of strong drink
+which had been consumed, and ripe for mischief of any kind.</p>
+
+<p>One of the Tories, a fellow who had been hob-nobbing with the savages,
+himself drinking until he could stand only with difficulty, was set upon
+by two of the feathered wolves, murdered and scalped before our eyes,
+without an alarm being raised.</p>
+
+<p>Then the Indians began a war-dance, waving the bloody scalp in the air
+with frenzied gestures as they circled around and around the lifeless
+body, and many of the drunken white men applauded heartily, although it
+must be set down in extenuation that they were so drunk as not really to
+understand what had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>"It's a nice kind of a tea-party," Sergeant Corney whispered to me, while
+the orgy was at its height. "If the rum holds out these villains will
+settle matters among themselves, so that Colonel Gansevoort won't find any
+to stand against him when he arrives."</p>
+
+<p>To this I could make no reply. I was literally sickened by the horrible
+scene, and began to wish most fervently that I had been the one to draw
+the shortest twig, for it was by no means agreeable to remain there idle
+while murder was being done, even though it was a bitter enemy who had
+thus been cowardly done to death.</p>
+
+<p>The savages soon brought their dance to an end as they stumbled into this
+tent and that, searching for more spirits although the cask was not yet
+empty, and I was on the point of suggesting to Sergeant Corney that it
+would be wise to move back among the bushes lest some of the drunkards
+come upon us by mistake, when a heavy body suddenly fell, or was thrown,
+directly upon my back, pinning me to the earth.</p>
+
+<p>My first thought was that the rioters had flung some heavy piece of camp
+equipage into the bushes at random, and then the blood grew cold in my
+veins as I felt two hands clutching at my throat.</p>
+
+<p>Like a flash of light came the knowledge that one of the drunkards, an
+Indian as I believed, had stumbled upon me accidentally. I expected each
+second to hear an alarm raised which would bring the murderous crew to the
+spot without delay, when there could be no question as to the result, for
+the sergeant and I could not hold out many moments against such a mob,
+even though every one of them was intoxicated to a greater or less degree.</p>
+
+<p>That which rendered my situation critical was the fact of my being
+virtually unarmed. It will be remembered that the rifle was strapped to my
+back, and even though I had been unhampered, it would have required no
+slight time in which to unsling it. My knife was quite as useless,
+because, borne to the earth as I had been, it could not be removed from my
+belt.</p>
+
+<p>To set all this down in words makes it appear as if I had ample time in
+which to think over the situation, whereas no more than five seconds could
+have elapsed before the sinewy fingers were closed so tightly about my
+throat that I could not breathe.</p>
+
+<p>At almost the same instant that the pressure began to be painful, before a
+single cry had been uttered by my assailant, a second shock was felt by
+me, while the weight which pressed me down to the earth was increased, and
+dimly I understood that the sergeant had leaped upon the back of him who
+was strangling me.</p>
+
+<p>Why the Indian made no cry for help I cannot understand, except that he
+was too drunk to realize he had within his grasp an enemy instead of one
+of his own company.</p>
+
+<p>Certain it is, however, that no alarm was raised even when the sergeant
+came to my relief, and in silence, save for the rustling of the foliage as
+we swayed to this side or that, the battle was continued until I felt the
+cruel fingers about my throat suddenly relax, while a warm liquid of a
+peculiar, salty odor poured down over my neck and head.</p>
+
+<p>When he who had been striving to kill me rolled from my back, I lay
+motionless, unable to raise a hand and gasping for breath, until Sergeant
+Corney lifted me up as he whispered in my ear:</p>
+
+<p>"Are you hurt, lad?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only choked well-nigh to death," I contrived to say, and then tried to
+struggle to my feet, but found myself yet pinned to the earth by the
+lifeless body which lay across my legs.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us get out of here," I said, after releasing myself from the sinister
+weight. "This is worse than such an ambush as we fell into on the
+Oriskany."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, lad, I reckon you're right as to that; but it strikes me we're bound
+by the word I sent the commandant to stay here till we make certain these
+reptiles don't come to their senses."</p>
+
+<p>While he spoke the sergeant was helping me retreat yet farther among the
+bushes, for my knees bent beneath me, owing to the horror of it all, as
+well as the rough handling I had received.</p>
+
+<p>The old man was not willing to move so far away that it would not be
+possible to have a fairly good view of what might be going on; but we did
+walk to what I believed was a comparatively safe distance, and then sat
+down upon the ground on the alert for anything more of the same kind which
+had come so near to putting me out of the world.</p>
+
+<p>"It was a close shave, lad, an' ought'er be a lesson to sich fools as
+we've shown ourselves, never to carry good weapons where they can't be got
+hold of for use at a moment's notice."</p>
+
+<p>"A fellow isn't supposed to be on his guard against drunkards," I replied,
+curtly, caressing my throat, which was exceeding sore.</p>
+
+<p>"True for you, lad; but I'm free to say that, while we've had
+considerable experience in the business of fightin', I never run up agin
+quite sich a mess as this. It actually gives me a pain because I can't
+make head or tail of it."</p>
+
+<p>I was already weary with trying to solve the problem, for indeed it was
+puzzling to even make a guess at why an army of near to seventeen hundred
+men had been thrown into such a state of panic and lawlessness. Then,
+again, why were the commanders not present with their officers to check
+these proceedings? Why had they allowed the men to take part in such an
+orgy, for to my knowledge St. Leger was near at hand when the first cask
+of rum was broached?</p>
+
+<p>"It is no use to speculate as to how this thing came about," I said; "but
+it strikes me that you ought to post yourself so far as to be able to tell
+Colonel Gansevoort, or whoever he sends in command of the detachment,
+exactly where the blow may best be struck, for just now all we know is
+regardin' the row close hereabout."</p>
+
+<p>"You never spoke a truer word in your life, lad," the old man said,
+excitedly, as he rose to his feet. "I got so mixed up with this 'ere
+hubbub, tryin' to make out how it came about, as to have clean lost sight
+of all that a soldier ought to do. Jacob hasn't been gone over an hour,
+an' we have as much more time to find out how things are in the rest of
+the encampment, so let's set about it without delay."</p>
+
+<p>The scene immediately before us was so revolting that I had no desire to
+gaze at it longer, and there was a certain sense of relief in my mind when
+the sergeant, prompted by me, had thus decided upon a definite course of
+action.</p>
+
+<p>With so much of confusion and drunkenness everywhere around, it was a
+simple matter for us to go and come as we pleased, save by chance we might
+stumble upon those who yet remained sober, for all the men I had thus far
+seen, except the leaders themselves, were in such a maudlin condition as
+to be unable to distinguish friend from foe.</p>
+
+<p>We had already learned that the batteries fronting Fort Schuyler on the
+northeast had been abandoned, and it was only necessary to get a view of
+the remainder of the British encampment. There was little need to visit
+the Tory quarters, for, as it seemed to me, all those renegades were
+present, taking part in the orgy.</p>
+
+<p>With no care as to advancing noiselessly, but keeping a sharp lookout lest
+we come upon sober men, the sergeant and I moved about at will, finding
+everywhere the same condition of affairs, and when half an hour had passed
+it was positive our people might come into the enemy's lines and gather up
+prisoners by the hundreds without being molested in any way, for I
+question if their presence would have been suspected.</p>
+
+<p>During all this time of inspection we saw nothing of St. Leger, Sir John,
+or Thayendanega, and I was of the opinion that they had run away; but
+Sergeant Corney held to it that most like they were in the Indian
+encampment, proposing that we cross the river in order to hunt them up,
+but to this I would not listen.</p>
+
+<p>According to my mind, such of the Indians as remained sober, if there were
+any, would be in their own lodges, and because we had had such singular
+success in our scout thus far was no reason why we might not suddenly find
+ourselves face to face with the gravest danger, if we acted the fools by
+poking our noses among the camps of the savages.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not go to the fort?" I asked. "There is nothin' more to be learned
+here. We know to a certainty that the greater portion of all the Tories
+an' Indians are hereabout, and every one of them so drunk that the army
+will be harmless, save as to each other, until daybreak. Let us go back by
+way of the batteries, an' we can reach the fort almost as soon as will
+Jacob, if perchance he went to the northward of the hill."</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant was not inclined to leave the encampment immediately,
+although he agreed that we could learn nothing further of importance; it
+was as if the scene of confusion had a certain fascination for him. He
+finally agreed, however unwillingly, to my proposition, and we set out
+leisurely on the return, being forced to pass once more in the rear of all
+the British camps because of having continued our investigations to the
+easternmost line of tents.</p>
+
+<p>We began the return without thought of haste or of danger, and were come
+midway between headquarters and the most southerly battery, when without
+warning we arrived face to face with a party of six Tories, who, with
+their arms around each other's necks, were reeling to and fro in the most
+convivial fashion on what was probably intended to be a pleasant stroll in
+the night air.</p>
+
+<p>Just for an instant I was startled, fearing lest we might be discovered
+and find ourselves in trouble when we believed we were safest; but then,
+realizing that we had already met many who mistook us for comrades, I
+would have gone on but that Sergeant Corney halted suddenly, unslung the
+rifle from his back, and, presenting it full at the drunken renegades,
+said in a low, stern tone:</p>
+
+<p>"We are prepared to shoot one or all at a moment's notice if you make the
+slightest resistance. The orders are to gather in every mother's son in
+this encampment who has been makin' a fool of himself, an' I reckon you
+come in that class. About face, an' the first who so much as yips gets a
+bullet through the head."</p>
+
+<p>The fellows must have believed that we were acting under orders from their
+general, for, with many a laugh and good-natured quip, they obeyed the
+sergeant's order as promptly as a party of small boys would have done,
+and, still supporting each other, moved toward the fort, we two following
+directly in the rear.</p>
+
+<p>I could have laughed aloud at the comical situation. Here were two scouts
+who had gone out to spy upon an encampment of seventeen hundred men,
+marching boldly through the entire place, and taking as prisoners six
+soldiers who made no effort whatsoever to defend themselves.</p>
+
+<p>I question if in the annals of warfare there be found anything that can
+match such a situation!</p>
+
+<p>"Are you goin' to take them into the fort, sergeant?" I asked, in a
+whisper, and he replied, speaking with difficulty because of his mirth:</p>
+
+<p>"Why not, lad? It will be a rare lark, an' somethin' to tell about in the
+days to come, that we took out from almost directly in front of St.
+Leger's headquarters six men, marchin' 'em into a fort which was supposed
+to be closely invested."</p>
+
+<p>There could be little danger attending such a performance, save perchance
+we might come upon some of those who were sober, and that risk I was more
+than willing to take for the sake, as the sergeant had said, of being able
+to tell the story in the future.</p>
+
+<p>We marched our prisoners out past the batteries, they giving no heed to
+the direction we were going, evidently fancying we were taking them to the
+guard-tent, until arriving midway between the fort and the redoubts.</p>
+
+<p>[Illustration:
+ "'Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet
+through the back'"]</p>
+
+<p>Then somewhat of the truth seemed to dawn upon them, and this was so
+startling as to restore a portion of their befuddled senses. The entire
+party halted as if with one accord, and would have turned to look at us,
+but that the sergeant said, sharply, emphasizing the words by the click of
+his rifle-lock as he cocked the weapon:</p>
+
+<p>"Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet put through the back
+of every blessed one in the gang!"</p>
+
+<p>"But, look here, this is too much of a joke," one of them cried, with a
+drunken laugh. "We can't go very far on this course without bein' seen by
+the rebels."</p>
+
+<p>"You've been seen by 'em already, an' that's why we've got you in charge.
+We count on movin' the whole of St. Leger's force over to the fort in
+squads, an' you're the first that has been started on the road."</p>
+
+<p>By this time the renegades had a fairly good idea of the situation, and I
+fully expected they would turn upon us, but each of them was a coward. If
+they wheeled about suddenly, taking the chances that one might be killed
+in the squabble, it would have been possible to overpower us, even though
+they were without firearms; but it was the probability of our doing some
+considerable execution before knocking under that prevented them from
+escaping at the favorable moment.</p>
+
+<p>I walked with my rifle cocked and pointed at the man directly in front of
+me, prodding him with the muzzle now and then that he might know I was
+ready for action, and Sergeant Corney kept the whole party moving at a
+good smart pace, for we had no assurance that there were not sober men
+enough in the enemy's camp to play the mischief with our bold plan.</p>
+
+<p>Before we were hailed by the sentinels I came to believe that every member
+of the besieging army was more or less incapacitated for duty through
+having drank too much rum, for we heard nothing whatsoever from any one in
+the enemy's camp, although we were in fairly good view of them for no less
+than half an hour.</p>
+
+<p>When the sentinel hailed we were yet half a musket-shot distant, and my
+companion answered it by shouting:</p>
+
+<p>"Report to the officer of the day that Captain Campbell, of the Minute
+Boys, an' Sergeant Braun, unattached, are come with a few prisoners as
+sample of what may be had for the takin'."</p>
+
+<p>This reply caused some mystification among the sentinels, as we could
+understand by the hum of conversation which followed; but the old man did
+not call a halt, and we continued straight on toward the sally-port, I
+feeling more than a bit nervous lest the sergeant's loud words might have
+been heard by such of the enemy as were able to come in pursuit.</p>
+
+<p>When we had come near the gate, the Tories now well sobered by fright,
+Colonel Gansevoort himself hailed, and again the sergeant replied, but
+this time in a respectful tone, after which we heard the command to open
+the port.</p>
+
+<p>A throng of curious, laughing men crowded around as we marched in, and not
+until the uniforms of our prisoners could be seen did they believe we had
+really made a capture.</p>
+
+<p>It was a squad of Johnson Greens which we had run across so fortunately
+and accidentally, and none of St. Leger's force could have been more
+welcome to our lads than they, for that organization was made up wholly of
+renegades from the Mohawk Valley, who needed such a lesson as we were now
+in position to give them.</p>
+
+<p>With such proof as we had with us, Colonel Gansevoort could no longer
+doubt the report which had already been brought in by Jacob. He had not
+thought it possible the entire force of the enemy could be in a helpless
+condition, and it is hardly to be wondered at that he was incredulous.</p>
+
+<p>The prisoners were speedily cared for in such a fashion that there could
+be no possibility of their escaping, and then the commandant summoned all
+three of us who had visited the British encampment, to his headquarters,
+that we might tell the story to himself and the officers.</p>
+
+<p>No one could even make a guess as to what had happened within the enemy's
+lines; but there was not a man present who did not believe that now had
+come our time to raise the siege in such a manner that the fort would not
+be invested again for many days to come.</p>
+
+<p>"When your messenger came in with his report, he admitted that you had
+seen but a small portion of the encampment, therefore I hesitated to
+accept it as a fact regarding the entire army; but now, after you have
+made a tour of the works, it would be worse than folly to delay," the
+commandant said to the sergeant. "If you who have so lately returned want
+to join in the sortie, it will be necessary to make your preparations
+quickly."</p>
+
+<p>And the old man replied, grimly:</p>
+
+<p>"The advance can't be made any too soon to please us, sir."</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch19"></a>Chapter XIX.</h2>
+
+<h3>The Pursuit.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>No more than three hundred men were sent out to take advantage of the
+singular state of affairs which we, the scouts, had reported as existing
+in the British camp, and when I expressed surprise because of the small
+number ordered on duty, Sergeant Corney replied, contentedly:</p>
+
+<p>"If you an' I told the truth, lad, as we know we did, then a detachment of
+three hundred is way off more than enough to take care of all St. Leger's
+army in its present condition; but if we made a mistake, or if in some way
+it turned out to be a big trick intended for our undoin',--though I don't
+see how it <i>can</i> be,--then have men in plenty been taken from the garrison
+here."</p>
+
+<p>"All of which means that you're entirely satisfied with everything this
+night?" I said, with a laugh, for the capture of the Tories had pleased me
+so thoroughly that my mouth was stretched in a grin nearly all the time.</p>
+
+<p>"That's about the size of it, lad, though in this case I couldn't find
+anythin' to be disgruntled with, however soreheaded I might be. The
+colonel is sendin' out men in plenty."</p>
+
+<p>It was Captain Jackman who led the force, and I knew full well that if it
+was possible to punish the Britishers he was the one above all others to
+tackle the job, for a braver, more cool-headed man I have never seen.</p>
+
+<p>It is well that I make the story short, so far as our own movements were
+concerned, for what we said or did before visiting the enemy's camp in
+force is of very little importance.</p>
+
+<p>We set off within an hour after Sergeant Corney and I brought in the
+prisoners, and were marched boldly across the plain on a bee-line for the
+batteries without hearing a single note of alarm. It seemed to me that
+even the noises of the orgy had died away.</p>
+
+<p>Arriving at the batteries, Captain Jackman ordered thirty of his force to
+take possession of the guns and hold them until the last possible moment,
+in case the enemy rallied sufficiently to do anything toward caring for
+their own safety.</p>
+
+<p>A few yards farther on, at the redoubts covering the batteries, thirty
+more men were left, and, since there was an ample supply of ammunition for
+the big guns as well as the small arms, we who were entering the
+encampment would have a fine support in case of trouble.</p>
+
+<p>All these precautions were proper, and the captain would have been a poor
+soldier indeed had he failed to take them; but, as was soon shown, they
+were needless.</p>
+
+<p>When we arrived near General St. Leger's quarters we saw the last of the
+army fleeing as if panic-stricken in the direction of Oneida Lake, no
+longer preserving any semblance of military formation, but each man for
+himself, and, what was yet more puzzling, their Indian allies were in
+close pursuit, striking down laggards whenever the opportunity offered.</p>
+
+<p>These so-called warriors of whom Thayendanega had been so proud, were
+taking Tory and British scalps as if they had been summoned for no other
+purpose, and during two or three minutes all our people stood as if
+suddenly turned into graven images, so much of astonishment and
+bewilderment was caused by the wonderful change in affairs.</p>
+
+<p>Captain Jackman's first act, after understanding that the enemy was
+actually in retreat, with their former allies harassing the fleeing men to
+the best of their ability, was to send a messenger in hot haste to the
+fort with the word that he counted on taking his entire force, save those
+left to hold the batteries and redoubts, in pursuit, and advising that
+nearly all the British equipment could be seized upon without fear of
+interruption.</p>
+
+<p>Then we began the pursuit, and this, like the panic in the camp, was the
+oddest ever known. British regulars and Tories running helter-skelter,
+casting aside their weapons and accoutrements lest they be impeded in the
+unreasoning flight, and close at their heels the savages, who fell upon
+every unarmed man they saw, sometimes killing him outright, but, in many
+cases which came under my personal observation, disabling and then
+scalping the poor wretch, leaving him to a lingering death.</p>
+
+<p>More than once did the frightened soldiers flee toward us for protection,
+and again and again we lent them weapons with which to defend themselves
+against their late friends.</p>
+
+<p>It is almost impossible to give any details of that pursuit, which was not
+brought to an end until we were close upon the shore of Oneida Lake,
+because it was all so confusing--more like the wildest kind of a
+foot-race, wherein each man was trying to gain the lead, and the
+hindermost frantic with fear.</p>
+
+<p>It would have been strange indeed had our people been able to hold
+anything like a military formation. Captain Jackman yelled himself hoarse
+trying to keep us together, and, when it seemed as if he was on the point
+of succeeding, some one would set off at a mad pace to save the life of a
+British soldier who had fallen at the mercy of a savage.</p>
+
+<p>At first we turned our attention to taking prisoners; but before having
+left the main encampment a mile in the rear the Indians, eager for scalps,
+began to grow careless of what we might do, and then we paid off many an
+old score, although all could not have been settled had we slaughtered
+every last one of them.</p>
+
+<p>During that time of pursuit we saw nothing of the leaders, and I had come
+to believe that they were among the first to flee, when suddenly the
+sergeant, in whose company Jacob and I had remained, pointed out amid the
+bushes what appeared to be a large portmanteau which had evidently been
+cast aside by some of the fugitives.</p>
+
+<p>In the excitement of the chase either Jacob or I would have passed it by
+as being of no particular value when there were so many things to be
+picked up; but the old man was too good and experienced a soldier not to
+realize the possibilities of the find, and, heedless of all the wild
+scenes around him, he seized upon it, breaking the lock with a rock.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was we learned that the apparently valueless case was none other
+than the writing-desk, or official portfolio, belonging to General St.
+Leger himself, and in it were not only private letters and documents, but
+all his correspondence and papers relating to the campaign, such as
+afterward served to show that the king's officers had actually hired the
+Indians to murder those whom they called "rebels."</p>
+
+<p>"I reckon we've captured the prize of the day," the sergeant said,
+gleefully, after making certain as to the contents of the case. "This is
+of more value than a score of prisoners, although there's far less
+satisfaction in seizin' it."</p>
+
+<p>A moment later the old man began to understand that if he held on to the
+prize he would be left far behind in the chase by our people, because it
+was far too cumbersome to be carried at a rapid pace, and then he
+regretted having found it.</p>
+
+<p>I believe that for a moment he had it in his mind to throw the heavy
+portfolio away, willing to lose what he believed to be the most valuable
+of all the plunder that might be found, rather than miss the excitement of
+the chase; but, fortunately, just then John Sammons came limping back with
+a wound in the leg which had been inflicted by a savage whom he afterward
+succeeded in killing.</p>
+
+<p>"It's the toughest kind of ill-fortune to be crippled just when the fun is
+the hottest," he said, after explaining how the wound had been received.
+"I can't go on, an' I don't want to miss the show when the crazy
+Britishers an' Tories arrive at the shore of the lake."</p>
+
+<p>"It looks pretty bad," Sergeant Corney said, when he had made the most
+careless examination of the wound, and I was surprised to hear him speak
+in such a tone, for it was not his custom to make much ado over any
+injury, however severe. "I reckon you'd better hobble back to the fort
+without delay, an', once there, look well to it that you wash an' bandage
+the leg well."</p>
+
+<p>"I s'pose I'll have to go," Sammons replied, with a sigh, and the sergeant
+made haste to add:</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you will, lad, an' I've got here that which will ensure you a
+warm reception by Colonel Gansevoort. Take this case to him, an' you'll
+be glad you had to go back."</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that I understood why the old man was so solicitous regarding
+John's injury.</p>
+
+<p>Sammons took up the bulky portfolio and limped back in the direction of
+the fort, the sergeant saying with a peculiar twinkle of the eyes as the
+lad passed beyond earshot:</p>
+
+<p>"Now I reckon there's nothin' to prevent us from goin' on so long as do
+the others. Strike out lively, lads; we've wasted too much time already!"</p>
+
+<p>Then we tailed on behind the crowd of our people who howled and yelled as
+if at a fair, shooting at every bunch of feathers we saw amid the foliage,
+but making no effort to capture the fugitives lest we find ourselves so
+hampered that further advance would be out of the question.</p>
+
+<p>There were many of our people who thought much as we did on that day,
+otherwise Fort Schuyler might have been crowded with prisoners before
+morning.</p>
+
+<p>When we had finally come within sight of the lake, it was to find the
+foremost of our party drawn up in something approaching military order.
+Captain Jackman had succeeded in bringing them to a halt while yet half a
+mile from the shore, and this was done because the British and Tories had
+made a stand while their boats, which had been left at that point when
+they marched to the investment of Fort Schuyler, could be put in sailing
+trim.</p>
+
+<p>We of the American army were far too few in numbers to risk an action by
+pressing on, for, no matter how demoralized the enemy had become during
+the flight, it was more than probable they would fight with desperation
+now safety was within view.</p>
+
+<p>More than one of our party cried out in anger because the captain
+displayed too much caution according to their ideas; but the
+cooler-headed, among whom was Sergeant Corney, declared that it would be
+the height of folly for us to throw ourselves upon at least a thousand men
+when no great good could come from such a venture, and much of disaster to
+the Cause might result.</p>
+
+<p>The savages had no such reason for lagging, however, nor did they intend
+to fall upon their late friends in a manner which could involve them in a
+pitched battle; but yet they did a large amount of mischief without
+putting their precious bodies in danger.</p>
+
+<p>Wherever a squad of the fugitives was withdrawn from the main body, making
+ready a boat, the painted fiends would swoop down upon it, performing
+their murderous work and getting away with a fresh supply of scalps before
+the victims' friends could rush to their assistance.</p>
+
+<p>I saw a boat laden with men, the greater number of whom were unarmed
+because of having thrown away their weapons during the flight, push off in
+company with several others; but the oarsmen of this particular craft were
+clumsy, and she drifted down the shore until beyond range of the
+remainder of the force.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that the feather-bedecked wolves began shooting at the
+helpless men until a full half of the crew were wounded, after which
+Thayendanega's beauties swam out to her, killing and scalping all on
+board.</p>
+
+<p>This is but a single instance of what the savages did during that mad
+retreat. More than once had my rifle been emptied in behalf of some
+sore-beset soldier, and I even went so far in my sympathy for the white
+men that I saved the life of a Tory who would have been killed had we not
+come up in the nick of time. After rescuing him, however, we turned the
+fellow over to a squad who were guarding twenty or more prisoners, thus
+making certain he would not be left at liberty to work mischief among our
+people.</p>
+
+<p>The following brief account of the retreat was written and printed by one
+who took every care to learn all the truth regarding the affair, and I set
+it down here that he who reads may know I have not exaggerated the story
+for the purpose of shaming the enemy:</p>
+
+<p>"The Indians, it is said, made merry at the precipitate flight of the
+whites, who threw away their arms and knapsacks, so that nothing should
+impede their progress. The savages also gratified their passion for murder
+and plunder by killing many of the retreating allies on the borders of the
+lake, and stripping them of every article of value. They also plundered
+them of their boats, and, according to St. Leger, 'became more formidable
+than the enemy they had to expect.'"</p>
+
+<p>It was late in the afternoon before Captain Jackman gave us the word to
+turn back. He would have returned sooner, but our men pleaded for
+permission to watch the fugitives until they had embarked, and he could
+hardly do otherwise than remain.</p>
+
+<p>A happy, light-hearted company it was that marched back to what had been
+the British encampment, there to find many of those we had left in the
+fort busily engaged hauling in the plunder abandoned by his Majesty's
+valiant army, to the fortification.</p>
+
+<p>Now we had ammunition in plenty, both for our own guns and those we
+brought in from the batteries, while there was such a store of provisions
+that the wagons were kept busy during the entire night transporting it.</p>
+
+<p>We feasted from sunset until sunrise, much after the fashion of the
+savages, for it made a fellow feel good to know from actual test that
+there was no longer any need of saving every scrap of food against that
+day when it might be necessary to fight and fast at the same time.</p>
+
+<p>Even though we had not thus made merry, I question if there was a man
+among us, from the highest to the lowest, who could have closed his eyes
+in slumber. The relief of mind was so great, and the wonderment because of
+what had happened so overpowering, that we were able to do nothing save
+discuss the matter again and again, but without coming to any satisfactory
+solution of the riddle.</p>
+
+<p>The Tory encampment, which was a long distance westward from St. Leger's
+quarters, presented the same scene of confusion and evidences of hasty
+departure as had the British, and from there we got a large quantity of
+plunder; but in the Indian camp was nothing left but the lodges, and these
+we carted into the fort, although they would be of little value to us. It
+was satisfying to despoil Thayendanega's snakes, even though only to a
+slight extent.</p>
+
+<p>When another day had come Colonel Gansevoort brought all us merrymakers up
+with a sharp turn, by forcing us to perform military duty once more. The
+stores of the British and Tories had all been brought in, and then we were
+called upon to level the earthworks which had been thrown up at the
+beginning of the siege, lest General Burgoyne, who had been reported as
+possibly coming our way, might be able to turn them to his own advantage
+and our discomfiture.</p>
+
+<p>It was downright hard work to handle shovel and pick hour after hour under
+the burning rays of the summer sun; but no fellow cared to show himself
+indolent after having had such rare good fortune, and we petitioned the
+commandant to let us continue the labor throughout the night, to the end
+that it might the sooner be performed.</p>
+
+<p>Within six and thirty hours after we had returned from the pursuit matters
+were so far straightened that we had nothing save ordinary garrison duty
+to perform, and we lounged around discussing the exciting and mysterious
+events which we had witnessed, until I dare venture to say that every man
+was absolutely weary with so much tongue-wagging.</p>
+
+<p>Messengers had been sent on the road toward Stillwater to learn, if
+possible, what had caused such a panic among the enemy, and Sergeant
+Corney said to Jacob and me while we were waiting with whatsoever of
+patience we could command for some definite information to be brought in:</p>
+
+<p>"We must get out of this, lads, within four an' twenty hours after the
+matter has been made plain, an' we know somewhat concernin' the movements
+of our friends on the outside."</p>
+
+<p>"How surprised the people of Cherry Valley will be when they hear all that
+we can tell them!" Jacob said, as if speaking to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"An' is it in your mind, lad, that we're to go back there rather than
+anywhere else?"</p>
+
+<p>"Where else could we go?" I asked, in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"I've been thinkin' that we might do our people at home more good by
+marchin' the Minute Boys to where they could be of real service, than
+goin' back to let 'em loaf 'round the settlement."</p>
+
+<p>At that moment the old soldier was called away to attend to some duty,
+and Jacob and I had ample food for thought as we turned over in mind what
+he had said.</p>
+
+<p>Before the day had come to an end we had reinforcements--when we no longer
+needed them--in plenty. Company after company of soldiers marched in from
+the direction of Stillwater, and through the earliest arrivals we learned
+that twelve hundred men, under General Benedict Arnold, had been sent to
+our relief.</p>
+
+<p>To our great joy, they could give valuable information regarding the
+strange behavior of St. Leger's army, and by putting together this and
+that bit of news we had a fairly good solution to the puzzle before the
+arrival of General Arnold, who came with a small force twenty hours behind
+the main body.</p>
+
+<p>And this is the story as we heard it from one source and another until
+there could be no question but that we had all the facts with no
+embellishments:</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell succeeded in getting past the
+several encampments without being discovered, and made their way to German
+Flats. There they procured horses, and rode at full speed until arriving
+at the headquarters of General Schuyler at Stillwater.</p>
+
+<p>Now it must be understood that when General Washington heard the news of
+the fall of Ticonderoga, he sent General Benedict Arnold with as many
+troops as could be gathered, to strengthen the northern army. General
+Arnold arrived at Stillwater nearabout three weeks before Colonel Willett
+rode into that place with the request that assistance be sent as soon as
+possible to Fort Schuyler.</p>
+
+<p>Now it seems, as I have heard it said by those who knew, and, later, have
+seen it printed, that immediately the messengers from the besieged fort
+stated the purpose of their coming, General Schuyler, eager to send
+Colonel Gansevoort all the succor he might, called a council of war to
+decide upon what should be done, when, greatly to his surprise, he found
+that the members of his staff were bitterly opposed to weakening the force
+then at Stillwater by sending any away, even on so important a mission as
+that of aiding the beleaguered garrison.</p>
+
+<p>Here is what I have seen printed regarding the matter, and I will copy it
+lest any one think I may have imagined some portion of this contention,
+which, as we look at the situation now, seems so improbable, for one can
+hardly believe that any officer in the patriot army would have refused at
+such a time to aid those who were so sorely pressed as were Gansevoort's
+troops:</p>
+
+<p>[Footnote: Fiske's "American Revolution."] "General Schuyler understood the
+importance of rescuing the stronghold and its brave garrison, and called a
+council of war; but he was bitterly opposed by his officers, one of whom
+presently said to another, in an audible whisper:</p>
+
+<p>"'He only wants to weaken the army!'</p>
+
+<p>"At this vile accusation the indignant general set his teeth so hard as to
+bite through the stem of the pipe he was smoking, which fell on the floor
+and was smashed.</p>
+
+<p>"'Enough!' he cried. 'I assume the whole responsibility. Where is the
+brigadier who will go?'</p>
+
+<p>"The brigadiers all sat in sullen silence, and Arnold, who had been
+brooding over his private grievances, suddenly jumped up.</p>
+
+<p>"'Here!' said he. 'Washington sent me here to make myself useful. I will
+go.'</p>
+
+<p>"The commander gratefully seized him by the hand, and the drum beat for
+volunteers. Arnold's unpopularity in New England was mainly with the
+politicians. It did not extend to the common soldiers, who admired his
+impulsive bravery and had unbounded faith in his resources as a leader.
+Accordingly twelve hundred Massachusetts men were easily enlisted in the
+course of the next forenoon, and the expedition started up the Mohawk
+Valley.</p>
+
+<p>"Arnold pushed on with characteristic energy, but the natural difficulties
+of the road were such that after a week of hard work he had only reached
+the German Flats, where he was still more than twenty miles from Fort
+Schuyler. Believing that no time should be lost, and that everything
+should be done to encourage the garrison and dishearten the enemy, he had
+recourse to a stratagem, which succeeded beyond his utmost anticipation.</p>
+
+<p>"A party of Tory spies had just been arrested in the neighborhood, and
+among them was a certain Yan Yost Cuyler, a queer, half-witted fellow not
+devoid of cunning, whom the Indians regarded with that mysterious awe with
+which fools and lunatics are wont to inspire them, as creatures possessed
+with a devil.</p>
+
+<p>"Yan Yost was summarily condemned to death, and his brother and gipsy-like
+mother, in wild alarm, hastened to the camp to plead for his life. Arnold
+for awhile was inexorable, but presently offered to pardon the culprit on
+condition that he should go and spread a panic in the camp of St. Leger.</p>
+
+<p>"Yan Yost joyfully consented, and started off forthwith, while his brother
+was detained as a hostage, to be hanged in case of his failure. To make
+the matter still surer, some friendly Oneidas were sent along to keep an
+eye upon him and act in concert with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Next day St. Leger's scouts, as they stole through the forest, began to
+hear rumors that Burgoyne had been totally defeated, and that a great
+American army was coming up the valley of the Mohawk. They carried back
+these rumors to the camp, and, while officers and soldiers were standing
+about in anxious consultation, Yan Yost came running in, with a dozen
+bullet-holes in his coat and terror in his face, and said that he had
+barely escaped with his life from the resistless American host which was
+close at hand.</p>
+
+<p>"As many knew him for a Tory, his tale found ready belief, and, when
+interrogated as to the numbers of the advancing host, he gave a warning
+frown and pointed significantly to the countless leaves that fluttered on
+the branches overhead."</p>
+
+<p>[Footnote: Lossing's "Field Book American Revolution."] "The Indians were
+greatly agitated. They had been decoyed into their present situation, and
+had been moody and uneasy since the battle of Oriskany. At the moment of
+Yan Yost's arrival they were engaged in a religious observance,--a
+consultation, through their prophet, of the Great Spirit, to supplicate
+his guidance and protection.</p>
+
+<p>"The council of chiefs at the powwow at once resolved upon flight, and
+told St. Leger so. He sent for and questioned Yan Yost, who told him that
+Arnold, with two thousand men, would be upon him in twenty-four hours.</p>
+
+<p>"At that moment, according to arrangements, the friendly Oneida who had
+taken a circuitous route approached the camp from another direction with a
+belt. On his way he met two or three straggling Indians of his tribe, who
+joined him, and they all confirmed the story of Yan Yost. They pretended
+that a bird had brought them the news that the valley below was swarming
+with warriors.</p>
+
+<p>"One said that the army of Burgoyne was cut in pieces, and another told
+St. Leger that Arnold had three thousand men near at hand. They shook
+their heads mysteriously when questioned about the numbers of the enemy,
+and pointed, like Yan Yost, upward to the leaves.</p>
+
+<p>"The savages, now thoroughly alarmed, prepared to flee. St. Leger tried
+every means, by offers of bribes and promises, to induce them to remain,
+but the panic and suspicion of foul play had determined them to go. He
+tried to make them drunk, but they refused to drink. He then besought them
+to take the rear of his army in retreating; this they refused, and
+indignantly said:</p>
+
+<p>"'You mean to sacrifice us. When you marched down, you said there would be
+no fighting for us Indians; we might go down and smoke our pipes; whereas
+numbers of our warriors have been killed, and you mean to sacrifice us
+also.'</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing more was needed to complete the panic. It was in vain that Sir
+John and St. Leger coaxed and threatened the savages. They were already
+filled with fear, and while a certain number deliberately ran away, taking
+their squaws with them, others drank rum until they were drunk, and began
+to assault the officers."
+
+That is the story as has been set down by others, and I have already told
+what we ourselves saw. All which seemed so unaccountable to us at that
+time, would have been as plain as the sun at noon-day had we possessed the
+key to the seeming riddle.</p>
+
+
+
+
+<h2><a name="ch20"></a>Chapter XX.</h2>
+
+<h3>Enlisted Men.</h3>
+
+
+
+<p>On the morning after General Arnold's arrival, when we learned that the
+reinforcements which had been sent to us at Fort Schuyler were to be
+marched directly back to the main army then at Stillwater, the Minute Boys
+held a conference to decide what should be done, for it was in my mind
+that each member of the company had a right to discuss freely the question
+that must be settled without delay.</p>
+
+<p>We knew that Peter Sitz was to return to Cherry Valley as soon as he could
+make ready for the journey, and I was of the belief that Jacob desired to
+accompany his father; but never a word had passed between us on the
+subject.</p>
+
+<p>From all we could hear concerning affairs in the Mohawk Valley, it seemed
+much as if the senseless panic among St. Leger's force had resulted in
+breaking up the combination between the British and the Indians, in which
+case Thayendanega would not be able to ravage the country nearabout Cherry
+Valley, as he had doubtless counted on.</p>
+
+<p>When I considered the matter, with a sickness for home in my heart, it
+seemed much as if my proper place was with my parents, and there, if
+trouble should come, I would be able to strike a blow in defence of those
+I loved; but while listening to the conversation of the soldiers, and
+being brought to understand how sorely the colonists needed the aid which
+should come from their midst, I said to myself that strong, hulking lads
+like our Minute Boys ought to be ashamed to do other than remain in the
+service, doing their part in showing the king that we would have no more
+of his misrule.</p>
+
+<p>It seemed to me that Sergeant Corney was averse to talking with any of us
+concerning the future, for, as soon as it was known that we must decide at
+once upon some course, he kept aloof whenever he heard two or three
+discussing the question of what we Minute Boys ought to do, now that we
+were no longer needed at Fort Schuyler.</p>
+
+<p>I have thus set down that which was in my mind at the time, not that it is
+of any especial importance, but to the end that he who reads may
+understand how undecided I was as to what my company had best do at such a
+time; and I believe every person will realize that a lad's love for
+country must be great when it prompts him to turn his back on home and
+loved ones after having passed through as many dangers as had our boys
+from Cherry Valley.</p>
+
+<p>During the evening previous I had notified all the members of the company
+that we would meet in the barracks at eight o'clock in the morning to
+decide what course should be pursued, and considerably before the time
+set every lad was in waiting; but Sergeant Corney did not put in an
+appearance.</p>
+
+<p>We had come to consider him as the head and front of the Minute Boys, and
+his absence at such an important time seemed odd, to say the least.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe he has it in mind to join General Arnold's force," John Sammons
+said, when the hour for the conference had come and passed without the
+sergeant's having shown himself, and the idea of such a possibility
+brought a strange sensation of loneliness to my heart.</p>
+
+<p>Then Jacob suggested that the old man might have been detained against his
+will at headquarters, and I proposed that the lad go at once to learn if
+such was the case.</p>
+
+<p>He did not absolutely refuse to obey what might have been considered as an
+order from the captain, but tried to shift the duty by saying:</p>
+
+<p>"It would be of more avail for you to go, Noel, if so be the old man
+really has it in mind to enlist under General Arnold. You have ever been a
+favorite of his, whereas I am little more than an outsider, who has caused
+you an' he much trouble an' sufferin'."</p>
+
+<p>The lad did not really believe his own statements, but made them simply to
+shift the duty to my shoulders, for it was a bold and might be considered
+an impertinent act for us to presume to advise or urge one of so much and
+so varied experience as Sergeant Corney.</p>
+
+<p>I set off without further parley, and to my great surprise found the old
+man on the parade-ground talking idly with Peter Sitz.</p>
+
+<p>"Had you forgotten that the company was called together at eight o'clock
+this mornin'?" I asked, as if in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it, lad."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why didn't you come to the barracks?"</p>
+
+<p>"I knew you lads had somewhat of importance to decide, an' wasn't countin'
+on goin' where I might be said to have influenced you."</p>
+
+<p>"But don't you reckon yourself as belongin' any longer to the company?"</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't count on bein' able to pass myself off for a boy, even among
+blind men," the old soldier said, with a laugh, and I cried, hotly:</p>
+
+<p>"That isn't answerin' my question, sergeant. Is there any good reason why
+you should stand stiffly here while we're tryin' to make up our minds what
+to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, lad, I believe there is."</p>
+
+<p>"What may it be, if you're willin' to tell us?"</p>
+
+<p>"It shouldn't be hard to guess. All my life long I've followed soldierin'
+as another man follows a trade, an' I'm not the one who ought to speak
+when lads are makin' up their minds as to the future, lest I say that
+which pleases me, an' may not be the best thing for them."</p>
+
+<p>"Answer me one question squarely, Sergeant Corney, without beatin' about
+the bush. Do you think we're too young to enlist as soldiers, if it so be
+the lads decide that the Minute Boys ought to do all they can for the
+Cause?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit of it; it strikes me your company has shown that it may be of
+value in any army, an' I'll go bail Colonel Gansevoort will agree with me.
+What say you, Peter Sitz?"</p>
+
+<p>"Speakin' for my Jacob, he's shown that his services are not to be
+despised in sich warfare as we're like to have in the valley; but it must
+be for him to say what he'll do, without word or look from me."</p>
+
+<p>Now it was that I began to understand what these two were driving at. They
+were minded that we of the company should decide the question before us
+without aid from them, and it was not difficult to guess that, in their
+opinion, the Minute Boys ought to remain where they could do the best
+service for the colony.</p>
+
+<p>However, I was determined that they should be present while we discussed
+the matter, and by dint of much coaxing finally succeeded in my purpose.</p>
+
+<p>When we were all together I put the matter before the lads to the best of
+my ability, asking each to say if he was minded to go home at once, or
+whether he would be willing to regularly enlist in the American army, and
+before any other could speak John Sammons made a suggestion which showed
+him to be a lad of rare good sense.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me that it would be a good idea to first learn whether we're
+wanted in the army. There's hardly one among us of an age to be taken as a
+recruit, an' if they won't let us enlist as a full company, allowin' our
+own officers to remain in command, I for my part would rather go home."</p>
+
+<p>There could be no question but that very many of us shared John's ideas,
+and then came the question as to how we might learn what we wanted to
+know.</p>
+
+<p>This we could not determine upon until Peter Sitz said, quietly:</p>
+
+<p>"Most likely Colonel Gansevoort can tell you in short order; but, if he
+can't, he won't be long in findin' out from General Arnold."</p>
+
+<p>This was just the suggestion we needed, and then came the question as to
+who would go to the commandant. I flatly refused, because it would look
+too much as if I was eager to hold my rank as captain, and after
+considerable tongue-wagging it was decided that Jacob should tackle the
+job, his father agreeing to go with him to headquarters.</p>
+
+<p>While these two were absent we talked much among ourselves, and I soon
+learned that every member of the company was willing to remain in service
+if it could be done as regularly enlisted men, holding together as a
+separate company.</p>
+
+<p>Sergeant Corney would take no part in the discussion. He flatly refused
+to give an opinion until after the matter had been fully decided; but I
+knew full well the old man would remain with us, even though we were only
+a company of boys.</p>
+
+<p>Then Jacob and his father returned, and there was no need of further talk.</p>
+
+<p>"The commandant says that we have only to present ourselves before General
+Schuyler in order to be enlisted as we desire," Jacob reported. "He
+promises to write a letter to the general at once, telling him of how much
+service we have been here in the fort, an' agrees to provide us with
+provisions for the march, with two baggage-wagons to haul the stores.
+We're to have from the plunder gotten out of St. Leger's camp all we may
+need in way of an outfit, so that we'll really show up before the
+commander equipped for service without cost to the colonies."</p>
+
+<p>Thus the matter was settled. With such a generous offer from the
+commandant never a member of the company could have hung back had he so
+desired; but I am proud to say that each and every one of them was eager
+to join the army, since it might be done as regular soldiers.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that Sergeant Corney had his say, and he was by no means
+niggardly with words.</p>
+
+<p>First he congratulated us on having performed such good service that the
+commander under whom we served was pleased to do all in his power to give
+us a good send-off, and then declared that he had rather enlist with us
+than in any regiment of the army. If we had decided to go to Cherry
+Valley, it was his purpose to join General Arnold's force; but now that he
+could remain with the Minute Boys he was content.</p>
+
+<p>We were proud lads that day, for it seemed as if every officer and soldier
+in the fort was eager to give us some word of praise, and those with whom
+we had served watched jealously when our equipment was being selected from
+the plunder of the British camp, lest we might not get the best of
+everything.</p>
+
+<p>We had our hands full of business making ready for the march, when Reuben
+Cox came shyly up to where Sergeant Corney and I were looking after the
+stowage of goods in the wagons, and said to me in a half-whisper, as if
+fearing others might hear him:</p>
+
+<p>"I don't reckon your company is any place for a man who has shown himself
+sich a sneak as I am, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Would you like to go with us?" I asked, in surprise, and pitying from the
+bottom of my heart the man who was so deeply repentant.</p>
+
+<p>"That I would, Captain Campbell. It may be in time I can live down my
+record, providin' there be any one who'll look to what I may do, instead
+of always thinkin' of what I have done."</p>
+
+<p>"But the men in the fort have been kind to you of late, Cox?" I said,
+questioningly.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that they have, considerin' what I've done, an' how nearly I came to
+workin' the worst of harm to all hands here; but I can see by their eyes
+that they're always thinkin' I may play the same dirty game agin, though
+God knows I'd stand at the stake with never a whimper till the life was
+burned out of me rather than do one of them another wrong."</p>
+
+<p>Had I felt at liberty to decide the matter then and there, Cox would have
+been a member of the Minute Boys without further parley; but it was only
+right I should consult the others, therefore I told him to come again
+within an hour, when I would give him an answer.</p>
+
+<p>He thanked me humbly, and was about to go away, when Sergeant Corney took
+him by the hand as he said:</p>
+
+<p>"What's in the past can't be brought back for the fixin'; but we've got in
+our own keepin' the shapin' of the to-morrows. I'm thinkin' you won't go
+astray agin, Reuben Cox, an' whenever I see a chance to speak a good word
+for you it shall be said."</p>
+
+<p>The man's face lighted up wonderfully, and in my heart I thanked the old
+sergeant over and over for having been thus kind to one who, having
+committed the worst crime possible for a soldier, stood ready to give up
+his life cheerfully to the end that he might atone.</p>
+
+<p>I called the lads together without loss of time, repeating to them what
+Cox had said, and again was I made glad when they agreed without
+hesitation to take him among us.</p>
+
+<p>John Sammons was sent to bring up the new member of the company, and
+Sergeant Corney said, grimly, as he tried without avail to pucker his
+wrinkled face into a frown:</p>
+
+<p>"At this rate you'll soon lose the right to call yourselves Minute <i>Boys</i>,
+because this 'ere company is fast becomin' a refuge for the aged and
+outcast."</p>
+
+<p>There was to be mourning as well as gladness among us on this the last day
+we were to spend in Fort Schuyler.</p>
+
+<p>Toward noon a messenger from the general commanding came in, bringing with
+him the sad news that General Herkimer was dead of his wounds, or, perhaps
+I should say, because of his wounds.</p>
+
+<p>As we were told, the general was safely taken to his home after the
+battle, being carried on a litter the entire distance. The weather was
+very warm, and soon the wound became gangrenous. Nine days after his
+arrival, a young French surgeon who had been with General Arnold's force
+visited the house, and claimed that the injured limb should be cut off
+without delay, as the only means of saving the sufferer's life.</p>
+
+<p>The family doctor objected very strongly; but the general's family had
+faith in the Frenchman, although it is claimed he had evidently been
+drinking heavily, and the leg was cut off. The operation was performed so
+unskilfully that it was impossible to entirely check the flow of blood,
+and the Frenchman, indulging in more wine, became so badly intoxicated
+that, even had he known how, it would have been beyond his power to take
+the proper measures.</p>
+
+<p>There was no other surgeon to be had, and toward the close of the day,
+when the brave old general came to understand that his end was very near,
+he asked for the Bible, from which he read aloud the thirty-eighth psalm,
+immediately afterward sinking back upon the pillow dead.</p>
+
+<p>"Murdered if ever a man was!" Sergeant Corney cried, when the sad story
+had been brought to an end, and I was of the same opinion.</p>
+
+<p>There are several forms of mutiny, and some of them are called by other
+names, but all as dangerous as they are wicked. Because many of those who
+badgered the brave old soldier to his death paid the full penalty of their
+crime in the ravine under the hatchet or knife of the savages, it may not
+be well to say harsh words concerning them; but so long as I live there
+will always be anger in my heart whenever I hear their names mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>During that evening, after everything had been made ready for the march at
+an early hour next morning, we lads gave to Peter Sitz messages for the
+loved ones at Cherry Valley, promising that we would never bring disgrace
+upon the settlement, and so burdening his mind with this matter and the
+other that, if the poor man remembered but the half of all the words we
+entrusted him with, he must have had a most prodigious memory.</p>
+
+<p>Right proud was I when I marched out of the fort next morning at the head
+of my company, followed by the two baggage-wagons; but yet there was a
+sorrow in my heart because it seemed, in a certain degree, at least, as if
+by becoming regularly enlisted men we gave up our claim to the name of
+Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley.</p>
+
+<p>Those under whom we served did not view the matter in the same light I
+did, however, for we kept the title we liked best during all the time we
+served in the army.</p>
+
+<p>It would please me to set down here an account of the adventures which
+were ours after becoming enlisted men, but it must not be done, else I
+might never bring the tale to a close, for we saw very much during the
+time our people were convincing the king, and surely did our duty at Bemis
+Heights, otherwise our company would never have been mentioned in the
+flattering terms it then was.</p>
+
+<p>It causes me most profound sorrow to say that our company was far away,
+fighting for the Cause to the best of our ability, when our homes at
+Cherry Valley were destroyed and many of our loved ones massacred by the
+fiendish savages, and there is always in my heart a cruel joy that we lads
+who had been trained by Sergeant Corney avenged that dastardly act of
+Thayendanega's in such manly fashion that he must have remembered the
+reprisals to his dying day.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was we showed ourselves to be Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley in
+good truth, however we may have been spoken of elsewhere, and if it so be
+the good God spares my life sufficiently long I propose to set down the
+story of that vengeance, when more than one of us, sorely wounded,
+continued the chase, upheld even when exhausted nigh unto death by the
+thoughts of what our loved ones had been made to suffer by that wolf in
+human shape--Joseph Brant.</p>
+<br />
+<hr />
+
+
+
+<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY***</p>
+<p>******* This file should be named 10086-h.txt or 10086-h.zip *******</p>
+<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br />
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley, by
+James Otis
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley
+
+Author: James Otis
+
+Release Date: November 14, 2003  [eBook #10086]
+
+Language: English
+
+Chatacter set encoding: US-ASCII
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE MOHAWK
+VALLEY***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Project Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders
+
+
+
+THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE MOHAWK VALLEY
+
+by JAMES OTIS
+
+Author of "The Boys of Fort Schuyler," "The Boys of '98,"
+"Teddy and Carrots," "Captain Tom, the Privateersman,"
+"The Boys of 1745," "The Signal Boys of '75,"
+"Under the Liberty Tree," "When Israel Putnam Served the King,"
+"The Minute Boys of the Green Mountains," Etc., Etc.
+
+Illustrated by A. Burnham Shute
+[Illustration: "An Indian strode gravely into the encampment"]
+
+1911
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Contents
+
+    I. Young Soldiers
+   II. The Powwow
+  III. Disappointment
+   IV. On the Oriskany
+    V. Divided Duty
+   VI. Between the Lines
+  VII. Insubordination
+ VIII. The Ambush
+   IX. The Indian Camp
+    X. Prisoners
+   XI. The Escape
+  XII. In the Fort
+ XIII. The Assault
+  XIV. Mutiny
+   XV. The Torture
+  XVI. Short Allowance
+ XVII. Perplexing Scenes
+XVIII. Close Quarters
+  XIX. The Pursuit
+   XX. Enlisted Men
+
+
+
+
+Foreword
+
+
+
+It seems not only proper, but necessary, that I should explain how the
+material for this story was obtained, and why it happens that I can thus
+set down exactly what Noel Campbell thought and did, during certain times
+while he was serving the patriot cause in the Mohawk Valley as few other
+boys could have done.
+
+At some time in Noel's life--most likely after he was grown to be a man
+with children, and, perhaps, grandchildren of his own--he wrote many
+letters to relatives of his in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, wherein he told
+with considerable of detail that which he did during the War of the
+Revolution, and more particularly while he and his friends were fighting
+against that wily Indian sachem, Thayendanega. These letters, together
+with many others concerning the struggles of our people for independence,
+came into my keeping a long while ago, and from the lines written by Noel
+Campbell I have put together the following story after much the same
+fashion as he himself set it down.
+
+When the work was begun I doubted if Thayendanega could have been
+frightened by a party of boys who were playing at being soldiers, and
+refused to make such statement until, quite by chance, I found the
+following in Lossing's "Field-Book of the Revolution":
+
+"It was a sunny morning toward the close of May, when Brant and his
+warriors cautiously moved up to the brow of the lofty hill on the east
+side of the town (Cherry Valley) to reconnoitre the settlement at their
+feet. He was astonished and chagrined on seeing a fortification where he
+supposed all was weak and defenceless, and greater was his disappointment
+when quite a large and well-armed garrison appeared upon the esplanade in
+front of Colonel Campbell's house.
+
+"These soldiers were not as formidable as the sachem supposed, for they
+were only half-grown boys, who, full of the martial spirit of the times,
+had formed themselves into companies, and, armed with wooden guns and
+swords, held regular drills each day.... He mistook the boys for
+full-grown soldiers, and, considering an attack dangerous, moved his party
+to a hiding-place in a deep ravine north of the village."
+
+Then again I questioned if General Herkimer would have sent two boys as
+messengers, even though an old and experienced soldier went with them,
+when he must have had under his command many men grown who were thoroughly
+familiar with Indian warfare. As if to combat this doubt, I found the
+following statement by one who has written much concerning the struggles
+of the colonists for freedom:
+
+"As soon as St. Leger's approach up Oneida Lake was known to General
+Herkimer, he summoned the militia of Tryon County to the succor of the
+garrison at Fort Schuyler. They rendezvoused at Fort Dayton, on the German
+Flats, and, on the day when the Indians encircled the fort, Herkimer was
+near Oriskany with more than eight hundred men, eager to face the enemy.
+He sent as messengers to Gansevoort two boys and a man, informing him of
+his approach, and requesting him to apprise him of the arrival of the
+couriers by discharging three guns in rapid succession, which he knew
+would be heard at Oriskany."
+
+Having thus proven, at least to my own satisfaction, that so much of
+Noel's story was true, I set about verifying the other portions, and in no
+single instance did I find that he had drawn upon his imagination,
+therefore I resolved to write it down as the lad himself would have
+spoken, being able, because of the letters, to put myself very nearly in
+his place.
+
+I would it had been possible to say more concerning Thayendanega and Sir
+John Johnson, for they played important parts in the making of Mohawk
+Valley history; but Noel's own account was of such length that I did not
+feel warranted in adding to it.
+
+To the best of my knowledge and belief, the tale of the "Minute Boys of
+the Mohawk Valley" is no more than a narration of facts, as can be
+verified by reference to any of our standard histories of the beginnings
+of this nation.
+
+If the reader can find in the reading one-half the pleasure I have had in
+interpreting Noel Campbell's odd speech, and smoothing down his too
+vigorous language, then will he be richly repaid for the perusal.
+
+James Otis.
+
+
+
+
+List of Illustrations
+
+
+
+"An Indian strode gravely into the encampment"
+"'You have done well to get back alive'"
+"Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and fro"
+"'Tire 'em out, lads!' the General shouted"
+"Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a huge fire"
+"With upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of foliage"
+"The painted villain sank down upon the ground"
+"Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet through the back'"
+
+
+
+
+Chapter I.
+
+Young Soldiers
+
+
+
+It sounds like an unreasonable tale, or something after the style of a
+fairy-story, to say that a party of lads, drilling with wooden guns, were
+able, without being conscious of the fact, to frighten from his bloody
+work such a murderous, powerful sachem as Thayendanega, or Joseph Brant,
+to use his English name, but such is the undisputed fact.
+
+It was the month of May in the year of our Lord 1777, when we of Cherry
+Valley, in the Province of New York, learned that this same Thayendanega,
+a pure-blooded Mohawk Indian, whose father was chief of the Onondaga
+nation, had come into the Mohawk Valley from Canada with a large force of
+Indians, who, under the wicked tutoring of Sir John Johnson, were ripe for
+mischief.
+
+Col. Samuel Campbell, my uncle, was one of the leading patriots in that
+section of the province, and it was well known that the Johnsons,--Sir
+John and Guy,--the Butlers, Daniel Claus, and, in fact, all the Tories
+nearabout, would direct that the first blow be struck at Cherry Valley, in
+order that my uncle might be killed or made prisoner; therefore, at the
+time when we lads frightened Joseph Brant without our own knowledge, we
+were in daily fear of being set upon by our enemies.
+
+Among the boys of the settlement I, Noel Campbell, was looked upon as a
+leader simply because my uncle was the most influential Whig in the
+vicinity, and my particular friend and comrade was Jacob Sitz, son of
+Peter, a lad who could easily best us all in trials of strength or of
+woodcraft.
+
+We had heard of the Minute Men of Lexington and of the Green Mountains,
+and when the day came that all the able-bodied men of our valley banded
+themselves together for the protection of their homes against our
+neighbors, the Tories, who thirsted for patriot blood, we lads decided
+that we were old enough to do our share in whatsoever might be afoot.
+
+Therefore it was that two score of us formed a league to help defend the
+settlements, and gave ourselves the name of "Minute Boys of the Mohawk
+Valley."
+
+There was then living in Cherry Valley an old Prussian soldier by name
+Cornelius Braun, who, in his native land, had won the rank of sergeant;
+but, having grown too old for very active military duty, came to this
+country with the idea of making a home for himself. Sergeant Corney, as
+nearly every one called him, was not so old, however, but that he could
+strike a blow, and a heavy one, in his own defence, and when he learned
+what we lads proposed to do, he offered to drill us in the manual of arms.
+
+We were not overly well equipped in the way of weapons, although it is
+safe to say that each of us had a firearm of some sort; but it seemed to
+give Sergeant Corney the fidgets to see us carrying such a motley
+collection of guns, and he insisted on making a quantity of wooden muskets
+to be used in the drill, to the end that we might present a more soldierly
+appearance when lined up before him.
+
+Therefore it was that, when we came each day on the green in front of my
+uncle's house to go through such manoeuvres as our instructor thought
+necessary, we had in our hands only those harmless wooden guns.
+
+I was the captain of the company; Jacob Sitz acted as lieutenant, and all
+the others were privates. Sergeant Corney, as a matter of course, was the
+commander-in-chief.
+
+On a certain day during the last week in May--the exact date I have
+forgotten--we were drilling as usual, with Sergeant Corney finding more
+fault than ever, when we frightened the famous Thayendanega away from an
+attack on the settlement, although, as I have said, we knew nothing about
+it until many months afterward.
+
+It seems, as we learned later, that the villainous Brant had made all his
+plans for an attack upon Cherry Valley, and had secretly gained a position
+on the hill to the eastward of the place, counting on waiting there until
+nightfall, when he might surprise us; but, much to his astonishment, he
+saw what appeared from the distance to be a large body of well-equipped
+soldiers evidently making ready for serious work.
+
+The scoundrelly redskin was not so brave that he was willing to make an
+attack where it seemed that the Whigs were prepared to receive him, and,
+like the cur that he was, he marched his force to a hiding-place in a deep
+ravine north of the settlement, near the road leading to the Mohawk River,
+about a mile and a half from where we were drilling.
+
+Now hardly more than an hour before it is probable that the Indians got
+their first glimpse of us Minute Boys, Lieutenant Wormwood had arrived
+from Fort Plain with information to my uncle that a force of patriot
+soldiers was on the way to check Sir John's plans for killing all who did
+not quite agree with him in politics, and to request that arrangements be
+made to care for the men during such time as they might remain in that
+vicinity.
+
+When, late in the afternoon, the lieutenant was ready to return to Fort
+Plain, Jacob's father, Peter Sitz, was ordered to accompany him as bearer
+of a message from my uncle to the leader of the patriot force, and the two
+men set off on horseback, we lads envying them because it seemed a fine
+thing to ride to and fro over the country summoning this man or that to
+his duty.
+
+It was the last time Jacob saw his father until after many days had
+passed, and what happened to the two horsemen we could only guess when the
+lieutenant's lifeless body was found next day; but we learned the
+particulars later.
+
+It seems that when the messengers arrived near Brant's hiding-place, being
+forced to pass by where the Indians were concealed in order to get to Fort
+Plain, they were hailed by some one in the thicket; but instead of
+replying, the men put spurs to their horses.
+
+The savages in ambush fired a volley; Lieutenant Wormwood was killed
+instantly, while Jacob's father was so seriously wounded that he fell from
+his horse, and, a few seconds later, found himself a prisoner among
+Brant's wolves.
+
+When the tidings of this tragedy was brought into the settlement, Jacob
+was overwhelmed with grief, as might have been expected, and even my uncle
+had great difficulty in preventing the distressed lad from rushing into
+the wilderness with the poor hope that he might be able, single-handed, to
+effect his father's rescue.
+
+He was only sixteen years of age--two months older than I; but within an
+hour after we knew beyond a peradventure that Peter Sitz was a prisoner,
+it seemed as if the lad had grown to be a man.
+
+It was this first blow against the settlement of Cherry Valley by the
+murderous Brant, which brought us Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley into
+active service, for from that day we saw as much of warfare as did our
+elders, and I am proud to be able to set down the fact that we performed
+good work, although we failed, as did the men of the settlement, in
+preventing it from being destroyed a year and a half later, while the
+fighting force of the population was absent.
+
+The murder of Lieutenant Wormwood was sufficient evidence that the Tories
+and their savage allies were prepared to harry us, and within a very few
+minutes after the body of the officer had been brought in, the men made
+ready to defend their homes.
+
+A council of war was immediately called, and while it was in session
+Sergeant Corney made a proposition which was like to take away the breath
+from those who looked upon us of the Minute Boys as mere children, for he
+said in the tone of one who knows whereof he speaks:
+
+"I've been drillin' a force that can do good work in what's before us, if
+they're given a show, an' I'll answer for half a dozen of 'em,
+guaranteein' they'll show themselves to be men."
+
+"Are you speaking of the lads?" my uncle asked in surprise, and the old
+man replied promptly;
+
+"Ay, that I am, sir, an', unless all signs fail, there's never one of 'em
+who'll bring reproach upon the settlement."
+
+"What is your plan, Sergeant Braun?" Master Dunlap, the preacher, asked,
+for so great did all believe the danger which threatened, that every man,
+whether able-bodied or crippled, had been summoned to the council.
+
+"It ain't what you might rightly call a plan, sir," Sergeant Corney
+replied. "It's only an idee, brought out by the fact that from this time
+we've got to keep a close watch on what's happenin' in this 'ere valley,
+unless we're willin' to be murdered in our beds. There are boys enough in
+the settlement to do the scoutin', leavin' the elders to stand by for
+defence, an' I see no good reason why they shouldn't perform full share of
+military duty."
+
+"Think you a lad like my nephew Noel could render any valuable assistance
+at such a time as this?" my uncle asked, with a smile, as if believing he
+had put an end to the old man's proposition, and my cheeks reddened with
+excitement and fear lest Sergeant Corney should allow himself to be backed
+down, as I listened intently for the answer.
+
+It was not long in coming, and I could have kissed the old soldier for
+speaking as he did.
+
+"Give me him an' Jacob Sitz, sir, an' I'll guarantee to follow
+Thayendanega an' his precious scoundrels till we know what deviltry
+they've got in mind."
+
+"You shall have full charge of all the boys in the settlement, and we will
+see if you can make good your boast," my uncle, who held command of our
+fighting force, said after a brief pause, and in a twinkling Sergeant
+Corney left the building, beckoning us lads to follow, for our company had
+gathered with the men to learn what was to be done.
+
+The old soldier did not need very much time in which to lay his plans; in
+fact, I believe he had mapped out the whole course before having spoken.
+
+He divided our company into squads of six, not reckoning in either Jacob
+or me, and these he gave stations at different points within a mile of the
+settlement, cautioning every one to be on the alert, for now had come the
+time when it was possible for them to prove the value of the Minute Boys
+as soldiers. It was to be their duty, by night as well as by day, to keep
+careful watch lest the Indians creep up unawares, and I could well
+understand that never one would shirk his duty, since upon their vigilance
+depended the lives or liberty of all the dwellers nearabout.
+
+Then, when some one asked why neither Jacob nor I had been assigned to
+sentinel duty, Sergeant Corney replied, gravely:
+
+"I promised that with two lads I would follow Thayendanega's gang until we
+found out what the villains were about, as all of you well know, an'
+within the hour we three will set off."
+
+Several of the more venturesome lads pleaded their right to take part in
+the dangerous service, claiming that they should not be left at home when
+it was possible to make names for themselves among men; but to all these
+entreaties Sergeant Corney made but one reply.
+
+"It was Colonel Campbell himself who mentioned Noel's name, an' of a
+surety he has the right to say who shall go or stay. As for Jacob, have
+any of you a better claim than he to follow the murderers?"
+
+This silenced the eager ones; but I would have been glad indeed had any
+member of the company shown that he had a better right to accompany the
+old soldier than I, for of a verity I was not itching to hug the heels of
+those savages who were doing the bidding of the Tories. However
+faint-hearted I might have been, however, I would have bitten the end of
+my tongue off before saying that which should show to my comrades that I
+was more than willing to remain behind, for if the captain of the Minute
+Boys showed the white feather, what might not have been excused in the
+rank and file?
+
+Never one of all that company raised his voice against my right to follow
+Sergeant Corney, however, and I did my best at making it appear that the
+work in hand was exactly to my liking.
+
+Even the dullest among us understood that we three might be absent from
+the settlement many days, and yet our preparations for the dangerous
+journey were most simple.
+
+I ran home to acquaint my mother with what was afoot, and while she was
+trying to keep back her tears lest I might be unnerved for the duty to
+which I had been assigned, I armed myself with rifle and hunting-knife,
+making certain each weapon was in proper order.
+
+From my father's store of powder and balls I took as much as could be
+conveniently carried, and this, with such small supply of corn bread and
+salt pork as filled my hunting-bag, made up an outfit for a journey from
+which it was reasonable to believe I might never return.
+
+Mother did no more than kiss me again and again in silence, when I was
+ready to set off, and I now understand that she did not dare trust herself
+to speak, which, I venture to say, saved me from much sorrow.
+
+On arriving at the green in front of my uncle's house, where we three had
+agreed to meet, I found that Jacob's outfit was even less than mine. In
+his grief because of his father's fate, he had thought only of his weapons
+and ammunition, and by the expression on his face I knew full well he
+would use them manfully if we came within striking distance of Lieutenant
+Wormwood's murderers.
+
+Sergeant Corney was equipped in much the same fashion as was I, and
+immediately after my arrival he said, impatiently:
+
+"There is no reason why we should remain here many minutes, as if tryin'
+to show ourselves. It stands us in hand to strike the trail while it is
+yet warm, an' by dallyin' the people will come to believe our only idee is
+to look bigger'n we really are."
+
+"It is for you to say when we shall set out," I replied, envying those of
+my comrades who stood near at hand to witness the departure, and the words
+had hardly more than been spoken before the old man started off at a smart
+pace in the direction of the thicket where Lieutenant Wormwood's body had
+so lately been found.
+
+As a matter of course we two lads followed, I making every effort to keep
+pace with him, lest those who were watching should suspect I was not as
+brave as I looked, and in a few moments we had shut out from view the
+houses of the settlement.
+
+We were not long in traversing the short distance which led us to the tree
+at the foot of which the officer came to his death; it can well be
+understood that we did not linger many seconds in that gruesome locality.
+
+Jacob was eager to push on, hoping even against hope that it might be
+possible for him to rescue his father. Sergeant Corney had no desire to
+delay, lest we find it difficult to follow the trail later in the day, and
+there was no reason why I should care to remain in that place where were
+such evidences as might soon be found of our own fate.
+
+Thayendanega had apparently given no heed as to whether his movements were
+known, for never an effort had been made to cover the trail, and we
+followed it as readily as if it had been blazed.
+
+When we had travelled rapidly in silence for two full hours, Sergeant
+Corney called a halt, saying as he did so:
+
+"There's no reason why we should push on so fast, an' much need to husband
+our strength, for no one can tell how soon we may be forced to take part
+in a hand-to-hand scrimmage. We'll have a bite to eat, for I didn't
+overload my stomach this mornin', an' be all the better for a
+breathin'-spell."
+
+"We didn't come out to spend our time in eatin'," Jacob said, moodily, and
+I understood full well what was in his mind. "We can loiter when we have
+come up with the savages."
+
+"It ain't in the plan that we shall get too close at their heels,"
+Sergeant Corney replied, as he drew from his hunting-bag a generous supply
+of corn bread, and laid a good half of it in front of my comrade.
+
+"It may not be in your plan, but it is in mine," Jacob said, sharply,
+giving no heed to the food. "We shall be doin' our duty by those we have
+left behind if we hug as close to the villains as is possible, while
+there's no chance I can serve my father by hangin' back at a coward's
+distance."
+
+"An' it's in your mind, lad, that we might do him a good turn?" Sergeant
+Corney said, as if talking to himself.
+
+"Why not? It wouldn't be the first time the murderin' redskins had lost a
+prisoner."
+
+"True for you, lad, an' I know full well how you're feelin'; but the
+question is whether we can hope for anythin' while there's sich a crowd of
+'em?"
+
+"I'm not expectin' you an' Noel will run your heads into too much danger,"
+Jacob said, passionately. "I know you would help father if the chance came
+your way; but it's my duty to take every risk, an' I count on doin' so
+even though we part company within the hour! Do you suppose I can loiter
+at a safe distance from the painted devils when my father is expectin' to
+see some sign that I'm doin' all I may to help him?"
+
+"I question if Peter Sitz expects that any one from Cherry Valley will
+follow Thayendanega's snakes. He knows their strength, an' is man enough
+to understand what might be the price of an attempt to rescue him."
+
+Although Sergeant Corney spoke calmly, as if he had no vital interest in
+the matter, I knew him well enough to feel certain he was even then trying
+to settle in his own mind how a rescue might be effected; but Jacob was so
+blinded by his grief that at the moment I believe he really thought we
+would let him push ahead alone, therefore I said in as hearty a tone as
+was possible:
+
+"You should know, Jacob, that both of us stand ready to do all men may to
+aid your father, an' you may be certain we'll not let you go on alone; but
+just now Sergeant Corney must be our leader, since he knows better than
+you an' I put together what ought to be done."
+
+"But will he do his best?" Jacob cried, in a passion. "Will he help me, or
+does he think the work is done when we have learned where Joseph Brant has
+gone on his work of bloodshed?"
+
+I waited for the old soldier to make reply to this demand, and he
+hesitated so long that I began to fear I had been mistaken as to that
+which I had supposed was in his mind. At last, when it seemed as if Jacob
+could no longer restrain his impatience, Sergeant Corney said, speaking
+slowly, as if weighing well each word:
+
+"I will do my best, heedin' not my own safety, givin' no thought to the
+labor or difficulties, if it so be you lads are minded to do as I shall
+say, without questionin' when it seems as if I might be goin' wrong--"
+
+I would have interrupted him with an assurance that we were willing to
+serve him faithfully; but he checked me with a gesture, and added:
+
+"As Peter Sitz would were he in my place, so will I. He was my friend; I
+know if it was a question of savin' the lives of those at Cherry Valley,
+or turnin' his back on me, what he would do, an' even so shall I."
+
+"Meanin' what?" Jacob demanded, fiercely.
+
+"Meanin' that while we can do our duty by those who sent us, we will
+strain every nerve in his behalf; but if it should so chance that their
+safety depended upon us, we would give service to the greatest number."
+
+Jacob stared as if not understanding what the old man had said, and I made
+haste to add:
+
+"He means that if, while followin' Brant with the hope of aidin' your
+father, we found out that danger threatened the settlement, it would be
+our duty to warn them rather than hold on for him."
+
+The old soldier nodded in token that I had but given different words to
+his idea, and Jacob replied in a tone of satisfaction:
+
+"I can ask for nothin' more. If it so happens that you must turn back, I
+can keep on, for two would aid the settlement as much as three."
+
+"Ay, lad, you shall then do as seems best to you," Sergeant Corney said,
+solemnly, and thus it was settled that, while it did not interfere with
+our duty as Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley, all our efforts should be
+for the relief of the unfortunate prisoner, although at the time I had
+little hope the savages would allow him to live many days.
+
+Having thus pledged himself to Jacob, Sergeant Corney showed no further
+disposition to "husband his strength," but led us on the march once more,
+and this time at a pace which we lads found difficult to maintain without
+actually running.
+
+Now it is not my purpose to set down all we did and said during this long
+chase. It would be of no interest to a stranger, since one hour was much
+like another until we were come near to the Indian town of Oghkwaga, where
+Brant usually made his headquarters while bent on such cruel work as that
+of harrying the settlers who favored the rebellion against the king, and
+it is not necessary I should write down here the well-known fact that
+Thayendanega was in the pay of the British.
+
+It seemed much as if the Indians had no care as to whether they were being
+followed, for, instead of sending back scouts along the trail, as Brant
+almost always did, the party remained in a body, and even when we were so
+close on them as to lie down within view of their camp-fires at night, we
+never saw one of the painted villains who appeared curious to know if any
+person was in the rear.
+
+We were within a day's march of the Indian town, and had lain down in a
+thicket of spruce bushes after having looked in vain for some signs of a
+prisoner, as we had done during each of the four days while we were
+directly behind the band and at no time more than two miles distant.
+
+Jacob's face was wrinkled, or so it seemed to me, with lines drawn by
+sorrow because we had not succeeded in getting a glimpse of his father,
+and it was evident that the lad was beginning to fear, as did I, that the
+savages, finding a prisoner too troublesome, had tortured him to death;
+for if Master Sitz was yet alive and in the keeping of Brant's followers,
+why had we not got a glimpse of him?
+
+"There is no reason why you should grieve so deeply, lad," Sergeant Corney
+said, as if he could read the boy's thoughts. "I'll answer for it that
+your father is as much alive as we are."
+
+"How can you be certain of that?" Jacob asked, moodily.
+
+"We have seen every one of their camps, eh?"
+
+"Of course," Jacob replied, impatiently.
+
+"An' have you noted any sign of a prisoner's havin' been tortured--meanin'
+a half-burned tree, a pile of rocks near the fire, or sich other like
+thing?"
+
+Jacob shook his head; he could not bring himself to speak calmly of such a
+possibility.
+
+"No, you haven't, an' we know without bein' told that when sich devils as
+follow Joe Brant get a prisoner in their clutches, they never kill him
+without torture. Now, 'cordin' to my way of thinkin', we can count to a
+certainty that he's alive."
+
+"Then why haven't we come across him?" Jacob demanded, fiercely. "This is
+the fourth time we've had their camp in full view, an' if he was with 'em
+we ought to have seen somethin' of him."
+
+"I allow you're right, lad, an' that's why I've come to believe that he's
+been sent on ahead to the village."
+
+"Then I must be movin'!" Jacob cried, springing suddenly to his feet. "I
+should have had sense enough to guess that before!" And he made as if he
+would leave us; but Sergeant Corney pulled him back by the coat-sleeve.
+
+"Wait a bit. It was on my tongue's end to propose somethin' of the same
+kind; but we can't afford to take the chances of makin' a move till yonder
+nest of snakes has settled down for the night. An hour from now, an' we'll
+all pull out."
+
+Jacob could not well have made complaint after this, and he settled down
+with his back against a tree to wait with so much of patience as he could
+summon, until the old soldier should give the word.
+
+It surprised me that Jacob was not utterly cast down by the possibility
+that his father had already been carried to the Indian village, for once
+there we could not hope to effect a rescue; but since this thought had,
+apparently, never come into his mind, it was not for me to add to his
+distress by suggesting it.
+
+Well, we remained in the thicket until the red villains had quieted down
+for the night, and then Sergeant Corney led us toward the south, that we
+might make a long circle around the encampment, when would come the most
+dangerous portion of our task.
+
+Thus far we had done as Jacob would have us, and at the same time
+performed our full duty as Minute Boys, for our task was to learn what
+Brant counted on doing, and as to that we could not be certain until he
+was in the village.
+
+But now that the old soldier was leading us around the encampment to the
+end that we might gain a position between Brant's force and those at
+Oghkwaga, I said to myself, with many an inward shudder, that we were like
+to join Jacob's father after a different fashion than we had counted on.
+
+It was as if Sergeant Corney had no fear as to what might happen, for he
+plunged into the gloom of the forest like a man who walks among friends,
+and Jacob followed carelessly, all his thoughts on the possible
+whereabouts of the prisoner he was so eager to see.
+
+Apparently I was the only member of the party who gave heed to his steps,
+and so timid had I become through looking into the future for danger, that
+it was only with difficulty I repressed a cry of alarm when Sergeant
+Corney came to a sudden halt, as if he had stumbled upon an enemy.
+
+Jacob, wrapped in his own gloomy thoughts, halted without showing signs of
+curiosity or surprise; but I pressed forward eagerly until standing close
+behind the old soldier, and then I understood full well why he had
+stopped.
+
+Not thirty paces from where we remained hidden in the thicket, it was
+possible to see the gleam of a camp-fire, and to hear the faint hum of
+voices, as if a large party was near at hand.
+
+After vainly trying to peer through the foliage, Sergeant Corney moved
+cautiously forward two or three paces, and, as a matter of course, I
+followed close at his heels, far enough to see the reflection of four or
+five other fires, as if those around them had no fear of being discovered.
+
+"They must be Britishers!" I whispered, and Sergeant Corney gripped my
+hand as if to say that he was of the same idea.
+
+It was our duty, however, to know exactly who it was encamped so near
+Brant's village, and, after telling Jacob in a whisper of what we had
+seen, the old soldier made his way swiftly through the thicket, my comrade
+and I copying his every movement.
+
+Then, when I had decided that we were dangerously near a large force of
+the king's soldiers who had come to join Thayendanega in his murderous
+work, Sergeant Corney called out in a loud tone:
+
+"In the camp! Here come friends who were like to have run over you!"
+
+In a twinkling the command was aroused, and before I had fully gathered my
+wits, which had been scattered by the old soldier's hail, I found myself
+in the midst of a large body of men, many of whom I had seen in my uncle's
+home at Cherry Valley.
+
+And now, that I may not dwell too long on a commonplace story when I have
+so much of adventure to relate, let me say that we had stumbled on
+upwards of three hundred men belonging to the patriot army, who, under
+command of General Herkimer, were bent on paying a friendly visit to the
+Indian village.
+
+As we soon learned, General Herkimer, having been intimately acquainted
+with Brant, hoped by an interview to persuade the sachem to join the
+patriots, or at least to remain neutral, and to such end had invited the
+chief to meet him at Unadilla for a powwow. At the same time that General
+Herkimer had set out to find Brant, Colonel Van Schaick, with one hundred
+and fifty men, went to Cherry Valley, even as poor Lieutenant Wormwood had
+announced, and the remainder of the American force in the vicinity was
+encamped at the proposed rendezvous lest the treacherous chief accept the
+invitation simply in order to work mischief.
+
+"We'll march with this company," Sergeant Corney said, in a tone of
+satisfaction, "an' it will be possible to have a look at the village
+without runnin' too many chances of losin' our hair."
+
+And thus it seemed to me that all our troubles were over, for I doubted
+not but that General Herkimer could induce the savages to give up their
+prisoner, and we would soon be on our way home with Peter Sitz as a
+companion; but, instead, we were just at the beginning of our
+difficulties.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter II.
+
+The Powwow
+
+
+
+When we had learned all that our acquaintances among the command could
+tell us, Jacob insisted that Sergeant Corney see General Herkimer without
+delay, in order to learn if that officer would so far interest himself in
+the fate of Peter Sitz as to make inquiries of Thayendanega regarding him,
+in case the opportunity offered.
+
+At first the old soldier was not inclined to ask for an interview with the
+commander, claiming that his own rank was not sufficiently high to warrant
+his making such a request; but those of the force who were listening to
+our conversation insisted that the general was not a stickler for rank,
+and would receive a private soldier with as much consideration as the
+commander of a brigade.
+
+Therefore it was that, after being alternately urged and entreated for
+half an hour, Sergeant Corney agreed to do as Jacob desired, and
+straightway set about seeking the leader, which was no difficult task,
+since his camp was a lean-to of fir boughs standing hardly more than fifty
+feet from where we were sitting.
+
+After the old man had left us, one of the soldiers asked if we had seen
+any Tories with Thayendanega's band, and I told him that, so far as I had
+been able to learn, the only white man among them was Peter Sitz, although
+we had not been so fortunate as to see him.
+
+"Why did you want to know?" Jacob asked, with mild curiosity, and the man
+replied:
+
+"It struck me that if any of the Mohawk Valley Tories were with Brant,
+General Herkimer would stand little chance of doing anything to aid the
+prisoner."
+
+"Why do you say that the general would hardly be able to do anythin' of
+the kind?" I asked. "Surely to one so high in command Brant would listen,
+when he might refuse even to speak with one of less rank."
+
+"The thought was not in my mind that Thayendanega himself would be opposed
+to our commander; but if you know what was done last year, it is easy to
+understand my meaning."
+
+To me the soldier was speaking in riddles, and I asked for an explanation,
+whereupon he told us that more than a year ago, when the Johnsons had
+collected a large force of men nearabout Johnson Hall, and among them
+fully three hundred well-drilled Scotch soldiers, General Schuyler marched
+with nearly three thousand militia to within four miles of the settlement,
+demanding that Sir John surrender all arms, ammunition, and warlike stores
+in his possession, together with the weapons and military accoutrements
+then held by the Tories and Indians under his command. In addition to
+which, the baronet was required to give his parole of honor that he would
+not attempt any act against the patriot cause.
+
+Sir John was at first furious because such a demand had been made; but,
+badly frightened by General Schuyler's display of force, he finally
+consented, since he could do nothing better, and the colonists marched to
+Johnson Hall, where the surrender was made.
+
+Then it was that General Herkimer was detailed to disarm the Tories in the
+valley, and while carrying out such orders quite naturally made enemies of
+the majority of them.
+
+Therefore it was, according to the belief of the soldier, that General
+Herkimer would have little or no weight with Brant so far as rescuing
+Peter Sitz was concerned, if there chanced at the moment to be Tories near
+at hand to whisper in his ear.
+
+Just now it seems necessary for me to set down that which happened after
+Sir John Johnson's surrender, if so it could be called, to General
+Schuyler, and I can best do it by copying that which I have seen in a
+printed sheet concerning our troubles in the Mohawk Valley:
+
+"It soon afterward became evident that what Sir John had promised, when
+constrained by fear, would not be performed when the cause of that fear
+was removed. He violated his parole of honor, and the Highlanders began
+to be as bold as ever in their oppressions of the Whigs. Congress thought
+it dangerous to allow Johnson his liberty, and directed Schuyler to seize
+his person, and to proceed vigorously against the Highlanders in his
+vicinity. Colonel Dayton was entrusted with the command of the expedition
+for the purpose, and in May (1776) he proceeded to Johnstown. The baronet
+had friends among the Loyalists in Albany, by whom he was timely informed
+of the intentions of Congress. Hastily collecting a large number of
+Scotchmen and other Tories, he fled to the woods by the way of the
+Sacandaga, where it is supposed they were met by Indians sent from Canada
+to escort them thither, for a certain time afterward, in one of his
+speeches, Thayendanega said: 'We went in a body to the town then in
+possession of the enemy, and rescued Sir John Johnson, bringing him
+fearlessly through the streets.'
+
+"Amid perils and hardships of every kind the baronet and his companions
+traversed the wilderness between the headwaters of the Hudson and the St.
+Lawrence, and after nineteen days' wanderings arrived at Montreal. Sir
+John was immediately commissioned a colonel in the British service; he
+raised two battalions of Loyalists called the Johnson Greens, and declared
+himself the bitterest and most implacable enemy of the Americans."
+
+Now it must be borne in mind that from information which we had received,
+there was every reason to believe Brant had come to place himself and his
+following under Sir John's command, and that before many days were passed
+we might expect the Mohawk Valley would be overflowed by all the Tories
+who had previously fled to Canada. Thus it can be understood that there
+would be such bloodshed and deeds of violence as had never before been
+known in the Province of New York.
+
+With this in mind, one can better understand why Sergeant Corney made the
+reservation which he did when promising Jacob he would do all within his
+power, up to a certain point, to aid in the rescue of his father.
+
+The old soldier returned from his interview with General Herkimer at about
+the same time our newly made friend finished his recital of what had been
+done in and around Johnson Hall, and, observing the look of satisfaction
+on the sergeant's face, I understood, even before he spoke, that his
+mission had been, at least in a certain degree, successful.
+
+"It is all right, lads," he said, seating himself by my side. "The general
+will do what he can; but whether that be much or little depends upon the
+way in which Thayendanega receives him."
+
+"Are we to march with this command to the village?" Jacob asked.
+
+"Ay, an' remain with it so long as suits our purpose."
+
+It seemed to me we could not in reason ask for anything more; that we
+were now in the best possible position to learn what Brant's purpose was,
+and at the same time to aid Peter Sitz, therefore I laid down to rest,
+contented in mind as I was wearied in body; but poor Jacob, feeling as if
+he might in some way wrong his father by seeking repose, paced to and fro
+near the camp-fire until my eyes were closed in slumber.
+
+The soldiers were astir at an early hour next morning; but before the
+column could be set in motion an Indian strode gravely into the encampment
+waving a bit of white cloth, and, on being questioned by the sentinels,
+announced himself as a messenger sent by Thayendanega with words to
+General Herkimer.
+
+The fact of his early arrival was sufficient to prove that the wily sachem
+had known of the movements of the soldiers for a certain length of time,
+--perhaps several days,--and this might explain why his march from Cherry
+Valley had been so steady and swift.
+
+It goes without saying that every man in the encampment was eager to know
+why this painted messenger had come, and I confess to crowding my way
+among the foremost of the curious in order to hear, if possible, all that
+was said.
+
+The Indian stood like a statue before the shelter of fir boughs, looking
+neither to the right nor the left until General Herkimer appeared and
+said to him, questioningly:
+
+"You have come from Captain Brant?"
+
+It is hardly necessary for me to set it down that, some time before this,
+Thayendanega had been given a commission in the British service.
+
+The messenger nodded gravely, and, after pausing until one might have
+counted ten, said:
+
+"Thayendanega asks why so many white soldiers are encamped near his
+village?"
+
+"I have come to see and talk with my brother, Captain Brant," General
+Herkimer replied, with the same stiff manner as that assumed by the
+messenger.
+
+"And do all these men want to talk with the chief, too?"
+
+"They have come to bear me company; they are my followers, as Captain
+Brant has his."
+
+"And do they also call Thayendanega 'brother'?"
+
+"Ay, and they hope he _is_ a brother to them."
+
+The Indian turned slowly in what I thought a most offensive manner, as he
+looked around at the faces of those who completely encircled him, and then
+would have moved away, but that General Herkimer asked:
+
+"Is Captain Brant in his village?"
+
+"He will tell his white brother where he may be found, after I can run
+five miles."
+
+"Meaning that you will go from me to him, and return?" the general asked;
+but it was as if the Indian did not hear the question, for he said, in a
+tone which to me was one of menace:
+
+"You will come no nearer Oghkwaga until Thayendanega shall give his
+permission."
+
+Having said this, he turned slowly about until facing the direction where
+I knew Brant and his followers encamped the night previous, when he
+stalked slowly away, giving no more heed to those who pressed closely to
+him than if he was the only person in that vast wilderness.
+
+To Jacob this enforced halt, at a time when he believed it was vitally
+necessary he should be making search for his father, was most painful, and
+despite all Sergeant Corney and I could say or do to relieve his distress
+of mind, the poor lad paced to and fro, as I was told he had during the
+long hours of the night, in a nervous condition pitiable to behold.
+
+When half an hour or more had passed, the old soldier said to me, in a
+more kindly tone than I had ever suspected he could use:
+
+"The lad is eatin' his heart out, an' all to no purpose. Can't you quiet
+him a bit, Noel?"
+
+"I have said all within my power, an' he turns a deaf ear," I replied,
+sadly.
+
+"Then I shall try my fist at it," and the old man went up to my comrade,
+taking him gently by the hand, and leading him into the thicket just
+beyond view of the encampment.
+
+There the two seemingly conversed for a long time, and I was left
+comparatively alone, until the soldier who had told us of General
+Herkimer's doings nearabout Johnson Hall, came up.
+
+Eager to get some idea of what the commander might be able to do with this
+Joseph Brant, whose name stood in my mind for all that was horrible in the
+way of cruelty, I asked how it was that General Herkimer could hope to
+influence one who was such a great enemy to the Whigs of the Mohawk
+Valley, and, in fact, to all white men save those who wore the uniform of
+the British king.
+
+He told me that at one time, before Thayendanega had become so powerful a
+sachem, he and General Herkimer were near neighbors, and quite intimate
+friends.
+
+It seems, from the story this soldier told me, that Sir William Johnson,
+Sir John's father, sent the Indian boy to school, and after he had
+received a good education gave him employment as secretary. During three
+years this now bloodthirsty savage acted as missionary interpreter, and it
+was said he did very much for the religious instruction of his tribe. When
+the colonists revolted against the oppressive rule of the king, Brant took
+the same side as did his patron, and having received a commission--some
+have said it was a captaincy, and others that it was a colonelcy--he
+became one of the most vengeful enemies we, who were devoted to the cause,
+had.
+
+Now, because of the past, General Herkimer hoped to turn him aside from
+his chosen path when he was just coming into power, and, boy though I was,
+it seemed to me a well-nigh hopeless task--one which had better never have
+been attempted, since in case of failure it would show to Thayendanega
+that the Whigs of the valley believed him an enemy who should be placated
+rather than resisted.
+
+However, that was none of my affairs, and I was not so forward as to air
+my views then when I was only a hanger-on by the sufferance of the
+commander.
+
+In two hours from the time he left our camp, the Indian messenger
+returned, still carrying the bit of white cloth, and came among us as if
+expecting we would bow before him.
+
+He was barely civil when General Herkimer advanced to receive him, and,
+without greeting the commander, he pointed toward a clearing in the
+wilderness half a mile or more away, as he said:
+
+"There will Thayendanega meet his brother, the white chief, and without
+firearms."
+
+"To-day?" General Herkimer asked.
+
+"When the next sun is three hours old Thayendanega will come with forty of
+his people, and his white brother will bring no more than that number."
+
+"It is well," General Herkimer replied, and it pleased me that he held
+himself yet more stiffly than did the messenger. "Say to my brother,
+Captain Brant, that we also will come without arms, and he and I shall
+meet as we met years ago, when there was no need to light the pipe of
+peace, because neither of us had listened to the songs of wicked men."
+
+The Indian stalked away as before, and when he was gone Jacob, who, with
+Sergeant Corney, had come up to hear what was being said, laid his hand on
+my shoulder affectionately.
+
+"I am goin' to be more of a man, Noel, havin' come to understand that
+nothin' can be gained by ill-temper or impatience; but it is hard to
+remain here idle when perhaps my father may at this moment be suffering
+torture."
+
+"If it was some one else's father, Jacob, you would say that there was no
+danger anything of the kind would happen while Brant is makin' ready for
+the interview with General Herkimer. Until that has come to an end your
+father is safe, an' perhaps when the powwow is over we shall have him with
+us."
+
+"So Sergeant Corney has been tryin' to make me believe, an' it must be
+true."
+
+During the remainder of the day Jacob did not give words to the sorrow
+which was in his heart, and perhaps it would have been wiser had he not
+tried to hold his peace, for, strive as he might, again and again I could
+see how earnestly he was struggling to remain silent.
+
+It is useless for me to attempt to set down all that we did or said while
+awaiting Thayendanega's pleasure. As a matter of course we indulged in
+much speculation regarding the outcome of the matter, and discussed at
+great length the possibility of General Herkimer's being able, even if he
+failed in other desired directions, to set free the prisoner whom Joseph
+Brant doubtless intended should suffer death at the stake.
+
+We passed the time as best we might, many of us finding it quite as
+difficult as did Jacob to restrain our impatience, and not a few openly
+declaring their belief that Brant was holding us idle simply that he might
+the better carry out some murderous scheme.
+
+As a matter of fact, it did seem to me no more than prudent General
+Herkimer should send out scouts to discover what the Indians were doing,
+and it was whispered about the encampment that one of his officers had
+suggested that such a precaution be taken; but the commander flatly
+refused, stating as his reason that it might prove fatal to all his hopes
+if the sachem should learn he was in any way suspicious because of the
+delay.
+
+"We must take our chances, remaining here idle and ignorant of what they
+may be doing, or it were better we faced about on the homeward march at
+once," the general was reported to have said, and after that he would have
+been a bold man indeed who suggested any other course.
+
+Well, the day passed, and so did the night, as all days and nights will
+whether one possesses his soul with patience or frets against that which
+he cannot remedy, and General Herkimer stood in the opening of his fir
+camp gazing at the men as if trying to decide whom he should take with him
+to the powwow, when Jacob stepped out in full view in order to attract the
+commander's attention.
+
+I knew that he made this move with the hope of being numbered among those
+who would leave camp to go to the rendezvous; but at the same moment I
+feared lest the general might be displeased because of his forwardness.
+
+Anything can be forgiven in a lad who burns with the desire to aid his
+father, however, and General Herkimer beckoned for my comrade to approach.
+
+I could not hear what was said during the brief conversation; but it was
+easy to guess the purport when Jacob came toward me with sparkling eyes.
+
+"We have the general's permission to go with him to meet Brant," he cried,
+and I asked with, perhaps, just a tinge of jealousy:
+
+"Meanin' you an' Sergeant Corney, eh?"
+
+"The three of us, so the general said."
+
+"Why did he happen to count me in?"
+
+"He asked how many had come with Sergeant Corney, an' when I told him, he
+said that all three of us could go with the detachment."
+
+As a matter of course we went, taking our stations at the head of the
+column just behind the commander, and when the word to march had been
+given I began to regret having thus been favored, for never one of us
+carried a weapon of any kind, and if Brant was in the humor he could have
+us all butchered before those whom we had left behind would get an inkling
+of what was going on.
+
+When we had come to the edge of the clearing which had been pointed out by
+the ill-mannered messenger, our further advance was stopped by two Indians
+who were rigged out in all the bravery of feathers, beads, and
+robes,--nothing missing in their toilet save the war-paint,--and told to
+remain at that spot until the sachem and his party arrived.
+
+It was treating General Herkimer rather shabbily, so I thought, to force
+him to wait like a child until the master was ready to put in an
+appearance; but there was nothing else to be done, and we squatted on the
+ferns and rocks a full half-hour before the man who was soon to be the
+great sachem of the Six Nations was pleased to show himself.
+
+Thayendanega had gotten himself up especially for the occasion, and a more
+gorgeous redskin I never saw.
+
+He had forty or more savages with him, and strutted on at their head as if
+he was a king, and we who had been waiting so long no more than the dirt
+beneath his feet.
+
+Then suddenly, as if until that moment he hadn't the slightest idea
+General Herkimer was anywhere in the vicinity, he sent one of his company
+to our commander, he himself continuing to move on until he stood in the
+very centre of the clearing. His followers ranged themselves behind him
+in a half-circle, remaining ten or twelve feet in the rear, and when the
+general went to meet his high mightiness our people took up their stations
+much as had the savages, thus completely surrounding the two leaders.
+
+Jacob and I stood where we could see all that was taking place, and hear a
+portion of what was said.
+
+Thayendanega began with compliments, and after General Herkimer had
+replied in much the same strain, the murdering villain asked bluntly why
+he had come.
+
+"To meet my old neighbor and friend," General Herkimer replied, whereupon
+Brant asked:
+
+"And have all those behind you come on a friendly visit, too? Do they also
+want to see the poor Indian? It is very kind."
+
+The general changed the subject of the conversation by speaking of the
+past, and wound up by hinting that it might be to Thayendanega's advantage
+to take sides with the colonists against the king; but he must soon have
+seen that he was not making much headway, for the sachem began to show
+signs of anger, and, after quite a long confab, said sharply:
+
+"We are with the king, as were our fathers before us. The king's belts are
+yet held by us, and we cannot break faith. You are resolute now in your
+rebellion; but before many days the king's soldiers will humble you to
+the dust."
+
+When this had been said, Colonel Cox, who was one of the general's party,
+cried sharply, and heeding not the fact that his voice was raised high:
+
+"We did not come here to listen to threats, and if we are humbled it will
+not be by such as those who follow Joseph Brant!"
+
+Unfortunately every Indian in the clearing heard the words distinctly, and
+in a twinkling the savages were running to and fro, giving vent to shrill
+war-whoops, while they called for those at the main encampment to bring
+their weapons.
+
+The colonel's incautious words were as a lighted match to gunpowder, and
+for the instant I firmly believed we would pay for his indiscretion with
+our lives.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter III.
+
+Disappointment
+
+
+
+During this time of confusion, when the life of every white man in the
+clearing was literally trembling in the balance, General Herkimer passed
+the word from one to another that we were all to stand firm without show
+of fear, and at the same time making no move which might be construed as
+in enmity.
+
+It was no easy matter to remain silent and motionless while the painted
+villains were running to and fro making a hideous outcry, and, as we knew
+full well, aching to strike us down.
+
+I know that, as for myself, I trembled like a leaf upon an aspen-tree--so
+violently that at times I feared the howling wretches would see the
+quivering of my limbs, and understand that already was I getting a
+foretaste of the death which they would have dealt out but for the
+restraining presence of Thayendanega.
+
+It was but natural I should look toward Sergeant Corney, and surely if
+there was one man in that clearing who obeyed General Herkimer's command,
+it was he! A graven image could not have been more stolid; one would have
+said that the uproar everywhere around was as the rippling of waters to
+him, and the Indians of less consequence than the dancing shafts of
+sunlight flickering amid the leaves when they are stirred by the morning
+breeze.
+
+I question if Jacob realized anything of what was going on around him. All
+his thoughts were centred upon the one idea of rescuing his father while
+there was yet time, and the lad waited eagerly for the conference between
+the leaders regarding the prisoner to be begun, heeding the remainder of
+the howling gang hardly more than did Sergeant Corney.
+
+Colonel Cox, the cause of all this disturbance, was even more terrified
+than I, as could be told by the expression on his face, and the
+finger-nails pressed deeply into the palms of his hands that he might
+control himself in obedience to orders, while as for the others, I know
+not how they deported themselves.
+
+At that instant my world was of small dimensions, consisting of only so
+much earth as that impassive red man and the open-hearted, honest patriot
+officer stood upon.
+
+Like bees the angry Indians swarmed to and fro between the encampment and
+our place of meeting, until all were armed with rifles, and it needed but
+the lightest word to convert that sunlit clearing into a theatre of the
+bloodiest deed in the history of the tribe whose wildest delight was the
+shedding of blood.
+
+Not until his followers were in such a frenzied condition that it seemed
+impossible another's will could restrain them, did Thayendanega speak, and
+then in a few words of the Indian language, uttered in so low a tone that
+I could not distinguish a single syllable, he calmed the tempest on the
+instant, until those who had been howling for our lives became like lambs.
+
+When all was hushed once more, the sachem said to General Herkimer,
+speaking calmly, almost indifferently:
+
+"The war-path has been opened across the country as far as Esopus, and the
+Tories of Ulster and Orange will join with the braves of Thayendanega's
+tribe to quell this revolt against the king, who is their father."
+
+Now it was that General Herkimer spoke earnestly, pleadingly.
+
+"Do not allow so weighty a question to be settled without further
+consideration, Captain Brant. Why should not you and I discuss it calmly,
+as we have in the olden days many a matter which was not so grave?"
+
+"You have seen how well inclined my young men are toward anything of that
+kind," Brant said, with a cruel smile. "Were I to say at this moment that
+we would consider the matter in council, it might not be possible even for
+me to restrain them, because their decision has already been made. The
+hatchet is raised!"
+
+"But surely you and I, Captain Brant, may talk of it among ourselves?"
+
+"Yes, that can be done," Thayendanega replied, indifferently, "and if it
+gives you pleasure to indulge in what can be of no profit, we will meet
+here again to-morrow morning; but now it were wiser my young men went back
+to the encampment."
+
+Then the sachem turned as if to move away, and General Herkimer,
+remembering what he had promised Sergeant Corney and Jacob, said, in a
+friendly tone:
+
+"Wait one moment, Captain Brant. I would make inquiries concerning a
+prisoner from Cherry Valley, whom it is said your people hold at this
+moment."
+
+"I know of no prisoner in our encampment," Brant replied, stiffly.
+
+"Let us not quibble on words, captain. Whether he be in your camp here, or
+at Oghkwaga, makes no difference. I ask if you will tell me concerning one
+Peter Sitz, who, but a few days since, when Lieutenant Wormwood of the
+American army was killed in ambush, your people made a prisoner?"
+
+"My young men may be able to tell you somewhat concerning him. I will ask
+them."
+
+"And will you, as a favor to a neighbor and an old friend, do whatsoever
+you may toward releasing the unfortunate man?" General Herkimer insisted.
+
+"I will ask my young men," was all the reply Brant would make, and then
+the powwow was brought to a sudden close as the sachem stalked toward the
+encampment, followed by all his people, and we of General Herkimer's party
+were left alone in the clearing.
+
+Now the word was given that we rejoin the main body quietly, and in double
+file, with no man straying from the ranks; but Sergeant Corney and I led
+Jacob between us, for the lad was well-nigh frantic with grief because no
+satisfaction concerning his father had been obtained from Thayendanega.
+
+We two said all we could in order to cheer the sorrowing lad, and that all
+was little. Neither he, nor we, nor General Herkimer himself, could effect
+anything whatsoever, save through the favor of the Mohawk sachem, and that
+was withheld for at least four and twenty hours, with the chances that at
+the expiration of such time we would receive nothing better from the wily
+savage than a refusal to answer any questions.
+
+I shall not attempt to set down very much concerning this long time of
+waiting for the second powwow, when it was doubtful if we would be allowed
+to leave the encampment without a bloody battle.
+
+Even General Herkimer had lost all hope of being able to dissuade Joseph
+Brant from the course he had already marked out for himself, and shared
+with his men the suspicion that before the second interview was come to
+an end we would be the victims of the sachem's treachery. This last we
+knew from the information which was whispered about the encampment, to the
+effect that the general had charged one of the soldiers--a man by the name
+of Wagner--with the duty of selecting two others, that the three might
+stand directly behind him at the next meeting with the Indians, and at the
+first show of hostilities shoot down Brant and the two sachems next him in
+authority.
+
+Wagner selected George and Abraham Herkimer, nephews of the general, and
+these three were prepared to face the most cruel of deaths, for certain it
+was that if they were obliged to make an attack upon the Mohawk chieftain,
+every Indian under his command would strive most earnestly to take them
+prisoners in order that they be made to suffer death by torture.
+
+How the day passed I hardly know. The soldiers talked among themselves in
+whispers, as men do in the presence of death. No one strayed beyond the
+limits of the encampment; but all waited in painful suspense for that hour
+to come when it should be known whether Joseph Brant was of the mind that
+we might return to our homes for the time being, or if he sought
+immediately to compass our death through treachery.
+
+Sergeant Corney and I spent our time in trying to soothe Jacob, who
+alternately reproached himself for remaining idle at the moment when he
+should be straining every nerve to aid his father, and relapsing into
+moody silence, which to me was far worse than the angry words.
+
+When another day had come we again marched into the clearing, the three
+who had been selected for the dangerous duty of protecting our leader in
+case of an outbreak, keeping close by his side.
+
+As I look back now upon what was afterward done throughout the length and
+breadth of that peaceful valley of ours, I regret most sincerely that
+those young men did not violate the unwritten laws and usages which the
+Indians themselves were ever ready to cast aside when it suited their
+purpose, and kill the bloodthirsty Brant whether his men showed signs of
+enmity or not.
+
+On this occasion we had not long to wait.
+
+Gathering in a semicircle behind General Herkimer as before, we were
+hardly in position when Thayendanega, clad in all the bravery of his
+savage garb, and, what was most ominous, bedecked in war-paint, strode
+into the enclosure, followed by such members of his party as had
+accompanied him the day previous.
+
+He did not wait for greetings, but began boastfully, while his painted
+fiends were yet taking their places, by saying, abruptly:
+
+"I have five hundred warriors with me, armed and ready for battle. You are
+in my power; but as we have been friends and neighbors, I will not take
+advantage of you."
+
+Then he made a gesture with his hand, and on the instant there burst from
+amid the foliage a seemingly endless number of savages, all painted for
+battle, who, coming down swiftly upon us as if to make an attack, uttered
+wild war-whoops as they discharged their rifles in the air.
+
+It was as hideous and terrifying a sight as I ever witnessed, and that our
+little company stood its ground is much to the credit of every man among
+us.
+
+Thayendanega remained half-turned from General Herkimer, and within two
+feet of the three men whose duty it was to shoot him with the rifles they
+had concealed under their blankets in case an absolute attack was made,
+and there watched the antics of his painted crew until perhaps five
+minutes had passed, when the savages sank down upon the ground as if
+exhausted, looking like so many images of demons.
+
+What Thayendanega said when the uproar was thus stilled, I cannot rightly
+set down, for my brain was in such a whirl, and fear so strong in my
+heart, as to prevent me from taking due heed of all that was passing--I
+realized only that death was literally staring us in the face.
+
+As Sergeant Corney afterward told me, Brant advised General Herkimer to go
+home, thanked him for having come to pay the visit, and said that at some
+near day he might return the compliment.
+
+"But the prisoner?" General Herkimer cried, when the sachem would have
+stalked away with a great assumption of dignity.
+
+"My young men will make no reply to my questions," Brant answered,
+unblushingly, although he must have known beyond a peradventure that we
+understood full well he was lying.
+
+"Is Peter Sitz yet alive?" General Herkimer asked, sternly.
+
+"There has been no prisoner put to death by my people since they left
+Cherry Valley," Thayendanega replied, as if irritated by the general's
+persistence, and, making another gesture with his hand, he sent back into
+the cover of the forest all his motley crew.
+
+Then he also walked away, as if fearing our commander would detain him
+with yet further questions, and the powwow, to take part in which three
+hundred men had marched so many miles, was come to an end without other
+result than the knowledge that the Mohawk chief would harry us of the
+valley to the best of his wicked powers.
+
+Thayendanega had hardly gained the shelter of the thicket before black
+clouds overspread the heavens, and it seemed as if in a twinkling the rain
+came down in torrents; sharp flashes of lightning zigzagged across the
+ominous-looking sky, and more than one around me declared it was a
+portent, a sign, a token of the tempest which was about to break upon our
+peaceful homes.
+
+When we were in camp once more, and General Herkimer was making his
+preparations to set off on the return march, Jacob declared that he alone,
+if we did not accompany him, would go into the Indian village, and there
+make inquiries for his father.
+
+Sergeant Corney and I spent a long hour persuading the lad of his folly,
+for after the powwow had come to such an abrupt end there was no question
+whatsoever but that Thayendanega would kill or make prisoner of every
+white man who crossed his path.
+
+For a time it was absolutely necessary that we two hold Jacob by force to
+prevent him from leaving us, and then gradually the boy came to understand
+that for his father's life he could only hope in the mercy of God, since
+even had General Herkimer been willing to risk a battle, in which he would
+have been greatly outnumbered by the savages, there was no hope he might
+effect the release of Peter Sitz.
+
+Sergeant Corney had an interview with the general after we had succeeded
+in quieting Jacob to a certain degree, and the commander advised that we
+return home without delay in order to give information as to what we had
+seen; but he did us three the honor of requesting, in case our services
+should not be needed immediately at Cherry Valley, that we would rejoin
+his force, which was to be stationed at the mouth of Oriskany Creek,
+without delay.
+
+He promised that we should have every opportunity of serving the patriot
+cause, and in order that we might be allowed to leave Cherry Valley again,
+he sent a written message to my uncle, of the purport of which I was then
+ignorant.
+
+We--meaning Sergeant Corney, Jacob, and myself--set off as soon as the
+conference with General Herkimer was at an end, on the long journey to our
+homes, knowing that the advance must be slow and cautious, for we had
+heard from Thayendanega's own lips that he was fully committed to the work
+of harrying the patriots.
+
+As I look back upon it now I wonder that we succeeded in traversing the
+wilderness, when Brant's force was so near at hand, without mishap; but,
+as it proved, we had more difficulty in persuading Jacob to accompany us
+than in eluding the foe whom we believed might spring upon us at any
+moment, and when we arrived home it was to learn that the danger to the
+inhabitants of the Mohawk Valley was more imminent even than when
+Thayendanega stalked away from the interview with General Herkimer.
+
+And this was the situation, as I afterward read it in printed letters:
+
+"A few days after this conference with General Herkimer, Brant withdrew
+his warriors from the Susquehanna and joined Sir John Johnson and Col.
+John Butler, who were collecting a large body of Tories and refugees at
+Oswego, preparatory to a descent upon the Mohawk and Schoharie
+settlements. There Guy Johnson and other officers of the British Indian
+Department summoned a grand council of the Six Nations.
+
+"They were invited to assemble to 'eat the flesh and drink the blood of a
+Bostonian'--in other words, to feast on the occasion of a proposed treaty
+of alliance against the patriots, whom the savages denominated
+'Bostonians' for the reason that Boston was the focus of the rebellion.
+There was a pretty full attendance at the council; but a large portion of
+the sachems adhered faithfully to their covenant of neutrality made with
+General Schuyler, until the appeals of the British commissioners to their
+avarice overcame their sense of honor.
+
+"The commissioners represented the people of the king to be numerous as
+the forest leaves and rich in every possession, while those of the
+colonies were exhibited as few and poor; that the armies of the king would
+soon subdue the rebels, and make them still weaker and poorer; that the
+rum of the king was as abundant as the waters of Lake Ontario; and that if
+the Indians would become his allies during the war, they should never want
+for goods or money.
+
+"Tawdry articles, such as scarlet cloths, beads, and trinkets, were then
+displayed and presented to the Indians, which pleased them greatly, and
+they concluded an alliance by binding themselves to take up the hatchet
+against the patriots, and to continue their warfare until the latter were
+subdued. To each Indian were then presented a brass kettle, a suit of
+clothes, a gun, a tomahawk and scalping-knife, a piece of gold, a quantity
+of ammunition, and a promise of a bounty upon every scalp he should bring
+in. Thayendanega was thenceforth the acknowledged grand sachem of the Six
+Nations, and at once commenced his terrible career in the midst of our
+border settlements."
+
+I had no more than time to tell my mother what I had seen, when my
+comrades were ready to set out for Oriskany Creek, counting to make their
+way over much the same ground we had just traversed.
+
+My uncle, Colonel Campbell, gave his consent to our departure after
+reading General Herkimer's message, and congratulated me, who deserved no
+praise, because I had succeeded in so far winning the confidence of a
+thorough soldier that he should make a personal request for the services
+of myself and my companions.
+
+It was not in our minds that we would remain very long with our new
+commander. Sergeant Corney believed General Herkimer had some especial
+matter in hand in which he thought we three might be of particular
+service, and when that was done we would be allowed to return home.
+
+Therefore it was that we still counted ourselves Minute Boys of the Mohawk
+Valley, and left our company in charge of John Sammons, who was to act in
+my stead until I came back.
+
+It pleased Jacob that we were to return to that portion of the country
+where we would be near Brant's forces, for he still cherished the hope of
+being able to aid in the rescuing of his father, if peradventure Peter
+Sitz yet remained in this world.
+
+Our stay in Cherry Valley was of no more than two hours' duration; but we
+learned much concerning the war in that time. Our little settlement seemed
+overrun with people because of the soldiers quartered there, regarding
+whom I have already written, and the inhabitants from miles around who had
+come to find a place of refuge.
+
+Already had word been brought in that there were then gathered at Oswego
+seven hundred Indians and four hundred British soldiers, under command of
+Sir John Johnson and Colonel Claus, and at Oswegatchie, or, as it is now
+called, Ogdensburg, were six hundred Tories ready to join Johnson's force.
+
+All that stood between these enemies and the broad bosom of the Mohawk
+Valley was Fort Dayton, that poor apology for a defence, and Fort
+Schuyler, not yet completely built and illy manned. That this last named
+fortification could withstand an assault by such an army as Sir John was
+evidently making ready to bring against it, few believed, and all with
+whom I talked during the short time of our stay at home, were looking
+forward to the future with the gravest fears and keenest anxiety.
+
+When, already weary and footsore, we took up our line of march to traverse
+the same paths over which we had just come, my company of Minute Boys
+insisted on accompanying us during the first half-dozen miles of the
+tedious journey; but it was not in triumph or rejoicing that we, all lads
+of Cherry Valley, left the little settlement. Our elders were disheartened
+and afraid, therefore we could well be excused for gloomy looks and timid
+whisperings, as we spoke of what might take place before I was able to
+resume command of the company which Sergeant Corney had spent so many
+hours in drilling.
+
+When the afternoon was well-nigh spent, and we had come to a halt that we
+might take leave of our escort, Sergeant Corney seemed to think it
+necessary he should do what he might toward putting courage into the
+hearts of those who had accompanied us, by saying, as if haranguing a full
+army:
+
+"You lads are looked upon in the settlement only as boys, and yet already
+have two of your number shown that they could stand steady, facing the
+gravest danger without flinching. Now is the time when you may prove
+yourselves men, as I believe you are in courage and ability. If you are
+called upon to confront the enemy, remember that there is nothing more
+glorious than to die in defence of your homes and your country. There is
+no way by which you can earn more honor than to have it said of you, 'He
+gave up his life for those he loved.' Better be shot down at the opening
+of an action, than to live through it in such a manner that your neighbors
+can point the finger of scorn at you, saying, 'There goes a coward!'"
+
+The old man ceased speaking abruptly, turned about without word or sign,
+and plunged into the thicket, Jacob and I following close at his heels.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IV.
+
+On the Oriskany
+
+
+
+As we three plodded wearily on day after day, all our senses quickened by
+knowledge of the many dangers with which we were surrounded, it seemed to
+me that we had begun our work in behalf of the Cause backward--as if this
+going to and fro over the same ground was a wilful waste of time when
+every hour was so precious.
+
+I said to myself again and again, that if General Herkimer really needed
+such services as we could render, it would have been better had we
+remained with him, rather than spend so many days and be forced to such
+severe labor as was required for the march to Cherry Valley and back.
+
+We had accomplished nothing of importance by going home. Colonel Campbell
+knew even more regarding Brant's movements than we could tell him, and it
+was by no means necessary he should be informed immediately as to the
+result of General Herkimer's interview with the Mohawk sachem.
+
+As the days passed, and our every effort was needed to enable us to
+advance without absolutely running into the arms of the savages, for it
+seemed as if they were everywhere in the wilderness, Jacob became more
+resigned, or so it appeared, since he ceased to insist that this or that
+impracticable move be made. I did not suppose he no longer mourned for his
+father, but believed and hoped he had come to understand we could not do
+anything toward effecting a rescue until all the circumstances were
+favorable.
+
+One day's march was much like another, and many passed before we were with
+General Herkimer again. We always camped in a thicket, taking good care
+not to leave a trail leading up to the place, and in this last task we did
+not consider the time spent as wasted, for on every hand could be seen
+signs of the enemy, therefore the utmost precaution was needed.
+
+All of us gave ourselves over to slumber as soon as we were stretched out
+on the ground, for however careful a watch might have been kept, it would
+not have availed if the enemy was bent on surprising us.
+
+In the early light of the new day either Jacob or I went out in search of
+small game, for it goes without saying that we could not have brought from
+home a sufficient amount of food to sustain us during all the time we
+spent roaming to and fro between Cherry Valley and the Oriskany.
+
+If we were fortunate enough to get so much meat as would serve for one or
+more meals, we cooked it by digging a hole in the ground, building therein
+a fire, and screening the smoke as best we might with boughs and ferns.
+That done, we satisfied our hunger while creeping slowly onward,
+oftentimes forced to spend an hour or more in making a detour around some
+particularly dangerous locality.
+
+If, as often happened, we failed of finding game, we buckled our belts the
+tighter and went on, consoling ourselves with the hope that fortune would
+favor us before nightfall.
+
+More than once would we have run upon a party of savages--Thayendanega's
+scouts or hunters--had it not been for the almost excessive precautions
+Sergeant Corney insisted on taking, and in such case there was no other
+course than to hide as best we might, and wait until the enemy was pleased
+to move on.
+
+Fortunately we did not come face to face with the redskins, therefore a
+detailed story of our march would be dull reading, for it could only be
+the same thing over and over again until the hour arrived when we entered
+General Herkimer's camp on the Oriskany, receiving there such a greeting
+from the commander himself as caused me to believe he really needed us for
+some important task.
+
+"You have done well to get back alive!" he cried, with a laugh. "It is
+pleasing to know that lads can do what many of their elders would balk at.
+So Colonel Campbell was willing to give you up to me?"
+
+[Illustration: "'You have done well to get back alive!'"]
+
+"He made no protest, sir," I replied, after waiting an instant for one of
+my companions to act the part of spokesman. "An hundred and fifty soldiers
+are quartered at Cherry Valley, and they, with the many who have made of
+the settlement a place of refuge, are in such numbers that three would
+neither be needed or missed."
+
+"That would depend on what stuff the three were made, according to my way
+of thinking. I have some work here which you can do better than any one
+else of whom I know, and the only question is whether you are willing to
+lay your shoulders to the wheel when there's a good bit of danger in so
+doing?"
+
+"We have come, sir, to do whatsoever offered, an' if the task which you
+have in mind could be performed with safety, then we might as well have
+stayed at home," I replied, and Sergeant Corney nodded to show that we
+were of one mind.
+
+"Since I last saw you the enemy has gathered in strong force about Fort
+Schuyler, and it is necessary we get some word to the commandant, who is,
+in fact, besieged."
+
+"That shouldn't be sich a terrible hard job, sir," Sergeant Corney said,
+speaking for the first time since we were received by the general.
+
+"True for you, but the reason why I haven't sent any of my own men before
+this is, that if the messenger should be discovered while trying to get
+inside, Joseph Brant would know for a certainty that we on the outside
+believed the garrison to be hard pressed, which would probably work no end
+of mischief, for at present the enemy has every reason to suppose Colonel
+Gansevoort has all the men and stores he can possibly need."
+
+"Why should he think differently if one of us was captured while tryin' to
+communicate with the besieged, sir?" Sergeant Corney asked, curiously.
+
+"Because you have every reason for going there, even though you had never
+heard that the fort was invested."
+
+I could not repress a look of surprise, for it was much as if the general
+was speaking in riddles, and, seeing the question on my face, he
+continued:
+
+"It is only natural that you from Cherry Valley should be searching for
+Peter Sitz, and the Indians, in case you were captured, would perforce
+believe such a story--"
+
+"Is my father in their camp, sir?" Jacob cried, eagerly.
+
+"Ay, lad, so I believe, otherwise I would not think it important you
+should act as my messengers. One of our scouts brought in word that
+Brant's immediate followers had a white prisoner with them, and it is
+reasonable to suppose him to be Peter Sitz, for, since we saw those
+scoundrels, they have kept out of mischief because of being in camp with
+the British and Tory soldiers."
+
+There was no need now of urging Jacob to undertake the mission; since he
+had what seemed like positive information of his father's whereabouts, he
+would have gone in the direction of the besieged fort whether General
+Herkimer so desired, or opposed it.
+
+As for my part, having really given up all hope of seeing Peter Sitz again
+in this world, the probable fact of his being alive quickened the blood in
+my veins until I forgot that our services were required for anything save
+the rescue of the prisoner.
+
+Sergeant Corney gave no token either of joy or indifference; he kept in
+mind only the duties of a soldier, and prepared himself for the dangerous
+mission by asking:
+
+"Can you tell me, sir, what force the enemy have in front of Fort
+Schuyler?"
+
+"Near one thousand seven hundred men--regulars, Tories, and Indians. St.
+Leger is in nominal command; but it is reasonable to believe that Sir John
+Johnson and Brant have much the same authority as he. Certain it is that
+they and none other can control their followers. Colonel Gansevoort has
+nearly a thousand men, with a six weeks' supply of provisions and
+ammunition for the small arms; but there is in the fort no more than four
+hundred rounds for the cannon, which is his most important means of
+defence. The situation is not yet critical, but may become so very soon,
+and we have more chance now for communicating with the commandant than is
+likely to be the case a week hence, when the besiegers have settled down
+to their work."
+
+"When shall we set out, sir?" I asked, as the general ceased speaking.
+
+"As soon as you have recovered from the fatigue of the journey. There is
+no time to be lost, unless you are eager to encounter more danger than is
+absolutely necessary."
+
+"There is no reason why we shouldn't set off at once," Jacob said,
+quickly. "We are not women, to be tired out by a bit of marchin'."
+
+I fancied from the expression on the general's face that it pleased him
+because my comrade showed himself so eager, and there was a tinge of
+bitterness in my heart as I understood that, whatever good to the Cause
+might be the purpose of our task, the commander was, in a certain degree,
+trading on Jacob's love for his father.
+
+It was not for me, however, to criticize, even in my own mind, anything of
+a military nature which might be on foot. I had had ample time since the
+powwow with Thayendanega to decide whether or no I would serve under
+General Herkimer, and, having come to a decision, it stood me in hand to
+do whatsoever lay before me without question.
+
+I held much the same opinion as did Jacob, however, although not because
+of the same reason.
+
+It seemed to me a most dangerous undertaking, this attempt to get a
+message into a fort which was besieged by so large a body of men; but
+since it must be done, unless we were willing to show the white feather,
+then I was eager to be at it, for danger appears greater when one stands
+idly by looking at it from the distance, than when it is actually
+encountered.
+
+Sergeant Corney, who had evidently been turning the matter over in his
+mind, said, after a time, to the commander:
+
+"It strikes me, sir, that we should get all the information we may
+concernin' the whereabouts of the enemy before settin' out. Not that I am
+askin' for any long delay," he added, quickly, observing a faint
+expression of displeasure on the general's face. "I would mingle among the
+men, to learn what they may know, from now until sunset, when, as it seems
+to me, our journey had best be begun. By startin' at that time we shall
+arrive before sunrise, an' thus have all the day in which to lay our plans
+for approachin' the fort."
+
+Jacob's eyes twinkled with satisfaction when he heard this proposition,
+and I believed he was thinking that if we lay in hiding a full day in
+front of the fortification, he might have opportunity to learn something
+concerning his father.
+
+"I shall leave to you who are most deeply concerned in the matter, the
+method of doing the work. Pick up all the information you can, and when
+you are ready to set out come to me for the final instructions."
+
+Then the commander half-turned, as if to show that the interview was at an
+end, and Sergeant Corney beckoned Jacob and me to follow him, reminding
+us, when we were comparatively alone, of the promise made at the time we
+first set out.
+
+"The day we left Cherry Valley on Brant's trail, you lads agreed to follow
+me without questionin', even when it seemed as if I might be goin' wrong,
+an' now has come the time for you to keep that well in mind."
+
+"There is no reason why we should not do so," I replied, promptly. "I
+doubt not but that you, who are versed in military matters, could direct
+such a task better than any in this encampment."
+
+"I'm not takin' that much praise to myself, lad; but do claim, because of
+havin' had more experience, to be better fitted for the work, after we are
+once arrived, than are you. I will go even so far as to say that on the
+trail or in the thicket you are my superiors, owin' to havin' been brought
+up to work which, except in this country, would be considered almost
+unsoldierly. Here is my first order: Mingle with the men of this
+encampment with the idea of fillin' your stomachs with food, an', that
+done, lie down to sleep until I shall summon you."
+
+"Sleep!" Jacob exclaimed, angrily. "Think you it would be possible for me
+to sleep now, when we know that the moment has come in which I may be able
+to aid my father?"
+
+"Ay, lad, but you must, whether you will or no. You can work for him best
+by preparin' your body for whatsoever of fatigue we may be called upon to
+undergo, an' since there is little chance we shall gain any rest durin'
+four an' twenty hours after leavin' here, it stands us all in hand to be
+prepared for the exertion."
+
+"Are you countin' on sleepin'?" Jacob asked, fiercely.
+
+"I am more accustomed to keepin' my eyes open durin' a long time than are
+you; but if it so be I have the chance, you may be certain I shall take
+advantage of it. Now, remember, eat an' sleep until I seek you out."
+
+Then the old man left us, and, watching for a moment, we saw him enter
+into conversation with this soldier and that, until it seemed as if he was
+bent on making the acquaintance of every member of the force.
+
+Jacob and I had little difficulty in finding as much food as we needed,
+after having explained why we had come into the encampment. The men were
+more than willing to divide their rations with us, and we might literally
+have gorged ourselves with the best in the camp had such been our desire.
+
+It was one thing for Sergeant Corney to say that we must sleep, and quite
+another for us to obey the command.
+
+It seemed to me that my eyes were never open wider than when I threw
+myself down upon the ground by the side of Jacob, striving my best to
+cross over into Dreamland. The thought of attempting to force our way
+through such an army as General St. Leger had under his command; of the
+possibility that we might, perhaps, come across Peter Sitz; the chances
+that Colonel Gansevoort would be forced to surrender even before we could
+arrive with information that reinforcements were near at hand, and, in
+fact, the numberless happenings which might occur to change the entire
+situation, served to drive sleep so far from my eyelids that I despaired
+of being able to summon it until sheer exhaustion should come.
+
+Jacob was lying, with closed eyes, so still that I half-believed he had
+succeeded in obeying Sergeant Corney's commands, and, bent on moving
+around among the men in the hope of thereby changing the current of my
+disagreeable thoughts, I crept softly from his side lest I awaken him.
+
+"Where are you goin'?" he asked, quietly, in a tone which told me he had
+been no nearer slumber than I.
+
+"I cannot sleep, an' that's a fact. Perhaps after walkin' around a bit I
+shall feel more like it."
+
+"I'll go with you," Jacob said, rising to his feet. "There is no hope I
+can sleep, although I am willin', if needs be, to make it appear as if I
+was unconscious."
+
+Taking heed not to go near Sergeant Corney, whom we could see in the
+distance, Jacob went from one group of soldiers to the other, and, as may
+be supposed, the chief topic of conversation everywhere was the
+possibility that Fort Schuyler could hold out against the large number of
+men who were besieging it, as well as the chances of General Herkimer's
+command being able to enter the place.
+
+Thus it was we learned that among Brant's following were savages from all
+the various tribes of the Six Nations, except the Oneidas, who remained
+faithful to their agreement to be neutral during the war. It was said that
+the besiegers were well supplied with everything necessary for the
+accomplishment of their purpose, including a large amount of ready money,
+and General St. Leger was willing to pay liberally for the services of
+those who would join him.
+
+It was also reported--the information having been brought in by
+scouts--that on the second day of the siege the British commander had sent
+to the fort a messenger, who, with many high-sounding words, recited the
+love of the king for those who remained loyal to him, and the punishment
+which would be inflicted upon those who continued in rebellion. This
+stream of bombast was concluded by direst threats in case the garrison
+held out against the demand for surrender, the sum and substance of which
+was that the savages would be allowed to commit every act of barbarity
+their ingenuity could devise, if an assault should become necessary.
+
+Nearly all the defenders of the fort laughed these threats and promises to
+scorn, and it was believed that Gansevoort's men would hold out to the
+bitter end.
+
+We heard very much in addition, which was really no more than camp gossip,
+and it is not necessary I set it down here.
+
+Before the close of the day both Jacob and I really succeeded in going to
+sleep, and the shadows of night were beginning to lengthen when we were
+aroused by Sergeant Corney.
+
+"I reckon I've heard all that the men in camp have to tell," he said, when
+I stood upright in obedience to the pressure of his hand upon my shoulder.
+"It only remains to get our instructions from General Herkimer before
+makin' the attempt to have speech with those in the fort."
+
+"Haven't you seen him yet?" I asked, in surprise, for it had been in my
+mind that the old man would make every preparation before summoning us.
+
+"No, lad. This is a venture in which we share the dangers equally, an'
+it's no more than right you should hear all which may pass between the
+general an' me. Therefore let us bring the business to an end as speedily
+as may be."
+
+Well, we presented ourselves before the commander, announcing that the
+time had come when we were to leave camp, and, considering all the risks
+which were to be run, it seemed to me as if the message he would have
+delivered was exceeding brief and unimportant, as compared with what might
+result from the attempt at delivery.
+
+"I shall not give you a written message, lest you fall into the hands of
+the enemy," he said, speaking in a kindly tone, and looking at us, as I
+fancied, pityingly, much as one would at those who had been selected as
+sacrifices. "It is in the highest degree necessary you get speech with
+Colonel Gansevoort, and to such end make disposal of yourselves so that
+should one, or even two, be taken or killed, the second or third may press
+on. Having arrived, say to the commandant that I shall leave this camp
+to-morrow morning, marching slowly toward the fort, and immediately after
+he has received the information he is to fire three cannon in rapid
+succession, thus notifying me that he understands the situation. You will
+not, under the most favorable circumstances, finish the journey in less
+than four and twenty hours, and by that time I shall be where the reports
+of the guns can be heard. Once the signal has been given, it is my purpose
+to attack the enemy, and Colonel Gansevoort is to make a sortie at the
+same time, when it is to be hoped our forces can be united."
+
+Having said this, the general insisted that each of us repeat the
+instructions so that he might know we understood them thoroughly, and
+then, clasping us by hand in turn, he bade us "Godspeed."
+
+I wish I might be able to say that my heart was stout when we left the
+encampment and were swallowed up by the shadows of the thicket; but such
+was not the case.
+
+I realized only too well all the dangers which were before us, and the
+odds against our being able to obey the general's orders. At the same time
+I knew that in event of failure there would be no possibility of retreat;
+but we would find ourselves in the hands of an enemy whose greatest
+delight consists in the most fiendish murder.
+
+As I figured it, out of a hundred chances we had no more than one of
+getting into the fort, and there remained ninety and nine in favor of our
+falling victims to Brant's crew.
+
+We had but just set out when I observed that Sergeant Corney had left
+behind him every superfluous article of clothing, and all accoutrements
+save the knife in his belt, whereupon I asked the reason for thus laying
+himself bare to the enemy.
+
+"You lads have each a rifle, which are all the weapons we need, for it can
+avail us nothing to make a fight. If we win it must be by strategy, not
+force, and in case of success it will be a small matter to provide
+ourselves with other arms."
+
+"At the same time it gives me courage to know that I have something with
+which to defend myself," Jacob said, with a laugh which had in it nothing
+of mirth.
+
+"Ay, lad, so I counted, otherwise I had advised that you follow my
+example. It can do no harm to take whatsoever you will, for that which
+hinders may readily be cast aside. Now let us come to an end of
+tongue-waggin', for silence is our safest ally."
+
+As the old man had said, either Jacob or I should have known more of
+woodcraft than did he, but on this night I dare venture to assert that
+there were not above a dozen in Joseph Brant's following who could have
+made their way through the thicket with less noise and in a more direct
+course than did he.
+
+From General Herkimer's encampment in an air-line through the forest to
+Fort Schuyler was not more than seven or eight miles, and, despite our
+slow progress, for one cannot travel rapidly when striving to advance
+without so much as the breaking of a twig, we counted on arriving in front
+of the enemy's lines by midnight. And this I believe we did.
+
+The first intimation we had that our journey was approaching a close came
+when we suddenly saw, directly in our line of advance, a faint light amid
+the thicket in the distance, and Sergeant Corney, who had been leading the
+way, halted quickly.
+
+"You lads are to remain here while I find out what portion of St. Leger's
+force is in front of us," he said, in a whisper, and then it was that I
+ventured to dispute his authority, having, as I believed, good reason for
+so doing.
+
+"You yourself have admitted that either Jacob or I could beat you out at
+work of this kind. Let me go, an' do you stay here."
+
+Then it was that Jacob insisted on performing the most dangerous portion
+of the work, and would have passed by me in the darkness to avoid a
+controversy, but that I clutched him by the arm, and Sergeant Corney
+whispered:
+
+"You lads shall lead the way, and I will follow at your heels; but
+remember what General Herkimer impressed upon us--that one _must_ get
+through, therefore if he who leads is captured, the other two shall leave
+him to his fate, for the life of a single human being is not to be counted
+when we are tryin' to save hundreds."
+
+It was not a time nor a place for argument, and in token of agreement with
+him I took up the lead.
+
+I did not attempt to go forward rapidly; but, half-lying upon the ground,
+I crept onward inch by inch, removing carefully with my hands every twig
+or dry leaf which might be in the path, lest by the lightest rustling of
+the branches I give warning to the quick-eared enemy of our approach.
+
+In such manner it was not possible to make other than slow progress, and I
+believe fully half an hour was spent in traversing the distance of a dozen
+yards, when we were come to where could be had a view of that which had
+attracted our attention.
+
+Nine Indians were lounging, on the opposite side of a river that we knew
+to be the Mohawk, around a small fire, over which were being cooked slices
+of fresh meat. They were talking earnestly among themselves meanwhile, for
+these red sneaks of the forest do not, when alone, maintain that silent
+dignity with which so many writers, ignorant of their customs, try to
+invest them.
+
+They were members of Brant's own tribe, as I knew from the language, with
+which I was reasonably familiar, and after a few moments it was possible
+to gather from the conversation that St. Leger had interfered in some way
+with their plans, or thwarted their desires.
+
+The stream was not so wide at this point but that we could hear fairly
+well what they said. It seemed necessary I should learn all I might before
+we crept past the small encampment, and, never dreaming how much of
+anguish the listening might cause my comrade, I remained silent and
+motionless, until enough had been said to convince me that their grievance
+consisted in the fact that they had not been allowed to indulge in the
+amusement of torturing a prisoner during that same evening.
+
+Then it flashed upon me that it was Peter Sitz of whom they spoke, and
+involuntarily I moved backward, the one thought in my mind being to
+prevent Jacob from hearing; but the vigor with which he clutched me by the
+leg told that it was too late. The lad had heard as much as I, and to his
+mind the prisoner spoken of could be none other than his father.
+
+For a moment I ceased my efforts at retreat, and then, realizing that if
+we would take Jacob with us to the completion of General Herkimer's
+commands, he must not be allowed to hear anything more, I would have
+backed away rapidly.
+
+To my dismay and sorrow, however, he held me as if in a grip of iron, and,
+despite all silent efforts on my part, I was forced to remain.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter V.
+
+Divided Duty
+
+
+
+I could not find it in my heart to blame Jacob for being eager to learn
+all he could regarding his father, and it certainly seemed as if we might
+hear that which would at least tell us who this prisoner was that they
+were so keen to torture; but surely we were not warranted in lingering for
+the possible saving of one human life, when by our delay hundreds might be
+placed in gravest danger.
+
+However, I could not retreat, because Jacob held me firmly in his clutch,
+from which I would have been unable to release myself save at the cost of
+betraying our whereabouts.
+
+With the hope that the lad might soon come to realize that we must be
+attending to General Herkimer's business, I remained silent and
+motionless, straining my ears to hear what the painted snakes were saying,
+and at the same time expecting to receive a silent protest from Sergeant
+Corney because of remaining inactive when the moments were so precious.
+
+In less than a single minute I knew that the savages were speaking of
+Peter Site, and the tightening of Jacob's grip told that he too was aware
+of the fact.
+
+Because I can understand only a few words here or there of Brant's native
+tongue, it would be impossible to set down exactly what the villains said;
+but I caught enough to understand that the prisoner in whom we were so
+deeply interested was not far distant,--probably at the main
+encampment,--and Thayendanega was protecting him at least from the
+torture. Why the sachem had taken such an interest in the unfortunate man
+I could not make out; most likely the savages themselves were ignorant on
+that point.
+
+It appeared to me, from the conversation, that there was much hard feeling
+on the part of the Indians because they were not allowed to indulge in an
+amusement which had been countenanced by more than one officer of the
+British army, and I fancied that Thayendanega, great sachem though he now
+was of the Six Nations, would have no little trouble in holding his
+precious followers in check.
+
+When I had learned as much as has been set down here, I felt a tugging at
+my shirt, and knew, without seeing him, that Sergeant Corney was not
+willing to remain at this point any longer.
+
+The savages had begun to speak of St. Leger, and what he might succeed in
+doing so far as the siege was concerned, therefore it did not seem
+probable we would hear more regarding Peter Sitz.
+
+This much Jacob must have understood as well as I, for when I forced
+myself backward, pushing vigorously against him, he gave way, and we thus
+slowly retreated until having gained such a distance from the feasting
+murderers that it seemed safe to rise to our feet.
+
+"To what were you listenin'?" Sergeant Corney asked, in a whisper, and
+with no slight show of anger because I had lingered so long.
+
+In the fewest words possible I told him what we had heard, and when I was
+come to an end of the brief recital, Jacob asked, as if believing that now
+all our plans would be changed:
+
+"What are we to do?"
+
+"That for which we came," Sergeant Corney replied, decidedly.
+
+"But we know that my father is near at hand, and, if Thayendanega grows
+careless or indifferent, will be tortured to death."
+
+"Ay, lad, an' I could be no more sorry if Peter Sitz was my brother; but
+we cannot now do anything to aid him, even though the way lay clear before
+us," and the old man laid his hand on Jacob's shoulder as if to give
+emphasis to the words. "We are to push on toward the fort, an' must not
+heed any other duty."
+
+"But we stand as much chance of rescuing my father as we do of gettin'
+speech with Colonel Gansevoort, an' surely you will not leave a friend to
+be tortured to death?" Jacob said, pleadingly, and speaking incautiously
+loud.
+
+"Lad, we have no choice in the matter. If General Herkimer was in your
+father's place I would turn my back on him until after our work had been
+done. Can't you see that by loiterin' now we may be sacrificing all those
+brave fellows who are making ready to march from the Oriskany in the hope
+of aiding in holdin' the fort?"
+
+"That is your final word?" Jacob asked, sharply, and Sergeant Corney
+replied, feelingly:
+
+"It cannot be otherwise. We are bound first to obey orders, even though a
+dozen of our best friends were bein' led to the stake, an'--"
+
+"Then you will obey them without me," Jacob said, in a tone which I knew
+full well betokened a purpose from which he would not be turned by words.
+"Two will stand a better chance of gainin' the fort than three, an' _my_
+duty calls me to Thayendanega's camp."
+
+"But surely you will not attempt to go there alone!" I cried, in horror.
+"Even though you should come face to face with your father, you could not
+hope to set him free!"
+
+"I would rather die by his side than have him believe I remained idle
+while he was in such terrible danger."
+
+"If you cannot be persuaded, we must leave you, an' that without delay,"
+the old man said, sadly. "God knows I would do all a man might to aid
+Peter Sitz; but if he was here at this minute, knowin' that the stake was
+bein' made ready for him, he would say that we were bound to keep on
+toward the fort regardless of his fate."
+
+"I shall go to him," Jacob replied, quietly, and Sergeant Corney turned
+aside with a sigh.
+
+But that I knew beyond a peradventure it was useless, I would have said
+all in my power to keep him with us; but his mind was fixed, and, to tell
+the truth, I could not well blame him for doing as I would have done,
+regardless of any duty I might owe to General Herkimer.
+
+"We can say nothing more, lad?" Sergeant Corney said to me, inquiringly,
+and I shook my head, for so great was the grief in my heart that just then
+I could make no reply.
+
+I believe Jacob understood how keen was my sorrow at thus parting, when
+the chances were that we would never meet again in this world, for, as if
+to put an end to the agony, he turned abruptly, not even stopping to press
+my hand, and in an instant was lost to view amid the gloom of the forest.
+
+Already had our venture, so it appeared to me, cost the life of one of our
+small party, and mentally I reproached myself bitterly for having left
+Cherry Valley to take service with this General Herkimer, who could as
+well have sent some other in our place, for surely all in his command were
+not known to Thayendanega's following. I, as captain of the Minute Boys
+stationed at Cherry Valley, could not have been accused of refusing to aid
+the Cause had I failed to serve under the general, so far from my post of
+duty.
+
+As it was, however, we had come a long distance from our friends, and
+already sacrificed a life uselessly, so it seemed to me then in my
+bitterness of spirit.
+
+"Come, lad," Sergeant Corney whispered, shaking me roughly by the shoulder
+as if he would drive from my mind the painful thoughts. "We cannot do as
+Jacob would have us, and there is an end of that matter. Get to work, and
+it may be that 'twixt now an' morning but one of us will remain to carry
+the message."
+
+I had never before heard the old man speak in so despondent a tone, and it
+seemed an evil omen, coming as the words did when we were ready to plunge
+into the most dangerous portion of the work.
+
+In silence I led the way once more, making such a detour as I thought
+would carry us safely past that party of savages from which we had gained
+such painful information, and perhaps half an hour was spent in advancing
+at a snail's pace; but in the direction where we supposed the fort stood.
+
+Now it was I realized that some one well acquainted with the locality
+should have been sent with us, for we were obliged to go on blindly, as it
+were, trusting that chance, and what we might see of the disposition of
+the enemy's forces, would bring us to the point we desired to gain, for
+neither of us had ever visited Fort Schuyler.
+
+At the end of half an hour I came to a sudden standstill, for we were
+within a few paces of half a dozen white men, as could be told even in the
+darkness by the outlines of their clothing.
+
+These last appeared to be stationed at that point, for none of them made
+any attempt to go away during the two or three minutes I remained
+motionless, although why so many should have been placed there as
+sentinels, when one would have served the purpose, I failed to understand,
+and it perplexed me not a little, for it was necessary that we should know
+whether we were inside the lines, or simply confronting their outlying
+pickets.
+
+There was nothing for it, however, but to crawl backward half a dozen
+yards, and then make another detour, and while this was being done
+Sergeant Corney had only a single question to ask, which was as to whether
+I had seen white men or Indians.
+
+"White men," I replied, "and no less than half a dozen standing in a
+group, as if stationed there."
+
+The old man paused an instant, as if quite as much perplexed as I, and
+then whispered:
+
+"Go on. We are like to run across more than one such snag, an', what is
+worse, don't have a clear idea of whether we shall come plump on to the
+fort, or go a considerable distance to one side of it."
+
+Again I advanced, making an even wider detour than before, and in ten
+minutes, perhaps, we were come upon a single sentinel,--a soldier,--who
+stood leaning against a tree as if half-asleep, and I was less careful in
+passing him because he did not appear to be particularly on the alert.
+
+Again and again we nearly stumbled upon a squad of men, small parties of
+Indians, or a single sentinel, until it seemed to me as if all St. Leger's
+force must be distributed throughout the thicket, and I began to despair
+of ever making our way through.
+
+Now we were where it seemed as dangerous to retreat as to advance, and I
+strove manfully to keep from my mind all thoughts of the perils that
+surrounded us, lest I grow faint-hearted at the very time when all my
+courage was needed if we would save our lives.
+
+To do this it was only necessary I think of Jacob and his hazardous
+venture, which could serve no good purpose even though he succeeded in
+avoiding the enemy, therefore my mind dwelt on the perils which confronted
+him, causing me in a measure to forget where I myself stood.
+
+To go on in such a manner was most wearisome, and I was well-nigh at the
+end of my strength when a faint lightness in the eastern sky gave warning
+that the day was near at hand.
+
+At the same moment I observed this fact, the sergeant gripped me by the
+arm, and, understanding he would have speech with me, I halted.
+
+"It is time we went into hidin', lad, although I did count we would come
+within sight of the fort before bein' obliged to call a halt."
+
+"Where can we hide here?" I asked, bitterly, and, strange as it may seem,
+I began to realize, for the first time since the general had explained
+what he would have us do, that we must remain concealed from view during
+all the hours of daylight, and that while we were literally surrounded by
+the enemy.
+
+"We must take our chances in the first dense thicket, wherein may be found
+a stout tree, that we come across," he replied, "an' now instead of tryin'
+to get a sight of the fortification, turn all your efforts toward findin'
+a hidin'-place."
+
+This promised to be as difficult a task as I had ever undertaken, for how
+would it be possible in the darkness to say whether one thicket was denser
+than another, and, without spending precious time in the examination, to
+learn if there was a stout tree within any certain clump of bushes?
+
+Because the sergeant had said we were to halt where was a tree, I believed
+he proposed spending the day amid the branches, and any one who has ever
+been in a forest can readily understand how few there are of such
+hiding-places.
+
+However, we were there, and within another hour must be screened from view
+after some fashion, therefore it was useless to grumble, or say this or
+that movement was impossible; but rather I should do the best I might, and
+trust to the chapter of accidents that I did not lead my companion into
+what would prove to be a trap.
+
+All the thicket looked dense in the night, but when I was finally come to
+a clump of bushes through which it was difficult to force my way, I
+stopped and whispered to Sergeant Corney.
+
+"This seems to be such a place as you would have; but who can say whether
+it will answer our purpose?"
+
+"So much the worse for us if it does not," the old man replied, grimly.
+"Make your way in, an' if there be no tree to give us a roostin'-place, we
+must take our chances on the ground, for the day is comin' on apace."
+
+And indeed he said no more than the truth; already was it possible for me
+to see surrounding objects, dimly, to be sure, but more clearly than when
+we first began searching for a place of refuge.
+
+Unless we were concealed from view within half an hour, we might as well
+march straight to the nearest sentinel and give ourselves up as prisoners.
+
+There was much to be desired in this thicket which we had chosen by
+chance, as was learned when we were well within it. Several large trees
+grew amid the clump of bushes, to be sure; but the foliage was not so
+dense that one who passed near at hand with reasonable alertness would
+have failed to discover us lurking there.
+
+"It is better than the open country," Sergeant Corney said, when I would
+have found fault with our blind choice. "We will burrow amid these small
+bushes until daylight, an' then, if necessary, go to roost."
+
+I had in my pocket a small piece of corn bread, and, when I would have
+divided it with the old man, he showed me about the same quantity, which
+he had saved in event of just such an emergency, and we munched the dry
+food with no very keen appetites, but eating at this the first
+opportunity, in order to keep up our strength for the struggle which must
+ensue before we gained speech with those in the fort.
+
+My sorrow because Jacob had left us on a venture from which I did not
+believe he could ever return, was so great that I felt no desire for food,
+but ate it from a sense of duty, even as I had turned my back on my
+comrade when he needed aid.
+
+One does not make haste with such a meal, and when I had swallowed the
+last dry crumbs, which were like to have choked me, the day had fully
+come.
+
+It can readily be imagined that we crept even nearer the edge of the
+thicket than was really safe in order to get some idea of our position,
+and to my great surprise and delight I found that we had come in as direct
+a course as if we had followed a blazed trail.
+
+There before us, and less than three hundred yards distant, was the
+fortification over which was floating the flag made from Capt. Abraham
+Swartwout's cloak, and because we were on high ground it was possible to
+see the Americans moving about within, bent on this task or that duty.
+
+After one hasty glance we crept back into the middle of the thicket, and
+there, surrounded by hundreds of enemies, we two held a whispered
+conversation regarding the situation.
+
+It was only natural we should first congratulate each other on our good
+fortune in having come unwittingly to the very spot we most desired to
+gain, and then I said, simply giving words to the thoughts which had
+entered my mind as I gazed upon the fortification:
+
+"He who crosses the clearing between here and the fort, even though it be
+in the night, needs to wriggle along like a snake, else will one of
+Thayendanega's painted beauties lift his scalp."
+
+"It is a bit open jest in front of here; but I took note that further to
+the westward was a little more of green," Sergeant Corney said, half to
+himself, and I knew he was picturing in his mind the two of us making the
+attempt where was not a blade of grass to give shelter, for the "green" of
+which he spoke was nothing more than the fragment of a bush near the
+stockade.
+
+"How are we to attract their attention, providin' we succeed in creepin'
+up under the wall?" I asked, after a long pause, and he replied, grimly:
+
+"I'll answer that question after you've told me how we're goin' to stop
+'em shootin' at us while we're tryin' to get across."
+
+Then it was I understood that even though the enemy did not see us while
+we were making our way over the plain, the sentinels in the fort were
+doubtless on the alert against just such an attempt on the part of the
+Indians, and there was little question but that they would fire at any
+moving thing which came within their line of vision.
+
+"It seems to me that we'll be between two fires," I said, with a feeble
+attempt to speak in a jovial tone, and Sergeant Corney's reply was much
+like a bucket of cold water full in my face.
+
+"That's exactly the case, lad, an' I'm countin' that betwixt 'em we'll be
+peppered in fine shape, else there are some mighty poor marksmen
+hereabouts."
+
+"Why didn't you tell the general that we couldn't carry his message?
+Didn't you think of all this at the time?"
+
+"Ay, lad, it was pictured in my mind much as we see it now; but he said we
+were to do the job, an' it wasn't for me to point out the danger."
+
+"Why not, if you felt certain we would be shot?" I cried, angrily.
+
+"Because a soldier has good reason when he enlists to expect he'll stop a
+bullet, else what would be the need of powder an' ball?"
+
+Having said this, the old man relapsed into silence, as if he was trying
+to figure out how the work might be done with less of danger, and I sat
+staring at him in a rage, for to my mind he had much the same as
+compassed his own death and mine by not speaking of all the perils in our
+path.
+
+Now it was that I almost envied Jacob his position. It is true the odds
+were strongly against his being able to make his way through the camp
+without being captured, yet it was possible for him at any time to give
+over the attempt and retrace his steps, whereas we were absolutely penned
+up in the thicket, where retreat was even more perilous than advance.
+
+Fume and fret as I might, it was not possible to mend matters, and I
+stretched myself out at full length under the bushes, with the idea in
+mind that it would be better if we were captured at once, for then we
+would be spared just so much suspense, yet when Sergeant Corney suggested
+that we were not as well hidden from view as we should be, I was alarmed
+on the instant.
+
+How that day was passed by us I can hardly say even now, when I look back
+calmly upon all the incidents which were then so terrifying.
+
+We had eaten the last crumb of our corn bread in the morning, without
+appeasing the hunger which assailed us, and now could only chew the twigs
+of the bushes, striving to make ourselves believe we extracted nourishment
+therefrom.
+
+More than once straggling soldiers or Indians passed near where we were
+hidden; but no one thought of searching the thicket for those who were
+friendly to the garrison, because none save idiots like ourselves would
+thus have ventured into the lion's mouth.
+
+Screened as we were from the lightest breath of wind, it was cruelly hot
+in that hiding-place. Tiny streams of perspiration ran down my face,
+wetting the leaves beneath my head, and I chewed them in the vain hope
+that the suspicion of moisture might serve to quench my thirst.
+
+I rejoiced when the sun began to sink in the west, even though it was, as
+I believed, bringing the hour of my death so much the nearer; but I soon
+came to understand that Sergeant Corney was not disposed to make the
+perilous venture without first having taken all possible precautions for
+our safety.
+
+When the day was within an hour of its close, I suddenly became aware that
+the old soldier was stripping the fringe from his shirt, and immediately I
+sat bolt upright, fancying for the moment that he had lost his reason.
+
+"What are you doin'?" I asked, sharply, and he replied, with a faint
+smile:
+
+"If the sentinel who stands on the wall of the fort facin' us is 'tendin'
+to his business as a soldier should, then there's a chance I can let him
+know these 'ere bushes shelter decent people."
+
+While speaking he had been cutting cautiously with his knife one of the
+longer branches which helped to screen us from view, and when it had been
+severed he trimmed it with infinite care, as if our welfare depended upon
+its being smooth and clean.
+
+When this had been done to his satisfaction, and it seemed to give him
+greatest pleasure to keep me in suspense as to his purpose, he tied to the
+smaller end of the stick the fringe from his shirt.
+
+"You're goin' to creep out an' wave that!" I cried, in the tone of one who
+has made a great discovery.
+
+"You can set it down as a fact that I won't creep very far out," the old
+man replied, with a smile. "It's only the ghost of a chance that anybody
+will take heed of it, an' yet there's no harm in the tryin'."
+
+When finally he crept cautiously out toward the edge of the thicket, I
+watched him as eagerly as if all our troubles would be over in case we
+succeeded in attracting the attention of those in the fort, whereas, no
+matter how many of our friends might see the waving fringe, we would still
+be in the same danger of getting a bullet from the besiegers.
+
+"It ain't any ways certain that some of these sneakin' Injuns don't see my
+signal before one of the garrison does, in which case we won't have to
+puzzle our heads about gettin' into the fort; but if they should jump on
+me, you'd best take to your heels. There's a bare chance you might give
+'em the slip in the squabble, for I shouldn't knock under while there was
+any fight left in me."
+
+[Illustration: "Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and
+fro"]
+
+Then, peering through the branches, I could see the sentinel on the wall
+near the sally-port, and it goes without saying that I watched with my
+heart in my mouth for some gesture which might tell that he understood
+what was of so much importance to us.
+
+It was fortunate that we had blindly stumbled upon a hiding-place a few
+yards in advance of the enemy's line of watchers, otherwise the scheme
+could never have been successful. Even as it was, I expected each instant
+that some painted snake would take it into his wicked head to wander
+around in front of the thicket, when the game would come to a speedy end.
+
+Sergeant Corney waved the bit of fringe slowly to and fro in such a manner
+that the dull color of the deerskin might offer a contrast against the
+green of the foliage, and when five minutes or more had passed without any
+movement on the part of the sentinel, I said to myself that there was no
+possibility we could catch the man's eye.
+
+The old soldier was not one easily discouraged. During ten minutes more he
+continued his efforts, now moving the stick to and fro, and again giving
+to it an up-and-down motion, and then, at the very moment when all hope
+had fled from my heart, I saw the man straighten himself suddenly, as he
+shaded his eyes with his hand.
+
+Then there could be no doubt but that Sergeant Corney had succeeded in his
+purpose, for the soldier waved his hand twice, and bent over as if
+speaking to some one on the inside.
+
+Now it was that I expected the old man would return to my side and chuckle
+over our good fortune; but he remained at the edge of the thicket while I
+might have counted twenty, and then a second member of the garrison had
+clambered up beside the first.
+
+Another hand was waved in reply, and then, having finished his task in
+good shape, Sergeant Corney crept back to me as he whispered, gleefully:
+
+"I reckon we needn't fear that any of the garrison will shoot at us this
+night, an', what's more to our advantage, we won't be called on to lay
+behind the walls very long tryin' to attract attention."
+
+"It was a great plan!" I replied, as if all our troubles were at an end,
+and then again came the thought that it would be necessary for us to creep
+out from the thicket under the very noses of those who were on guard, and
+straightway all my fears returned.
+
+It no longer seemed to me as if we had gained any great advantage from the
+old man's efforts.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VI.
+
+Between the Lines
+
+
+
+As the sun slowly sank behind the hills in the west, I forgot the thirst
+and the hunger which had assailed me. So great was the fear in my mind
+because of what we were about to attempt, that bodily discomforts seemed
+as nothing.
+
+It was a most daring venture we were to make, and one wherein the chances
+were no less than ninety and nine out of an hundred that we would be
+killed or captured before having well started on the enterprise, and yet
+the attempt must be made, however faint-hearted we might be, for, as I
+have already said, there was as much danger in retreating as advancing.
+
+The only thing in our favor was that the night promised to be dark.
+Already were clouds hiding the setting sun, the wind was growing stronger,
+and it was reasonable to believe that within an hour the heavens would be
+covered as with a black veil.
+
+After having succeeded in attracting the attention of the sentinels,
+Sergeant Corney crept back to my side, lying there at full length and in
+silence. I believed his anxiety as to the outcome of this mad venture was
+so great that he did not dare indulge in conversation, and because of such
+idea was I even more cast down in spirit.
+
+I tried to count the seconds in order to have some knowledge of the
+passage of time; but could not fix my mind upon such a simple act.
+
+When it seemed to me as if the night was considerably more than
+half-spent, I whispered tremblingly to my companion:
+
+"Have you given over tryin' to gain the fort?"
+
+"Why should you think so, lad?" he asked, as if in surprise. "We had best
+make the venture after midnight, rather than now while the enemy is
+astir."
+
+So great was my fear as to what the future might have in store for us that
+I had failed to hear the hum of voices, until my attention was thus
+attracted, and then I realized that it was yet quite early in the evening,
+instead of well toward morning, as I had supposed.
+
+Because he did not speak again I understood that Sergeant Corney was not
+inclined for conversation, and I lay there motionless and silent until it
+was as if twice four and twenty hours had passed, when the old man, rising
+to a sitting posture, whispered, cautiously:
+
+"I reckon, lad, that the time has come for us to make a try at deliverin'
+the general's message. As I figger it, we had best bear off to the
+westward, strikin' the fort on that side nearabout where the fragment of a
+bush stands, than to push on for the main gate. It seems reasonable the
+enemy will watch that part of the works closer than any other, in order to
+guard against a sortie, an' if Colonel Gansevoort has been told of our
+signals, every sentinel will be on the alert for us."
+
+"Well?" I asked, as he ceased speaking for an instant.
+
+"We'll do the trick after this fashion: You shall go ahead, an' I'll keep
+two or three paces in the rear."
+
+"Why do you propose such a plan as that?" I asked, suspiciously, and the
+old man replied, hesitatingly, as if averse to having his reasons known:
+
+"In case they see us before we are well on our way, he who is in advance
+stands the best show of escapin'."
+
+"But why should my chances be made any better than yours?" I asked,
+angrily, for even though I was afraid of the venture, it was not in my
+mind to be treated like a child, as seemed to be the case when the old man
+was considering my safety rather than his own.
+
+"Well, lad, there are two reasons, 'cordin' to my way of figgerin', but
+the last is the strongest. First off, I have a much shorter time to live
+in this world than you, therefore, if one life is taken, it had best be
+mine, so far as the patriot cause is concerned. Then agin, an' this has
+weight to it, in case we are chased you should be able to run faster than
+me, an' we must bear in mind the fact that to deliver the message is the
+one important thing--our lives amount to very little compared with that."
+
+I could not well make protest after this explanation, and, in fact, it
+seemed to me that there was little choice of position. If the enemy
+discovered us at any time while we were between the lines, our fate was
+well-nigh certain, and he who was three paces in advance would have no
+more show of escaping the bullets than the one who remained in the rear.
+
+"Are we to go now?" I asked, striving earnestly to prevent my voice from
+trembling.
+
+"Ay, lad, I reckon it's time," and the old man tightened his belt as he
+spoke. "Throw away your rifle, or strap it on your back where there's no
+chance it will hinder the progress, an', once havin' started, keep your
+mind well on the fact that we must get there, heedin' not what lies
+behind."
+
+Then he gently forced me to the edge of the thicket, where we halted an
+instant to make certain there was no one in the immediate vicinity, after
+which was begun such an advance as I hope never to be forced into again,
+for of a verity it was nerve-shattering.
+
+Strive as I might it was impossible, during the first two or three minutes
+of the painful journey, to prevent myself from fancying that half a dozen
+of Thayendanega's painted wolves were creeping up close behind me,
+enjoying the mental torture caused by my suspense, and then suddenly my
+mind was cleared of fears, even as the heavens are of clouds after a
+storm, as I ceased to think of what lay behind, remembering that my
+efforts _must_ be successful else patriot blood might flow in streams.
+
+We were lying flat upon the ground, pulling ourselves painfully along by
+our hands, and pushing with our toes whenever it was possible to get a
+leverage on the hard earth, moving perhaps no more than twelve inches each
+moment.
+
+Had St. Leger's sentinels kept the strict watch which the siege demanded
+of them, we would not have gone a dozen paces before being discovered.
+
+But that we did move out from the thicket without causing an alarm was, as
+I believe, due to the fact that the enemy contented themselves with
+watching the main gate of the fort, fancying that only from such quarter
+could any danger menace them. They had so many scouts out between the fort
+and Oriskany that it probably seemed to be an absolute impossibility any
+of the patriots could come through their lines undetected.
+
+However it may be, we did succeed in crossing that open space without
+being seen by those who would have delighted in torturing us to death; but
+it was as if I lived a full lifetime before coming within the deep shadows
+cast by the walls on the west side, at the point decided upon by Sergeant
+Corney.
+
+Some moments before we arrived I understood, and my heart literally
+bounded with joy, that those on the inside were already aware of our
+approach, and waiting to receive us, for we heard subdued voices from the
+sentinels on the walls, as if they were giving information to those below
+of our progress.
+
+"It's a big thing we have done, lad," Sergeant Corney said, as he drew
+himself up by my side while both of us hugged the earthworks as limpets do
+a rock. "It stands to reason we'll be in danger many a time before we go
+out from this world, unless it so chances that we come to grief here; but
+I dare venture to say we'll never be nearer death than we have been since
+leaving the thicket."
+
+The relief of mind was so great, and the knowledge that we had come thus
+far undetected under the very eyes of a watchful enemy was so
+overpowering, that I could not for a moment make reply, and by the time I
+had gathered my scattered senses--scattered through very joy--we heard
+voices from the inside which told that the men were seeking to learn
+exactly where we were.
+
+"Keep right on till you come to the horn-works," I heard a voice whisper,
+and the words had little or no meaning to me, for I was not familiar with
+the names of different portions of a regular fort; but the sergeant seemed
+to understand the command, for he began to creep in a southerly direction,
+still keeping within the shadow of the wall, until we arrived where was a
+stockade.
+
+This, as I afterward came to know, was the "horn-works," which as yet was
+in an unfinished condition, and protected by a stockade of logs, between
+each of which last were spaces, in some cases two or three inches wide.
+
+By lying with our faces against these narrow openings, it was possible to
+hold converse with those on the inside almost as well as if we were within
+the walls.
+
+"Who are you, and where did you come from?" a voice asked, and Sergeant
+Corney took it upon himself, much to my relief, to act as spokesman.
+
+"Messengers sent by General Herkimer, who have come from Oriskany."
+
+"When did you leave there?"
+
+"Yesterday."
+
+"We thought the woods were overrun with Indians and Tories."
+
+"So they are; but by some lucky chance we have come through thus far in
+safety, and would have speech with the commandant."
+
+"I am Colonel Gansevoort. My people saw your signal this afternoon, and I
+myself have been watching for your arrival, but supposed you to be
+fugitives, for I never dared hope there was a possibility of
+reinforcements so near at hand. Will you make an attempt to get in by the
+sally-port?"
+
+"Is there any other entrance, sir?"
+
+"Yes; but the enemy have been keeping sharp watch there since noon, as if
+thinking something of this same kind might be attempted."
+
+"We will deliver our message, sir, and then decide what to do," the old
+man said, grimly. "The words had best be repeated now, for we may be
+unable to utter them half an hour later."
+
+Then Sergeant Corney delivered the message with which we were charged, and
+during a full minute after he ceased speaking the commandant remained
+silent.
+
+When he spoke again, it was to say:
+
+"It would be folly to give him now the signal of your arrival, since to
+discharge one of the cannon when there is no direct target in sight would
+be to apprise St. Leger of all the facts. If it were possible for you to
+return, I would say that we will signal the moment my men are ready for
+the sortie."
+
+"I am of the mind that there will be no more danger in going back than in
+trying to enter the fort," Sergeant Corney said, half to himself.
+"Doubtless the enemy are watchin' the sally-port so closely that we would
+be seen tryin' to gain it, for on that side the shadow is less than here,
+and if there be large numbers posted to prevent an entrance, then must we
+come to grief."
+
+"Meaning what?" Colonel Gansevoort asked, with no slight tinge of
+impatience in his tone, as if he did not care to hear the old soldier
+summing up all the situation.
+
+"Meanin' that we are runnin' no greater risks in goin' back to General
+Herkimer, or at least not many more, than by tryin' to gain admission to
+the fort."
+
+"It will simplify matters if you choose to return; but I would not ask any
+man to do so, in view of all the danger."
+
+"What do you say, lad?" Sergeant Corney asked, laying his hand on my
+shoulder, and, although I would have given anything I possessed to have
+been at that moment behind the walls, I was not minded to show that my
+courage was less than his, therefore I replied:
+
+"It is for you to say, accordin' to the agreement we made."
+
+"But I would not set off against your wishes, because of the danger in the
+road, although I claim it would be quite as great if we attempted to enter
+the fort at once."
+
+"Then it is decided you will return to General Herkimer," Colonel
+Gansevoort said, quickly, as if fearing lest we might repent of our
+decision. "Tell him that within five minutes after giving the signal we
+will make a sortie from the main gate in the direction of Oriskany."
+
+"An' if it should be that we didn't get through alive?" Sergeant Corney
+said as if to himself, and the commandant replied, quickly:
+
+"In such case, without means of knowing what has happened to you, we shall
+make the sortie and shed much blood uselessly. Is there anything I can do
+for you before you start?"
+
+The old soldier hesitated, as if unable to think of anything we needed,
+and I, remembering the hunger which had assailed us while we lay hidden in
+the thicket, replied:
+
+"If it so be you could spare us a bit of corn bread, we would be the
+better able to make a hurried journey."
+
+"That you shall have, and in plenty," the commandant said, as if relieved
+at knowing our wants could be gratified with so little trouble, and
+Sergeant Corney added:
+
+"Only so much as we can put in our pockets, for this is not the time to
+encumber ourselves even with provisions."
+
+Some of the soldiers who had been standing near by hurried away, returning
+a few moments later with as much bread as would have served to satisfy our
+hunger for a week at least.
+
+When such a quantity as we needed for one meal had been pushed out between
+the logs of the stockade, my companion whispered to the commandant:
+
+"We shall strike into the thicket to the westward, making a circle to the
+south around the fort, until coming to the road leading to Oriskany,
+crossing the river just below here, and now, sir, if you have no further
+demands, we will go."
+
+"May God have you in His keeping," the colonel said, fervently, and
+without waiting to hear more the old soldier set off, this time leaving
+it for me to bring up the rear.
+
+Now it was I came to understand that the rain was beginning to fall; the
+wind came in spiteful gusts, betokening a storm, and I could have hugged
+myself with glee at the thought that the elements were favoring us in the
+attempt which, at the outset, had seemed doomed to failure.
+
+Before we had traversed half the distance from the fort to the thicket on
+the westerly side, the rain was falling heavily, and the wind whistling at
+such a rate as to have drowned any ordinary noise we might make in forcing
+our way through the foliage.
+
+Never had a storm, which promised much bodily discomfort, been so warmly
+welcomed by me; never had one been more sadly needed by those who fought
+against the king and his savage followers for the cause of American
+liberty.
+
+It is well known that Indians, like cats, are averse to exposing their
+bodies to rain, and when we set out on the return I had but little fear,
+believing that every one of Thayendanega's followers would be hugging his
+lodge closely, while the Tories would find it difficult to discern us from
+any great distance as we lay prone upon the ground.
+
+Lest I spend too many words in the telling of it, let me say, in short,
+that we gained the thicket without causing an alarm, and, what was really
+strange, made our way through it in a westerly direction for fully a mile
+without meeting any living being.
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney came to a halt, and, taking the corn
+bread from his pocket, began to munch it greedily as he said to me,
+speaking indistinctly because of the fulness of his mouth:
+
+"I reckon, lad, we've passed the Britishers' lines, an' can begin to
+circle southward from this point."
+
+While we were creeping away from the fort, beginning the second journey
+before having had time to rest from the first, I had said to myself again
+and again that it was the act of madmen for us to make any attempt at
+gaining General Herkimer's forces. In the first place there was no real
+necessity for such dangerous labor, because the signal could have been
+given by Colonel Gansevoort at a reasonably early hour next morning, and
+thus our commander would have known that the message was delivered. We
+were risking our lives foolishly, and when the old soldier spoke of making
+a circle from that point, in a tone which told that he was very well
+contented with himself and what he had done, I lost my temper, and
+replied, sharply:
+
+"Ay, we have got through the lines safely because of the storm, which was
+a lucky chance in our favor, and one we could not have foreseen when you
+were so foolish as to propose that we go back to-night."
+
+"It would have pleased you better had we made the attempt to get into the
+fort?"
+
+"Ay, ten times over, for then instead of roaming these woods, taking a
+fool's chances of bein' shot down, we might be comfortable and in safety."
+
+"An' remained there so long as pleased Colonel Gansevoort, for once inside
+that fort we placed ourselves under his command."
+
+"Well, and why not?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"Because it does not please me to linger when there is other work to be
+done."
+
+"But there was no real need of undertakin' this task," I said, with
+irritation.
+
+"Yet it gave us an excuse to which he would listen for leavin', when, had
+we told the truth, I question if he had not tried to stop us."
+
+"Well, what is the truth?" I cried, sharply.
+
+"Is there nothin' in your mind that we are bound to do, now the message
+has been delivered?"
+
+"Do you mean to aid Jacob?" I asked, as a sudden light began to dawn on
+me.
+
+"Ay, lad, all of that. Neither you nor I would have let him gone alone in
+the hopeless task of rescuin' his father, had it not been that duty
+demanded of us to keep our faces turned toward yonder fort. Now we have
+done that which General Herkimer required, we can set out to fulfil our
+duty toward the lad, an' this goin' back on the road to Oriskany is but
+little more than we would be forced to do in order to gain the spot where
+we parted with him, for I'm countin' that he was then near by the place
+where his father is held prisoner."
+
+I could have hugged the old man, but that he might have fancied I had
+lost my senses.
+
+When we parted with Jacob there was no thought in my mind that Sergeant
+Corney had the slightest idea of joining in what was a most desperate
+venture, and I even fancied he felt a certain sense of relief in having
+such a good excuse for not sticking his nose into the Indian encampment.
+But now I understood that all the while he held firm to the determination
+to do whatsoever he might toward aiding Peter Sitz, and I began to feel
+real affection for the noble old man.
+
+Whether we might be able to find Jacob or not, and the chances were that
+he had already been made prisoner, we could say to ourselves that the poor
+lad was not deserted by us in his hour of need, and, if the worst
+happened, it would be no slight satisfaction to us in after years.
+
+The storm increased each moment, and we were soon wetted to the skin, but
+hardly conscious of the discomfort because of the safety which this
+downpour brought to us.
+
+I had never given Sergeant Corney credit for any great knowledge of
+woodcraft, because he came to us from over the seas where his life had
+been spent fighting battles in the open, and could not be expected to cope
+with the savage foe, as did our people who had always been accustomed to
+the skulking methods of warfare practised by the redskins.
+
+Now, however, I was forced to give him credit for being wiser than I in
+the forest, since in the darkness and amid the tumult caused by the wind
+and rain he made the detour as if a broad trail stretched out before him
+under the sunlight, and we half-circled around the fortification, at the
+distance of a mile or more, without varying, so far as could be told, a
+single hair from the true course.
+
+Not until we were come to the trail which led to Oriskany did the old man
+halt, and then it was to say to me:
+
+"From this on I'm allowin' we had better be cautious how we move."
+
+"But surely there is no danger of meetin' any of the savages now," I said,
+like a simple, and he replied, with a laugh:
+
+"True for you, lad; but General Herkimer was to begin an advance on the
+mornin' after we left camp, and he should be nearabout. To run upon his
+sentinels in the darkness might not be agreeable."
+
+From that on, until half an hour had passed, we pressed forward
+cautiously, and well it was that we did so, for suddenly I came upon a
+levelled musket, which would have been discharged but for my crying out
+quickly, as I swerved to one side:
+
+"We are messengers for the general! We are friends!"
+
+"You come from an odd direction if that be true," was the reply, and at
+the same instant a vigorous hand seized me by the shirt-collar.
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney stepped forward, as he asked:
+
+"Are you of General Herkimer's force?"
+
+"How much will it benefit you to get such information?"
+
+"Nay, nay, friend; there is no need of bein' overcautious with us. We are
+two of the three messengers who left camp at Oriskany to go to Fort
+Schuyler, and are now returnin'."
+
+"Returnin'?" the soldier said, for it was indeed one of General Herkimer's
+sentinels whom we had come upon. "It must please you to skulk around among
+the Tories and savages, if, after having once gained the fort, you come
+back."
+
+"That is exactly what we have done, my friend," Sergeant Corney replied,
+gravely, "and for the good reason that Colonel Gansevoort had a message
+for us to deliver to the general. You are right in questioning us, for
+under such situations a soldier had best be overcautious than too
+credulous. But now we ask to be sent to the commander."
+
+"Have you seen any of the enemy near at hand?" the man asked.
+
+"I can swear there are none within half a mile."
+
+"Then come with me," and the sentinel deserted his post to lead us into
+camp, a proceeding which called forth harsh criticisms from Sergeant
+Corney, despite the fact that he was being benefited thereby.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VII.
+
+Insubordination
+
+
+
+It was near to daybreak when we followed the soldier to where General
+Herkimer lay under a shelter of pine boughs; but owing to the storm the
+gloom was quite as profound as at any time during the night.
+
+To my surprise, the general came out from his poor apology for a tent on
+hearing our voices, although we spoke cautiously low, and even then I
+could but ask myself why it was that an experienced soldier such as he was
+not giving more heed to his bodily welfare, for men on the eve of
+encountering a strong enemy surely need all the repose which can be had.
+
+I was soon to understand why the commander slept so lightly, and to learn
+for the first time that even patriots may be insubordinate.
+
+General Herkimer did not at first recognize us in the gloom; but when
+Sergeant Corney made himself known, the leader said, in a tone of bitter
+disappointment:
+
+"Then you did not succeed in getting there?"
+
+"Ay, that we did, sir," the old soldier replied, emphatically; "but
+Colonel Gansevoort had the desire to send a message to you, and we have
+brought it, hopin' to be excused from further duty for a short time."
+
+"What had Gansevoort to say?" General Herkimer asked, impatiently, and
+Sergeant Corney repeated the message twice over, in order that there
+should be no misunderstanding as to its meaning.
+
+"Very well. We will be on the alert if these hotheads can be restrained,"
+the general replied, and his words were a riddle to me until half an hour
+later.
+
+Then he asked what the old soldier meant by wishing to be excused from
+duty, and the sergeant, in the fewest words possible, gave him an account
+of our proceedings since leaving the camp at Oriskany, concluding by
+saying:
+
+"There is no question but that Jacob Sitz will make his way through the
+Indian encampment, if it can be done by any person. Yet the lad is blinded
+by love for his father, an' will take altogether too desperate chances,
+unless there be some one at hand who can restrain him."
+
+"Is it in your mind that the prisoner may be taken out of Thayendanega's
+camp?" General Herkimer exclaimed.
+
+"We do not count on any such good fortune; but follow the lad simply that
+he may know he has not been forgotten. If it so be you need us, sir, we
+will wait until you have gained the fort before making any effort to join
+him."
+
+"No, no, it was not from such motives that I spoke," the general
+interrupted, hastily. "With a force as large as this two men would not
+make much of a count either way. Go where you please, Sergeant Braun, and
+when you are once more at liberty report to me."
+
+"We reckon on resting our legs a bit, sir, before settin' out. You will
+not advance for some time to come, sir?"
+
+"How far do you count we are from the enemy's pickets?"
+
+"Not above two miles, sir."
+
+"Then we shall remain here, unless matters get beyond my control, until
+having heard the signal."
+
+Having made this, to me, odd remark, the commander disappeared from view
+inside the shelter of boughs, and Sergeant Corney led me a dozen yards or
+more from what might by courtesy have been called "headquarters," when he
+halted to say, gravely:
+
+"It appears that things are not just as they should be in this camp, lad."
+
+"How do you mean?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"You heard what the general said?"
+
+"Ay."
+
+"Well, who of his men are making the trouble?"
+
+Before I could so much as make a guess at the proper answer, I must needs
+be told that there was trouble, for, through having failed to understand
+exactly what the commander meant, I had not suspected that there was
+anything serious brewing. But Sergeant Corney, experienced as he was in
+such matters, seemed to know as if he had been informed in so many words
+that insubordination was rife in the camp, and at a time when it was in
+the highest degree necessary the men should move in harmony.
+
+Since I could not even so much as hazard a guess, the old man, forgetting
+his weariness and the need of gaining repose, led me out to where he had
+been halted by the sentinel, and, finding him at his post, began his
+investigations by saying:
+
+"We two have just come from Fort Schuyler, an' knowin' full well how
+strong a force is in front of the place, have a better idea of the kind of
+work in hand than you who haven't seen the enemy."
+
+"Did the general send you over here to tell me that?" the man asked, in a
+certain tone of irritation, and Sergeant Corney replied, soothingly:
+
+"Not a bit of it, my friend; but while we were having an interview with
+the commander it struck me that matters here were not just as pleasant as
+they should be, an' instead of awakenin' some one who might need more
+slumber, we thought to come to you for an explanation."
+
+"Of what?"
+
+"That we cannot say; but there is a question I would ask you, as between
+man and man, for mayhap the lives of us all depend upon the general sense
+of good fellowship. Tell me plainly, is there insubordination in the
+camp?"
+
+"I know not if you may call it by that name," the sentinel said, somewhat
+moodily; "but certain it is we would have relieved the fort four and
+twenty hours ago had General Herkimer not held us back. With such a force
+as we have here, it cannot be a hard matter to do about as we please. Look
+you," the man continued, growing more confidential, "the general has no
+less than eight hundred men under his command, and what may not a company
+of that number do?"
+
+"Very much, my friend; but your eight hundred would be weak indeed unless
+the advance was made at the proper time and in a soldierly fashion. So
+your people have been complaining because the commander holds them back?"
+
+"Ay, and with good cause. When Colonels Cox and Paris say openly that it
+is cowardly for us to loiter here, surely there must be some reason in
+their words. A full third of this force believe we should have come in
+front of Fort Schuyler yesterday mornin', an' think you all those can be
+mistaken, an' only General Herkimer stand in the right?"
+
+"Then it _is_ insubordination!" Sergeant Corney said, sadly, and the
+sentinel replied, angrily:
+
+"It is only common sense and a desire to aid the Cause. If we are eager to
+begin a battle which will drive the Tories and their painted allies from
+the valley, surely that man is a criminal who would hold us back."
+
+"If you had been where this lad and I have just come from, able to see
+what was seen by us, you would talk in a different strain," the old
+soldier said, hotly. "Why, man, Colonel Gansevoort himself sent us back to
+request that you remain here until he signals, so that everything may be
+prepared for your comin', and we, knowin' how important it was you delay
+until the proper moment, risked our lives twenty times over in the effort
+to bring the word."
+
+"Then Colonel Gansevoort is as great a coward as General Herkimer, for we
+are of sufficient strength to march whithersoever we will."
+
+Sergeant Corney turned as if to go, and then suddenly wheeling upon the
+sentinel, said:
+
+"I do not read my Bible, as a man should; but yet I remember that in it
+can be found these words: 'Fools die for want of wisdom,' an' I'm
+allowin', my friend, if you have any desire to linger in this 'ere world,
+that you take the statement home mighty strong."
+
+With this cutting remark, which for a moment I feared would provoke a
+downright quarrel, Sergeant Corney strode off into the darkness, I
+following meekly at his heels.
+
+"Surely there can be nothing which would work harm in this desire of the
+men to go forward," I said, when the sergeant had come to a halt,
+throwing himself down under a tree as if to rest. "It should be a good
+sign when soldiers are eager to go into battle."
+
+"Insubordination, wherever you find it, is the most dangerous condition of
+affairs that can be figgered out. When a man puts himself under a leader,
+whether to fight or to till the land, an' then sets up his opinions
+against those of the one who is supposed to know best, else he wouldn't be
+in command, matters have come to a mighty dangerous pass. Instead of
+helpin' the men inside the fort, this regiment is likely to bring them to
+grief, unless things are changed, an' that right soon. Now get what sleep
+you can, lad, before the encampment is astir," the old man added, changing
+his tone very suddenly, and before I could obey he drew out his rifle from
+the hiding-place where he had left it when we set off for the fort.
+
+I laid myself down by his side; but it was not to sleep, for I realized
+that the old soldier would not have spoken in such a tone unless matters,
+according to his belief, had been in a most serious condition.
+
+I was still speculating upon the situation, sorrowing because the men
+would, at such a time, while the lives of so many depended upon concerted
+action, set up their individual opinions against those who had been put in
+authority over them, when a bustle on every side told that the soldiers
+were awakening to a day of noble struggle for their country, or worse
+than criminal bickerings.
+
+If Sergeant Corney had really closed his eyes in slumber, which I doubted,
+he was now awakened by the many noises, and a plan of action must have
+been presented to him in his dreams, for he spoke like one who is
+determined upon some decided course, as he said to me:
+
+"Now, lad, we'll fill ourselves up with one good hearty meal, if it so be
+this mutinously inclined army has a proper store of provisions, and then
+it is for us to decide whether we stay among those who are like to come to
+grief if they have their own way, or push out for ourselves."
+
+I did not understand fully what he meant; but it was sufficient for me
+that he was no longer in doubt as to what was best, and right willingly
+did I obey his orders, for my stomach was uncomfortably empty.
+
+There was no lack of food in this command which seemed to be divided
+against itself, and the breakfast would have been to me most enjoyable but
+for the sauce with which it was served.
+
+Every man's tongue was loosened as if its owner was the only man amid all
+the company who knew exactly which was the wisest course to pursue, and I
+dare venture to say never a commander had under him at a critical moment,
+such as this certainly was, so many pig-headed recruits.
+
+Only once during the brief meal was Sergeant Corney asked for
+information, although the word had passed around the encampment that he
+and I were but just come from Fort Schuyler, and then it was that the old
+soldier gave those insubordinate men such a tongue-lashing as they
+deserved and I dare say had never before received; but, storm as he might,
+it seemed as if all the arguments he brought up in favor of General
+Herkimer's carrying out the plans suggested by Colonel Gansevoort, only
+served to make those imitation soldiers more fixed in their opinions.
+
+And for all this unseemly wrangling, when it was almost a crime to raise
+one's voice against an order of the commander, I lay the blame upon the
+two colonels, Cox and Paris, who, instead of holding their men firmly in
+check, as was their duty, openly declared that General Herkimer was in the
+wrong; thus fomenting what promised to be a most serious disturbance, and
+what was finally paid for over and over again in blood.
+
+It was perhaps half an hour after daybreak when Colonel Cox, the same
+officer who by injudicious use of his tongue had well-nigh compassed the
+death of us all during the powwow with Thayendanega, approached General
+Herkimer while the latter was walking slowly around the encampment as if
+on a tour of inspection, and said, in a tone so loud that all in the
+vicinity might hear it:
+
+"Are we to go forward, sir, as men should who set out to relieve a
+besieged fort, or must we loiter here until the enemy has worked his
+will?"
+
+For an instant the general made no reply, and Sergeant Corney whispered to
+me, angrily:
+
+"That man deserves to be shot, an' all the more so because he is high in
+command. I've seen troops in many a tight place durin' my life, but never
+before heard any thin' that quite come up to that."
+
+When, after a pause of fully a moment, General Herkimer spoke, it was to
+ask:
+
+"Do you know that messengers have come from Gansevoort, asking that we
+hold our hands until he shall give the signal?"
+
+"I have heard that it is pretended such a message has come," Colonel Cox
+replied, in a most offensive tone, and I could see Sergeant Corney
+clenching his fists tightly, as if thereby the better to hold himself in
+check, for surely were we two entitled to make reply to such an implied
+accusation.
+
+"The garrison will make a sortie immediately after giving the signal, and
+we can thus go into action with some hope of success," General Herkimer
+said, mildly and firmly. "To advance before Gansevoort is ready would be
+to imperil the lives of all this command."
+
+"Speaking more particularly for yourself, sir, I suppose," Colonel Paris
+said, with a sneer, and it would have given me the greatest pleasure to
+have struck him down for that insult.
+
+Then the three officers, still disputing, or, I should have said, the two
+colonels still insulting their commander, who continued to bear with them
+beyond that point where forbearance ceases to be a virtue, passed out of
+earshot for the time being, and the men in the immediate vicinity took up
+the subject, until, to my surprise, I found that nearly all of them sided
+with the insubordinate colonels.
+
+Five minutes later the three officers had approached so near where
+Sergeant Corney and I were sitting that we could hear their words once
+more, and then, to my indignation and the old soldier's anger, Colonel Cox
+cried, in a fury, as he planted himself directly in front of the
+commander:
+
+"You are not only a coward, sir, but a Tory!"
+
+I shall always hold that General Herkimer was a brave man, because, after
+a severe effort which was evident to us all, he so far mastered his
+righteous anger as to say, quietly:
+
+"I am placed over you as a father and guardian, and shall not lead you
+into difficulties from which I may not be able to extricate you."
+
+Unless the soldiers of the command had been literally beside themselves,
+such words would have brought them to a proper frame of mind; but as it
+was, the temperate reply seemed to inflame their anger, and on the moment
+there was a very babel of outcries, amid which it was only possible to
+distinguish the demand that the force be led toward Fort Schuyler without
+delay, regardless of any message which the sergeant and I might have
+brought.
+
+I could see, rather than hear, for the tumult was exceeding great, that
+the two colonels continued to demand that the commander follow their plans
+rather than adhere to his own, and it was a veritable fishwoman's squabble
+during twenty minutes or more, when General Herkimer apparently lost his
+temper for the first time, and cried, in a tone so loud that the words
+could be distinctly heard all over the encampment:
+
+"I will give the command to march forward, and you shall soon see that
+those who have been boasting loudest of their courage will be the first to
+run on meeting the enemy."
+
+"I was afraid it would come to that," Sergeant Corney whispered to me,
+with a sigh. "It don't stand to reason that any man could hold his temper
+a great while under such a tongue-lashin' as those curs gave the
+commander, an' I'm predictin' that every mother's son of 'em will rue this
+mornin's work."
+
+Immediately the unwilling permission for them to do as they pleased had
+been given, the men set about making ready for the advance as if each
+moment was of the greatest value, and in an incredibly short time after
+General Herkimer had been bullied into agreeing to that which his better
+judgment told him to be wrong, the company was ready for the march.
+
+"Are we to go with them?" I asked of the sergeant, believing for the
+moment that it would be wiser for us to form an independent command of
+two.
+
+"Ay, lad, I'm thinkin' that we had best stand by the general, for he may
+be needin' us before this mornin's work is done, an' we sha'n't be takin'
+a great deal of time from Jacob, because, in case of arrivin' before
+Colonel Gansevoort is ready for us, the scrimmage will soon be over."
+
+The two colonels, who were responsible for this unsoldierly method of
+conducting a campaign, busied themselves with getting the men into lines,
+and all the while telling what it was possible for them to do to St. Leger
+and his force, as if anything of value could be done when the idiots did
+not have sufficient sense to make inquiries of those who could give them
+full information regarding the strength of the enemy whom they were so
+soon to meet.
+
+Even had Sergeant Corney not decided to follow the commander before the
+line of march had been arranged, he would have done so later, because
+General Herkimer beckoned us to approach when he took his place at the
+head of the column.
+
+"Are you counting on coming with me, despite the unnecessary danger which
+we know will be encountered?" he asked, and Sergeant Corney replied,
+promptly:
+
+"Ay, sir, that we are, and had already settled it in our own minds."
+
+"Which portion of the besieging troops are we likely to meet first, if we
+follow the trail?" the general asked.
+
+"Thayendanega's camp lies southeasterly from the fort; but how far it may
+be from the trail, I cannot say."
+
+At this moment the report of a rifle from the direction of where the
+outermost sentinels were stationed startled every one, including those
+bloodthirsty colonels, and for a moment all stood silent and motionless,
+waiting to learn the cause of the alarm.
+
+Then it was that the sentinel with whom the sergeant and I had already
+spoken, came running into camp, for it seemed a favorite trick of his to
+desert a post of duty whenever inclination prompted.
+
+It was Colonel Cox who asked, advancing:
+
+"Did you fire that gun?"
+
+"Ay, sir; I saw two Indians in the thicket, coming as if from the
+direction of this camp."
+
+"Did you kill either of them?"
+
+"I do not think I even scratched 'em. The wood is too dense for much good
+shooting."
+
+Colonel Cox wheeled around as if the information was of no especial
+importance, when even a boy like me understood somewhat of its import,
+and, carelessly saluting the commander, reported that the troops were
+ready for the word to march.
+
+The general, who was mounted, spurred his horse on to the head of the
+column, Sergeant Corney and I following as best we might, and once in the
+lead he gave the command.
+
+"Is nothing to be done toward finding out whether the Indians whom the
+sentinel saw, succeeded in getting back to their own camp?" I asked of my
+companion, and he replied, grimly, with what was very like a smile of
+satisfaction on his wrinkled face:
+
+"These officers who have so much wind to spare in camp cannot afford the
+time to consider such trifles as a few scouts skulkin' around to make
+certain of what we are doin'."
+
+"An' we are like to find ourselves ambushed!" I cried, in dismay.
+
+"Ay, that's what we are, lad, an' I'm thinkin' there will be no way out of
+the difficulty until some of these insubordinates are killed off, which
+will be greatly to the advantage of the command, accordin' to my way of
+thinkin'."
+
+I will set down here that which I read in a book several years after the
+day Sergeant Corney and I followed General Herkimer on what we believed to
+be a most ill-advised and hazardous march, in view of Colonel Gansevoort's
+request, and from the words it will be seen that I am not the only person
+who lays blame of all that happened upon those loud-mouthed, imitation
+soldiers who were so soon to show themselves cowards.
+
+"The morning was dark, sultry, and lowering. General Herkimer's troops,
+composed chiefly of the militia regiments of Colonels Cox, Paris,
+Visscher, and Klock, were quite undisciplined, and their order of march
+was irregular and without precaution. The contentions of the morning had
+delayed their advance until about nine o'clock, and the hard feelings
+which existed between the commander and some of his officers caused a
+degree of insubordination which proved fatal in its consequences.... A
+deep ravine crossed the path of Herkimer in a north and south direction,
+extending from the high grounds on the south to the river, and curving
+toward the east in semicircular form. The bottom of this ravine was
+marshy, and the road crossed it by means of a causeway of earth and logs.
+On each side of the ravine the ground was nearly level, and heavily
+timbered. A thick growth of underwood, particularly along the margin of
+the ravine, favored the concealment of the enemy."
+
+All the colonels of this small army were on horseback, a fact which caused
+me no little astonishment, for I had heard my uncle say again and again,
+and there can be no question but that he was a brave and skilful soldier,
+that the man who went in the saddle to meet savages was courting his own
+death.
+
+So great was my indignation against these men who had badgered the
+commander that I mentally hugged myself with delight because of their
+folly, not only in thus riding, but in moving the column without scouts
+ahead to learn the whereabouts of the enemy, or to ascertain what might be
+in front of, or on either side of them.
+
+It is true that Colonel Visscher's regiment was detailed as a rear-guard,
+and I question if even such a precaution would have been taken but for the
+fact that the provision and ammunition wagons, which were not able to move
+at as rapid a pace as the men, needed something in the way of protection.
+
+It was not until we had advanced half a mile or more that I bethought
+myself of the position in the column which Sergeant Corney and I occupied
+because of attempting to follow General Herkimer closely.
+
+In event of an ambush being prepared for our reception, and I confidently
+expected that such would be the case after the sentinel had seen Indians
+lurking nearabout the camp, we two would be in a most dangerous position,
+and I made mention of that which was in my mind to the sergeant.
+
+"Ay, lad, you may be right, an' yet I am questionin' whether we shall be
+any worse off here than further in the rear, for if it so be
+Thayendanega's sneaks count on ambushin' us, I can tell you to a dot just
+where it'll be done. They will let this gang of men--you can't call 'em
+soldiers after what we have seen--get well into the ravine before makin'
+any attack. Consequently it will be about the centre of the line that
+suffers most."
+
+"You mean that if trouble comes it will be at the ravine over which is
+the causeway?"
+
+"Ay, lad, an' there's no question about our gettin' it hot there!"
+
+
+
+
+Chapter VIII.
+
+The Ambush
+
+
+
+I am willing to confess that I grew more and more frightened as we neared
+the ravine, and but for the disgraceful scenes of insubordination which
+occurred earlier in the morning, I would have cried out against the folly
+of thus going blindly into such trap as Thayendanega's murderers had
+probably prepared for us.
+
+As it was, however, I would not let these mutinous men who called
+themselves soldiers see that we from Cherry Valley would question a
+commander's orders, whatever might be the situation, and I held my peace,
+but with much effort and inward fear.
+
+There was little attempt made by these representatives of the Tryon County
+militia to hold in military formation during the march, each man trying to
+outstrip his neighbor, as if this advance upon a foe of superior strength
+could have no more serious consequences than that some might be left
+behind, and when one of the company came up to my side with words of
+complaint because the general would not move faster than a walk, I said,
+angrily:
+
+"It can make but little difference if you are not killed at the first
+volley, for the savages will have ample time to finish us all off after we
+have walked into their trap."
+
+"So you are one of the weak-kneed, eh?" the man cried, with a sneer, and
+my anger was too great to permit of my making reply; but Sergeant Corney,
+who had heard the insulting words, said, sharply:
+
+"You may talk to that lad about bein' weak-kneed after you have shown the
+courage he has within the past four an' twenty hours. You an' your
+mutinous comrades prate loudly of bravery when there is no enemy in sight;
+but I'll lay odds that not one out of an hundred like you would dare go
+alone from here to the fort!"
+
+"Oh, you are the messengers who claim that Colonel Gansevoort asked us to
+remain idle until he should give the signal, eh?" the fellow said, in an
+offensive tone, and Sergeant Corney raised his rifle clubwise, as if to
+strike him down, but held his hand as he said, slowly, and in a tone which
+was full of menace:
+
+"But that you are already so near your death at the hands of the enemy, I
+would make certain you never again questioned my word! We did go to the
+fort, while you were engaged in the manly sport of badgerin' your
+commander, an old soldier who knows his business, an' had you been with us
+it is certain you'd never made the attempt to get back. Go on to your
+death, you fool, an' I'll hope it don't come so soon but that you'll have
+time to realize you did all in your power to bring it about the more
+speedily."
+
+By this time we were well within the ravine which has already been
+described, and the old soldier had hardly ceased speaking when from amid
+the foliage ahead and on every side came a circle of fire like unto the
+lightning's flash, followed by the crackling of firearms, which served to
+drown the death-cries from every portion of our lines.
+
+We had marched like children into the ambush, and on the instant a blind
+rage took possession of me because I had followed the mutineers when I
+knew full well to what they were hastening.
+
+Even as the flashes of light sprang out from among the leaves, I saw
+Colonel Cox, he who was responsible for all that flood of death, leap high
+in the air, only to fall back dead, and at the same moment General
+Herkimer's horse reared and screamed in a death-agony.
+
+It was as if every second man of the command fell before that withering
+fire, and in the midst of the tumult of groans, screams, and savage
+war-whoops could be heard shouts behind us, telling that the rear-guard,
+who a few moments previous were prating of their bravery, had turned and
+fled like cowards that they were.
+
+More than the rear-guard would have beat a retreat at that moment, but for
+the fact that the baggage-wagons hemmed us in so that flight was
+well-nigh impossible.
+
+It seemed as if I lived a full hour during the terrible ten seconds that
+elapsed after the first volley was fired by the hidden foe, and then I
+heard Sergeant Corney crying in my ear, his voice sounding as if afar off:
+
+"It is for you an' I, lad, to look after the general! He is wounded!"
+
+Then it was that I realized the commander was pinned to the earth by his
+dead horse, and, without being really conscious of my movements, I ran to
+his side.
+
+The old soldier and I had no more than bent over General Herkimer to learn
+how we could best release him from his dangerous position, when a second
+volley came from amid the foliage, and those alleged soldiers of the
+command who were yet alive ran wildly to and fro like frightened chickens,
+seeking some way of escape, rather than standing up like men to battle for
+their own lives.
+
+Without really seeing it, I was conscious that all this was taking place
+around us, and then I heard Sergeant Corney say to the general, in a
+matter-of-fact tone:
+
+"That's a bad wound in your knee, sir."
+
+"Ay, but there's no time to think of ourselves just now. The cowards must
+be brought to their senses, or every one of them will be shot down," was
+the reply of the man whom his own soldiers had taunted with cowardice not
+an hour previous.
+
+Acting under Sergeant Corney's commands, for the old man was as cool as if
+he had been born amid just such scenes of carnage, I helped raise the body
+of the horse until it was possible for General Herkimer to roll himself
+out from beneath the dead animal, and, while we worked to aid him, the
+commander was crying to his men to stand firm if they would save their own
+lives.
+
+"Rally, there!" he shouted, yet lying, unable to move, upon the ground.
+"Stand firm, and we yet have a good chance of holding our own!"
+
+All the while Sergeant Corney and I worked over him he continued to cheer
+the frightened men, until, by the time we had dragged him to where he
+could sit upright with his back against a huge tree, placing his saddle
+beneath him to serve as a prop, the men were beginning to understand that
+the only chance for life was to fight desperately.
+
+The wagons in the rear, and the horde of savages which had closed in upon
+us, prevented any save those who had first fled, from retreating, and by
+the time a full third of the command had been killed or disabled, the
+remainder understood that it would be well to turn to the man they had so
+lately reviled, for possible safety.
+
+Sergeant Corney and I gave no heed to what was going on around us until we
+had bound up the general's knee in such a manner that there was no longer
+danger he would bleed to death, and when this had been done I noted that
+our people had taken shelter behind the trees, where they could strike a
+blow in their own defence.
+
+The Indians, understanding that the first daze of terror had passed away,
+leaving their intended victims in condition to do considerable execution,
+fell back a short distance to where they could find shelter, and thus,
+thanks to General Herkimer, it was no longer a massacre, but a battle.
+
+When Sergeant Corney and I had done all we could to render the commander
+more comfortable, we took our share in the fight, remaining close beside
+General Herkimer meanwhile, lest the Indians make an attempt to take him
+prisoner.
+
+Within half an hour from the time the first volley had been fired, our
+people were doing good execution, and yet the enemy's line was closing in
+upon us slowly but surely.
+
+"Tire 'em out, lads!" the general shouted, encouragingly. "You never yet
+saw a painted snake who could take much punishment, an' it's only a
+question of holding your own awhile longer. Make every bullet count, for,
+although we have ammunition in plenty, there is no good reason why we
+should waste any."
+
+Then the commander, most likely in order to set his men an example of
+coolness, rather than because he needed the fumes of tobacco, quietly
+lighted his pipe, and, seeing this, our people cheered at the same time
+they shot down every feather-bedecked form that was exposed to view.
+
+[Illustration: "'Tire 'em out, lads!' the General shouted"]
+
+A few moments later General Herkimer gave the word that our force form a
+circle, in order to meet the foe at every point, and after this had been
+done the enemy were the better held in check.
+
+Even at the moment I was surprised when I found myself thinking of the
+danger to which Jacob must be exposed, rather than of my own desperate
+plight. While on the alert for a living target, I speculated whether he
+was yet free, and if he had discovered the whereabouts of his father.
+
+I had no idea as to the flight of time, and could not have told whether we
+had spent ten minutes or sixty in that struggle for life, when, without
+warning, the floodgates of heaven were opened. The rain came down
+literally in torrents; it seemed as if the water descended in solid sheets
+rather than drops, and, no matter how bloodthirsty a man might have been,
+he could no more have continued the battle than if he had been neck-deep
+in the river.
+
+Savages as well as white men were forced to cease their efforts to kill,
+and for a time we crouched beneath such poor shelter as the trees
+afforded, but drenched to the skin in a twinkling.
+
+General Herkimer was in no better plight than those who were the most
+exposed. The fire in his pipe was drowned out; but he continued to hold it
+between his teeth as he said, in a low tone, to Sergeant Corney:
+
+"Pass the word quietly for our people to close in where it will be
+possible to hear what I say. Thus far I've noted that the savages have
+watched until a rifle has been discharged, when they rush up and use their
+hatchets. We can put an end to that kind of butchery."
+
+The old soldier did as he had been bidden, moving to and fro without fear
+of exposing himself, for the downpour was so great that no man could have
+loaded a musket with dry powder, and even while the storm continued the
+circle was contracted until the commander was enclosed by a living hedge.
+
+Then it was that orders were given for the men to take their stations in
+couples, and, when one had discharged his rifle, the other was to wait
+until the Indians came up to kill the supposedly defenceless soldier, when
+a second bullet would be ready for them.
+
+Much to my surprise, I heard General Herkimer say that a full hour had
+elapsed from the time the first volley had been fired, and it stiffened
+the courage of all to learn that we had been able to hold the foe in check
+so long.
+
+Immediately the summer storm had so far sub-sided that the weapons could
+be loaded, the battle was continued, raging with even more fury than
+before, as the enemy tried to overwhelm us by a sudden rush, and in a very
+few seconds the painted fiends came to understand that it was no longer an
+easy matter to tomahawk a man immediately after he had fired a shot.
+
+When the savages found that their tactics were guarded against, it seemed
+as if they lost courage, and gradually fell back a little, having had
+quite as much of Whig marksmanship as was pleasing.
+
+Because we could no longer see as many targets before us, the fire was
+slackened considerably, and then some one on the outer lines of our
+defensive circle shouted:
+
+"They are bringin' up the Tories! Here come the Johnson Greens!"
+
+Although I was standing well in the centre of our force, it was possible
+to see the uniforms of that band of renegades which Sir John had armed and
+equipped that they might kill their neighbors, as the men came up to take
+the place of the retreating redskins, and, if anything had been needed to
+stiffen the backs of our people, surely they got it when seeing those whom
+they had once called friends, moving into line to compass their death.
+
+I had thought that the men under General Herkimer's command fought bravely
+after the cowards were weeded out, and those who were left understood
+that, but for the mutiny in camp, the ambush would not have been
+successful; but now they seemed like veritable tigers as the Tories came
+into the battle.
+
+There was no longer any thought of fighting from behind trees, but each
+man pushed forward intent only on vanquishing the renegades, until none
+save Sergeant Corney and I were left to guard our wounded commander.
+
+I will set down here that account of the battle from this point, which I
+found some time since in a book containing the story of the fight in the
+ravine, sometimes called the Battle of Oriskany:
+
+"Major Watts came up with a detachment of Johnson's Greens to support them
+(the savages), but the presence of these men, mostly refugees from the
+Mohawk, made the patriots more furious, and mutual resentments, as the
+parties faced and recognized each other, seemed to give new strength to
+their arms. They leaped upon each other with the fierceness of tigers, and
+fought hand to hand and foot to foot with bayonets and knives."
+
+While this portion of the battle was at its height, we suddenly heard the
+reports of firearms from the direction of the fort, and my heart leaped
+into my throat, for I understood that Colonel Gansevoort was making the
+sortie for which we should have waited.
+
+Nor was I the only one who thus realized that the Britishers and their
+painted allies were at the end of their rope, so far as this fight in the
+ravine was concerned, for our people pressed the foe yet more hotly, and
+in a short time the savages raised the cry of "Oonah! Oonah!" which told
+that they had had enough of the battle.
+
+So far as my experience goes, and I have had considerable from first to
+last, Indians are only brave when they have the advantage; but, let the
+tide turn against them, and they are veriest cowards.
+
+Hemmed in as we were, our ranks thinned by death and the desertion of the
+rear-guard, it should have been possible for the enemy to cut us down to a
+man, and yet the retreating cry of the savages sufficed to send all that
+force back to the encampment, leaving us in possession of the field, even
+though we might not rightly be called victors.
+
+Some of our people, upon whom the fever of battle had fastened more
+firmly, would have pursued the cowards, even though it might have been to
+come directly upon the main army, who were then, doubtless, engaged in
+checking the sortie from the fort; but General Herkimer sent a squad of
+the cooler soldiers after them, with the result that the valiant Johnson
+Greens were allowed to continue their retreat unmolested.
+
+And it was high time we had a breathing-spell. More than two hundred of
+General Herkimer's force lay dead among the trees, while even a larger
+number were so seriously wounded as to be unable to defend themselves,
+therefore it was impossible for us to act in concert with those who were
+making the sortie, and the commander issued orders to fall back.
+
+The contents of the baggage-wagons were thrown out to make room for our
+wounded, and, while the uproar of the battle near the fort rang in our
+ears, we retreated from that valley of death.
+
+Now those who had raised their voices against the general, accusing him of
+cowardice, did all within their power to make atonement by their care of
+him, and willing hands bore him on a litter that he might be spared the
+pain of transportation in the lumbering wagons.
+
+It was a sorry train that left the ravine, not stopping to bury the dead
+because of the certainty that St. Leger's army would come to finish the
+bloody work as soon as the force from the fort had been driven back, and
+when it was in motion Sergeant Corney gripped me by the arm, as he said:
+
+"Our road is not in that direction, lad. Yonder men may take the repose
+which they do not deserve after havin' brought about all this disaster;
+but we must face danger once more, an' perhaps for the last time."
+
+"Meanin' that we're to go back in search of Jacob?" I asked, feeling for
+the moment as if it would be impossible for me to voluntarily turn my face
+in the direction of the enemy, now that I was no longer animated by the
+fever of battle.
+
+"Ay, lad, our duty is now toward him, havin' done all we may under General
+Herkimer's command. As I figger it, we're free to do as we choose, for we
+can no longer aid those who are goin' back when, but for rankest mutiny,
+they might have entered the fort amid the cheers of victory. If Colonel
+Gansevoort is forced to surrender, it can all be set down to the credit
+of those who howled so loudly this mornin' that they could march straight
+through the enemy's lines."
+
+"There is little hope we can find Jacob after so long a time has passed,"
+I said, thinking of the perils that must necessarily await us while we
+tried to make our way through Thayendanega's camp.
+
+"I grant you that, lad, an' yet we are bound to make the venture, or let
+it be said that we deserted a comrade when he needed us."
+
+"We did that same when we pressed on toward the fort," I suggested,
+feebly.
+
+"Ay, an' because we were in duty bound to carry the general's message. Now
+that work has been done, we are free."
+
+I could not well say anything more against his plan without laying myself
+open to a charge of cowardice,--and at that moment I really was a
+coward,--therefore I stood ready to follow him.
+
+There were provisions in plenty strewn on the ground, having been thrown
+out of the wagons to make room for the wounded, and from such store
+Sergeant Corney gathered up as much as would serve us during four and
+twenty hours.
+
+This we stuffed into the pockets of our shirts; filled our powder-horns
+and bullet-pouches from the ammunition on the dead bodies, and then we
+were ready to leave that valley of death.
+
+All this while it was possible to hear the din of that battle which was
+being fought near the fort; but as we advanced it became evident that the
+conflict was subsiding.
+
+It would have been folly for the besieged to do other than beat a retreat,
+when it could be seen that General Herkimer's men were not in a position
+to take advantage of the sortie, and as soon as might be the brave fellows
+sought the shelter of the fort once more, leaving twenty of their comrades
+between the lines as victims of the mutiny among the Tryon County
+militiamen.
+
+Much to my surprise, Sergeant Corney appeared sadly disappointed when the
+tumult of battle died away, and I asked if he believed that the people
+from the fort should have made an attempt to inflict more punishment upon
+the enemy.
+
+"Not a bit of it, lad," the old soldier replied, promptly. "They have
+already done more than could have been expected; but yet I had a hope that
+the scrimmage would have lasted a bit longer."
+
+"Why?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"Because we stand a better chance of circlin' around to where we left
+Jacob, while the villains have somethin' to keep 'em busy. Now there's no
+longer any need to fight, they'll likely keep sharper watch. Yet I count
+that Peter Sitz, if they haven't killed him already, has a bigger show of
+livin' a spell longer than he had last night."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because it stands to reason that Thayendanega's beauties have taken more
+than one prisoner, an' will have a better supply of livin' material for
+the stake than before. Peter may be lucky enough to keep his hair a spell
+longer; but there'll be many a poor wretch who'll taste of torture this
+night."
+
+"An' perhaps Jacob may be one of them!" I cried, in an agony of
+apprehension, and from that moment it was not necessary the old soldier
+urge me forward, for I burned with the desire to do all I might to find
+our comrade before it should be too late.
+
+When we left the ravine in search of the lad, it was necessary we advance
+over much the same course as when we carried General Herkimer's message,
+and it was slightly in our favor that we knew fairly well at how great a
+distance from the general encampment of the enemy we must keep in order to
+avoid running into the Indians.
+
+Then, again, it seemed probable we had a better chance of making our way
+around this circle than when we first traversed it, because just at this
+time Thayendanega's villains had received such a drubbing at the hands of
+the patriots as would most likely prevent them from having any keen desire
+to come upon more white men.
+
+It was also probable, as Sergeant Corney had suggested, that they had
+taken a number of prisoners during the fight with the garrison of the
+fort, as well as at the ravine, and the murderous scoundrels would be so
+occupied with making preparations for torturing such poor unfortunates as
+to neglect their duties as St. Leger's allies.
+
+When I had thus viewed the situation, it did not appear such a difficult
+matter for us to gain a station to the southward of Thayendanega's
+encampment; but coming across Jacob was quite a different proposition.
+Finding a needle in a hay-stack seemed much more simple than running upon
+a lad who was doing his best to remain hidden from view, unless,
+perchance, he had already been captured.
+
+"It ain't any easy job, figger as you will," Sergeant Corney said, when I
+had put the situation before him from my point of view. "But I'm reckonin'
+that we're goin' to come somewhere near succeedin'. We can count on doin'
+pretty much as we please from now till to-morrow mornin', providin' we
+don't stick our noses into the camps of the Britishers or Tories, for you
+can set it down as a fact that every red-faced wretch will have
+considerable on hand this night. The only trouble will be that we may have
+to keep within cover while they're torturin' some poor fellow under our
+very shadows. You'll have to keep in mind that Peter an' Jacob Sitz are
+the only white men we're after, an' shut both eyes an' ears to every one
+else."
+
+"Suppose Jacob has been made prisoner? Would you risk your life to save
+him?"
+
+The old man made no reply until I had repeated the question, and then he
+said, slowly:
+
+"If there was any show of bein' able to work the trick, you could count
+on me to the end; but if he _has_ fallen into their clutches, unless some
+wonderfully big turn of affairs comes in our path, we would be only
+throwin' away the lives of both without chance of helpin' him. I've heard
+long-tongued boasters tellin' how they'd rescued a prisoner from an Indian
+camp, but I never believed anything of the kind, for it ain't to be done
+more'n one time in a thousand, an' then you'd have to find a lot of
+red-skinned idjuts to work on."
+
+Sergeant Corney had used a good many words in replying to my short
+question, and I believed he had done so to the end that I might not fully
+understand what he meant.
+
+As I made it out, however, he would turn his back on poor Jacob in case
+the savages had him in their power, and I asked myself again and again
+what course I should pursue in such a situation.
+
+We made a long detour around the battle-field in order to avoid as much as
+possible the danger of stumbling upon the enemy's scouts, and, when the
+afternoon was half-spent, had come, as nearly as we could guess, to a
+point due south from Thayendanega's camp.
+
+"How far do you reckon we are from St. Leger's force?" I asked, when
+Sergeant Corney threw himself on the ground within shelter of a clump of
+bushes, as if for a long halt.
+
+"Three miles or more from their lines of sentinels, if they've got any
+out, an' we're none too far away, 'cordin' to my figgerin'. After sunset
+we'll work in toward 'em; but there needn't be any hurry, for I'm
+reckonin' that we don't want to do much work till after midnight. If Jacob
+is still free to do as he pleases, there's little danger he'll come to
+grief 'twixt now an' mornin'."
+
+"Unless he should see them torturin' his father, an' then it's certain
+he'd make a fight, no matter how great the odds against him," I suggested,
+thinking of what I would be tempted to do under similar circumstances.
+
+"In that case we're better off where we are. I don't allow that a lad has
+any right to deliberately throw away his own life, an' that's what Jacob
+would be doin' if he showed himself when the villains had his father at
+the stake."
+
+"He couldn't stand still an' see it done."
+
+"True for you; but, no matter how he might feel, it's his duty to think of
+his mother, an' surely she would say that it was better one came home,
+than for both to be killed."
+
+"It's a mighty hard outlook," I said, with a sigh.
+
+"You're right, an' at the same time you ain't makin' matters any better by
+chewin' it over. A man don't fit himself for a fight by figgerin' out all
+the possible horrors."
+
+"An' you think we'll have a fight before this venture is ended?"
+
+"I'll leave it to you if somethin' of the kind don't seem reasonable,"
+the old man replied, grimly, and then he set about making a dinner from
+the supply of provisions we had found in the ravine.
+
+After that I made no more effort to keep up a conversation, and tried very
+hard to force from my mind any speculations regarding Jacob and his
+father, but with poor success. It seemed as if every subject had some
+bearing upon the matter, and so disagreeable was the constant harking back
+to what was beyond my control, that I really felt glad when the shadows of
+night began to lengthen, for almost any kind of action was better than
+remaining there in hiding, eating one's heart out.
+
+Sergeant Corney gave no sign that he realized night had come, until I
+called his attention to the fact, and then he said:
+
+"Ay, lad, the time is drawin' nigh; but I reckon that we'll be wise to
+hold on as we are a spell longer."
+
+Then he lay back as if bent on going to sleep, and I held my peace,
+determined to say no more even though he remained there until sunrise.
+
+It must have been ten o'clock before he showed signs of life, and then he
+rose to his feet as he said:
+
+"I allow that we'd better be movin', though there ain't any great need of
+hurryin'. We'll be able to cover three miles in an hour, an' even then be
+a bit early for good work."
+
+"How will you set about findin' Jacob?" I asked, giving words to the
+question which had been in my mind ever since we came to a halt.
+
+"Our only chance is to keep movin' nearabout Thayendanega's camp, an'
+trustin' to accident for comin' across him."
+
+Sergeant Corney strapped his rifle on his back, as if believing he would
+have no use for it; but he made certain his knife was loose in its sheath,
+and I understood that if we had trouble it would be at close quarters.
+
+At last we were ready, and this time the sergeant did not propose that I
+lead the way.
+
+He strode off in advance, with never a glance backward to see if I was
+following, and in silence we went on toward the danger-point at a swift
+pace, until the old man halted to say, in a whisper:
+
+"There should be sentinels nearabout, unless Thayendanega believes he has
+killed all the decent men in the Mohawk Valley; so have your wits about
+you, lad, for a mistake now will cost us dearly."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter IX.
+
+The Indian Camp
+
+
+
+I claim that it is nothing to my discredit when I say that there was a
+great fear in my heart while we advanced at a snail's pace, after having
+come to that point where we might reasonably expect the Indian sentinels
+would be posted.
+
+In the darkness, moving amidst the dense foliage, where it required the
+utmost care to avoid betraying one's whereabouts, advancing blindly into
+you knew not what peril, was well calculated to make even the most
+courageous feel a bit timid.
+
+At any moment we might literally stumble over a party of warriors in such
+numbers that there could be no possibility of making our escape, and in
+case we should come face to face with no more than four or five of the
+enemy, it would be well-nigh useless to show fight, because of the
+hundreds everywhere around who could be summoned to the assistance of
+their comrades.
+
+Before we had advanced an hundred paces, I became convinced that it was
+impossible we should be able to reconnoitre the camp and return to the
+point from where we had set out without being killed, or, what was worse,
+taken prisoner, and yet, had I known for a certainty that such fate
+awaited us, I would not have let Sergeant Corney know of my unwillingness
+to follow him.
+
+Sorely did I blame Jacob for having forced us into such a position of
+danger, when there was little hope any good could be effected by our
+coming, and more than once I promised myself that, if by any fortunate
+chance I succeeded in arriving at Cherry Valley again, no one could tempt
+me to leave it.
+
+It was useless, however, to mourn over what could not be cured. We had
+come there voluntarily, and, unless both of us were willing to write
+ourselves down as cowards, must perform the task.
+
+It was well-nigh midnight before we heard anything of the enemy, and then
+a faint hum of voices in the distance told that Sergeant Corney had led
+the way truly and wonderfully well. Never again would I say that he was
+not thoroughly versed in woodcraft.
+
+The old soldier gripped my arm to make certain I understood that we had
+come near to the enemy, and then inch by inch we moved forward, halting a
+few moments every time we incautiously caused a rustling among the
+foliage.
+
+[Illustration: "Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a
+huge fire"]
+
+How long that slow progress continued I cannot rightly say; but it seemed
+to me as if the morning was near at hand when we were arrived, having
+miraculously passed such stragglers, scouts, or sentinels as might have
+been in the vicinity, at a point where we could have a view of this
+particular portion of the encampment.
+
+Three or four hundred Indians were dancing wildly around a huge fire,
+while half as many more were feasting, preparing their own food by cutting
+it from the carcasses of two oxen which lay near at hand, and broiling it
+on the live coals.
+
+I knew sufficient of savage customs to understand that, if there had been
+any torturing of prisoners during the evening, such fiendish work was at
+an end, and that which we were witnessing was but the ending of the
+barbarous sport.
+
+Now it was that I mentally thanked Sergeant Corney for having delayed so
+long before starting, for it would have been agony indeed had we been
+forced to witness the horrible spectacle of a white man suffering under
+the knives and by the fire of these wolves in human form.
+
+We remained there stretched out at full length on the ground, with no
+possibility of gaining information which might be of service to us in the
+future, ten minutes or more, and then, suddenly, I was forced to exert all
+my will-power to prevent a scream of fear from escaping my lips, for what
+was unmistakably a human foot had been planted directly upon my leg.
+
+Like a flash, after I succeeded in restraining myself from giving an
+alarm, came the knowledge, I know not how, that he who had stumbled upon
+me was no less frightened than I, and, clutching Sergeant Corney's leg
+nervously to attract his attention, I sprang upon the newcomer, believing
+him to be some Indian straggler whom it was absolutely necessary we should
+silence in order to save our own lives.
+
+So quick had been my motions that the fellow had no opportunity to get
+away, save at the cost of betraying himself to us, and by what seemed to
+be the most fortunate chance, I succeeded, when leaping blindly forward,
+in gripping him by the throat.
+
+We went down together, I on top striving most earnestly to strangle him to
+death, and he fighting quite as strenuously to throw off my hold.
+
+Before one could have counted ten I began to realize that this stranger
+who was at my mercy appeared quite as much afraid of making a noise as did
+I, and involuntarily my grasp was loosened ever so slightly, for I
+understood that had it been an Indian he would have done his best to
+attract the attention of those near the camp-fire.
+
+With this thought came the knowledge that I had beneath me one clad much
+like myself, and not the half-naked body of such villains as marched in
+Thayendanega's train.
+
+Then it was, and just as Sergeant Corney came up to us, that I loosened my
+grasp entirely in order to pass my hands over the stranger's face and
+head.
+
+There were no feathers, no daubs of paint, which should have been
+apparent to the touch, and I whispered, with my mouth close to the
+fellow's ear, while yet pinioning his arms in such a fashion that he could
+not well move:
+
+"Who are you?"
+
+"A white man," came the reply, the words sounding thick and muffled
+because of the squeezing which the speaker's throat had received.
+
+Then like a flash came to me that which I should have suspected before!
+
+It was my comrade for whom we had been searching that I was grappling
+with, and, just as the old soldier knelt by my side knife in hand to put
+an end to the struggle, I whispered, for the darkness was so intense that
+I could not even see the face which was but a few inches from my own:
+
+"Are you Jacob Sitz?"
+
+"Ay; an' you?"
+
+"It is the sergeant an' Noel, lad, an' right glad am I that we came to
+know each other just as we did, else would your blood have been on our
+hands."
+
+Jacob apparently gave no heed to the close shave which had been his, so
+great was the delight at knowing we were with him once more, and we three
+sat with our heads close together in order that we might question and be
+questioned without fear of betraying our whereabouts.
+
+"Where have you been all this time?" I asked, and Jacob replied, softly:
+
+"Hangin' around this camp. Twice have I come near bein' discovered, an'
+of a verity I believed, when you clutched my throat, that this was the
+last--the endin' of it all."
+
+"Have you seen your father?" Sergeant Corney asked, and the lad replied,
+triumphantly:
+
+"Ay, an' had speech with him."
+
+"Where is he?"
+
+"In a lodge near Thayendanega's, an' until to-night there has been no
+great danger he would be tortured, as I believe because of the sachem's
+promise that he shall not be killed."
+
+"How did you get to speak with him?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"Within three hours after leavin' you I was hereabout, an' saw him. That
+night I crept through the village undiscovered, for even the dogs failed
+to bark at me, I know not why, an' there talked with my father as I now
+talk with you."
+
+"If you got away, why could not he have done the same?" I asked, surprised
+that Jacob should have succeeded in making his way among the lodges.
+
+"I urged him to make the attempt, but he claimed that there was no hope we
+two could leave the village undiscovered. First he was bound hand an'
+foot, an', although I might have cut my way through the lodge to release
+him from the fetters, he forbade it because of the risk, sayin' I must not
+endanger my life on account of mother, an' insistin' that at some future
+time escape would be more easy than then. He ordered me to go home at
+once, providin' I could not find you, an' I would have done so this night
+but for the battle of the mornin'."
+
+"Why did that stop you?" I asked. "Surely you had no part in it?"
+
+"No; but the savages were so infuriated that I feared even Thayendanega
+himself would be unable to prevent the wretches from leadin' my father to
+the stake, therefore I remained on watch. Three prisoners have been
+murdered in a most barbarous manner, but yet he was left unmolested in the
+lodge. Have you somethin' to eat?"
+
+I took from my pocket all the food remaining, and the lad devoured it like
+one famished, whereupon Sergeant Corney asked:
+
+"Have you had nothin' to eat since we left you?"
+
+"I gathered some roots an' berries, but not enough to satisfy my hunger."
+
+"An' yet you would have stayed here longer in danger of starvation?"
+
+"Ay, until havin' satisfied myself that father was as safe as one can be
+who remains in the power of such as are encamped here. Did you come for no
+other purpose than to find me?"
+
+"Nothin' more," I said, not minded to let him know that if he could show
+any reasonable chance of rescuing Peter Sitz it was our purpose to give
+him aid.
+
+"Where have you been all this while?"
+
+"That is too long a story to tell now," Sergeant Corney interrupted. "If
+the savages are not likely to do more than dance from now till mornin', we
+may as well find a shelter in which to spend the morrow, an' then I'm of
+the opinion that the three of us had best make tracks for Cherry Valley,
+as Jacob's father advised."
+
+As he ceased speaking, Sergeant Corney would have led us out of the
+thicket; but Jacob whispered, softly:
+
+"Not half a mile away is a small cave--no more than a hole in the
+hillside, an' there we may remain hidden durin' the hours of daylight."
+
+"Lead the way, an' we will follow," the old man said, in a tone of
+command, and straightway Jacob did as he was thus ordered.
+
+Knowing, as the lad did, very nearly where the Indians might be found, we
+advanced with reasonable rapidity, until having come to the place of which
+he had spoken.
+
+It was indeed no more than a hole in the ground, and so small that when we
+three were lying at full length inside with our heads toward the opening,
+it would have been a very small cat who could have found a chance to lie
+down comfortably with us.
+
+Some bushes and a tangle of creeping vines hid the entrance most
+admirably; but, after we were once inside, I questioned to myself whether
+we had not been reckless in coming directly to this place without taking
+precautions to cover our footprints, for, should a keen-eyed savage chance
+to see our trail, there was good reason for believing he would follow it
+up.
+
+However, we were there, and the mischief might not be undone readily,
+therefore I held my peace, saying mentally that if Sergeant Corney and
+Jacob were satisfied with having taken no especial precautions, then of a
+verity ought I, the least experienced in woodcraft of the three, be
+content.
+
+When Jacob had eaten all the small store of provisions which I gave him
+without having apparently satisfied his hunger, he insisted on our telling
+him what we had done since he left us, and I related the story much as it
+is set down here, spending a full hour in the recital.
+
+When I had finally come to an end, the old soldier proposed that as soon
+as another day had passed we should turn our faces toward Cherry Valley,
+for, after receiving the commands of his father, Jacob could do no less
+than go home.
+
+I understood full well that the lad would have encountered any danger or
+suffered every privation rather than leave this place where his father was
+held prisoner, even though there was little or no hope he could aid him;
+but yet he did not argue against the plan, and thus was it settled that
+when night came again we would start on our journey.
+
+"Save for the fact that father himself insisted I should go, no one could
+force me to leave here," Jacob said, after a long pause, and Sergeant
+Corney added, soothingly, saying that which I question if he himself
+really believed:
+
+"You can do no better, lad. If Thayendanega has given his word to save
+your father's life, so will it be, despite all the howlin' wolves in his
+followin'. But if you should stay here and be discovered tryin' to rescue
+him, there is little doubt that it would result in the death of both."
+
+With that we fell silent once more, and I was right glad of an opportunity
+to sleep.
+
+Jacob insisted that the old soldier and I give ourselves up to slumber
+while he kept guard, for he did not need the rest as much as we.
+
+Therefore it was that I slept soundly and sweetly until a full hour past
+noon, and when I awakened the sergeant was peering out through the leafy
+curtain in front of the cave, while Jacob was enjoying his turn at sleep.
+
+"Can you see the camp?" I asked, wriggling forward until my head was close
+beside his, and then it was not necessary he should make reply, for we had
+from this place of vantage a fairly good view of the red-skinned portion
+of St. Leger's army.
+
+It is true that the trees and bushes screened certain portions of the
+encampment, but the greater number of the lodges were in a clearing, and
+Sergeant Corney pointed out to me that shelter which Jacob had told him
+was the one where his father was confined.
+
+The Indians were lounging about lazily, some stretched at full length
+sleeping, others gathered in little companies, squatting on the ground as
+they smoked and talked, and not a few moving slowly to and fro; but never
+one who appeared to have any business on hand.
+
+There were both women and children in the camp, which struck me as being
+odd, for when savages set off on the war-path it is not customary for them
+to take their families; but I explained this peculiar state of affairs to
+myself by the supposition that the women had been brought that they might
+do the work, which is deemed unfitting a warrior.
+
+"Jacob counts on payin' one more visit to his father before we start,"
+Sergeant Corney said to me, when, having wearied with gazing at the scene,
+I turned away.
+
+"To what end?" I asked, with somewhat of irritation, for it did not seem
+to me wise the lad should run the chances of capture when nothing was to
+be effected by taking such risks.
+
+"Only that he may speak with him."
+
+"But it is folly!" I said, sharply. "It has been possible for him to go
+into the village twice; but of a certainty it cannot be done many times in
+safety."
+
+"You are right, lad, an' yet how can we refuse him? Fancy if your father
+was in the same tight place, an' ask yourself if, when about to turn your
+back on him, perhaps forever, the desire to hold converse with him once
+more would not be stronger than the fear of disaster?"
+
+To this I could make no reply, as a matter of course; yet I was still
+firmly convinced that it was a foolhardy venture. If there had been a
+possibility of his doing the prisoner any good, then would I have said
+that we would stay on until further efforts were of no avail. As it was,
+however, Peter Sitz himself had said it was wiser for Jacob to go, and
+surely he, the most interested and the most experienced in such matters,
+should be the judge.
+
+I held my tongue, even though rebelling against the scheme, because of
+knowing that the lad was prompted only by love, and yet my heart grew
+heavy within me, until I had become convinced that something of evil would
+follow.
+
+So disturbed was I in mind that it was impossible to close my eyes in
+slumber again, even though knowing that my best preparation for the
+journey would consist in getting all the rest I could.
+
+Sergeant Corney had fallen into what seemed to me a moody silence; I
+looked out now and then at the painted forms of those human wolves, who
+would lay waste our happy valley, and wished most fervently that I had the
+power to destroy them all with one blow.
+
+When one has seen, as have I, women and children butchered in the most
+fiendish manner which a wicked man can devise, he cannot consider
+bloodthirsty the person who would, if he could, wipe out the entire race.
+It would only be an act of mercy to the colonists, who lived in momentary
+fear, not so much of sudden death as of barbarous torture.
+
+Jacob slept until nightfall, and when he awakened the first thought in his
+mind was to set off on his dangerous and useless venture; but Sergeant
+Corney advised that he wait until the night was well advanced, and to this
+I agreed, although chafing against the expenditure of time, because he
+would but have ensured his own capture had he ventured among the wretches
+while the entire encampment was astir.
+
+We did not have supper for the very good reason that we had no provisions,
+but buckled our belts a bit tighter, because already was hunger beginning
+to assail us.
+
+As we waited for the lengthening of the night, Jacob went over in detail
+his experiences while Sergeant Corney and I were with General Herkimer,
+and this served to make the time seemingly pass more swiftly.
+
+The savages evidently had no fiendish sport on their programme for this
+evening, most likely because of having exhausted themselves the night
+previous, and at a reasonably early hour this portion of St. Leger's army
+was in a comparative state of quietude.
+
+"Now, if ever, is the time when you can go, lad; but remember that I
+advise against it, as would your father," Sergeant Corney said, gravely.
+"I am not minded to argue you out of what your heart is set upon, but ask
+that you give the matter due weight before goin' so far that retreat will
+be impossible."
+
+"I must speak with my father once more," Jacob said, in a tone so piteous
+that I did not have the heart to make any protest.
+
+"Then God go with you," the old soldier said, solemnly, and in a twinkling
+my comrade had slipped out of the cave, being lost to our view almost
+immediately amid the foliage near at hand.
+
+When we were thus left alone a silence fell upon us. Because of the
+forebodings in my heart I was not inclined for conversation, and I dare
+venture to say the sergeant held his peace for much the same reason.
+
+During half an hour, perhaps, we listened intently, fearing each instant
+lest we hear those sounds which would betoken the capture of Jacob, and
+then did it seem probable he had succeeded in the venture, at least so far
+as gaining the village was concerned.
+
+Regarding him I had no further anxiety, and, without being aware that
+slumber was weighing heavily upon my eyelids, I fell asleep.
+
+I could not have been unconscious many moments, for it seemed as if my
+eyes had but just closed, when I was aroused by the pressure of Sergeant
+Corney's hand upon my arm, and as I would have sprung up he forced me
+down, whispering:
+
+"The savages are comin' this way, an' it looks to me mightily as if they
+counted on stoppin' hereabouts."
+
+Involuntarily I parted the vines at the mouth of the cave, for I had been
+lying with my head close upon them, and gazed down the side of the small
+hill, where it was possible to see, even despite the gloom of the night,
+no less than ten forms coming up the incline as if following a trail.
+
+"They have taken Jacob, an' he has told them where we are," I said on the
+impulse of the moment, not meaning to cast reproach upon the lad, but
+knowing what fiendish means those wretches employed in order to extort
+information.
+
+"We would have heard the noise of a squabble if he had been captured, an'
+I have stood watch ever since he left," Sergeant Corney said, decidedly.
+
+"Can they be followin' our trail in the darkness?" I cried, and my
+companion replied, grimly, drawing his rifle nearer to him:
+
+"It makes no difference to us, lad, why or how they are comin'. The
+question is whether, in case they find this place, we shall fight to the
+death or submit without resistance."
+
+It was a question I could not answer. I knew full well that we could not
+hope to hold the cave any considerable length of time, and that if, during
+the fight, we killed any of the villains, our end at the stake would come
+before morning, even though Thayendanega himself should do all he might to
+prevent it.
+
+I remained silent, the Indians approaching nearer and nearer each instant,
+and, when they were half-way up the hill, within perhaps thirty yards of
+the mouth of the cave, the sergeant said, as if speaking to himself:
+
+"All we can hope for, if we should put up a fight, is to die with weapons
+in our hands, for death in some form would come to us within a few hours.
+While there's life there's a chance."
+
+"Meanin' that we had best give ourselves up?" I asked, in alarm.
+
+"Ay, lad, that is my idee, unless you can show me something better."
+
+There was little time for reflection. Already were the Indians so near
+that I fancied I could hear them breathing. I knew that the cave had no
+other outlet than this one at which we crouched, but also that two
+determined men might hold half an hundred in check as long as their
+ammunition lasted--but then?
+
+The foremost of the red-skinned snakes were within a dozen feet of us when
+I whispered, with tremulous voice:
+
+"It shall be as you say, sergeant!"
+
+[Illustration: "With upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of
+foliage"]
+
+
+
+
+Chapter X.
+
+Prisoners
+
+
+
+I believe if at that critical moment I had decided it was best we hold the
+cave against the foe, regardless of the ultimate consequence, Sergeant
+Corney would have done my bidding. But immediately I declared myself
+willing to act as he thought best, the old man threw down his rifle, and,
+with upraised hands, stepped out from amid the screen of foliage into the
+very arms of those who were coming up the slope.
+
+Just for one instant there was in my mind the thought that I might slink
+back into the further end of the cave, and possibly escape detection,
+unless it so chanced that the savages knew exactly how many were hidden
+there. But, fortunately, before there was time to do anything so cowardly,
+a realization of what it meant to thus hang back when I had spoken the
+words which sent my comrade forward came upon me with full force, and I
+followed him so closely that he could not have had any suspicion of that
+which, for the merest fraction of time, found lodgment in my heart.
+
+It was too dark for me to see the look of triumph on the faces of our
+captors; but I knew they wore such expressions, because of the cries of
+satisfaction and shouts of delight which burst from them when we, unarmed,
+stood in their midst.
+
+I was satisfied in my own mind that they had seen the trail, even in the
+darkness, which had been made when we three entered the cave, or by Jacob
+as he went out, and had followed it rather from curiosity than the belief
+that white men were in the vicinity.
+
+This idea of mine, although there was in it nothing favoring to us, gave
+me no little relief of mind, for it led to the conclusion that Jacob was
+yet free.
+
+After the first outburst of rejoicing at having taken two captives at a
+time and in a place where they least expected to find them, the Indians
+set about securing us in the most businesslike manner.
+
+Some one of the party brought strips of rawhide, by which our hands and
+arms were bound tightly to our sides, and with so large a surrounding that
+it would have been impossible to escape even had we been unfettered, they
+led us down to the village, where we were greeted by the squaws and the
+children with fiendish cries of delight.
+
+I knew enough of savage customs to understand that we would be forced to
+submit to a certain amount of ill-treatment from the female portion of the
+band before the warriors decided upon our fate, and nerved myself to bear
+it as best I might, realizing that any show of weakness at such a time
+would work to our disadvantage later.
+
+We were tied to a tree, Sergeant Corney on one side and I on the other,
+within twenty paces of Thayendanega's lodge, where the light of the
+camp-fire shone full upon us.
+
+The braves of the tribe seated themselves in a circle, as if holding a
+council to determine our fate, while the squaws and the young boys amused
+themselves by holding stout sticks in the fire until one end was a living
+coal, and then placing these against our hands, until the pain was so
+great that only by summoning all my strength of will could I prevent
+myself from screaming.
+
+Even at such a time, when our lives were literally hanging in the balance,
+I found somewhat of comfort in the thought that Sergeant Corney was with
+me, and not very far away Peter Sitz could probably see us.
+
+It may be difficult to understand why knowledge of that kind should serve
+to cheer one at such a horrible moment, and I myself cannot explain it. It
+simply remains a fact that I seemed in less danger of being murdered than
+if I had been the only prisoner in the encampment.
+
+"It's plain that Jacob was not captured, else we would see him near by,"
+Sergeant Corney said to me, and I tried my best to enter into conversation
+with him, to the end that I might in some slight degree take my mind from
+the torture which, perhaps, was but a foretaste of what I would be forced
+to suffer.
+
+"He will be overcome with grief on knowin' that by lingerin' to speak once
+more with his father we were captured, an' I fear the lad may be led to
+some foolishly reckless move," I said, at the same moment trying to stifle
+a groan.
+
+"If he will but stop a moment to rigger the matter out, he'll understand
+that only by keepin' clear of this camp can he hope to help us," the old
+man replied, and I asked, sharply:
+
+"Do you really believe, sergeant, that any one can aid us now?"
+
+"Tut, tut, lad; do not give yourself up for dead yet awhile. So long as
+there's life there's a chance. Peter Sitz has been in the clutches of
+these villains many a day, an' yet, 'cordin' to Jacob's story, he's as
+sound an' hearty as when he left Cherry Valley."
+
+"Ay; but his life has been saved because Joseph Brant knew him before the
+dream of bein' made great sachem of the Six Nations turned that redskin
+into the most bloodthirsty of savages."
+
+"Yet had you been in Peter Sitz's place when he was first taken prisoner,
+your despair would likely have been as great as it seems to be now."
+
+I knew that Sergeant Corney would say many things which he himself did not
+believe, if he thought thereby he might strengthen my courage for the
+terrible ordeal which was probably before us; therefore his words of
+cheer had less weight than might otherwise have been the case.
+
+Not until it seemed to me every square inch of my hands had been burned to
+a blister, and there was a livid, red mark across my forehead, where an
+old hag had scorched me with a burning brand, did the squaws tire of their
+cruel sport, and then we were left comparatively alone, with sufficient of
+pain to keep us so keenly alive to the situation that weariness of body
+did not make itself apparent.
+
+"We came to aid Jacob, and now ourselves are standing in need of
+assistance," I said, bitterly, for this seemed like the irony of fate.
+
+"True for you, lad, an' yet we won't look at it in that light. But for
+marvellous good luck we would have been made prisoners before this,
+therefore let us reckon it simply as the fortune of war, and not count
+Jacob the cause of our trouble."
+
+I would have replied yet more bitterly than before, but for the fact that
+at the moment it so chanced my eyes were fixed upon the lodge wherein our
+comrade had said his father was held prisoner, and I saw the flap pulled
+cautiously aside.
+
+Then the face of a man could be seen close to the ground, and I said,
+eagerly, to my companion, who, perforce, had his head turned in the
+opposite direction:
+
+"Peter Sitz is lookin' at us."
+
+"I would he had remained ignorant of our whereabouts," Sergeant Corney
+muttered, and I asked, in surprise:
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because, in addition to his own sufferin', he must believe that we've
+been brought to this plight through tryin' to aid him, an' it only serves
+to make his troubles greater, without lessenin' ours."
+
+Sergeant Corney was rapidly becoming a hero in my eyes, for surely it is a
+brave man who, when he stands in most imminent danger, can think rather of
+others than himself.
+
+We spoke but little from this time on, the sergeant and I. The rawhides,
+which were tied so tightly as to nearly stop the circulation of blood,
+were eating their way into our flesh, and the pain thus caused became
+greater than the smarting of the blisters raised by the burning brands.
+
+We knew that those who formed that circle of painted forms but a short
+distance away were deciding whether we be put to torture immediately, or
+reserved for some especial time of rejoicing, and there grew upon me such
+a fascination as is sometimes brought about by keenest peril, until I
+almost forgot the desperate situation as I watched those who held our fate
+in their hands, trying to discover from the expression on their hideous
+faces what might be the result of the conference.
+
+As the moments passed I sank into a sort of apathy, until it was as if
+some other lad's fate trembled in the balance, and I myself was looking
+down upon the encampment from a secure place of refuge.
+
+The fires burned dim. One by one Thayendanega's heathens stalked away to
+his lodge, until the council was finally brought to a close; a deep
+silence came over the encampment, as if all, save that white face which I
+could see just beneath the flap of the lodge in front of me, and we two
+who were bound to the tree, were wrapped in slumber.
+
+"We can count on remainin' alive at least until to-morrow night," Sergeant
+Corney said, as if imparting some cheering information, "for these
+wretches do not torture a prisoner in the daytime."
+
+"Unless some change is made speedily I will not be in their power, for of
+a verity I am dyin', Sergeant Corney," I said, and he, thinking, of
+course, to cheer me, laughed almost merrily as he replied:
+
+"Nonsense, lad, you are a long ways from bein' dead. I allow your body is
+numbed, but that's all. If these strips of rawhide were slackened a bit,
+you'd soon find yourself feelin' as well as ever, save, perchance, for the
+blisters upon your hands."
+
+"If we _could_ stretch them a bit," I cried, trying vainly to change the
+position of my arms.
+
+"Ay, but you can't, lad, an' by makin' the effort you'll only cause them
+to bind the tighter."
+
+How that long night passed I cannot well say. The agony of mind, together
+with the bodily pain, benumbed all my senses until I was like one in a
+trance, hearing nothing, seeing nothing, save the gleam of that white
+face beneath the flap of the lodge where Peter Sitz kept mournful watch
+upon us.
+
+The morning came, and like one under the influence of some hideous
+nightmare I became aware that the savages were loosening the rawhide
+thongs. Faintly, with but little curiosity regarding the matter, I
+wondered if we were to be killed at once, regardless of the usual customs
+of such wretches.
+
+When the bonds had been removed the sergeant and I sank down upon the
+ground helpless, unable to move hand or foot, and in that condition we
+were dragged into the lodge where was Jacob's father.
+
+There we were bound quite as securely and cruelly as before, the thongs
+cutting fresh welts into our wrists and ankles; but the relief caused by
+the change of position was so great that it seemed as if I had every
+reason for thankfulness.
+
+Here, when our captors had made certain we could not by any possibility
+escape, we were left alone with Peter Sitz, and his first question was as
+to why we had ventured within reach of the enemy.
+
+Sergeant Corney, minded to save our neighbor from the self-reproach which
+might be his if he knew we were in such plight through desire to aid his
+son or himself, replied that we had been sent into the vicinity by General
+Herkimer, and then explained how we came across Jacob, as well was the
+manner in which we had been taken prisoners.
+
+"Will they torture us to death?" I asked, giving words to that question
+which had been uppermost in my mind from the moment we saw the painted
+sneaks approaching the cave, and Master Sitz replied, with a painful
+effort at cheerfulness:
+
+"It's for you to believe that they won't, lad. Remember how long I've been
+in their power, an' yet have come to no real harm, so far as life is
+concerned, although this bein' trussed up like a chicken ready for the
+roastin' is by no means pleasant or comfortable."
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney, minded as I now believe only to change
+the subject of conversation, asked Master Sitz why it was we had failed to
+see him during the march from Cherry Valley to the Indian village.
+
+The explanation was simple, and at the same time served to show, to my
+mind at least, that Jacob's father would not be led to the stake.
+
+It seems that when he was first captured, at the time Lieutenant Wormwood
+was killed, he came face to face with Thayendanega, and that savage
+recognized him at once, speaking in such a friendly tone that Master Sitz
+immediately appealed for mercy.
+
+The sachem declared that if he remained with the war party it might be
+impossible to save him, and even went so far in his friendliness as to
+explain that it were better he be sent ahead to the Indian village, for,
+having once arrived at that place, there was little fear of the warriors
+demanding his death until on some especial occasion.
+
+Therefore, within half an hour after having been made prisoner, Master
+Sitz was being hurried forward to Oghkwaga, under charge of two savages,
+and was well on his journey before we started.
+
+When, immediately after the interview with General Herkimer, Thayendanega
+hurried his tribe on to join St. Leger's forces, he so far submitted to
+the demands of his followers as to allow them to take Peter Sitz on the
+war-path with them.
+
+"More than once have the red devils insisted on torturin' me; but each
+time Joseph Brant has prevented them, although I question if he could have
+done so but for the unfortunate men who were captured in the battle with
+General Herkimer's troops."
+
+Peter Sitz ceased speaking very suddenly, and I had not the courage to ask
+him how those prisoners suffered; I could imagine that they came to a most
+horrible end, and knew that my worst picturing of it would fall far short
+of the reality.
+
+Then Jacob's father spoke of the possibility that we might escape with our
+lives; but it was evident he did so with an effort, and I had it in mind
+that he only tried to cheer me, while he was convinced that his end, as
+well as ours, would come at the stake before the siege was finished.
+
+And now I do not propose to make any effort at giving in detail all that
+occurred while we lay cruelly bound, during a greater portion of the time,
+in this lodge, situate almost in the centre of the Indian camp.
+
+For eight days we were kept thus close prisoners, without a ray of hope,
+and then came the unexpected.
+
+At least once in every twenty-four hours, and sometimes twice, the bonds
+were taken from our arms that we might feed ourselves on such food as
+savages cast to their dogs. Perhaps thrice in that long term of captivity
+were we permitted to walk around the lodge, and, save for that short
+respite from our suffering, I believe of a verity we would have lost the
+use of our limbs.
+
+Half-starved, suffering oftentimes the keenest pangs of thirst, and
+believing that all this torture was the preface to something yet worse, it
+can well be imagined that we were indeed a sorry party. Even Sergeant
+Corney ceased trying to animate us, for despair had seized upon him.
+
+When we did hold converse among ourselves, it was usually regarding Jacob.
+We had neither seen nor heard anything of the lad since the hour he left
+us in the cave to get speech with his father, and it was to me wondrous
+strange that he who had been so eager when there was but one prisoner, had
+apparently lost all desire to render aid after two more had been captured.
+
+During the first two or three days we believed he was skulking around
+somewhere near at hand, with the vain hope that he might be able to effect
+our escape; but as the time passed on it became certain that such could
+not be the case, otherwise he would have succeeded in making his way to
+the lodge, as he had done when his father was the only occupant of it.
+
+So far as I could make out, there was no more vigilant guard kept after we
+were taken than before, and the lad must have succeeded in getting speech
+with us had he made the effort during those times when the savages gave
+themselves up to dancing or feasting, as occurred at least once in every
+eight and forty hours.
+
+Then we decided he had gone in search of General Herkimer's men, thinking
+to enlist a sufficient number of them in our behalf; but if such had been
+the case we should have heard something from him, at least when eight days
+were passed, and after that time we made no mention of the lad, believing
+he had been discovered near the encampment and killed outright.
+
+And now it must be understood that during all this time St. Leger's army
+was laying close siege to Fort Schuyler, and, strange as it may seem, we,
+closely confined in that lodge of skins, had a fairly good idea of what
+was happening.
+
+More than one of the Indians spoke English, and, not unfrequently, the
+Tories or British officers came to visit Thayendanega in his own lodge,
+when we could overhear a goodly portion of the conversation.
+
+Thus it was we knew that Colonel Billinger and Major Frey, officers from
+General Herkimer's force, who had been taken prisoners by some of the
+British during the battle of Oriskany, had been compelled, under threats
+of torture, to write a letter to Colonel Gansevoort, misrepresenting St.
+Leger's strength, and advising him to surrender.
+
+We also knew that this letter, written under pressure, was delivered by
+Colonel Butler, who went to the fort with a flag of truce, and, when the
+commandant flatly refused to surrender, the Tory officer threatened that,
+in case it became necessary to take the fortification by force, the women
+and children inside would be delivered over to the mercies of the Indians.
+
+Fortunately Colonel Gansevoort was too brave a man to be frightened by
+such threats, and when Colonel Butler told him that Burgoyne had already
+taken possession of Albany, he became thoroughly well convinced that the
+officer was deliberately lying to him.
+
+At all events, he refused to surrender, and two days later General St.
+Leger sent a written demand, the reply to which contained the emphatic
+statement that it was Colonel Gansevoort's determined resolution with the
+force under his command, to defend the fort to the last extremity.
+
+We learned also, through different friendly visits which were paid to
+Joseph Brant by the officers, that General St. Leger was continuing the
+siege in true military fashion, advancing by parallels slowly but surely,
+and it was the belief of all our enemies that they must of a necessity
+soon succeed in their purpose.
+
+The information which we thus obtained did not tend to make us feel any
+more comfortable in mind. In case the fort was taken, the utmost we could
+hope for would be to escape death, but at the cost of remaining, no one
+knows how long, as slaves to the savages.
+
+If, however, the garrison made such a resistance as we believed they
+would, and then were finally overcome, the Indians being allowed to wreak
+vengeance until their thirst for blood was satisfied, then was it probable
+we would go to the stake with a goodly company and little chance of
+escape.
+
+However, I am not minded to set down here all our fears. One can readily
+understand how many and great they were, and how we twisted and turned
+each additional bit of information which we gathered by eavesdropping,
+until it seemed as if matters which had no bearing whatsoever on our
+condition were a direct and deadly menace.
+
+I have said that we were eight days closely confined in this one lodge,
+and then came the night when we were lifted from out the mire of despair
+into which we had fallen, so suddenly as to make us literally dizzy with
+hope.
+
+During the afternoon of this day Thayendanega's warriors had spent their
+time laying on an unusual quantity of paint, and arraying themselves to
+the last feather of their finery, therefore we knew that something of
+considerable importance was on foot. When they marched out of the
+encampment, the medicine-men leading the way, with the beating of drums
+and blowing of horns, we believed a council of war was to be held, in
+which these wretches, most likely to tickle their vanity, had been invited
+to take part.
+
+When, just as they were setting out, the rain began to fall heavily and
+the wind to blow in a manner which betokened a summer storm, I found the
+wildest delight in picturing to myself the discomforts which would be
+theirs unless St. Leger had tents sufficient to provide them all with
+shelter.
+
+At another time I would have given little heed to such a trifling matter,
+but now it seemed of so much importance that I spoke to my companions in
+misery regarding it, picturing the bedraggled condition of the fine
+feathers after they had become thoroughly saturated, and was talking with
+more of animation than at any time since having been made prisoner, when
+suddenly a sound, as of some one scratching on the skin of the lodge,
+caused my heart to bound until it seemed positive its furious beatings
+could be heard a long distance off.
+
+"It is Jacob!" I cried, speaking incautiously loud.
+
+A warning hiss from Peter Sitz brought me to my senses, and in a fever of
+suspense I listened for the sound which had first attracted my attention,
+to be repeated.
+
+The silence remained unbroken, save for the lightest rustling of the
+skins, until, in the dim light to which my eyes had been so long
+accustomed, I saw Jacob's head and shoulders inside the lodge.
+
+It was only with difficulty I restrained myself from crying aloud with
+joy, for now it seemed, even surrounded by enemies though we were, that
+because my comrade had come were we rescued.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XI.
+
+The Escape
+
+
+
+So great was my delight at seeing Jacob slowly working his way into the
+lodge, that there was no room in my heart for surprise. I entirely forgot
+to be astonished because after so long a time he had returned, or to
+question why it was he dared venture within the encampment.
+
+Only the fact that he was there presented itself to my mind, and I gave no
+heed to anything else.
+
+I struggled violently to reach the dear lad, intent on throwing my arms
+around him in order to show how deeply I felt this devotion of his which
+had brought him back, perhaps, to a terrible death; but Master Sitz and
+Sergeant Corney remained silent and motionless until Jacob was well within
+the lodge. Then his father said, conveying reproach even in the whisper:
+
+"Why have you come here after once having gotten well away from the place?
+You can do us no good, an' only hope to add to the savages' list of
+victims."
+
+"They have not got me yet," Jacob replied, cheerily, and I understood
+that his courage had been greatly stiffened since the night he crept out
+from the cave. "There's a big powwow goin' on over at St. Leger's camp,
+an' no one is on guard hereabouts. This is the time when, if ever, you can
+escape."
+
+It seemed to me as if the lad talked the veriest nonsense in speaking of
+our escape by simply crawling away from the lodge, situate as it was in
+the very midst of the encampment; but Jacob had the whole plan in his
+mind, and was not to be disheartened, however much cold water we might
+throw upon it.
+
+It may seem strange, but such is the fact, that even when thus surrounded
+by danger my curiosity was so great that I asked him, even before he had
+time to explain how he hoped to effect our rescue, where he had been so
+long.
+
+"At Cherry Valley," he replied, as if a journey there and back was the
+most simple thing imaginable.
+
+"Meanin' that you have been home since the night you left the cave?" I
+repeated, in astonishment.
+
+"Ay, no less than that."
+
+"But why did you do it?" I cried, speaking so loudly as to call forth a
+warning groan from Sergeant Corney.
+
+"Because I believed it might be possible for you to escape, providin' we
+had help enough near at hand," he replied, and I said, even more
+mystified than before:
+
+"Surely you could not expect to get help for us from Cherry Valley?"
+
+"Ay; and that is just what I did."
+
+"Is my uncle here?"
+
+"No, indeed; he believed my scheme to be so wild that he would hardly
+listen to me, and said you three had the same as come to your death
+already, therefore it was useless to raise a finger in your behalf while
+there were so many hundred people near at hand needin' assistance."
+
+"Who then did you expect would come to our aid?" I asked, and Jacob
+replied, with what sounded very like a chuckle of satisfaction:
+
+"Who else, save the Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley?"
+
+But for the rawhide ropes which held me so cruelly immovable, I would have
+leaped to my feet in astonishment; as it was, I involuntarily gave so
+violent a start as to cause myself considerable pain, and then asked, in
+great heat:
+
+"Why do you play upon our hopes, so lately raised, by declaring that the
+company of lads is here?"
+
+"Not a bit of play about it, Noel," Jacob replied, in so cheery a tone
+that my heart became wondrously light. "Four an' twenty of our company,
+with John Sammons still acting as captain, are within an hundred yards of
+this lodge, an', what is more, we count on takin' you away with us before
+another day shall dawn."
+
+Then it was as if Jacob believed he had satisfied our curiosity so much as
+was necessary at such a time, for without delay he moved from one to the
+other, deftly cutting the rawhide which held us motionless, and three
+minutes had not elapsed from the time he first showed himself inside the
+lodge until our limbs were freed.
+
+We were no longer bound, but yet remained helpless. I could move neither
+hand nor foot, struggle as I might. It was as if my limbs were dead while
+my body yet remained alive; but Jacob, who had in his wild plan considered
+just such a probability, set about chafing my arms and legs until the
+feeling began to return.
+
+He performed the same office for Sergeant Corney, I aiding in the task
+before it was finished; but a good ten minutes elapsed before we had
+command of our limbs, and then it was that even Master Sitz began to
+believe it might be possible for us to escape from the encampment.
+
+While he worked over us, Jacob, understanding that we were being literally
+overwhelmed with curiosity regarding his movements during the long
+absence, explained that he was but a short distance from the cave when we
+were made prisoners, and at first almost gave way to despair because of
+what seemed to him the hardest stroke which an ill fortune could deliver.
+
+During that night he kept us in view, until learning that we would not be
+put to death immediately, and then the lad searched in his mind for some
+plan which might give promise, however slight, of success.
+
+He could not hope that those in the fort, closely besieged as they were,
+would be willing to make a desperate venture in order to aid three men,
+when so many hundred were in peril, and, even though the chances might be
+in favor of Colonel Gansevoort's being ready to make a sortie in our
+behalf, they were decidedly against Jacob's being able to communicate with
+the garrison.
+
+Then it was he bethought himself of the Minute Boys, who were not
+absolutely needed in Cherry Valley after the hundred and fifty soldiers
+were quartered there, and, without knowing how they might be able to aid
+him in the almost hopeless task, he set off at full speed for our home,
+travelling by night as by day, with no more halts than were absolutely
+necessary in order to recruit his strength.
+
+Colonel Campbell, my uncle, was much averse to Jacob's wild plans. He
+believed that, because of the danger which threatened all the inhabitants
+of the Mohawk Valley, it was in the highest degree foolhardy to make any
+such effort toward saving the lives of three people as might jeopardize an
+hundred times that number. However, while saying flatly it was a boy's
+scheme, and not worthy the attention of men, he stated that he would not
+put any obstruction in the way of those who chose to make the hazard,
+save to state openly that whosoever left on such a mission was but
+hastening his own death.
+
+It quickened the sluggish blood in my veins when Jacob said that, after he
+had summoned the Minute Boys and explained to them in what peril we three
+were, never one showed the slightest disinclination to do as he proposed.
+
+John Sammons, the lad who was acting as captain in my absence, insisted
+that it was plainly the duty of every member of the company to do
+whatsoever he might in our behalf, and the result was that the lad had
+been in Cherry Valley no more than half an hour before every member of the
+company was armed and outfitted for the perilous venture.
+
+At the very last moment, however, eight or ten of the number were
+dissuaded by their parents; but the remainder started hotfoot for Fort
+Schuyler, arriving an hour before this last day had dawned.
+
+The only plan which Jacob had formed in his mind was to get speech with us
+as speedily as possible after arriving. Then, if needs be, he would make a
+dash upon the encampment, and trust to the Minute Boys fighting their way
+out with us in their midst.
+
+Fortunately, however, he saw very speedily after daybreak that something
+of import was taking place, and wisely waited until it could be seen that
+every warrior was making ready for a grand powwow.
+
+Now, so he told us, the Minute Boys were waiting hardly more than an
+hundred yards distant, and, if it should be possible for us to make our
+way through the encampment to that point, it was the determination of
+every lad to fight to the best of his ability, with the hope of being able
+to retreat meanwhile in case the Indians were aroused.
+
+He who would not have done his best at escaping after all Jacob's work,
+and in face of the pluck shown by our comrades, deserved of a verity to
+remain prisoner even until he was led to the stake; but, as can well be
+imagined, neither of us three hung back from the hazard, for surely it was
+better to die fighting than be tortured as Thayendanega's wolves could
+torture a human being.
+
+Master Sitz made one stipulation, however, which was that Jacob should
+lead the way as we crept out from the lodge, and, in event of our attempt
+at escape being discovered while we were yet within the encampment, the
+lad was to save himself without giving heed to us.
+
+"There shall not be another victim added to our number," Jacob's father
+said, in a tone of determination. "Strike out for your comrades, in case
+the alarm is given, my boy, and if we are taken again leave us to our
+fate."
+
+Jacob made no reply to this; but I believed that if the need arose he
+would disobey his father's command without compunction.
+
+There was no time to linger. At any moment the powwow might be brought to
+an end, or some warrior return to the encampment, therefore it stood us in
+hand to move quickly, and so we did.
+
+Not until Jacob was well outside the lodge did either of us three make any
+move to follow him, and then Sergeant Corney would have pushed me under
+the skins, which he raised slightly, but that I hung back, declaring it
+was Master Sitz's place to go first; but the old man forced me forward.
+
+How my heart beat when for the first time in eight days I had full command
+of my limbs, and wriggled myself out into the clear air! It seemed as if
+every movement of my arms or legs caused so much noise that the few who
+remained in the lodges must be alarmed, and that I moved at even less than
+a snail's pace, when every muscle was being strained in the effort to
+advance rapidly.
+
+The perspiration came out upon my forehead in great drops, caused, not by
+the heat, but by the mental anguish, and again and again I said to myself
+that Jacob had labored for naught, since it would be impossible I could
+crawl undetected even over the short distance.
+
+And when, in my excited frame of mind, it seemed as if the escape was but
+just begun, I found myself in the thicket amid those lads who had been my
+playmates since I could remember, while each strove to show in silence
+how delighted he was that I had come safely.
+
+Then ensued another time of keenest suspense, when we strained our ears to
+hear the lightest sound which should betoken that the squaws of the
+encampment had been alarmed, and once more our hearts leaped up in joy as
+Master Sitz came behind the screen of bushes.
+
+Now we had only to wait for Sergeant Corney, and, having seen what he
+could do in the wilderness, I had no doubt but that he would succeed in
+his purpose, which he soon did.
+
+Perhaps no more than half an hour had passed from the time we first saw
+Jacob until we three, so lately prisoners, were surrounded by that brave
+band of lads who, by calling themselves "Minute Boys," had excited the
+mirth of the elders of Cherry Valley, and yet never one who was not
+prepared to sacrifice his own life for the welfare of the others.
+
+"What are we to do?" Sergeant Corney said, turning to me, as if I should
+resume command of this company of mine, and I replied, promptly, with
+never a thought of claiming my rights as captain:
+
+"It is for you to lead, sergeant, an' we will obey. There's not one in
+this company so well fitted as you to take us out from amid the dangers
+which surround us."
+
+"Yet my idea of what is safest may seem to the rest of you like veriest
+folly," he replied, as if he would shirk the responsibility, and Master
+Sitz said, eagerly:
+
+"It all seems to me like a piece of folly, Sergeant Corney, even though
+because of it are we brought out from the power of our enemies. You can do
+no more hairbrained things than has already been done by my son."
+
+"Then, if the command be left to me, we shall make our way into Fort
+Schuyler, provided that be possible."
+
+"Fort Schuyler!" I cried, in dismay.
+
+"Ay, lad, an' we shall be there before another day dawns if we live,
+provided we make the start."
+
+"But why not put as many miles between us and this place as is possible?"
+I cried, with no slight show of irritation, for the imminence of the
+danger set every nerve tingling until I could think of nothing save the
+most hurried flight.
+
+"It stands us in hand to go there, first, because they are in need of our
+help, and, secondly, because we shall stand a better show of finally
+escaping from the savages."
+
+"How do you make that out?" John Sammons asked, and I understood from his
+tone that he was not inclined for the hazard.
+
+"Think you Thayendanega's wolves will lose the prisoners whom they counted
+on seeing at the stake, without some effort to retake them?" the old man
+asked, sharply, and John Sammons replied:
+
+"All that we understand; but reckon on puttin' a goodly distance between
+us an' yonder encampment before to-morrow mornin'. Unless there is an
+accident the escape will not be known for many hours, and then should we
+have so much the lead that we could count with some degree of assurance
+upon gaining Cherry Valley."
+
+"In that I do not agree, lad, an' for many reasons. We cannot advance at
+full speed, because it will be necessary to spend some time in learnin'
+whether there be an enemy in the road; but the savages followin' the trail
+may come as fast as their legs can bring them, therefore will they travel
+three miles to our two."
+
+"Ay; but we should be able to hold in good play as many as may overtake
+us."
+
+"That must be accordin' to the fortunes of war. It is hardly to be
+reckoned that we could fight a pitched battle without losin' some portion
+of our company, and I would have this brave rescue of yours accomplished
+with as little cost as may be. Therefore have I in mind to enter Fort
+Schuyler."
+
+I cannot truly say that Sergeant Corney convinced us his plan was the
+best; but certain it is we were silenced, as was no more than proper,
+since it stood to reason he knew best about such affairs.
+
+After this, having made up our minds that we must attempt the perilous
+task, came the question of how it should be done, and on this point the
+old soldier gave us very little opportunity for discussion.
+
+"It is my plan that we circle around the encampment, even beyond St.
+Leger's quarters, in order to get a general idea of what may be goin' on,
+an', havin' arrived at the road westward of the fortification, you lads
+shall get in hidin' while I try once more to open communication with the
+garrison."
+
+"Why should you go alone?" I asked. "We might remain in a body, and thus
+save just so much time. If one can do the trick, then may it be possible
+for two, or a dozen."
+
+"Yes, to make one's way across the open country, I grant you; but
+remember, lad, how long it would have taken to gain admission when we were
+there before had the garrison not been warned that we were in the
+vicinity. This time they will look upon us as enemies until we are near
+enough to make ourselves known, and such a force as is here would appear
+to them like an attackin' party."
+
+The sergeant was right, as I now understood full well, and, although I
+craved not the dangerous work, because my comrades were near at hand I
+desired they should see that I shirked not peril.
+
+However, all seemed to understand that, if the sergeant's plan was to be
+carried out, he should arrange the details, and therefore I held my peace.
+
+In order to gain the westerly side of the fort from the Indian encampment,
+in the vicinity of which we then were, and learn what might be going on
+at St. Leger's headquarters, it would be necessary to cross the river and
+traverse at least two-thirds of a complete circle around the
+fortification.
+
+Much time might have been saved had we crossed the Mohawk to the
+southward, without venturing near the camps of the British.
+
+Sergeant Corney seemed to consider that it was more important to get a
+general idea of the disposition of St. Leger's forces before entering the
+fort, than to save ourselves so much labor, therefore he led the way
+eastwardly half a mile or more, until we were come to the narrowest part
+of the river, when we swam over, afterward heading directly for the main
+encampment of the besiegers.
+
+Still acting under Sergeant Corney's directions, the greater part of the
+company kept at a respectful distance when we were come within the
+vicinity of St. Leger's headquarters, while he, Jacob, and I crept forward
+to reconnoitre.
+
+Because of the many fires and the apparent confidence of the enemy that no
+attempt would be made to surprise them, we had ample opportunity to see
+all that was required.
+
+The biggest kind of a feast, or powwow, or council, or whatever it might
+have been called, was in progress, and so deeply interested were the
+Britishers, Tories, and Indians alike that I believe of a verity we could
+have approached within fifty feet and not been discovered save by purest
+accident.
+
+"Whatever they've got on hand seems to be somethin' that'll last well
+through the night," Sergeant Corney said, as he lay amid the bushes
+watching the various groups of men, both white and red. "If Colonel
+Gansevoort could only know what's goin' on at this minute, I allow he'd
+make such a sortie as would raise this siege in quick order. We couldn't
+have a better night for enterin' the fort, an', if we don't succeed, it'll
+be our fault, or through the blundering of some fool sentinel."
+
+To one who had not been in this vicinity, as had I, the old soldier's
+words might have induced the belief that we were really not exposed to
+danger in making the proposed venture; but I knew full well he believed,
+as did I, that, however many might be feasting and dancing in the
+encampment, there were a certain number watching the fort, and if one of
+them should catch a glimpse of us the business would be at an end right
+speedily.
+
+When Sergeant Corney had satisfied himself with a scrutiny of the camp, he
+led the way to the northward, where the Minute Boys were in hiding, and,
+arriving there, explained in few words the situation, to the end that they
+might be encouraged for that which was to come.
+
+I question if, after showing the bravery they already had, the lads needed
+any words to stiffen their backs; but it pleased the old soldier to make
+it appear as if we had clear sailing before us, and did no real harm.
+
+Then we started on the march, which would be long because it was
+necessary, after passing the encampment, to make considerable of a detour
+in order to avoid, first, a battery of three guns, then one of four
+mortars, and, lastly, a battery of three more guns, all of which extended
+northwesterly from St. Leger's headquarters.
+
+After this distance had been traversed, we passed within less than two
+hundred feet of the line of trenches which had been begun as an approach
+to the fort, and then bore to the southward again, crossing the Albany
+road.
+
+Finally, at perhaps two o'clock in the morning, we arrived at a broad
+elevation, the easternmost slope of which came very near to the outer
+walls of the fort.
+
+Here it would be necessary to advance without cover for perhaps an hundred
+yards, and it was this last and most dangerous work that Sergeant Corney
+insisted on doing himself.
+
+My company found fairly good hiding-places in the thicket near at hand,
+Jacob and I creeping out to the edge of the foliage in order to keep watch
+upon the old soldier as he made his way like a snake over the plain, which
+was almost entirely destitute of vegetation.
+
+He set off without delay, for, owing to the lateness of the hour, there
+was no time to be wasted, and our hearts were literally in our mouths as
+we watched him make his way slowly along, at imminent danger each second
+of being fired upon by the sentinels inside the fort.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XII.
+
+In the Fort
+
+
+
+Everything was in our favor on this night, otherwise Sergeant Corney's
+attempt would not have been the simple matter which it appears as set down
+by me.
+
+True it is we had previously visited the fort, and that while many of the
+enemy's sentinels were on the alert; but because a task has once been done
+is no proof that it may be accomplished a second time. In fact, it is by
+trying a hazardous venture again and again that it becomes yet more
+dangerous, or, in other words, "The pitcher that goes often to the well
+will one day return broken."
+
+I question if there could have been found in the entire Mohawk Valley a
+man who would have performed the task better than did Sergeant Corney. The
+night was not particularly dark, and we who were watching from the
+undergrowth knew exactly where to look for him, but yet there were many
+times when I failed utterly to distinguish his form, although, as I have
+already said, there was nothing in the way of vegetation to screen his
+movements.
+
+Only when he half-raised himself to make certain he was advancing in a
+direct course could we see him, and when, after perhaps twenty minutes of
+such stealthy approach, the deeper shadow cast by the fortification itself
+had been gained, he was entirely lost to our view.
+
+Then was come the time when I feared most for his safety, although, if the
+sentinel had failed to see him making his way across the open space, we
+might have reasonable hope that the remainder of his scheme, less
+dangerous, could be worked without mishap.
+
+It seemed to me as if an hour elapsed from the time he disappeared before
+we saw any sign of him again. The minutes passed laggingly, although while
+there was no outcry we knew full well he had come to no harm; but yet I
+trembled with anxiety until we finally saw a figure upon the wall waving
+its arms, and I said to Jacob:
+
+"That is the signal for us to advance."
+
+"Advance where?" he asked, in perplexity. "Surely it is not possible for
+us to get in at any point."
+
+"We can at least hold communication with those inside if we creep to the
+new portion of the fort, which as yet is only a stockade--the same place
+where the sergeant and I had converse with Colonel Gansevoort."
+
+It appears, as I finally learned, that the sergeant believed I would have
+sufficient sense to understand it was at this place we must effect an
+entrance, if anywhere, and I ought to have known at the time, for, after
+waving his arms to attract attention, he walked along the wall,
+disappearing near what was known as the "horn-works," which as yet were
+enclosed only by a stockade of logs.
+
+To summon the Minute Boys and bring them to the edge of the clearing was
+but the work of a few moments, and then was done that which I venture to
+say has seldom been accomplished during such a siege as was then in
+progress.
+
+For an armed party of nearly thirty to cross an open plain, supposedly
+under the very eyes of the enemy's sentinels, without being discovered, is
+something of which to boast, yet we Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley did
+it without raising an alarm.
+
+When the foremost of us, among whom I was, gained that portion of the
+fortification of which I have already spoken, the sergeant was lowering a
+long ladder over the stockade, and up this we clambered without delay, the
+entire party getting inside the fort within two minutes after the ascent
+was begun.
+
+What a time of congratulation that was! The garrison pressed around to
+praise us and pat themselves on the head, because we had come at what was,
+for them, an opportune time. Not only was the fort reinforced by no
+inconsiderable number, but we brought with us fairly good information as
+to the condition of affairs in the enemy's camp.
+
+The men were yet praising and thanking us for having come at such a time,
+when an officer approached with the word that Colonel Gansevoort wished to
+speak with the leaders of the party.
+
+"That means you, Noel," the sergeant said, patting me on the shoulder.
+"The colonel quite rightly believes that we can give him valuable
+information, an' is eager to have it."
+
+"But I am not the leader of the party," I said, finding time to be a bit
+bashful, now that the imminent danger was passed.
+
+"Who is, if not the captain of the company?" the old man asked, with a
+smile.
+
+"You, an' you always were when we were at home, Sergeant Corney, therefore
+are you doubly the leader now, after having brought us safely in from the
+encampment."
+
+The old soldier flatly refused to present himself as being in command of
+the Minute Boys, and there is no saying how long we might have wrangled
+among ourselves had not Colonel Willett, impatient to see us, come up just
+at that moment.
+
+After asking a few questions, he settled the matter by saying:
+
+"If you lads who have accomplished so much which men might well have
+feared to attempt, are not willing that one should have more praise than
+another, let all those who have been in command at different times present
+themselves to Colonel Gansevoort, and then, mayhap, we shall hear that for
+which we are so eager."
+
+I am free to admit that it was childish in any of us to hang back at such
+a moment, but, thanks to Colonel Willett, the matter was arranged as he
+suggested, Sergeant Corney, John Sammons, Jacob, and I going to the
+commandant's quarters, escorted by the colonel and the messenger who had
+been sent for us.
+
+There was no real occasion for us to have been timid regarding the
+interview with the commandant of Fort Schuyler, for a more pleasantly
+spoken, neighborly-like man it was never my good fortune to come in
+contact with.
+
+One would have said that he was interested personally in each and every
+one of us, from the questions he asked concerning our having organized a
+company of Minute Boys, how we had been drilled, and such like homely
+matters.
+
+Then, having shown himself to be a friend, as it were, he began getting
+that information which was necessary for the safety of the garrison. First
+he was eager to learn regarding the battle of Oriskany, for those inside
+the fort knew nothing whatsoever of that disastrous ambush, save such as
+could be guessed by the reports of the firearms and the bearing of the
+Indians after they beat a retreat.
+
+Sergeant Corney flatly refused to tell the story, insisting that I was the
+better able to do so, and, in the presence of Colonel Gansevoort and all
+his principal officers, I related the events of that day when an able
+soldier and a brave man was forced by the prating of cowards to lead his
+soldiers where he knew, almost beyond a peradventure, he had no hope of
+winning a victory.
+
+Then Jacob and I in turn gave an account of what had been done, bringing
+our story up to the time when Sergeant Corney took the lead in the attempt
+to gain the fort, and the old man could not well refuse to describe what
+he had seen that night regarding the disposition of the enemy's forces.
+
+That Colonel Gansevoort and his officers were deeply interested in our
+recital may be understood by the fact that day had fully come before we
+were at an end of our stories, and yet never one of them had shown the
+slightest impatience or a desire to cut us short.
+
+"I know of no greater favor which could have been done the garrison, save
+that of bringing in additional stores and larger reinforcements, than what
+has come to us through you," Colonel Gansevoort said, when we had imparted
+all our information. "I hope you will not regret having made this effort
+to aid us, and, if it so be an opportunity ever offers, I will see to it
+that, so far as is within my power, the Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley
+shall receive substantial credit from their country-men because of
+services rendered. We will give you as good quarters as we have; but if
+the rations seem scanty now and then, you must remember that we are not in
+position to get all we may require in the way of eatables."
+
+"Will you answer me one question, sir, an' not deem it impertinent?"
+Sergeant Corney asked, with a degree of humility such as I had never
+before seen him exhibit.
+
+"An hundred if you please. We can hardly refuse anything to those who have
+given us so much encouragement this night as have you and your comrades."
+
+"I would like to know, sir, simply from curiosity, an' not because it
+would make any difference with my desire to go or stay, if you have a good
+show of holdin' the fort against so strong a force as is under St. Leger's
+command?"
+
+"I believe we have," the colonel replied, thoughtfully. "At all events, I
+promise you that we will not surrender; but, if the worst comes to the
+worst, I shall sally out at night with the idea of cutting my way through
+the enemy's lines. Our provisions are running low; the enemy has advanced
+by parallels within an hundred and fifty yards, and the store of
+ammunition is by no means as great as we could wish. Our only hope is that
+General Schuyler may be able to succor us."
+
+"If a company of thirty boys can move through Thayendanega's camp, spy
+upon the British, and force their way into this fort unharmed, then of a
+surety can I do half as much," Colonel Willett said, vehemently. "I will
+undertake to make my way to General Schuyler, setting out when another
+night shall have come."
+
+"And I will go with you!" an officer, whom I afterward came to know was
+Lieutenant Stockwell cried heartily, whereupon the sergeant, puffed up
+because of what we had already done, declared that Jacob, he, and I would
+act as messengers.
+
+"It is enough for you to have shown us that the task can be accomplished,"
+Colonel Willett said with a smile. "I have been the first to volunteer for
+such service, and claim the right to go."
+
+At this point the commandant suggested in the most friendly manner that
+perhaps we who had lately arrived might be in need of food, and I fancied
+he made this suggestion in order to be rid of us while he and his officers
+discussed the proposition.
+
+At all events, we left headquarters and were conducted by Lieutenant
+Stockwell to a portion of the barracks which was set aside especially for
+the Minute Boys, to the end that we might all be together.
+
+"Rations shall be served you at once," the lieutenant said, as he turned
+to leave us, and, although he kept his word, it was past noon before we
+had an opportunity to break our fast, because it seemed as if nearly every
+man in the garrison was eager to hold personal converse with us in order
+to learn what he might concerning the besieging army.
+
+No matter however much we as a company might succeed in doing in the
+future, certain it is we could not be petted or praised more than we were
+during that first day in the fort.
+
+We had not accomplished anything remarkable, so far as I could see; aided
+by all the circumstances, and particularly by the fact that St. Leger's
+force had concluded to hold a powwow with the Indians on that certain
+night, we had come across the plain when, at another time and under other
+conditions, we might have made an hundred attempts without succeeding.
+
+It was, as Sergeant Corney would put it, the fortune of war, or the
+accident of war, which enabled us to do as we had done, and only the old
+soldier himself could take personal credit for our being there.
+
+If the garrison was on short allowance, we never would have suspected it
+during the first four and twenty hours of our stay, for every man inside
+the walls who had anything in the way of food which he thought might tempt
+our appetites, offered it to us, and the wonder of it all is that we were
+not so puffed up with pride as to behave very foolishly.
+
+Late in the afternoon, on the day after we arrived, Colonel Willett came
+to our quarters, and, sitting down among us regardless of his rank and
+high attainments as a military officer, talked in the most neighborly
+fashion with us concerning the surrounding country, the different routes
+we had pursued when coming to or going from the fort, and, particularly,
+concerning what we might have heard regarding the movements of the enemy
+between Fort Schuyler and Oswego.
+
+Of course to this last question we could give no satisfactory reply; but
+certain it is that he gained very much of useful information which would
+serve him in his attempt to reach General Schuyler. Having come to an end
+of his inquiries, he told us that it had been determined between himself
+and the commandant that on the next stormy night he and Lieutenant
+Stockwell would make an effort to leave the fort on their way to
+Stillwater, where it seems he believed the general would be found.
+
+Sergeant Corney begged hard to be allowed to accompany the two officers,
+but the colonel said, laughingly:
+
+"You will remain where you are, sir, unless it is in your mind to leave
+here because of the danger which threatens. Already have you done enough
+in the way of scouting."
+
+"I hope you do not think, sir, that I would run away because of anythin'
+like that?"
+
+"No, my man, I am quite certain you never would; but you are not to gain
+all the credit in this siege, for I count on taking some of it myself,
+unless, peradventure, the enemy treat me worse than they did you."
+
+Then the colonel left us, and right glad was I that he had not accepted
+the sergeant's offer, for I might in some way have been dragged into the
+venture, and of a verity I had had enough in that line of work to last me
+so long as I might live. It is all very well when a fellow is beyond reach
+of danger to speculate upon what might be done to gain a name for himself;
+but quite another matter to take his life in his hand any oftener than may
+be absolutely necessary.
+
+On the following morning I presented myself to the commandant with a
+complaint, having been prompted thereto by Sergeant Corney. We had not yet
+been assigned to any duty, and each member of the garrison seemed
+particularly averse to allowing us to even help ourselves.
+
+There was not a member of our company who wished to remain there idle, and
+I visited headquarters to ask that we might be called upon for the regular
+garrison work, the same as if we were enlisted men.
+
+Colonel Gansevoort very kindly assured me that there was no real reason
+why we should do duty while the force was so large; but promised, if we
+insisted upon it, to consider us when making a detail, exactly as he would
+any of the others.
+
+Colonel Willett had not long to wait before beginning his perilous
+journey. By noon of the second day after our arrival the wind veered
+around into the south, bringing heavy clouds across the sky, and even the
+poorest weather prophets among us knew that a summer storm was close at
+hand.
+
+Once during the afternoon the colonel passed near where I was furbishing
+up my rifle, and halted to say:
+
+"The lieutenant and I count on leaving the fort shortly before midnight.
+If you and your friends have any desire to see us set out, go down to the
+new works at about that time."
+
+By the "new works" he meant the stockade over which we had come, and I
+hastened to impart the information to Sergeant Corney and Jacob, knowing
+full well that they would be as interested in the venture as was I.
+
+The volunteer messengers could not have asked for a better night. When the
+day had come to an end the storm burst with no inconsiderable fury, and it
+was safe to predict that it would not clear away before sunrise.
+
+Had I been going on the venture I would have set out much before the
+appointed time, because while the rain came down so furiously there was
+little chance the enemy's sentinels could see what might be going on at
+the southerly end of the fortification, and it seemed as if my opinion was
+shared by Colonel Willett, for he and the lieutenant were ready to leave
+at about ten o'clock.
+
+I considered it very friendly in him to send us word as to his change of
+plans, that we might not miss seeing them set forth, and thus it was we
+beheld the two brave men as they imperilled their lives voluntarily and
+solely in the hope of aiding their comrades.
+
+They carried no weapons save spears, wore no clothing except what was
+absolutely necessary for comfort, and, stripped to the lightest possible
+marching trim, they went out into the blackness of the night like true
+heroes, with a smile and a jest upon their lips.
+
+There were not above twenty of us who witnessed the departure, but it is
+safe to say that no more fervent prayers for their safety could have been
+offered up if the whole garrison had bent the knee.
+
+The darkness of night had literally swallowed them up, and the downpour of
+rain drowned every noise that might have been made by their advance. It
+was a brave venture, more particularly because, without chance of being
+accused in the slightest degree of cowardice, they might have yielded
+their places to others.
+
+During half an hour or more we remained exposed to the storm, as we
+listened with painful intentness for some sound which should tell us that
+they had been discovered, and when at the end of that time we had heard
+nothing, it was believed they were on their way in safety.
+
+Later in the day we learned that it was Colonel Willett's intention to
+push on to German Flats, and there, procuring horses, ride at full speed
+down the valley to General Schuyler's headquarters.
+
+Having once got clear of the fort and its vicinity, as we believed to be
+the fact, the only thing which might prove the undoing of the venture was
+that the general had gone to some other section of the country, and they
+would not succeed in finding him until St. Leger had accomplished his
+purpose.
+
+Well, we settled down to garrison duty, taking our turn with the squads of
+from fifty to an hundred men who remained constantly on the alert to shoot
+such of the enemy as might be sufficiently obliging as to show themselves,
+and ready to give warning of any signs of an attack.
+
+This last was not believed probable. The officers of the garrison argued
+that neither the Indians nor the Tories could be depended upon to make a
+direct assault on such a fortification as Fort Schuyler, and that all St.
+Leger's efforts would be directed toward advancing his parallels until he
+was sufficiently near to mine.
+
+And yet how true is the old maxim that "it is always the unexpected which
+happens!"
+
+On the third morning after we had entered the fort Sergeant Corney and I
+were on duty as sharpshooters, and, before we had been upon the walls many
+moments, I called his attention to what seemed like an unusual hurrying to
+and fro on the part of the enemy. It was as if they were making ready for
+some important movement, and, according to my way of thinking, that could
+only mean an assault, improbable as our officers believed it to be.
+
+As a matter of course, we gave immediate information to the officer of the
+day of what we fancied had been discovered, and within half an hour more
+there could no longer be any doubt but that St. Leger had made up his mind
+to see what might be accomplished by a direct attack.
+
+I was disposed to make light of the matter, not believing it possible the
+enemy could effect anything of importance, but lost somewhat of my
+confidence on observing the grave expression on the faces of the officers.
+
+"What is it?" I asked of Sergeant Corney. "Do they fancy for a moment
+that, even though the Indians should be willing to take part in the
+assault, the fort could be carried?"
+
+"No, lad, I reckon they're not sich fools as that; but it has come to my
+ears that ammunition for the cannon is runnin' mighty low, an' to repel an
+attack, even though there be no danger come from it, will be a serious
+matter."
+
+Even then I failed to understand what the old soldier meant, and asked him
+to explain more fully, which he did.
+
+Then I came to realize that to expend our ammunition for the big guns at
+that time might result disastrously for us later, when, the parallels
+having been brought nearer, an assault would be vastly more menacing.
+
+However, St. Leger had the right to do whatsoever he might, and he could
+not have chosen a wiser course had he known exactly the amount of powder
+in our magazine.
+
+The gunners were sent to their stations, the remainder of the force
+disposed here or there as they might be the most useful, we Minute Boys
+being stationed near the sally-port, which, as Sergeant Corney said, was a
+great compliment, because at about that place might the hottest work be
+expected.
+
+It was not pleasant, this making ready for a battle. When we went into
+action with General Herkimer it was done quickly; we suspected something
+of the kind might happen, but were not certain of it. Now there could be
+no question but that, in a short time at the most, we would be striving to
+kill human beings, and unable, except at the cost of being branded as
+cowards, to do anything toward saving our own lives.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIII.
+
+The Assault
+
+
+
+If I have not spoken of Peter Sitz since he was rescued by the Minute
+Boys, it is because he did not remain in the barracks with us from Cherry
+Valley, but messed with some of his acquaintances from German Flats,
+therefore we saw very little of him until the garrison was mustered to
+repel the threatened attack.
+
+Then I noted that Colonel Gansevoort had entrusted to him the charge of a
+certain portion of the wall nearly opposite where the Minute Boys were
+stationed, and because he had been placed in command, even though it was
+of course only temporary, I judged, and truly, that Jacob's father was
+accounted an able assistant in such work as we most likely had before us.
+
+Sergeant Corney remained with the Minute Boys, as was his duty. I believe
+of a verity my company would have grumbled almost as loudly as had General
+Herkimer's men on the morning before the fight at Oriskany, had the old
+soldier taken station elsewhere, and yet it would have been but natural
+for him to go into the fight side by side with those of the garrison who
+were most experienced in warfare.
+
+As I have said, we were given a post which had in it no inconsiderable
+honor, since it was at that point where the most fighting might be
+expected, and from where we stood it was possible to have a fairly good
+view of the plain immediately surrounding the fort.
+
+Within twenty minutes after the alarm was first given, we could see the
+British and Tory soldiers forming in line, while to the southward, below
+the bend in the river, the Indians were crossing hurriedly, which last
+fact caused me to say to the sergeant:
+
+"I am of the mind that the savages count on attacking the stockaded
+portion of the fortification," and the old man replied:
+
+"Ay, lad, an' one might have guessed that without stopping to see from
+which direction they were comin'. Thayendanega may prate as much as he
+pleases about the bravery of his warriors, but he cannot find a corporal's
+guard among the whole crowd that would dare march up to a direct assault
+upon earthworks."
+
+"What portion of the force is on duty in the stockade?" Jacob asked, but
+none of our company could answer him. It was reasonable to suppose Colonel
+Gansevoort had stationed there those of his men who were most experienced
+in savage warfare, and we whose duty it was to hold the walls in the
+vicinity of the sally-port had no need to trouble our heads concerning
+them.
+
+The one thing which puzzled me was as to why St. Leger was making this
+attack, since he had begun to approach the fort by parallels. I was eager
+to have some expert opinion as to whether the British were apparently
+abandoning the slow method of reducing the fortification, or if, having
+learned perchance that we were running short of ammunition for the big
+guns, they were making an attack in order to provoke us to waste powder
+which would be more sadly needed at some later day. Therefore it was that
+I asked Sergeant Corney what his belief was regarding the matter.
+
+"It looks to me much as if Colonel Willett an' Lieutenant Stockwell had
+been captured."
+
+"How do you figure that out?"
+
+"Because an assault is evidently about to be made. If they are not
+prisoners, the enemy has learned that they left the fort."
+
+I was still in darkness as to why he arrived at such conclusion, but found
+the reason exceedingly plain when he said:
+
+"If St. Leger knows that a man of Colonel Willett's rank was eager to take
+the chances of leaving the fortification to summon assistance, he must
+believe the garrison is in sore straits, an' therefore it is that I
+believe the mistake was made in allowin' him to go out when there were
+plenty of others here willin' to take the chances."
+
+It grieved me sorely to think that the brave officer might be at that
+moment in the hands of the savages, or, what amounted to much the same
+thing, in the custody of the Britishers, for it was charged openly that,
+in order to keep the Indian allies in good temper, prisoners taken by his
+Majesty's troops were often delivered over to the red-skinned wolves for
+torture.
+
+However, there was but little time left me in which to speculate upon this
+painful matter, for even as Sergeant Corney and I spoke together the
+British troops, supported by the Johnson Greens, came out into view from
+amid the encampment, marching directly toward the fort.
+
+"There is more in this than an ordinary assault," I heard the sergeant
+mutter, as he looked to the priming of his musket. "St. Leger would not
+expose his men to the slaughter which must follow without good and
+sufficient cause. I'm not overly given to praising the Britishers; but we
+must admit that he who's in command here is a thoroughly good soldier."
+
+Under ordinary circumstances I would have been conscious of a certain
+chill along my spine, and felt my knees trembling beneath me at the
+certainty of soon being engaged in a life or death struggle; but after my
+experience as a prisoner there was but one thought in my heart, and that
+of repaying the enemy for some of the sufferings I had undergone.
+
+The desire for revenge was greater than the fear of death.
+
+Before many moments passed Sergeant Corney hit upon what I firmly believed
+was the true answer to my question of why an assault was to be made at
+this time.
+
+The Britishers and Tories advanced in good order until facing the
+northerly and westerly sides of the fort, within musket-shot range, and
+from that distance poured their bullets into us without doing much
+execution; but calling for strict attention on our part lest a charge be
+made, for the ditch was not so wide or deep but that a body of trained
+soldiers could have overcome the obstacle.
+
+Only twice were the guns, which could be trained in that direction,
+discharged, and then we inflicted no slight injury upon the foe; but
+Colonel Gansevoort soon showed that he was far too prudent a commander to
+shoot away all his powder at one time, even though it was possible to
+punish the enemy severely.
+
+It looked much as if the king's forces were bent on continuing the battle
+with small arms at short range, for they discharged their pieces as
+rapidly as it was possible to reload them, making a great din even though
+the execution was slight.
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney hit upon the meaning of this odd move.
+Without a word he leaped down from the wall where he had been stationed,
+running swiftly toward the unfinished portion of the fortification, and
+was gone no more than three or four minutes when he returned with more
+show of excitement than I had ever known him to exhibit.
+
+"Yonder Britishers and renegades are but holding our attention in order to
+give Thayendanega's wolves a chance to scale the stockade," he said,
+hurriedly. "The force there is all too small. I will take half of the
+company, at risk of disobeying orders, to that point, while you go with
+all speed and tell the commandant what I have learned."
+
+I understood the situation without further explanation, and, realizing the
+necessity for haste, went as rapidly as my legs would carry me to the
+northeast bastion, where I had last seen Colonel Gansevoort.
+
+Fortunately for my purpose he was still there, giving directions as to the
+firing of the guns, and in a twinkling I had acquainted him with the
+situation as described by Sergeant Corney, at the same time explaining
+that half the Minute Boys had been withdrawn from near the sally-port.
+
+"The sergeant has done well," the commandant replied. "Ten of your number
+should be more than sufficient there, if matters are as they seem. Tell
+Sergeant Braun I will join him as soon as possible."
+
+Then I ran with all speed to my company, and, explaining to John Sammons
+my purpose, took with me half the number remaining under his command.
+With this small force I set off at full speed, and we arrived none too
+soon at the place where the most desperate fighting was going on.
+
+At the beginning of the action no more than forty men had been stationed
+in the "horn-works," and it seemed to me as if the entire stockaded
+portion was surrounded by a dancing horde of howling, maddened Indians,
+who, bringing with them tree-trunks or stout branches, were throwing up
+such a heap of odds and ends as admitted of their gaining the top of the
+logs despite the fire which our people were pouring upon them.
+
+It must be set down here that there were no cannon in this unfinished
+portion of the fortification. The so-called rebellion against the king had
+broken out before this very necessary adjunct to the strength of the fort
+could be completed, and, consequently, it was the weakest portion of our
+defence.
+
+When I arrived with my comrades at this point, our people were engaged in
+a hand-to-hand struggle with the savages, three score or more having
+succeeded in effecting an entrance, and it needed no experienced eye to
+say that unless the onrush could be speedily checked, the capture of the
+fort might be effected at a time when we had believed St. Leger was simply
+making a feint.
+
+Exactly what happened during the next half-hour I am unable to state of my
+own knowledge, for I had no sooner entered the horn-works than it became
+necessary to put forth every effort in the saving of my own life.
+
+A gigantic savage discharged his musket with seemingly true aim directly
+at my head; but, strangely enough, missed the target, and then he came at
+me, hatchet in hand, with such fury that for an instant it seemed as if I
+was at his mercy.
+
+So excited was I that my bullet, which should have found lodgment in his
+heart, went as wild as had his, and then was I forced to use a clubbed
+musket for defence.
+
+Had any one asked me on that morning if I believed it possible to
+withstand the attack of an Indian, the two of us using the weapons I have
+just described, my answer would have been a decided "no," and yet now I
+held him in good play, although realizing that each moment I was growing
+weaker and he gaining the advantage.
+
+Already were my eyes becoming suffused with blood; my brain was in a
+whirl, as I leaped here or there, parrying with the butt of the musket the
+blows of his hatchet, and all the time he continued to press me nearer and
+nearer toward the wall, where my resistance would have been overcome
+within a very short time.
+
+I wondered why it was that Colonel Gansevoort delayed in the coming, and
+could see, without looking in any direction save at my foe, that the
+number of savages inside the stockade was increasing each moment.
+
+[Illustration: "The painted villain sank down upon the ground"]
+
+Only a brief delay now on the part of the commandant, and they would gain
+so great an advantage that such portion of the garrison as could be
+withdrawn from the walls where the Britishers were making the pretended
+attack, would not be able to dislodge them.
+
+Then suddenly, at the very moment when it seemed impossible I could
+struggle any longer, the painted villain sank down upon the ground as if
+having received his death-blow, and I dimly heard Sergeant Corney cry,
+cheerily:
+
+"That was a narrow squeak, lad, an' we'll hope there'll be many more of
+'em before the last one comes! Keep yourself well in hand, for of a verity
+our work is cut out for us here!"
+
+Now it was I knew that a shot from the old soldier's musket had put an end
+to the combat in which I was most deeply interested, and I strained every
+nerve to gather myself together as he had commanded.
+
+By this time I dare venture to say no less than two hundred of the howling
+demons had scaled the stockade, and we who were defending this weakest
+portion of the fortification were pressed back and back until we stood
+massed against that opening which gave entrance to the main fortification.
+
+We were in good position for the enemy to mow us down with bullets, and in
+such close formation that only those in the outermost ranks could use
+their weapons to advantage.
+
+"It is all over," I said to myself, realizing that within a very few
+moments we must be killed or disabled under such a fire as Thayendanega's
+scoundrels were pouring upon us. Then from our rear I heard ringing
+cheers, the trampling of many feet, and realized that assistance had come
+at the most critical moment.
+
+Sixty seconds later we had all been slain like sheep in the shambles!
+
+"Give way, give way, lads in front!" I heard Colonel Gansevoort shout,
+and, hardly understanding the words, instinctively we surged either side
+of the passage, having hardly done so before a shower of grape-shot came
+hurtling between our ranks, dealing death to scores of the
+feather-bedecked wretches.
+
+"Stand to your muskets, you Minute Boys!" Sergeant Corney shouted, and the
+sound of his voice stiffened my courage wonderfully. "Now is the time to
+pay back some of our old scores, and every bullet should cut short a life
+from among those who would harry us of the valley."
+
+He had hardly more than ceased speaking when a great uproar could be heard
+from the distance, and, without turning my head, I understood that the
+British regulars and the Johnson Greens were pressing the attack on the
+west and the front, in order to hold our men at the walls that we might
+not be able to regain possession of the stockade.
+
+Now the fight was on in good earnest, and a bloodier one or a more
+desperate struggle I hope never to see again.
+
+After the single cannon which Colonel Gansevoort had caused to be brought
+in was discharged, the reinforcements betook themselves to their muskets,
+for our frontiersmen were more accustomed to the use of small arms than
+big guns, and the tide surged this way and that, with the fate of the fort
+trembling more than once in the balance, until I had before my eyes only
+great billows of feathered forms, which rose and fell, advanced and were
+forced back, until I was well-nigh bewildered.
+
+Before this portion of the fighting had come to an end, fully half the
+garrison was engaged in repelling the attack of Thayendanega's forces, and
+during such time the white portion of the enemy's army might have made a
+successful assault upon the walls, I verily believe, but for the cowardice
+displayed by the Tories.
+
+How long we struggled there hand to hand, stumbling now over the lifeless
+forms of our comrades, and again finding our way checked by the dead
+bodies of the savages, I cannot say; but certain it is that we finally
+drove the last of the hated foe over the stockade, and gave Thayendanega's
+boasting braves such a lesson as they would not need to have repeated for
+many days.
+
+I was not less wearied with the carnage than those around me. Even
+Sergeant Corney, to whom such scenes were not strange, leaned against a
+portion of the earthworks as if for support while he dashed the
+perspiration from his eyes, and then we knew by the sounds that the battle
+was being waged severely over against the sally-port.
+
+Then it was I called for the Minute Boys to follow me, as I ran at the
+best pace possible in that direction, for there was our post of duty.
+
+Now Colonel Gansevoort no longer husbanded his store of ammunition
+intended for the cannon, and every piece in the northern and eastern
+bastions was being worked with the utmost rapidity, sending among the
+Tories such a shower of iron as their cowardly hearts could not hold out
+against, and, when they turned with cries of fear to flee, the British
+regulars, understanding that they were too few in number to effect
+anything against us, joined in the retreat.
+
+The assault had come to an end, and we of the garrison were triumphant,
+but at such an expense of life that we could not well afford many more
+such victories.
+
+During that night we buried our dead,--four and twenty men,--committing
+them to the dust under cover of darkness lest the enemy see how much
+injury he had inflicted, and, thank God, never a member of my company who
+could not answer to the roll-call.
+
+There were forty-one so seriously wounded that it was necessary a certain
+force be told off from among the garrison to play the part of nurses, and,
+when to the number of disabled is added those who were to care for them,
+it can be seen that St. Leger struck us a severe blow, even though he did
+not succeed in his purpose.
+
+We buried our comrades in the horn-works, just under the stockade they had
+defended so gallantly, and threw over the fence of logs fifty-two of
+Thayendanega's wolves who would take no further part in murder and rapine.
+It is positive that there must have been many wounded among the Indians,
+some so severely that it would have been impossible for them to accompany
+their fellows in the retreat; but yet we found none that had any life in
+them when we searched among the ghastly evidences of the fight for our own
+people.
+
+Peter Sitz declared that he had seen one of the wounded savages
+deliberately kill himself with a knife, when it was seen that the assault
+had failed, and I doubt not but that several did the same rather than fall
+into our hands. Then, also, it is possible, in the heat of battle, and
+remembering what these human wolves had done to the women and children of
+the settlements which had been attacked, some of our men had sent more
+than one of the helpless wretches to the Happy Hunting Grounds. I count
+myself as tender-hearted as any other, and yet it would not have troubled
+my conscience had I put a few wounded villains out of the world, rather
+than let them live to commit yet more murders.
+
+On the morning after the assault a white flag was raised over the fort,
+and when St. Leger sent in hot haste a messenger to learn what we wanted,
+thinking, most like, we had made up our minds to surrender, he was
+informed that Colonel Gansevoort was willing to grant an hour's truce that
+the British and Indian dead might be buried.
+
+This the enemy accepted, and I was surprised to see that never one of
+Thayendanega's beauties came forward to carry off the slain of his tribe.
+I had always heard it said that the redskins would brave any danger rather
+than allow a dead Indian to fall into the hands of an enemy; but certain
+it is that on this day the rascally Tories dragged away the bodies, with
+not even a squaw to help them.
+
+Within the time set we were rid of the ghastly evidence of the battle,
+which might have proven a menace to the health of the garrison had the
+corpses been allowed to remain unburied while the weather was so warm, and
+during all the coming night we could hear distinctly cries of lamentation
+from the Indian camp. It was as if every brave, squaw, and papoose howled
+his or her loudest in token of sorrow, and three of us within the fort had
+a very good idea of what would have been our fate had we not been rescued
+before the assault.
+
+"This would have been our last night on earth, had the Minute Boys not
+come to the rescue," Peter Sitz said to me, as we stood near the
+sally-port for an instant, listening to the wild cries, and, strong man
+though he was, I took note of the fact that his face shone pale in the
+faint light.
+
+It did not need that I should strain my imagination very much to paint a
+mental picture of our condition at that time, if we had remained in the
+power of the savages. Of a verity we would have tested their keenest
+torture before death came to our relief.
+
+"It would seem as if that company of ours had been formed to some purpose,
+an' not all of them were children," I said, minded that he who had laughed
+most heartily at what he was pleased to call our "pretensions," should
+give credit where it was due.
+
+"If I live to see home again, there is never a man in Cherry Valley who
+shall not hear from me what I owe to you lads!"
+
+"Don't forget that I had no part in the rescue, Master Sitz, for surely I
+was trussed up as stoutly as either you or Sergeant Corney."
+
+"Yet but for your persistence we would never have thought of enlisting the
+boys to aid in our defence, therefore must you take your portion of the
+praise, an' more especially since it is said by Sergeant Corney himself
+that you have proven yourself a man at every time when danger threatened."
+
+"Sergeant Corney has no idea how my knees shook beneath me when, as he
+believed, I was stout-hearted," I replied, with a careless laugh that
+served to cloak the feeling of pride which rose in my bosom when he gave
+good words to the Minute Boys.
+
+While weeping over our dead, and rejoicing because of having beaten back
+the enemy when it seemed as if the assault was about to be successful,
+fear regarding the safety of Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell lay
+heavily upon our hearts. It was the belief of nearly all the garrison that
+the two officers had been captured, and, if such had been the case, there
+could be no question but that they suffered a terrible death at the stake
+while the savages were mourning over their loss.
+
+Those among us who felt convinced that the messengers had succeeded in
+their attempt, and Colonel Gansevoort was one of the hopeful ones,
+insisted that if the Indians had tortured any prisoners to death, we must
+have heard yells and shouts of triumph; yet the night wind had brought to
+our ears nothing more than the cries of sorrow.
+
+Viewing the situation in the brightest light possible, many days must of a
+necessity elapse before we could hope for any good results from their
+brave venture, and if in the meantime the enemy pressed us sharply, we
+would be in hard straits, more particularly since so much of our
+ammunition had been expended in defending the fort against that first
+assault.
+
+When a large number of men are confined in a limited space, and exposed to
+danger, it needs but the lightest word to make cowards of the more
+faint-hearted, as we soon had good proof.
+
+On the day following the truce, after the enemy had buried their dead,
+work on the parallels was continued, and it gave me no little satisfaction
+to see that the Tories were forced to perform the greater portion of the
+labor.
+
+As I have already said, these trenches extended within an hundred and
+fifty yards of the fort by this time, and we knew only too well that it
+was not within our power to prevent their being advanced as near as the
+enemy saw fit to carry them.
+
+After a certain time mining would probably be begun, and then, if our
+supply of ammunition had not been replenished, the end must be near at
+hand, when St. Leger would have opportunity to carry into execution his
+threat of allowing Thayendanega's murderers to work their cruel will.
+
+All this was talked over and commented upon by our people as the days wore
+on, and the more timid seemed to find delight in picturing what would take
+place if the fort was captured.
+
+"Why must they keep harpin' on that possibility all the time?" I asked,
+angrily, of Sergeant Corney, when I had turned away in disgust from a
+group of men who were painting horrible word-pictures, and the old soldier
+had followed me to the parade-ground beyond sound of such words.
+
+"It is all as plain as the nose on your face, lad," the old man said,
+grimly. "Look about, an' you'll see that them as are makin' the howl over
+what the Injuns may do are the faintest-hearted among us. It's all done
+for one purpose."
+
+"What can that be?" I asked, in surprise. "How do they suppose any good
+can come of conjuring up everything horrible?"
+
+"They're of the same kidney that drove General Herkimer into the ambush,
+an' are tryin' to force the colonel to surrender."
+
+"That can't be possible!" I cried, sharply. "There's never one among them
+who does not know full well what the result will be if Colonel Gansevoort
+surrenders the fort! St. Leger's promises would be as the idle wind when
+Thayendanega's followers wanted victims for the stake!"
+
+"True for you, lad, an' yet these cowards are ready to howl for
+capitulation rather than fight as men should, in the presence of such an
+enemy, to the last ditch," the sergeant replied, bitterly.
+
+I could not believe that among the entire garrison might be found one
+soldier who would willingly consent to a surrender, and said as much to
+the old man, who replied, grimly:
+
+"I haven't been around here for the past four an' twenty hours with my
+eyes shut an' my ears filled with moss. Take a turn about the works,
+listenin' to all that is said, an' you'll find I'm not wrong in my
+figgerin'. The colonel knows as well as do I what's in the wind, an' I'll
+agree never to eat sweet-cake agin if he ain't makin' ready for trouble
+inside the fort as well as outside."
+
+I remained silent a full minute, horrified by the bare possibility, and
+then asked, in a voice which trembled despite all my efforts to render it
+steady:
+
+"Think you they can force him against his will, as the militia did General
+Herkimer?"
+
+"It is my belief that he'd shoot down a round dozen before consentin' to
+give us all over to death; but there's no knowin' what a man may be forced
+into when pressure enough has been brought to bear upon him."
+
+At this moment Jacob came up, looking like his old self now that his
+father was safe, at least, for the time being, and to him I put the matter
+much as I had had it from the sergeant.
+
+"Within the hour I have heard the same word from my father. He believes
+there are a full hundred of the garrison who, when they have worked
+themselves up to just such a pitch, will howl for surrender."
+
+Even then I refused to believe in what was as yet no more than a
+suspicion, and Sergeant Corney said, impatiently:
+
+"It won't cost you much time to find out for yourself, lad. Take a couple
+of turns around, an' I'll guarantee you'll agree that Peter Sitz an' I are
+not tryin' to make mountains out of mole-hills."
+
+"I'll go with you," Jacob said, promptly, and straightway we set out,
+keeping our ears open whenever we came within speaking distance of a
+group of men who appeared to be talking earnestly upon some particular
+subject.
+
+It was not necessary that we should go twice around the inside of the
+fortification, for before we completed the first circuit I had heard
+enough to convince me that Sergeant Corney, instead of exaggerating the
+matter, had not made his statements strong enough by one-half.
+
+As it seemed to me, a full third of the garrison were arguing in favor of
+surrender, giving as their reasons the scanty supply of powder for the
+cannon, and the probability that St. Leger's army would constantly
+increase as the Tories from the Mohawk Valley got wind of what was going
+on.
+
+I was sick at heart and literally faint with fear when this knowledge was
+forced in upon me, for I knew only too well how idle would be all the
+promises of St. Leger if the savages were inclined to massacre the
+prisoners that were surrendered on promises of fair treatment.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIV.
+
+Mutiny
+
+
+
+I had thought that we would never again be called upon to witness such a
+scene as that in General Herkimer's encampment on the morning when those
+who, later, were the first to show the white feather, literally drove him
+into a place where he, as a soldier, knew it was not safe to venture until
+all the arrangements for a sortie from the fort were completed.
+
+Now, however, it seemed to me that we were to be treated to a second dose
+of mutiny, and this one more serious than the first, for, in case these
+fools in the fort succeeded in badgering Colonel Gansevoort as the others
+had the general, then would nearly a thousand men be given over to the
+savage foe, whom we knew full well would show no mercy.
+
+To me the strange part of it all was that these very simpletons who were
+howling so loudly for surrender would be among those counted as prisoners,
+and I failed utterly to understand how they could figure themselves as
+being better off in the power of Thayendanega's wolves, than in the fort
+where they had a chance of fighting to the death.
+
+Even to this day it seems so strange that I would not dare set it down as
+a fact unless those gentlemen who write history had spoken of it so
+plainly.
+
+"You can make up your mind that those fellows who are lettin' out the most
+noise are the ones who've got a cowardly streak in 'em somewhere,"
+Sergeant Corney said, when Jacob and I, having satisfied ourselves that
+mutiny was rife in the fort, went to him for the purpose of talking the
+matter over.
+
+"The greater the cowards the less inclined they should be to surrender, as
+it seems to me," I replied, in perplexity.
+
+"Ay, lad, that's the way it looks to a decent man; but sich fellows as
+these here who are makin' a row, are the ones who're always lookin' ahead,
+thinkin' matters may be bettered, an' regardin' not the possibility of
+their growin' worse. Here they are, like to come on short allowance, an'
+obleeged to take their turn at bein' shot at now an' then, consequently,
+not havin' the heart to endure even the lightest sufferin', they say we
+can't be any worse off, an' ought to surrender."
+
+"But they know the nature of Thayendanega's wolves as well as do you or
+I."
+
+"Yes, they did know yesterday; but now, because their stomachs are not
+quite full, they're ready to admit that every redskin is an imitation
+angel."
+
+"Think you they can badger the colonel?" Jacob asked, thoughtfully, thus
+repeating my question in different words.
+
+"I will say to you as I did to Noel, that they're like to get the rough
+end of it before drivin' him into a mistake. We who are not inclined to be
+mutinous can help him out a good bit in this matter."
+
+"How?" I asked, in perplexity.
+
+"By standin' out stiffly against their fool talk, though there ain't much
+chance you can convince 'em with words; but if one, or half a dozen, for
+that matter, gives me an openin', I'll see if the weight of my fist can't
+beat some sense into them."
+
+It is not agreeable to set down the details of such a disgraceful scene as
+we witnessed during the next four and twenty hours, and more than painful
+to describe how the mutiny was finally checked. It must be done, however,
+if I would write fairly the part which we Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley
+took in the troubles and triumphs round-about Fort Schuyler; but I will
+give the story in as few words as possible.
+
+It so chanced that during this day the rations dealt out to us were
+smaller than before, and this gave the fool croakers an opportunity of
+airing their grievances in fine style.
+
+Those who should have been steadily attentive to their duties, with never
+a thought in their minds of anything save besting the motley crew that
+besieged us, began to talk openly of starvation, as if there was no
+question whatsoever but that we had come nearly to the end of our
+provisions, and thus, as I believe, they brought over to their way of
+thinking many who never would have listened to such wild talk, but for the
+fact that it seemed probable the hour of surrender must be near at hand.
+
+I saw to it that none of the Minute Boys sided with these malcontents,
+while Sergeant Corney and Peter Sitz moved here and there throughout the
+day, trying to persuade the men to do only that which was for their own
+good, but without success.
+
+The longer such talk ran through the garrison the stronger it became,
+until shortly before sunset the mutiny was so well advanced that the
+commandant could do no less than take serious notice of it, and it pleased
+me that he did not delay.
+
+Save for the sentinels on the walls, the entire garrison was called out as
+for parade, and, having been clumsily formed in a hollow square, Colonel
+Gansevoort, surrounded by his staff of officers, undertook to still the
+rising tempest.
+
+He began by saying that it was the opinion of himself and his staff that
+the men ought to know exactly the condition of affairs, lest they be led
+astray by idle fears, and to that end he called upon the quartermaster for
+a detailed statement of the amount of eatables then on hand.
+
+When this had been given, and it required some time to read the entire
+list, he announced the number of men, women, and children which were
+inside the walls of the fort, figuring out that by slightly decreasing the
+size of the rations it would be possible to provide every person with food
+during three weeks at least.
+
+True it is the supply was not large enough to admit of our gorging
+ourselves; but I dare venture to say that many there would have lived on
+much less had they been thrown upon their own resources in their own
+homes.
+
+Then he told how many times the big guns had been fired during the late
+assault, and stated that we had two hundred and fifty rounds of ammunition
+remaining for the cannon. He claimed that it was possible for us to hold
+the fort even though we did not use the heavy weapons, and showed that we
+could yet put up as much of a fight as St. Leger's army would be able to
+stomach.
+
+After all these details, he described to the men what would likely be
+their fate in event of surrender, declaring that we had every reason and
+the ability to hold the fort if we were so minded, and urged us to be men
+rather than cowards.
+
+It was a good speech, and one which should have put heart into the veriest
+white-livered militiaman that ever pretended to be a soldier; but, to my
+surprise, I could see on the faces of those who had talked surrender the
+loudest, an expression telling that the words passed by them as does the
+wind.
+
+When we were dismissed the contention was greater than before the colonel
+spoke, and I began to believe it would have been better had he held his
+peace, for surely it seemed as if they believed his words of cheer were
+but proof that he shared their fears.
+
+During the evening one of the bolder poltroons declared it was the duty of
+all the garrison, in order to save their lives, to force Colonel
+Gansevoort to do as they desired, and while the talk was the hottest
+Sergeant Corney "broke loose," as he afterward expressed it.
+
+"This lad an' I," he said, laying his hand on my shoulder, after
+attracting the attention of all within sound of his voice, "have within a
+short time seen just such scoundrelly curs as you are provin' yourselves
+to be. We have heard them cry out against a commander who was fitted to
+lead brave men, and their blood is not yet dry on the banks of the
+Oriskany. They forced General Herkimer into an ambush against his better
+judgment,--against his will,--an' at the first volley from Thayendanega's
+painted wretches they turned tail. Until that time I had thought an Indian
+was the meanest specimen of humanity on the face of the earth; but I have
+come to know different, an' am yet gettin' fresh proof. If you talk so
+boldly of what St. Leger's promises are worth, why don't you put 'em to
+the test? If you believe death by starvation awaits you here, an' that all
+the heart of man can desire is to be found among yonder yellin' imps, why
+don't you make an exchange? The garrison would be the stronger for your
+absence, an' if it so be any man here wants to consort with the red
+wolves, I, who pride myself on never yet havin' disobeyed a military
+order, will stand by an' help him to leave the fort."
+
+For a moment after the old man ceased speaking I fully expected he would
+be set upon and ill-treated by those whom he had so severely lashed with
+his tongue.
+
+That no move toward open violence was attempted simply gave proof that
+they were the cowards he had accused them of being; but I believed it was
+possible to see in their faces that his ironical advice might bear fruit,
+and so I told him when the opportunity came.
+
+"More than one of them has had it in his mind to desert an' go over to the
+enemy," I said, whereupon he replied, as if the possibility gave him great
+satisfaction:
+
+"I wish they might! It's true I said more than I meant when declarin' my
+willingness to help 'em get away; but I promise you, Noel Campbell, that
+my hand never will be raised to stop them, if they try any sich fool
+trick."
+
+When my lads were together in the barracks once more, and had settled down
+for the night, none of us having been detailed for guard-duty, the thought
+of what I fancied I saw on the faces of the mutineers troubled me not a
+little, and, instead of lying down to sleep with the majority of my
+comrades, I called Peter Sitz and Sergeant Corney aside, urging that one
+or the other go to Colonel Gansevoort for the purpose of telling him what
+it was possible some of the garrison might attempt to do before morning.
+
+Peter Sitz claimed that, since he was not a soldier, he had no right to
+make what might seem to the commandant like a suggestion, and shoved all
+the responsibility on the sergeant.
+
+The old man declared, as he had previously, that the men might do as they
+pleased; that if it was possible to stop them by a single word his lips
+should remain closed.
+
+Whereupon I suggested that if the men should desert, in however small
+numbers, they might leave some portion of the fortification unguarded,
+which would work to the peril of all, and insisted, if the sergeant would
+not do what he might to prevent the desertion, it was at least our duty to
+so act that the remainder of the garrison would not be put in jeopardy
+because of their folly.
+
+Not until I had spoken at some length would the old soldier give any heed,
+and then, upon a suggestion from Peter Sitz, he said:
+
+"This much I'm willin' to do, an' no more: from now till mornin' I'll make
+it my business, although clearly I am goin' beyond the bounds of ordinary
+duty, to move to an' fro around the fort, an' will summon the Minute Boys
+in case any point is left unguarded."
+
+Both Jacob and I proposed to share the labor with him; but he would have
+none of it.
+
+"Stay where you are," he said, "for I'm not minded you shall do that which
+may disgruntle the commandant. When he learns that we took it upon
+ourselves to look after the safety of the garrison without orders from
+him, there'll be a good chance for a row. I'll stand the brunt of it
+alone, without draggin' you lads into the scrape."
+
+I knew from the expression on his face that any attempt at argument with
+him at the time would be useless, therefore held my peace; but had it in
+mind that by thus interfering he might be committing an offence such as
+the commandant would not readily forget.
+
+If any number of men should desert on this night, there could not be any
+question but that we, having had an inkling of it, might justly be held
+accountable, but yet I was not pleased at the thought of doing or
+suffering to be done that which the old soldier had set his face against.
+
+However, as has been said, I could have done nothing to change matters
+save by going to the commandant, and therefore remained in the barracks,
+mightily uncomfortable in mind, but trying my best at holding conversation
+with Jacob on indifferent subjects.
+
+The majority of my company had no idea of what might be done that night,
+therefore they lay down to sleep as usual, Jacob and I seeking the open
+air after we found it was impossible to take interest in any subject save
+that which lay, just at that time, nearest our hearts.
+
+We paced to and fro in front of the barracks, taking good care not to
+disturb the sleepers, until perhaps half an hour before midnight, and then
+the sergeant came up, looking much like a man who has just settled a very
+disagreeable question.
+
+"Well, it's done," he said, abruptly, "an' to-morrow at this time I reckon
+there'll be less fools in the world."
+
+"What do you mean?" I cried, excitedly, for, although expecting to hear
+that a certain number of men had deserted, I could not but feel
+astonishment when the suspicions thus became a certainty.
+
+"Five of the cowards have deserted, countin' that St. Leger will receive
+'em with open arms. They had a good deal to say about the need of
+somethin' to fill up their stomachs, an' I reckon that within four an'
+twenty hours sich a question as that won't give 'em any further trouble."
+
+"How did they go?" Jacob asked, eagerly.
+
+"Out through the horn-works, an' over the stockade."
+
+"How did it happen that only five started?"
+
+"The rest of the mutinous ones were not quite sich fools when it came to
+the last pinch, an' I'm allowin' we're well rid of those who have gone,
+save that they can carry information to St. Leger of a kind he'll be glad
+to receive."
+
+That was a possibility which I had failed to realize until this moment,
+and immediately the knowledge came I understood clearly that it was our
+duty to have notified the commandant at once of what we suspected, for, if
+the enemy learned that we were on short allowance and with a scarcity of
+ammunition, as he certainly would from these men who were bound to make
+matters appear as bad as possible, we might expect more than one vigorous
+assault within a very short time.
+
+"Did you stand quietly by while they went?" Jacob asked, in a tone of
+reproach.
+
+"I wasn't quite sich a fool as that, lad, even though I did advise 'em to
+go. I kept my eye on the gang, however, an' was hidden in the horn-works
+when they made the final plans. Those who had been left behind seemed to
+be frightened, an' I reckon there'll be less show of mutiny in this 'ere
+fort to-morrow mornin' than we've seen in the past four an' twenty hours."
+
+Jacob and I would have insisted that the old soldier tell us more
+regarding the desertion, although it was evident he had imparted all the
+information at his command; but he, bent on getting some rest before
+morning, entered the barracks, and we could hardly do better than follow
+him.
+
+Although it had not seemed possible I would close my eyes in slumber that
+night, with so much which was disagreeable to keep me awake, I did fall
+asleep, and that right soon after I lay down by the side of Jacob.
+
+We were astir very early next morning, through some whim of Sergeant
+Corney's, who insisted that the Minute Boys should be the first to make an
+appearance, and I left the barracks fully expecting to find a scene of
+confusion outside.
+
+Matters were much as they had been the night previous, and I came to the
+conclusion, that as yet the commandant was ignorant of the fact that five
+of his men had gone over to the enemy.
+
+However that may have been, no signs of disquietude among the officers
+were apparent until the sun was two hours or more high, and then half a
+dozen men belonging to the same company as those who had deserted, were
+summoned to headquarters.
+
+"You might save the commandant a good bit of trouble by telling him what
+you know," Jacob suggested to Sergeant Corney, and the latter replied,
+grimly:
+
+"I'm not sich a fool. It's one thing to let a lot of sneaks get away when
+you think the garrison will be the better off without 'em, an' quite
+another to own up to your superior officer that you've winked at
+desertion. I'll keep a close tongue in my head, an' so will them as are my
+friends."
+
+With this the old man walked away, leaving us gazing at each other in
+something very like astonishment, for we understood by his tone that he
+was much the same as threatening us in case we should take it upon
+ourselves to tell what we knew regarding the matter.
+
+Before ten o'clock all of the garrison were aware that five of the force
+had deserted, and those men who had been loudest spoken regarding the
+wisdom of surrendering, were now moving about very uneasily, doubtless
+fearing they might be called upon to answer for some of the unsoldierly
+remarks in which they had indulged.
+
+There was no real confusion in the fort, but a general air of disquietude
+and apprehension, which I thought quite wholesome, since it caused every
+man to do his duty more promptly and more thoroughly than I had ever seen
+it done.
+
+When those who had been summoned to headquarters appeared on the
+parade-ground once more, they were surrounded by eager comrades, all
+anxious to know what had been said to them; but they could give very
+little definite information, and were unwilling to talk openly regarding
+the matter, for the reason, as I fancied, that some of them, being privy
+to the desertion, had denied such fact to the officers.
+
+Well, by noon it seemed as if the matter had entirely blown over.
+Everything went along much as on the day previous, save that, according to
+my idea, there was a more healthy tone among the men, because we no longer
+heard talk of surrender, and I suggested that perhaps Colonel Gansevoort
+was as glad to be rid of his mutinous soldiers as Sergeant Corney had been
+to see them depart.
+
+It goes without saying that all of us, whether on duty or not, kept a
+sharper lookout over the enemy's encampment than ever before, for there
+was good reason to expect that St. Leger would order another assault; but
+not one of us dreamed of that horrible spectacle which was to be
+presented, much as if Thayendanega's murderers were of a mind to give
+would-be deserters such a lesson as could never be forgotten.
+
+The afternoon passed quietly and without unusual incident; but when the
+sun was just about to set we observed the Indians crossing the river from
+their encampment to the meadow at a point near the creek, where it was
+possible for us to hold them in plain view, while they were yet beyond
+range of any except the heavier guns, which could not be brought to bear
+upon them.
+
+The first movement was made by a party of a dozen or more, who seemed to
+be carrying heavy burdens on their backs, and this was such an unusual
+thing for a redskin to do that we were keenly curious.
+
+This first squad was followed by a veritable swarm of the painted
+murderers, and I said nervously to Sergeant Corney, who was standing near
+me at the moment:
+
+"The savages are goin' to try their hand at an assault, an' we're like to
+have warm work before mornin'."
+
+"There's little fear anything of that kind will happen, lad. The painted
+devil never lived who was willin' to stand up an' fight face to face,
+man-fashion."
+
+"Then why are they goin' out of their encampment like a swarm of bees?"
+
+"There's some mischief afoot, though what it is I can't rightly make out.
+Perhaps St. Leger has summoned 'em to another powwow, in order that they
+may know of our condition, as has been told by the deserters."
+
+In a very few moments it was positive that this guess was not correct,
+for, instead of crossing the creek to approach the British encampment, the
+Indians halted when they were about midway between the fort, the camps of
+the British soldiers, and the quarters of the Tories.
+
+It was at a point where every man on either side could see what was being
+done, and yet so far away that, save by a sortie, no one could molest
+them.
+
+I dare venture to say that every man in the garrison, save perhaps the
+officers, was watching intently the movements of Thayendanega's gang, and
+it was as if the knowledge of what was about to be done burst upon us all
+at the same instant.
+
+A low murmur of horror involuntarily came from our lips, and men said in
+whispers, one to another, the blood suddenly leaving their bronzed faces:
+
+"The Indians are going to torture prisoners!"
+
+By this time we could see that two stout posts had been set firmly in the
+earth, and around them were heaped piles of light wood, such as the squaws
+and children were bringing up in great quantities.
+
+Thayendanega's bloodthirsty crew was bent on showing us what would be our
+fate if we fell into their clutches.
+
+When the first shock of horror had passed away in a measure, there came
+the question as to who might be the victims, and then those who had talked
+mutiny and urged their fellows on to rankest insubordination turned pale
+as death, while many of them walked totteringly away as if unable to
+control their limbs. We all believed, and with good reason, that those
+unfortunates who were to suffer death at the hands of the most
+cruel-minded men God ever made, were none other than the deserters from
+our ranks.
+
+During the assault not one of the garrison had been taken prisoner, and
+certain it was that the besiegers had not left the vicinity of the fort
+for such length of time as would be sufficient to enable them to procure
+captives elsewhere, therefore did we know beyond a peradventure who the
+victims would be, but why only two were to suffer was something at which
+we could not even so much as guess.
+
+I saw Colonel Gansevoort and several of the officers come out from
+headquarters, having most likely been informed as to what was going on,
+and, when they stood where it was possible to have an unobstructed view of
+the horrible preparations, the entire garrison of Fort Schuyler were
+assembled as spectators.
+
+"Cannot something be done for the poor fellows?" I heard a man behind me
+ask in a quavering tone, and, turning, I saw one who had declared most
+vehemently but a few hours previous that if we would surrender the fort we
+could be assured beyond question of such treatment as civilized people
+give to prisoners of war.
+
+No one answered his question, and in a whisper I repeated it to Sergeant
+Corney, whereupon he shook his head decidedly.
+
+"The commander who would make a sortie for the purpose of savin' only two
+lives would be guilty of criminal folly," the old soldier said,
+emphatically. "If those who are to suffer were Colonel Gansevoort's
+nearest friends, still must he remain here idle rather than put in
+jeopardy all the garrison. As it is, those painted devils are givin' us
+sich a lesson as will cause every man here to fight until the death,
+rather than so much as hint that we might trust to the enemy's promises.
+It's a harsh remedy--the harshest man could imagine; but yet there are an
+hundred or more lookin' on at this minute who need it."
+
+I cannot make the feeblest attempt at describing the horror which took
+possession of me as I realized that we could make no effort toward saving
+the unfortunate men, who were not the less to be pitied because they had
+brought about their own misery, and, unable longer to gaze at what was so
+soon to be such a terrible scene, I turned away with a mind to shut myself
+up in the barracks.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XV.
+
+The Torture
+
+
+
+There was one odd thing I noted while turning away, sick at heart, which
+was that those friends of the deserters, the men whose voices had been
+raised highest against Colonel Gansevoort because he would not surrender
+the fort at St. Leger's bidding, had no word to say now that their friends
+were in such dire distress, while those who had struggled to quell the
+mutiny were asking loudly if it were not possible to do something toward
+saving the lives of the unfortunate men.
+
+Twenty or more of the bolder spirits, among whom was Sergeant Corney, were
+making ready to ask permission of the commandant to their creeping out of
+the fort on that side nearest the river, and then trying by a sudden dash
+to rescue the prisoners.
+
+Even the slight experience which I had had in savage warfare was
+sufficient to show me that there was nothing which we could do in behalf
+of the wretched men, and any plan, however promising, could not fail of
+exposing the entire garrison to the keenest peril.
+
+There could be no question but that the enemy hoped we might be so
+venturesome as to sally out, and I doubt if there was a man within the
+fortification who did not feel convinced that St. Leger's troops were
+ready to swoop down in assault at the first show of our having sent away
+any portion of our force.
+
+All knew that we inside the fortification were powerless to aid those who
+had wilfully gone to their doom, and none better than those same brave
+fellows who were ready to risk their lives in behalf of comrades who would
+have worked disaster to the entire garrison, yet they could not stand idle
+without at least a show of willingness to face danger in the hope of
+saving life.
+
+The one lesson which all of us learned at this time was as to how much
+dependence might be placed upon the word of the British commander. He had
+declared that he would protect all who came to him promising to serve the
+king, and yet, when the five foolish cowards from our garrison presented
+themselves, they were given over to the merciless savages, much as honest
+people give play-things to their children.
+
+I had turned away from the scene sick with horror, even though the
+fiendish work had not yet begun; but as I stood near the barracks,
+trembling in every limb, the thought came that perhaps our deserters were
+not the ones for whom the stakes were intended. Of course, it would be
+equally terrible to see any human being tortured to death; but at the
+moment it seemed as if the frightfulness of it would in some degree be
+lessened if it were strangers who suffered, and straightway I went back to
+the walls, taking station by the side of Jacob, as I strained my eyes to
+see who the Indians led out.
+
+"Where is the sergeant?" I asked, in a whisper.
+
+"Gone, in company with a dozen others, to ask permission of the commandant
+to leave the fort for a short time."
+
+"Do they want to compass their own death?" I asked, angrily. "I dare
+venture to say every Tory in yonder encampment is ready to cut off any
+who, from motives of mercy and pity, venture beyond the walls."
+
+"Ay, so my father believes. He says that Colonel Gansevoort cannot, in
+justice to the remainder of the force, allow such a sacrifice of life as
+would result from a sortie."
+
+"But we are not yet certain that it is our deserters who are to be put to
+death," I suggested, and at the moment a hoarse cry went up from all that
+company of heart-sick spectators.
+
+Accompanied by war-songs from the warriors and hoots and yells from the
+squaws and fiendish children, the unfortunate men were being brought
+across the river in triumph, and then a deep hush fell upon our garrison,
+as every person within the walls bent forward anxiously to get a glimpse
+of those who were being carried to the theatre of a terrible death.
+
+The unfortunate prisoners were yet too far away for me to distinguish
+their features, when a soldier standing near by, a man whom I recognized
+as one of those who had howled most loudly for surrender, cried with a
+groan as of mortal agony:
+
+"There is Seth Morton!"
+
+This was the name of one of the deserters, and there was no longer any
+hope but that the savages were ready to show us how our own people could
+die.
+
+At this moment the party with whom Sergeant Corney had gone to the
+commandant for permission to attempt a rescue came up, and but one glance
+at their faces was needed to show that the request had been denied.
+
+"He wouldn't let you go?" I whispered, as the old man stood by my side.
+
+"No, lad, an' we should have had better sense than to ask him. A
+commandant who would agree to sich a plan has no right to expect his
+troops can rely upon his showin' good judgment in a tight fix."
+
+"What did he say?"
+
+"He talked like a gentleman who speaks with his friends. Instead of
+roarin' out that we were all kinds of idjuts, as another commander might
+have done, he told us exactly what would be the result if any of us
+attempted to leave the fort, an' wound up by sayin' that if his own
+brother was in the hands of the red devils, he would not consider it doin'
+justice by the garrison even to let one man venture forth. He only told us
+the truth, an' I'm not sorry I went to him, even though nothin' came of
+it, for it ain't cheerful to stand still without makin' a little bit of a
+try while sich work as that yonder is goin' on."
+
+When the prisoners had been taken across the stream the savages lost no
+time in setting about their terrible work, and, although so many years
+have elapsed since then, I cannot bring myself to set down that which I
+know was done.
+
+While the poor fellows were being bound to the stakes, Jacob and I ran
+into the barracks, where we remained, trying to shut out from our ears the
+yells and whoops which told of what was going on.
+
+"And I would have suffered the same bitter death but for what you did,
+dear lad!" I said, hardly able to control my voice.
+
+"Don't think of it, Noel," he replied, soothingly, as he pressed my hand.
+"An', above everything, don't give me the credit. All our company had a
+part in that rescue."
+
+"Ay, yet they'd never known of our peril but for you, an' it was you
+alone, when they were arrived, who braved the danger of coming across the
+encampment to the lodge."
+
+"Talk of somethin' else, Noel Campbell!" Jacob cried, fiercely. "Even
+though the colonel knows best what should be done, it seems cowardly for
+us to be sittin' here in safety while those poor fellows are sufferin' all
+that men can!"
+
+I tried to do as he would have me; but one can readily understand that at
+such a time it would be well-nigh impossible to think of anything save
+that which was being done within sight of all the garrison.
+
+It seemed to me like a very long time before the sergeant joined us, and
+then I knew that the unfortunate men were out of their misery at last.
+
+"They have paid a fearful price for their folly," the old man said,
+solemnly; "but by thus dyin' they've ensured the holdin' of this fort, for
+there's not a man within the walls who wouldn't delight in drawin' his
+last breath at the post of duty rather than take the chances of sich
+protection as St. Leger has shown he's ready to give. We'll have no more
+mutiny, an' all hands will be starved to death before the enemy gets
+possession of the fortification."
+
+"What about the other three men?" Jacob asked, in a whisper, not daring to
+trust his voice lest it should betray the fear in his heart.
+
+"I reckon their turn will come soon--perhaps to-morrow night.
+Thayendanega's 'noble red men' can't afford to waste their victims. But,
+hark ye, lads, it won't do for you to moon over what is enough to turn any
+man's blood to water. Take a brisk walk up an' down the parade-ground for
+half an hour, an' then come to bed. I'm thinkin' we may have a bit of
+work cut out for us within the next four an' twenty hours."
+
+"Of what kind?" I asked, not inclined to follow the old man's advice so
+far as to venture out while the howling Indians were making night
+something of which to be afraid.
+
+"It stands to reason that before the deserters were turned over to the
+painted wolves St. Leger got from them all the information concernin' this
+fort which they could give. The British general now knows that we haven't
+any too much ammunition for the cannon, an' it'll be odd if he don't give
+us a chance to spend a good bit more of it."
+
+This seemed a plausible line of reasoning, and yet I was not in the
+lightest degree troubled by the possibility; I had known so much of horror
+during the past few hours that an assault, however desperate, was
+something to be courted rather than feared.
+
+Sergeant Corney smoked his pipe long and furiously that night as he sat in
+the barracks, giving no heed as to whether we followed his advice, and we
+two lads sat side by side with little inclination to indulge in
+conversation.
+
+One by one our boys, pale-faced and trembling, entered the
+sleeping-quarters, some even going so far as to lie down, but positive am
+I that never an eye was closed in slumber during all that night, and every
+one of us welcomed the first rays of the rising sun as if years had
+passed since he last showed his face.
+
+Before another six hours passed we had good proof that those who deserted
+gave all the information at their command to General St. Leger regarding
+the condition of affairs at the fort, and yet never a word was spoken
+against them, because of the frightful punishment which followed their
+treachery.
+
+From what our party of Minute Boys had seen up to this time, the work of
+the siege was not pushed vigorously by the Britishers, and even the little
+which was done had been performed by the Tories. It is true that the
+parallels were run unpleasantly near the fort, yet, had the besiegers so
+desired, there would have been twice as much to show for their efforts.
+
+On the morning after two of the deserters had been tortured to death, it
+began to look as if our people would have little time for idleness.
+
+The enemy's trenches were filled with men,--regulars as well as
+Tories,--all of whom worked with a will, and at different points
+sharpshooters were stationed to pick off our sentinels.
+
+"Now this is somethin' like business," Sergeant Corney said, as if the
+sense of additional danger was most pleasing to him. "Barry St. Leger has
+just found out that there's a chance of takin' this fort by storm, an'
+from now on we'll have our hands full."
+
+Jacob and I were in the barracks trying to sleep when the old man burst
+in upon us with the remark I have set down, and as he spoke he began
+furbishing up his rifle with unusual care.
+
+"Have you any especial work on hand?" I asked, looking curiously at him.
+
+"Ay, lad, that's what I have. This 'ere garrison ain't in any very great
+danger of runnin' short of ammunition for the small arms, an' we're goin'
+to give the enemy lead in the place of iron for a spell."
+
+"What do you mean?" I asked, somewhat petulantly, for it seemed as if the
+old man was making sport of me.
+
+"Only that we've given the enemy's sharpshooters a chance all the forenoon
+without interferin' to any great extent, an' now we're countin' on takin'
+our turn. Fifty men have been detailed to pick off as many of St. Leger's
+force as we can draw a bead on. I reckon workin' in the trenches won't be
+a healthy job from this time on. Colonel Gansevoort allows to show the
+Britishers that he can stir his stumps if needs must."
+
+The sergeant left the barracks without giving us further information; but
+we soon learned that our people were to be kept sharply up to their work,
+instead of being allowed to spend five hours out of every six in lounging
+around.
+
+The force of sharpshooters to which Sergeant Corney was assigned had been
+stationed on the north and east sides of the fort, where they could
+command a view of the British and Tory encampments and the trenches.
+
+Another company of fifty was told off especially for the horn-works, while
+we Minute Boys were ordered to keep at least ten of our number constantly
+on watch over the sally-port, from which point the best view of the Indian
+encampment could be had.
+
+Yet others of the force were detailed to go from one division to another
+of those I have named, in order to lend a hand in case it might become
+necessary, and thus it was we no longer had any loungers on the
+parade-grounds or near the barracks.
+
+The orders were that every effort be made to pick off such of the enemy as
+offered themselves for targets, and before the day had come to an end St.
+Leger's men must have begun to understand that the siege of Fort Schuyler
+was no longer the one-sided affair which it had been.
+
+My lads could not have been stationed in any other position where they
+would have been as well satisfied, for thus were they fighting the savages
+who had threatened to ravage the Mohawk Valley, and every time we made a
+successful shot it was much as if we struck a blow in defence of our
+homes.
+
+Thayendanega's so-called braves did not give us very much opportunity to
+display our skill as marksmen, however. Within five minutes after the
+curs discovered that we were straining every effort to reduce their
+number, they hugged the encampment mighty snug, and I am of the opinion
+that General St. Leger would have found it difficult to make them obey any
+order which might necessitate their coming within our line of fire.
+
+In addition to this slow method of whipping a large force, I noted the
+fact that twenty men or more were at work moving one of the guns in the
+northwest bastion, and was not a little puzzled to make out why such a
+piece of work should be done at a time when we could not afford to use the
+cannon any more than was absolutely necessary.
+
+My surprise was not lessened when the laborers with great difficulty
+transferred the big gun directly to our station, mounting it almost
+directly over the port, after which six rounds of ammunition were brought
+from the magazine and placed where it could be got at handily.
+
+"Does the commandant think we lads can handle that cannon properly?" I
+asked of the corporal who was superintending the work, and he replied,
+with a laugh of satisfaction:
+
+"I reckon he wasn't thinkin' very much about you when he gave orders to
+have the gun moved. That's to help out on our surprise-party; it'll carry
+a ball farther an' with truer aim than any other piece in the fort, as I
+know, havin' had somewhat to do with all of 'em."
+
+"What do you mean by a surprise-party?" I asked, in perplexity. "An' why
+should the best gun be brought here?"
+
+"Well, you see, lad, the chances are them bloody sneaks will soon try to
+work the same deviltry which we had to look at idly last night, for it
+stands to reason that all who deserted from this fort fell into their
+clutches. The next time they start in to kill a man by inches, believin'
+they're out of range, we'll plump a ball into the middle of the gang
+that'll make em' hop a bit."
+
+I laughed in glee at the prospect of turning the tables on the
+bloodthirsty wretches, but very shortly came the thought that the
+unfortunate prisoners would be in as much danger as the savages, and this
+I suggested to the corporal, whereupon he said, gravely:
+
+"We'll hope the first shot kills as many as are trussed up to the stakes,
+lad, because a quick death is the only favor we can do for the poor
+fellows."
+
+It would indeed be a mercy to kill the prisoners, if we could not save
+their lives; but of a verity we were come to hard lines when it was to be
+hoped our missiles would slay those who had been our comrades.
+
+I believed all the garrison were better content, now that Colonel
+Gansevoort was finding work for every man. Certainly there was less chance
+for searching out bugbears when they were busily engaged, and each of us
+felt a grim satisfaction at knowing that we inflicted some punishment on
+the enemy, however slight.
+
+It must not be supposed that our sharpshooters found all the targets they
+desired, else had we wiped St. Leger's force out in a twinkling; but there
+were in the white portion of his army a sufficient number who scorned to
+show fear of what we might be able to do, and these kept our men so
+engaged that the reports of the rifles were ringing out almost without
+intermission.
+
+As I have already said, we Minute Boys had but little opportunity to show
+our skill after the first hour, because the savages kept so close within
+their lodges; but now and then we had a crack at a painted figure, and
+seldom missed our aim.
+
+As the day wore away it became evident that the Indians counted on
+torturing the remainder of their prisoners as before, and, instead of
+suffering from the sickness of horror, as I had twenty-four hours
+previous, there was in my mind a most pleasing anticipation of what would
+be the result.
+
+Half an hour before sunset they began setting up new posts, a fact which
+told that St. Leger had indeed turned over to them all the deserters.
+
+Word was passed around the fort that the commandant counted on putting an
+end to their cruel sport, if perchance the distance was not greater than
+he had estimated, and by sunset every person inside the walls, save those
+who were acting as sentinels on the westerly side, had their faces turned
+in the direction of the Indian encampment.
+
+It was claimed that the corporal with whom I had previously spoken was the
+best gunner in the command, and to him had been entrusted the work of
+sighting the cannon.
+
+He had already charged it heavily, and when the savages began setting up
+new posts he knew the time had come to look for the proper range.
+
+The corporal had no need to call for a crew to aid him. An hundred pairs
+of hands were out-stretched eagerly whenever he signified the desire to
+have this thing or that done, and he was more like to suffer from a
+surplus of helpers than a lack.
+
+It looked much as if Colonel Gansevoort feared that, while our attention
+was attracted toward the fiendish work of the savages, the British and
+Tory soldiers might make an assault, for he ordered the number of
+sentinels doubled and all the spectators to be in line, weapons in hand,
+that no time might be lost in case it became necessary to move them from
+one point to another.
+
+Thayendanega's wolves did not count on keeping us waiting very long; but
+as soon as the sun had set began crossing the river with their unfortunate
+prisoners, singing and shouting, as if the capture and torturing of these
+unarmed men was some signal act of bravery.
+
+The corporal told off a certain number of those nearest to act as crew
+for the gun, explaining to them just how they should set about the task of
+recharging when once it had been discharged, and then the remainder of the
+spectators, save we Minute Boys who were entitled to remain at our
+stations, were forced to fall back that they might not impede the work
+after it was once begun.
+
+By this time Colonel Gansevoort himself had come up, and thus we
+understood that he was to direct the firing. If our cannon could carry a
+missile to the place of torture, then certain it was the red-skinned
+brutes would receive a lesson well calculated to surprise those who were
+left alive after the piece had been discharged.
+
+The commandant did not wait until the horrible work was begun; but, once
+the stakes were surrounded by the howling, screaming, dancing mob as they
+placed the prisoners in the desired positions, the corporal got the word
+for which he had been eagerly waiting.
+
+A puff of dense white smoke, a report which was almost deafening to those
+of us standing near by rang out.
+
+Then we could follow the flight of the missile in the air until it struck,
+as it seemed to me, within a dozen paces of those bloodthirsty villains
+who stood on the outside of the throng, and, rebounding as does a flat
+stone when a boy drives it along the surface of the water, it plunged into
+the very midst of the fiendish crew.
+
+I could see that one of the posts had been carried away by the ball, but
+whether or no the prisoner was killed could not be told from so great a
+distance and while he was surrounded by such numbers.
+
+It was to be hoped the poor fellow had gone to his final account without
+pain, as would have been the case had the huge shot struck him.
+
+The gunners did not wait to see the result of their work; but instantly
+the cannon was discharged every man sprang to the task allotted him, and
+the savages had not yet recovered from the first surprise before a second
+shot came hurtling among them, striking down half a score before it
+rebounded.
+
+I do not believe forty seconds elapsed before the gunners were ready for
+the third discharge. In order to save time they did not wait to swab out
+the piece, and the only preparation make by them was to clear the interior
+of smoke.
+
+To tell it in the fewest possible words, the corporal had for his target
+nearly the entire number of Indians who had attempted to witness the
+torture, while we fired four shots, and not until then did the
+panic-stricken crew get their wits about them sufficiently to beat a
+retreat.
+
+But the gun was discharged twice more while they were crossing the river,
+and I know for a certainty that one boat was swamped, while the ground in
+the vicinity of the posts set up for the prisoners seemed literally
+strewn with the dead and the dying.
+
+At that moment, while we were making the air ring with our shouts of
+triumph, I saw a figure emerge from that sinister pile of dead and maimed
+and come limpingly in the direction of the fort, moving evidently with
+great effort and slowly.
+
+At first I believed it was a wounded Indian, who was so crazed with pain
+or fear as not to be aware of the direction in which he was proceeding,
+and then a cry went up from the soldiers nearabout me:
+
+"Reuben Cox! Reuben Cox!"
+
+"Was he one of the deserters?" I asked of the corporal, who, his work
+having been done, was leaning out over the wall to watch the frightened
+sneaks as they scuttled into their lodges out of sight.
+
+"Ay, that he was," the corporal replied, "an' it looks much as if he stood
+a chance to gain the fort before those painted beauties dare stick their
+noses out from cover."
+
+As we watched it was possible to see that the man's arms were tied behind
+him, while it seemed as if his legs were fettered in some way; yet he was
+able to take short steps, and in his eagerness to make better speed he
+fell to the ground again and again, rising only with difficulty.
+
+The fugitive was a deserter from the fort, one who had doubtless given
+such information to the British general as might work serious harm to all
+of us; but yet never a cry was heard from our garrison, save such as
+expressed hope that he might escape the terrible doom from which we had at
+least temporarily saved him, and all appeared eager for him to gain the
+fortification.
+
+Even Colonel Gansevoort seemed to lose sight of the fact that if this man
+came among us once more it would be necessary to treat him as a deserter;
+but to check, if possible, pursuit from the British and Tory soldiers, he
+lined the walls with men under command to fire without waiting for the
+word, upon any of the enemy who might approach within range.
+
+The crews of the guns in the northeastern bastion were sent to their posts
+of duty, in order that the pieces might be used in case an opportunity
+presented itself, and, in fact, every possible effort, save the absolute
+sallying out of a relief party, was made to preserve the life of the man
+who by all military laws deserved death.
+
+It seemed to me as if I did not breathe while that poor, struggling
+creature was straining every effort to find a place of refuge among those
+whom he had wronged. It was as if the distance increased even as he came
+toward us, and I found it difficult to remain silent while he stumbled,
+fell, rose, and fell again during his painful flight.
+
+Fifty men or more ran to the sally-port, ready to open the gates if he
+should draw near, and Colonel Gansevoort made no effort to check them.
+
+I believe at the moment that he entirely lost sight of the fact that this
+man could no longer claim the right of entrance, having forfeited it when
+he went over to the enemy. He, and all within the walls, saw before them
+only a wretched prisoner, striving to escape from those who would torture
+him to death, and had he been a dear friend no greater anxiety could have
+been shown for his safety.
+
+Not until he was within fifty yards of the walls of the fort did a shot
+come from the direction of the Indian encampment, and then the bullet sped
+wide of its mark.
+
+From the camp of the Tories a squad of men dashed out, as if intent on
+cutting off the poor fellow even after he was close under the walls, but a
+gun from the northeastern bastion hurled a shot uncomfortably near,
+sending them flying back beyond range, and five minutes later Reuben Cox
+was in our midst, as nearly dead from wounds and fatigue as he ever would
+be again until his final moment had come.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVI.
+
+Short Allowance
+
+
+
+Five men had deserted from the fort trusting to the promises made by
+General St. Leger, and one had returned, after having suffered more than
+death, rejoicing because he was able to be once again with those whom he
+had betrayed.
+
+At the moment, however, we had no thought of the deserter, but saw before
+us only a former comrade who had come out from the very jaws of death to
+claim protection.
+
+The poor fellow had been cruelly cut on the legs and arms by the savages
+while they were bringing him across the river, and had lost much blood.
+His face and hands were covered with huge blisters, and it was not
+necessary either Sergeant Corney or I should ask how he came by them, for
+we knew through bitterest experience what the squaws and children would do
+when a white man was at their mercy.
+
+Not until a full hour had passed could Reuben Cox tell his story, and even
+then he was in such a sorry plight that it was possible for him to speak
+only a moment at a time; but before morning came--before we were able to
+do very much toward relieving his sufferings--we had a fairly good account
+of all that had occurred from the moment the five foolish men clambered
+over the stockade until our cannon had done its work of mercy.
+
+It seems that the deserters, after getting outside the fort, decided to
+make their way as nearly to St. Leger's quarters as might be possible, and
+to that end made a long detour to the westward. The sun had risen before
+they came upon a sentinel, and he was, fortunately, as it seemed to them,
+one of the British regulars.
+
+Their story was soon told; no attempt was made to hide the fact that they
+had deserted, for all believed that such a statement would ensure their
+receiving a hearty welcome from the commander.
+
+Much to their surprise, however, the British soldiers treated them with
+the utmost contempt and no slight degree of harshness. The Tories were the
+only white men who appeared particularly pleased with what had been done,
+and they gave the fellows a friendly reception only because, being
+renegades themselves, it gladdened them to know there were others in the
+valley who could be so contemptible.
+
+As a matter of course they were soon taken before the commander that he
+might question them; but even he evidently looked upon them with no slight
+disgust, for he forced them to remain standing while in his presence, and
+failed to give any instructions as to how they should be quartered or fed.
+
+Reuben Cox admitted, with many a groan and plea for mercy, that he and his
+companions had given St. Leger all the information concerning the fort
+which was in their power, and even made our situation appear more
+desperate than really was the case; but when they asked for permission to
+serve the king under his command, he roughly told them to present
+themselves to Sir John Johnson, declaring that the regulars would not
+receive them as companions-in-arms.
+
+Just at that moment it was impossible for them to find Sir John, and, more
+hungry than they had ever been inside Fort Schuyler, they wandered about
+until arriving face to face with a party of Indians, who had come from
+their encampment to lounge around near the white soldiers, from whom they
+begged rum and tobacco.
+
+That meeting sealed their fate, and the poor wretches came to understand
+what was in store for them, even before St. Leger had agreed that they
+might be turned over to the tender mercies of his savage allies.
+
+During an hour they did their best to escape, but only to be dragged back
+with many a kick and blow each time they endeavored to sneak out of the
+encampment.
+
+As nearly as the unhappy men could understand, there was a long, angry
+interview between Sir John, Thayendanega, and some of the British officers
+before the matter was settled, and then they were delivered up to the
+Indians, even the Tories shutting their ears to the prayers for mercy.
+
+It was not necessary I should hear what he had to say about the treatment
+the deserters received in the Indian encampment prior to being led out to
+the stake. I knew full well what suffering must have been theirs before
+the hour arrived when all was to be ended. I had had some slight
+experience as a prisoner in the power of the savages, and even then could
+not listen to another's story of similar treatment without severe mental
+pain.
+
+The three who were reserved for the second evening's entertainment
+suffered nearly all the agonies of death when their comrades were
+tortured, for the Indians forced them to be present as spectators, and it
+is little wonder they were half-dead with fear when their turn came to
+afford amusement for those who found their greatest delight in listening
+to screams of agony from helpless victims.
+
+The first shot from the fort killed two of the deserters outright and
+overturned the post to which Cox was being bound. He could not tell very
+much about the execution done by the balls, for at first he believed it
+was some new form of torture which the savages had invented; but when the
+painted crew fled across the river in abject fear, leaving him
+comparatively at liberty, he began to understand that the comrades whom he
+had wickedly wronged were doing what they could to aid him.
+
+He declared that there were no less than twenty dead savages lying
+nearabout the place when he started for the fort, while as many more,
+badly wounded, were putting forth every effort at escaping beyond range of
+our gun.
+
+All this was repeated to me by Sergeant Corney, who had heard it from
+Reuben Cox himself, and when he was come to an end of the recital I asked:
+
+"Now that he is here, an' likely to live, what will be done with him?"
+
+"That's what I can't say, lad, an' I'm of the belief that it puzzles the
+commandant not a little. Desertion in the face of an enemy is punishable
+by death the world over, an' rightly, for a soldier can commit no greater
+crime; but what about shootin' a man who has already suffered a dozen
+deaths?"
+
+I soon came to know that the question I had asked of the sergeant was
+being discussed by all the garrison, many of the men declaring that Reuben
+Cox deserved to be treated as any other deserter, while a large number
+claimed that the sufferings he had endured should be considered as having
+atoned for the crime.
+
+The arguments became so warm that it was evident Colonel Gansevoort would
+be forced to come to some decision regarding the matter, and so he did on
+this same day when we were called out on the parade-ground, being formed
+in a hollow square.
+
+Then it was that the commandant laid the affair before us without comment,
+save as he declared that neither he nor his staff were willing to settle
+the question themselves, and he had decided to leave it to the
+garrison,--the men who must suffer because of the information given to St.
+Leger, if it so chanced that the British commander gained any advantage
+through it.
+
+"Discuss it thoroughly among yourselves," the colonel said, "and, having
+made up your minds as to what punishment should be dealt out to Cox, write
+the verdict on a bit of paper, signing your names thereto, and leave the
+same at headquarters. Whatsoever the majority of you declare just to all
+concerned, shall be done."
+
+Then we were dismissed from parade, and on the instant there ensued such a
+buzzing and humming that one might have thought an hundred swarms of bees
+had taken possession of the fort, as each man tried to impress upon his
+neighbor that he had the only correct solution to the painful question.
+
+Our Minute Boys were all of the same mind, and it gave me no little
+satisfaction to know that my company were of the mind that Cox had been
+fully punished for his wrong-doing. Without any delay we stated our views
+in few words at the top of a sheet of paper, and each member signed his
+name, after which I carried it to headquarters.
+
+It was Colonel Gansevoort himself whom I saw, and he asked, after glancing
+over the list of names:
+
+"How does it happen that you lads arrived at a decision so quickly?
+Desertion is a very serious offence, and, because of the lesson which
+others may receive, should be punished severely."
+
+"True, sir," I made bold to say; "but among those who signed the paper are
+two who were prisoners among the savages, and, while not havin' been
+subjected to great torture, they have a fair idea of what Cox must have
+suffered."
+
+"Are you speaking of yourself and the old soldier?"
+
+"Ay, sir."
+
+"And yet because of what Cox has told St. Leger you may soon be again in
+the power of the Indians."
+
+"That can never be, sir," I replied, gravely. "We know full well you will
+not surrender, however sore our plight, therefore the savages must take
+their prisoners in a fight, an' one need not be captured alive."
+
+"Then you would rather die with a musket in your hands than fall into
+their clutches?"
+
+"A good many times over, if that could be, sir," and so great was the
+horror in my heart through simply calling the possibility to mind that the
+colonel must have understood I spoke no more than the truth.
+
+"Well, my lad, I will tell you this much for the gratification of yourself
+and friends: When it comes, if it ever does, that I am convinced, because
+of lack of food, ammunition, or any other contingency, that we cannot hold
+the fort, I will lead as many of the garrison as choose to follow me in an
+attempt to cut our way through the enemy's lines. I, like you, prefer to
+die fighting, rather than at the stake."
+
+These words gave me greatest relief of mind, even though to do as the
+colonel promised was much like going to certain death, and I asked:
+
+"May I repeat to my comrades what you have said, sir?"
+
+"Ay, that you may, lad, and unless succor comes soon I shall speak quite
+as plainly to all the garrison, for to-morrow morning the rations are of a
+necessity to be cut down one-half, which will give our discontented men
+good chance to talk of starvation."
+
+It would have given me greatest satisfaction to ask him a few questions
+concerning our supplies, which, when he made the statement to the
+garrison, had seemed so plentiful; but, fortunately, I had sense enough to
+understand that, for a lad like me, to make searching inquiries of the
+commandant of a fort was something which the most easy-going officer would
+not tolerate for an instant.
+
+Therefore, thanking him for having given me the assurance which he had, I
+took my leave, going with all speed to the barracks that I might acquaint
+Sergeant Corney with what I had heard.
+
+"It's good news, lad, though not much different from what I've come to
+expect from sich a soldier as the commandant. Now we've nothin' in
+particular to worry about, seem's there won't be any question of takin'
+advantage of the Britisher's offer, which would be kept in the case of all
+hands much as it was when our poor fools deserted. But what is this about
+short allowance? I thought it was proven to us that we had supplies in
+plenty for many days to come?"
+
+"I can only tell you what the commandant said."
+
+"I reckon he'll explain matters when he tells us why the rations are
+short, an' that he'll have to do in order to satisfy some of the imitation
+soldiers we've got in this 'ere fort."
+
+Then the old man went to his post of duty, and I rejoined the Minute Boys
+over the sally-port, where every member of my company was aching to get a
+fair shot at one of Thayendanega's curs.
+
+The Indians were not inclined to show themselves on this morning after we
+gave our surprise-party. I fancy they had come to understand it wouldn't
+be an easy matter to get the best of us, and were having considerably more
+of fighting than was pleasing.
+
+Never one of the painted snakes came within range of our rifles. At some
+time during the night they had plucked up courage enough to drag off their
+wounded, and, if they visited the British or Tory camp that day, it was
+after making such a detour through the thicket as kept them screened from
+our view.
+
+In the trenches the white portion of St. Leger's army worked like men who
+feel the whip behind them, and our people succeeded in sending six to the
+hospital or their last resting-place, without receiving a scratch.
+
+Such a siege as had been carried on during the past eight and forty hours
+could not be cheerful amusement, and I began to have an idea that it would
+not take very much of a reverse to send the Tories flying to some other
+section of the country. If our people would only follow the example set
+them by Colonel Gansevoort, it seemed certain we could hold the fort at no
+greater cost than that of being hungry during a certain length of time!
+
+When another day had come, and the rations were reduced in size as the
+commandant had said they would be, there was a hum of dissatisfaction all
+over the fort, even those whom we counted as being the stoutest-hearted
+doing their full share of grumbling, and wholly because the commandant had
+so lately told them that we had sufficient of food for many days.
+
+They were not yet done with the business of deciding what punishment
+should be dealt out to Cox; but that was entirely lost sight of in face
+of this apparent change in the situation. It seemed as if the store of
+provisions must be very low indeed, else the rations would not have been
+cut down so soon after the statements made by the quartermaster.
+
+It is true that there was no mutinous talk to be heard; the fate of the
+deserters had taught the grumblers a lesson that would not soon be
+forgotten, but much was said that did not tend to improve the discipline.
+
+At noon word was passed among the men that the last of the votes on Cox's
+case must be in the commandant's hands within two hours, and it was
+generally understood, if not stated as a fact, that at nightfall we would
+hear the verdict. Then also, so nearly all the members of the garrison
+believed, Colonel Gansevoort would explain the reason for putting us on
+short allowance after having stated that we had food in plenty.
+
+Therefore it was the men went about their work as usual, content to wait
+until night; but the commandant would have been unwise to keep them in
+ignorance longer.
+
+"The only mistake that has been made in this business was when Colonel
+Gansevoort condescended to give out any statement while the men were ripe
+for mutiny," Sergeant Corney stopped to say to me, as I met him on the
+parade-ground while going to the barracks to summon some of the lads whose
+time for sentinel-duty had come. "If a dozen or more of the
+loudest-mouthed had been put under arrest, an' such as the deserters
+strung up by the thumbs, four lives might have been saved, an' there
+wouldn't be any foolish talk made now."
+
+I had no time to reply to the old man, for, having thus relieved his mind,
+he passed on, and I went about my duties.
+
+The Britishers and Tories worked half-heartedly in the trenches, the
+savages kept well out of sight, and we of the garrison watched eagerly for
+an opportunity to send home a bullet where it would do the most good,
+until nightfall, and then came the call for us to fall into line.
+
+The fate of Cox had been decided, and we were to be told about the
+reduction of rations, therefore nearly every man wore an expression of
+anxious expectation.
+
+Sergeant Corney was an exception to the general rule; he apparently had no
+particular interest in either matter, and obeyed the call as if he did so
+only because it was necessary.
+
+As on the previous occasion, we were drawn up in a hollow square, with
+Colonel Gansevoort and his staff inside, and without wasting many words in
+leading up to the subject, the commandant announced that the majority of
+the men had decided there was no need of further punishment for Reuben
+Cox; that the penalty which he had already paid was a sufficient lesson
+for those of us who entertained any idea of trusting to the promises made
+by the British commander.
+
+Then he spoke of our being put on short allowance, and straightway the men
+pricked up their ears, listening intently to the end that they might be
+able to prove the quartermaster had told a deliberate falsehood.
+
+"You were told that we had food sufficient with which to feed all inside
+the walls for a term of three weeks," he said, speaking slowly that there
+might be no mistake as to his words. "The statement, under the conditions
+then existing, was true; but you must bear in mind that since that time
+General St. Leger has been informed of our situation, so far as the
+deserters understood it. The result of his learning that the stock of
+provisions is not as great as it should be has been the increased activity
+of the foe, which entails much severe labor upon you, and causes him to
+guard more closely against the succor which may be sent us.
+
+"Therefore my officers and I have believed it wisest to say to ourselves
+that it is not reasonable to expect aid from the outside can come to us
+for four or five weeks, even if Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell
+finally succeed in finding General Schuyler, because it must arrive in
+sufficient force to break through the lines St. Leger will throw around
+us. Now in order that we may safely count on having sufficient food to
+sustain life during at least five weeks, it has been decided, after due
+deliberation, to put the entire garrison, the commandant as well as the
+men, on short allowance."
+
+"And what if General Schuyler has so much on his hands because of Burgoyne
+that he can't come to our relief?"
+
+"If when we are come to our last two rations we get no definite
+information that relief is near at hand, we will sally out at night and
+cut our way through the enemy's lines!" Colonel Gansevoort cried in
+ringing tones, and straightway Sergeant Corney set about clapping his
+hands with such vigor that, almost before the men were aware of the fact,
+they were applauding the commandant heartily.
+
+In the midst of this involuntary token of good-will the officers very
+wisely went to their quarters, leaving us to stew over the situation in
+such fashion as best pleased us.
+
+Every man on the parade-ground understood full well that if he would save
+his life it stood him in hand to get back to his post of duty without
+unnecessary delay, and in a very few minutes those whose turn it was to go
+on duty were setting about the regular routine as laid down since the
+besiegers displayed unusual activity.
+
+That night, when Sergeant Corney should have been sleeping, he came to my
+post, and the two of us discussed the situation in all its bearings,
+coming to the conclusion that the garrison was in much better shape than
+it would have been but for the horrible lesson Thayendanega's villains
+gave us regarding their treatment of prisoners.
+
+Certain it was that we would hear no more about surrendering, therefore we
+need not fear another mutiny, and, as the old man said grimly:
+
+"If the men want more to eat, let 'em go outside to get it, for it won't
+do any good to whine after what has been said."
+
+During the week which followed every man did his full duty, and we heard
+very little grumbling, although I am sorry to set it down that some of the
+faint-hearted did wag their tongues more than was seemly; but on the whole
+the garrison showed themselves to be fairly good soldiers.
+
+Reuben Cox was able to move about on the fourth day after he succeeded in
+getting inside the fort, and as I saw this man and that, who had formerly
+been his close comrades, move aside lest he should speak to them, I
+decided that the man's punishment was far greater than any we could have
+inflicted upon him. Death, according to my way of thinking, would have
+been far preferable to being thus scorned.
+
+Cox must have had some such thoughts himself, for, coming full upon the
+commandant one day, the two being not above twenty paces from where I was
+stationed, he pleaded piteously to leave the fort in order that he might
+do what he could toward hurrying forward the relief for which we were
+hoping.
+
+"You would not live to get two hundred yards away," Colonel Gansevoort
+replied, speaking not unkindly. "The enemy are doubtless on the alert for
+some such attempt on our part, since knowing we are not overly burdened
+with food."
+
+"I would like to make the try, sir," Cox said, in a pleading tone, "an',
+if it so be that they get hold of me again, it'll be better to die in
+their hands than stay here where every man looks upon me as somethin' to
+be despised."
+
+"You can't be surprised, Cox, that the brave fellows, whose plight has
+been rendered more desperate by what you and your companions did, should
+be averse to making friendly with you."
+
+"I'm not surprised, sir, an' I'd like to end it all by showin' that I've
+still got man enough in me to die tryin' to repair the mischief that's
+been done."
+
+"The only way to make atonement is by doing whatsoever comes to your hand
+here in the fort. There's like to be plenty of fighting ahead of us, and
+you should be able to do more than your share."
+
+"Could it be fixed, sir, so that I might give up nearly all my rations to
+those who need 'em the most?" the poor fellow asked, in a tone so pitiful
+and weak that my heart really went out in sympathy to him.
+
+"We will stand or fall on the same footing, my man," the colonel said, as
+he walked away, and immediately I was relieved of duty I made it my
+business to repeat the conversation to every man I came across.
+
+We were all so near death just then that it surely seemed as if we should
+have forgiveness in our hearts for such as Cox, lest we be denied that
+same boon in the next world.
+
+From that day our people showed less aversion for the repentant deserter,
+and of a verity he did the work of three men during every four and twenty
+hours thereafter while we remained in Fort Schuyler.
+
+In just eight days after that assault when the Indians so nearly succeeded
+in gaining a foothold in the horn-works, another attack was threatened,
+and this time it was not unexpected.
+
+We had been punishing so severely those who were working in the trenches,
+and had kept the savages such close prisoners in their own encampment,
+that it seemed only natural the more soldierly of the men in St. Leger's
+army should insist on being led against us.
+
+It was possible for us to tell by the shouts and yells that on a certain
+night Thayendanega's cowards had assembled in the British camp for a
+powwow, although they had taken good care not to let us see them going
+there, and Sergeant Corney said to me, as if he had a written programme
+of the entire proceedings:
+
+"To-morrow we will have redcoats in plenty at which to shoot."
+
+"Why do you say that?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"I'll eat my head if Barry St. Leger hasn't called Thayendanega's gang
+together with the idea of stiffenin' their backs so they'll be willin' to
+make an assault. The regulars have been gettin' mighty uneasy these two
+days, an' somethin' has got to be done, different from ditch-diggin', to
+keep 'em in good spirits."
+
+"Won't Cox fight if he gets another show at the beauties who came so near
+killing him at the stake!" I cried, giving words to the first thought
+which entered my mind.
+
+"He won't get the chance. The assault will be made before to-morrow night,
+an' never a feather can be seen."
+
+"Why are you so positive about that?"
+
+"They've much the same as told us. If we hadn't got 'em cowed by sendin' a
+bullet their way whenever one of the sneaks showed his nose, they'd been
+cavortin' 'round here this week past tryin' to make it lively for us. I
+tell you, Noel, we can count the painted murderers out of the game from
+this on."
+
+"I hope you may be right," I said, with a long-drawn sigh, "for if St.
+Leger has lost as many of his army as Thayendanega's crowd represents, it
+won't be such a desperate venture to cut our way through his lines when
+we've eaten the last ration."
+
+"Don't stop believin' that General Schuyler will contrive to give us a
+lift. I'm countin' that he's lookin' after the matter now," the sergeant
+replied, and then he walked away whistling softly, as if the thought of
+taking part against another assault pleased him mightily.
+
+Before morning came I understood that Sergeant Corney was not the only one
+in the garrison who believed the enemy would soon show unusual signs of
+life.
+
+The howling and yelling of the savages at the powwow continued until near
+to midnight, and the noise had hardly more than died away when the
+commandant came to where I was stationed, halting a moment to gaze in the
+direction of the Indian camp before he asked:
+
+"Have you seen any targets in this direction lately?"
+
+"It has been a good many days since any of the crew gave us a chance to
+show what we could do with a bullet, sir."
+
+"How long are you on duty to-night?"
+
+"Until morning, sir. Jacob Sitz and I have thought best to stay with the
+sentinels of our company during all the hours of darkness. We catch a
+cat-nap now and then, so it isn't like doin' extra work."
+
+"Your lads will make good names for themselves among those who love the
+Cause, if they keep on as they've begun," the colonel said in the most
+kindly tone, and the praise made me as proud as any peacock, for I had
+hoped we might be able to show him we could do the work of men.
+
+For the life of me I couldn't get my wits together quickly enough to thank
+him as I should have done, and immediately he said, as if speaking to one
+of his officers:
+
+"See that a sharp watch be kept from now on, and do not hesitate to raise
+an alarm if anything unusual is seen, Captain Campbell."
+
+I am certain my cheeks reddened when he thus recognized my rank, yet I was
+such a simple that I could only stammer:
+
+"You must have in mind, sir, somethin' the same as has Sergeant Corney. He
+has lately been here predicting an assault for to-morrow."
+
+"The sergeant uses his ears to some purpose," the colonel said, with a
+laugh, and then he walked away, leaving me with a determination to keep
+guard as I had never kept it before.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVII.
+
+Perplexing Scenes
+
+
+
+Surely if ever a boy had been warned of coming danger I was that one, and
+the great fear in my mind was lest at the critical moment I fail to do my
+duty.
+
+It seemed as if the commandant had much the same as told me he was
+depending upon the Minute Boys to bring him word of the first sign or
+sound of danger, and I was nervously afraid lest, by some unlucky chance,
+I might disappoint him.
+
+After having dwelt upon the matter for half an hour or more, giving undue
+prominence to my own responsibility, I aroused Jacob, who was sleeping in
+an angle of the wall hard by, and repeated to him the substance of the
+conversations with Colonel Gansevoort and Sergeant Corney.
+
+"Well, I don't know why we should be in a better position than any other
+to know what may be goin' on," he said, rubbing his eyes sleepily. "If the
+sergeant has the rights of it, an' the savages are done with the siege,
+then we're not likely to see much from this point."
+
+"But we're not certain the old man knows better than any one else; he has
+figured it out to suit himself, without havin' definite knowledge. The
+commandant has much the same as praised our company, an' we must see to it
+that he has no cause to blame."
+
+By this time Jacob was fully awake, and he set out along such portion of
+the wall as was under our charge, straining his eyes in the direction of
+the Indian encampment, but without seeing anything whatsoever. Not a
+camp-fire was burning, and I failed to hear even the howling of a dog,
+which was something so unusual as to cause us no little surprise.
+
+"Can it be that Thayendanega's gang has deserted General St. Leger?" I
+asked, in a whisper. "The sergeant will have it that they are done with
+the siege, in which case it wouldn't be surprisin' if they had sneaked
+away."
+
+"There's no such good news as that," Jacob said, with a laugh; "but I'm
+puzzled to make out why they're so quiet."
+
+Had we been left to our own counsels ten minutes longer I believe I might
+have been tempted to waken the sergeant, which would have given him an
+opportunity to laugh at us because we had grown nervous over the absence
+of all danger-signs; but just then Peter Sitz approached, and I whispered
+to my comrade in a tone of relief that he and I were not the only nervous
+members of the garrison.
+
+"It seems as if all hands had it in mind that we need lookin' after,"
+Jacob replied, grimly, and then his father asked if we had seen anything
+unusual since the powwow came to an end.
+
+"It's what we've neither seen nor heard that's puzzlin' us, sir," my
+comrade said, and then he called his father's attention to the remarkable
+quiet which reigned where, ordinarily, noises of some kind could be heard
+during every hour of the night.
+
+Master Sitz appeared decidedly disturbed in mind, yet he made no comment,
+and, after listening in vain five minutes or more, he walked away without
+giving heed to us.
+
+It really appeared, before that long night had come to an end, as if every
+officer in the fort suspected something might be wrong, and, what seemed
+yet more strange to me, they all came directly to our post, instead of
+visiting those sentinels who, if the savages had really cut loose from St.
+Leger, should have been in the best positions to hear or see the first
+signs of the expected assault.
+
+I have set all this down at considerable length because, in view of what
+finally occurred, it was much as if our people had a premonition of that
+which was to come.
+
+The night passed without alarm, and I am willing to take my oath that if
+any animal as large as a dog had passed within an hundred yards of the
+sally-port we would have seen it.
+
+The entire garrison, even including women and children, was astir when the
+first gray light of coming day appeared in the eastern sky, and as each
+man came out upon the parade-ground I noted the fact that he had all his
+weapons with him.
+
+Of course these details are of no particular importance, and yet I have
+set them down in order to show how strong was the belief of every person
+in the fort that something unusual was about to happen, although, with the
+exception of the powwow held in St. Leger's camp the evening previous, we
+had seen nothing to betoken especial activity on the part of the enemy.
+
+It was early in the morning; the men had not yet broken their fast, when
+one of the sentinels shouted:
+
+"Here they come! Here they come!"
+
+I expected to see every man spring toward the walls in order to learn for
+himself what had caused the alarm, and at any other time they would have
+done so; but so great was the sense of impending danger that instinctively
+the garrison formed in line ready for orders.
+
+I had not yet been relieved from duty, and therefore remained where it was
+possible to have a fairly good view of all the encampments occupied by the
+enemy.
+
+Near the quarters of the British regulars I could see the men drawn up in
+line as if making ready to advance, and in the Tory camp there was a
+bustle and confusion such as might have been made by half-baked soldiers,
+while trying to copy after those who knew their business; but the Indians
+gave no signs of life, save as their squaws went about the ordinary camp
+work.
+
+Because everything had been so suspiciously quiet in this last quarter
+during the night, I more than half expected to discover that they had
+withdrawn under cover of darkness; but the presence of the women and
+children told I was mistaken. Unless the entire gang had spent the night
+with the white men, however, it was positive these exceedingly brave
+warriors of whom Thayendanega boasted, had no idea of continuing the part
+of allies during this day at least.
+
+A plentiful supply of ammunition was dealt out to our men, and the big
+guns were served as if our magazine was filled to overflowing, after which
+the garrison went to quarters, Reuben Cox being the happiest member of the
+army, for he believed the time was near at hand when it might be possible
+for him to wipe out some of the stain which rested upon him.
+
+The Minute Boys were ordered to remain at their post over the sally-port,
+much to my disappointment, for if the Indians did not take part in the
+assault, which we had every reason to believe was near at hand, then would
+our duties be so light that we could not hope to win much credit.
+
+Do not let it be supposed that I had become a swash-buckler of a soldier.
+The cold chill of fear still crept up and down my spine whenever I thought
+of taking part in an engagement; but I was becoming so nearly a man as to
+desire, in case it became necessary to fight, that I might gain some honor
+for standing stiffly when really my heart was faint.
+
+We remained at quarters a full half-hour, expecting each instant to see
+the long lines of soldiers emerge from amid the fringe of foliage which
+partially screened their encampment, and yet the advance was delayed.
+
+"What's the matter?" Jacob asked, nervously, as he pressed close to my
+side.
+
+"I wish I knew, lad," was my reply, in a voice that was not overly steady.
+"This waitin' while others are gettin' ready to try to kill a fellow is
+not to my likin'."
+
+"I had rather have a full hour of hot fightin' than such idleness, when we
+know that soon the bullets will be whistlin' around our ears," Jacob
+replied, and just then John Sammons came up, as he said:
+
+"I reckon they're goin' to bring their siege-guns with 'em this time. It
+looks to me much as if a big crowd was gatherin' in the rear of the line."
+
+Then it was that we could see the Tories running to and fro, each man for
+himself, and in a twinkling the line of regulars melted away. There was no
+longer any semblance of military formation to be seen, and yet certain it
+was that a few moments previous the enemy was nearly ready for an
+assault.
+
+We lads were not the only ones who felt disturbed because of this strange
+behavior on the part of the enemy. I could see that Colonel Gansevoort and
+all his officers were on that portion of the wall nearest the British
+camp, gazing earnestly toward it, while our men moved about uneasily, as
+if having forgotten that they had been sent to their several posts of
+duty.
+
+Strain our eyes as we might, it was impossible to make so much as a guess
+regarding what could be the cause of the odd proceedings, and it was in my
+mind to go in search of Sergeant Corney to ask his opinion of the
+situation, when John Sammons cried, suddenly:
+
+"Look there! The sneaks are comin' out at last! I reckon the Britishers
+have been waitin' for 'em!"
+
+But one glance was sufficient to show me that John had spoken truly. From
+the lodges I could see troops of savages pouring forth with every token of
+excitement, like a swarm of hornets, and that something unusual was afoot
+might be told by the fact that no effort was made to keep beyond range of
+our guns, as the befeathered and painted horde went swiftly toward St.
+Leger's quarters.
+
+I was determined that my company should remain at its post, no matter what
+might happen, until we got the word that it was no longer needed, there
+fore neither Jacob nor I could hear the speculations of the men as to
+what had happened in the enemy's encampment; but after a time Sergeant
+Corney came along as if looking for us, and, on seeing the Minute Boys
+standing in rank while all the remainder of the garrison were flitting
+here and there like flies on the scent of molasses, he said, grimly:
+
+"Here's a sight I never expected to see in this blessed country where
+private soldiers have the habit of commandin' their superiors! Why ain't
+you lads huntin' 'round to find out what's goin' on?"
+
+"We were ordered here, an' to be ready for action," I replied, not a
+little pleased to hear the old soldier's tone of approval. "This company
+will stay where it is until I have permission to break ranks."
+
+"It don't seem to be the military fashion for Americans to obey a command
+so strictly, an' I'm afraid you're settin' a bad example to them who
+demand that a list of the supplies be read to 'em whenever they're feelin'
+a bit out of sorts. There's a chance I'll grow proud of havin' licked you
+into shape if you don't change your ways mighty quick."
+
+"I don't fancy you came here just to see why we stayed on duty," Jacob
+said, with a laugh, which told me he was well pleased with what the old
+man had said.
+
+"I'm free to admit that I didn't expect to see anythin' quite so soldierly
+in this 'ere fort, an' that's the fact. I had been detailed to hang
+'round headquarters till the scrimmage began, but was given liberty to do
+as I pleased five minutes ago, consequently I came here to find out why
+the fight ain't on."
+
+"We're expectin' you to answer that question, sergeant. You've never been
+backward in findin' fault with the ways of American soldiers, an' now
+perhaps you can tell what's gone wrong with the Britishers?"
+
+"I wish I knew, lad, an' that's the fact! It looks as if they'd clean
+forgot we're waitin' for 'em, an' as for them precious babies of
+Thayendanega's, they've gone out of their heads completely. It's a puzzle
+all 'round, an' I reckon the commandant is as much in the dark as are the
+rest of us."
+
+"Can't you make a guess?" Jacob asked, impatiently.
+
+"Not a bit of it, lad; but it's certain there's trouble of some kind at
+Barry St. Leger's quarters, an' I'm of the mind to find out, if you an'
+Jacob want to stir yourselves a bit."
+
+"How do you count on doin' it?" I asked in surprise, half-inclined to
+believe the old man was joking.
+
+"Look at the Indian encampment; do you think there's anybody nearabout
+that place who's keepin' an eye on this 'ere fort?"
+
+"Even the squaws have gone over to the British quarters; they've been
+paddlin' across the river for the last half-hour," Jacob replied, and as a
+matter of fact I failed to see a living being outside the lodges, search
+with my eyes as I might.
+
+"An' it's much the same over yonder," Sergeant Corney said, as he pointed
+to the other encampments. "Every blessed one of us might sneak out an' not
+attract any attention from them as are supposed to be besiegin' us."
+
+"Well?" I asked, as the old man paused.
+
+"Well, if you an' Jacob feel like havin' a look around, I'll ask the
+commandant's permission to do a little scoutin' on our own account,
+agreein', in case we're laid by the heels, not to expect any help from
+this 'ere garrison."
+
+"Do you mean to go outside the fort?" John Sammons asked, his eyes opening
+wide in surprise.
+
+"You've guessed it the first time," Sergeant Corney replied, with a laugh,
+and I said, in a tone of conviction:
+
+"The commandant never will give you permission. I heard him refuse Reuben
+Cox most emphatically."
+
+"But that was when everythin' seemed to be runnin' smooth, an' Cox only
+wanted to get himself killed. Now I'll go bail that Colonel Gansevoort is
+more eager than we to know the meanin' of this queer business, an' will
+jump at the plan."
+
+"You'll know better after you've asked him," I suggested. "If he gives
+permission, Jacob an' I are with you."
+
+The old man sauntered away as if he had nothing of importance to do, and
+with a look on his face which told that he was certain of getting the
+desired permission without very much difficulty.
+
+The thought was in my mind that he would receive a very decided answer
+from the commandant without delay, and after a fashion that would not be
+pleasing to him, for it seemed to me that no sane officer could sanction
+an attempt to send out scouts across the open plain in the clear light of
+day, therefore one can imagine somewhat of my surprise when word came for
+Jacob and me to report at headquarters without delay.
+
+"Can it be possible that Colonel Gansevoort is seriously thinkin' of
+allowin' the sergeant to leave the fort in the daytime?" I asked of my
+comrade, as we went rapidly across the parade-ground to obey the summons.
+
+"It looks like it, for a fact, else why should we have been sent for? I'm
+beginnin' to think, Noel, that you said 'yes' to his wild scheme too
+quickly. There won't be any child's play in tryin' to get from the fort to
+where we can find the first show of cover."
+
+"Meanin' that you're not willin' to make the venture?" I asked, quickly,
+hoping my comrade would flatly refuse to go, for, now that the venture
+seemed countenanced by Colonel Gansevoort, I was growing mighty
+weak-kneed.
+
+"I would stick my nose into a good deal of danger before bein' willin' to
+go back on a promise made to the sergeant," Jacob replied, thoughtfully.
+"If he has told the commandant that we are minded to go, there's nothin'
+for it but to tackle the job."
+
+I was decidedly disappointed by the reply, and yet could make no protest,
+since I was the one who had spoken for us both when the old man broached
+the subject, and in silence we walked on until having come to the door of
+the colonel's quarters.
+
+The sentinel on duty there had evidently received orders concerning us,
+for he announced that we were to go in at once, and I pushed Jacob ahead
+as we entered the apartment where Sergeant Corney was standing in a
+soldierly attitude in front of the commandant.
+
+We were not called on to wait many seconds before learning the reason for
+the summons, since Colonel Gansevoort jumped into the subject by saying:
+
+"So you lads are keen for a hazardous venture, eh?"
+
+I would have given much if at that moment I could have called up
+sufficient courage to say that I was well content to remain within the
+walls of the fort; but instead of boldly declaring myself I remained
+silent until Jacob said, with only a faint show of enthusiasm:
+
+"We told Sergeant Corney that we would go with him to find out what may
+be the trouble in General St. Leger's camp, if so be you gave permission,
+sir."
+
+Now was I fully committed to a matter which was by no means to my liking,
+and, with a certain sense of being ill-treated, I listened to that which
+followed.
+
+"Under almost any other circumstances I would flatly refuse permission for
+any man to leave the fort; but now it seems as if it was of the highest
+importance we should know what is taking place in the enemy's camp.
+Whatever it may be is of such a serious nature as to attract the attention
+of the entire encampment so entirely that no attention whatsoever appears
+to be paid to us. I believe that, by leaving through the horn-works, you
+can make your way to the rear of the British encampment without incurring
+any very grave danger, and if it is the desire of you lads to go with the
+sergeant you have my permission."
+
+It was just what I didn't want, but, under the circumstances, I could do
+no less than look as if he had granted us the greatest favor possible, and
+at the same moment it would have done me solid good had I been able to
+kick the sergeant with sufficient vigor to convince him that he had made
+an ass of himself.
+
+Then the colonel, after receiving our thanks for permission to run our
+heads into unnecessary danger, went on to explain what he would have us
+do in case we lived long enough to get an idea of that which was going on
+in the enemy's camp.
+
+As he had already said, we were to scale the stockade in the horn-works,
+and then, making a detour to the westward, gain the cover of such shelter
+as might be found on the high lands, working well toward the ruins of Fort
+Newport before trying to strike across to and behind the line of
+earthworks which St. Leger had caused to be thrown up early in the siege.
+
+He had laid out a long journey for us, and one that might not be performed
+before nightfall; but it had the merit of being comparatively safe until
+we were in the vicinity of the British encampment.
+
+The interview was brought to a close within five minutes after it had
+begun, and then we were at liberty to make our preparations for that which
+might result in our death by torture, for it was certain that if the
+Indians laid hands on another man from the fort they would take good care
+he was neither rescued nor killed until they had worked their cruel will
+upon him.
+
+Sergeant Corney was inclined to boast of having succeeded when I had
+declared he must fail, and would have congratulated himself in great shape
+while we were crossing the parade-ground on our way to the barracks, but
+that I said, curtly:
+
+"That man who exerts himself to go into danger will one day find himself
+in a box from which his best friends can't extricate him."
+
+"Which is the same as sayin' that you've changed your mind about goin' out
+scoutin'?" he cried sharply, looking me squarely in the face. "There is no
+reason why you should go if the job isn't to your likin'."
+
+"Both Jacob an' I must keep on with you, or write ourselves down as
+cowards; but at the same time we have the right to think it a foolish
+venture."
+
+The words had no sooner escaped my lips than I regretted having spoken,
+and without delay I hastened to make amends by explaining that I was in
+truth frightened at the idea of venturing into that nest of snakes from
+which we had once barely gotten away with our lives.
+
+The old man must have understood that I spoke rather from nervousness than
+because I was really in anger, and immediately he acted as if nothing
+unpleasant had been said, but began to discuss the question of whether it
+would be wise to burden ourselves with weapons when, if brought to bay, we
+could not hope to fight our way through.
+
+Before we had more than gained the barracks half the men in the
+fortification had some knowledge of our intentions, and we were
+overwhelmed alike with questions and suggestions.
+
+But very few minutes were needed in which to make ready for the venture,
+and when we came out of the barracks all three of us had rifles strapped
+upon our backs in such a manner that they would not interfere with our
+movements in case it became necessary to trust to the fleetness of our
+feet. Three rounds of ammunition for each one, sufficient corn bread to
+make a single meal, and hunting-knives, completed the outfit.
+
+It would have pleased us better had we been allowed to depart unaided; but
+a full half of the garrison appeared to think it absolutely necessary to
+go with us to the very limits of the fort, and if good wishes are of any
+avail at such a time, then were we certain of returning in good condition.
+
+Once on the plain outside the stockaded portion of the works, Sergeant
+Corney led the way by going in a southerly direction for a distance of an
+hundred yards or more, and then striking sharply off toward the west,
+where was to be found the nearest cover.
+
+Having gained the line of foliage which fringed the high tract of land, it
+was possible to march off at a smart pace without need of taking
+particular heed to our steps, and we travelled rapidly until having
+arrived at a point midway between our starting-place and the ruins of Fort
+Newport.
+
+"Here's where I allow we'll be wise to change the commandant's plan a
+bit," the old man said, coming to a halt for the first time since we set
+out. "We can't gain very much in lengthenin' the journey by three or four
+miles, an' I'm in favor of strikin' across to the hill from here?"
+
+The statement was made in the form of a question, and I replied that it
+suited me to do as he thought best, for when Colonel Gansevoort mapped out
+the route I believed he was sending us on a longer detour than was
+necessary.
+
+We crossed the Albany road at that point where it bends in toward the
+hill, walking at our best pace, and, once behind the elevation, were
+screened from view of the enemy's camp.
+
+While we were going over the open country I kept my eyes fixed upon the
+British batteries and the redoubts thrown up to cover them, but failed to
+see any signs of human life. That the enemy had abandoned these posts even
+for a few moments seemed incredible, and yet it was all of the same piece
+with what we could see in their camp.
+
+Sergeant Corney led us directly into the redoubts which had made so much
+trouble for us in the fort, and, had we been disposed, we might have
+loaded ourselves down with plunder of every description, for the
+belongings of the men were strewn about as if cast aside in great haste.
+
+It was not safe to remain many moments where we were; in fact, I came near
+to believing the sergeant had lost his wits when he led us into the
+British nest, and we hurried out of the works, going directly toward St.
+Leger's quarters until we were sufficiently near to see men moving about
+excitedly, when he struck off for the rear of the encampment, where could
+be found such cover as stout bushes and small fir-trees would afford.
+
+We had advanced boldly on this last stage of the journey, emboldened to do
+so by the evidences of panic, or something near akin to it, which we saw
+on every hand, and trusting to the possibility that if seen it would be
+believed that we belonged to the encampment.
+
+The sun was yet an hour high in the heavens when we found a hiding-place
+overlooking the camp, and so easy of accomplishment had been our task,
+with nothing of danger attaching to it, that I was heartily ashamed of
+having displayed ill-temper in the sergeant's presence.
+
+Neither of us spoke when we were finally come to where we could have a
+fairly good view of the scene of confusion. The surprise at what we saw,
+and the perplexity because of it, was so great that we could do no more or
+no less than stare in bewilderment at this army, every member of which
+appeared to have suddenly been deprived of his reason.
+
+The foremost scene which met our wondering gaze was a group composed of
+General St. Leger himself, Sir John Johnson, Thayendanega, and a dozen or
+more leading sachems of the Six Nations.
+
+These men were too far away to admit of our hearing the spirited
+conversation which was going on. It appeared to me at times that the
+commander was pleading for some favor, and, again, that he threatened;
+but the savages seemed to give little heed to his words.
+
+Then Sir John talked for several moments, apparently appealing to each of
+his companions in turn, whereupon one of the sachems spoke excitedly,
+using more gestures than I ever saw one of the scoundrels employ, and when
+he was come to an end all the savages save Thayendanega stalked off as if
+in a rage.
+
+Our stupefaction was complete when General St. Leger made a peculiar
+gesture, and straightway two soldiers led forward a half-grown man whose
+vacant look proclaimed him to be one of those unfortunates whom God has
+deprived of wits, and in his wake came three Oneida Indians.
+
+It was enough to make a fellow lose a full year's growth, thus seeing his
+Majesty's general in such company; but when the Oneidas appeared my
+surprise gave way to fear.
+
+We had always counted, and with good cause, on these Indians being
+friendly to our people who were struggling to throw off the yoke which the
+king had put upon us, yet the fact that they were in the encampment,
+apparently on friendly terms with our enemies, seemed to betoken still
+more trouble and misery for us of the valley.
+
+Jacob gripped my hand tightly as the Oneidas appeared, and I could see the
+corners of the sergeant's mouth twitching as if he had suddenly lost that
+feeling of security which had been so strong upon him until this moment.
+
+Then the foolish man began to tell a long story to the general, the
+Indians added a word now and then, and even Thayendanega began to wear a
+troubled look.
+
+It was all so strange and unnatural that I pinched my own arm more than
+once to make certain I was not in a dream.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XVIII.
+
+Close Quarters
+
+
+
+The scenes shifted before us as if they had been painted on bubbles which
+were blown hither and thither by the wind.
+
+Even as we gazed at the leaders of the army while they stood listening to
+the foolish man as if believing him to be inspired, a mob of Tories and
+Indians surged toward that portion of the encampment, and in an instant
+St. Leger, Thayendanega, and Sir John Johnson were blotted out from our
+view.
+
+Nothing could have happened to give us who crouched amid the stunted
+bushes a more vivid idea of the change which had come over the besieging
+army than this one incident, when the commanders, at whose frowns savages
+as well as white men cringed, were treated with such utter lack of
+ceremony.
+
+I fully expected to hear one or the other of these three burst into a
+towering rage, and order the immediate punishment of those who had
+offended, whereas the men extricated themselves from the tangle of
+half-drunken soldiers and savages as best they could, immediately
+resuming the apparently confidential conversation with the idiot.
+
+I saw Sergeant Corney shrug his shoulders, as if to say that he had given
+over even trying to guess what might have happened, and then he beckoned
+for us to follow as he crept straight away from the, to us, perplexing
+scene.
+
+There was little need for us to give much heed to our movements so far as
+concerned making a noise, for I dare venture to say that a full company of
+men might have marched boldly past without raising an alarm, so long as
+they remained hidden from view.
+
+When we were twenty yards or more from where the commanders stood trying
+to hold their position against the drunken tide of reds and whites, the
+sergeant halted and looked at us lads inquiringly:
+
+"Well?" I said, irritably, vexed because of my bewilderment. "If you can't
+explain the situation there is no need to look at us. It beats anything I
+ever heard of or dreamed about. Have they all lost their senses?"
+
+"Somethin' is goin' mightily wrong!" Sergeant Corney said, impressively,
+as if he was imparting valuable information.
+
+"Goin' wrong!" Jacob repeated. "I should say it had already gone wrong
+with a vengeance. Can't you make some kind of a guess, sergeant?"
+
+"Not a bit of it, lad. This 'ere business lays way over anythin' I ever
+saw in all my experience as a soldier. There's one thing certain,
+howsomever, which is that jest now an hundred of our people could walk
+through the entire encampment without bein' called upon to spill a drop of
+blood."
+
+"Well?" I asked again, as the old man ceased speaking.
+
+"Colonel Gansevoort must know how mixed up is this 'ere army."
+
+"We can go back an' tell him," Jacob replied, promptly. "I reckon we might
+walk straight out toward the fort, an' never a man here would give heed to
+us."
+
+"If we knew exactly what had happened it might be as well for all three to
+go back to the fort; but there's no knowin' when matters may take a turn,
+an' we must keep a sharp watch lest through us our people are brought into
+a trap."
+
+"Why don't you say what you mean, without talkin' all around the subject?"
+I cried, nervously. "What have you got in your mind?"
+
+"That one of us must go back to the fort, while the others stay here on
+watch to give the alarm in case this 'ere army suddenly comes to its
+senses."
+
+It was not my desire to travel back alone to carry the tidings. There was
+no thought in my mind that any danger might threaten while the enemy was
+in such a state of confusion; and I was most eager to watch these
+apparently crazy people, in the hope of being able to come at a solution
+of the riddle, therefore I asked, sharply:
+
+"Who do you think should go back?"
+
+"Do either of you lads want to tackle the job?" the sergeant asked, and I
+understood by his tone that he was as loath to leave the place as was I.
+
+Neither of us made reply, and he went on, as if already having had the
+plan fixed in his mind:
+
+"Then we'll draw lots to see who it shall be. As the matter stands, we
+know full well that the commandant must be told of what we have seen. It
+won't require two hours' travelling because there's no call to make a very
+wide circuit, an', in case these fellows pull themselves together before
+midnight, them as stays on watch can warn our people."
+
+"Fix the drawin' of lots to suit yourself, an' he who gets the worst of it
+will set out at once," I said, curtly, and the old man broke off three
+small twigs, which he held in his closed hand.
+
+"I haven't taken note of which is the shortest; but, in case you might
+think I had, make your choice, an' the one which is left shall be mine."
+
+"He who gets the shortest goes back, eh?" Jacob asked, and I replied:
+
+"That is understood. Take the first choice, an' let us settle this
+business as soon as we can, for I am wild to get over yonder where I can
+see the king's army playin' the fool, if it so be that I'm not forced to
+turn back."
+
+Jacob drew one of the twigs without stopping to make a selection, I took
+the second, and Sergeant Corney opened his hand to show the third.
+
+They were all so nearly of a length that we were forced to measure each
+in order to learn who was the unfortunate, and then it was found that
+Jacob had been selected to play the part of messenger.
+
+Disappointed though the lad must have been, he did not make any delay, but
+asked as he rose to his feet:
+
+"What shall I say to the commandant?"
+
+"Tell him what you have seen," the sergeant replied, "an' say that with
+two hundred men at the most he can capture the whole blessed army. If
+there should be any change within the next two hours, one or both of us
+will hurry back, goin' around by way of the hill opposite the
+batteries,--the same course we came,--therefore, if he sends out a
+detachment, let it approach by that route."
+
+Immediately the old man ceased speaking Jacob wheeled about, and in a
+twinkling was lost to our view in the gloom.
+
+By this time night had fully come, and I knew the lad would be in no
+danger if he made a direct line for the fort, therefore I ceased to think
+of him as I urged my companion to return with me to where we could
+overlook the scene of confusion.
+
+We went back at once without giving especial heed to moving noiselessly,
+and soon were gazing upon the wildest, oddest scene that ever a military
+encampment presented.
+
+During the short time we were absent the men had built small fires here,
+there, and everywhere around, and now that which had at first looked like
+a panic began to present the appearance of an orgy.
+
+We saw directly in front of General St. Leger's camp a dozen or more
+Indians broaching a cask of rum, and hardly more than twenty feet away
+were a lot of Tories, drinking from bottles which had evidently been
+plundered from the commander's private store.
+
+Had the camp been in the possession of an enemy there could not have been
+greater evidences of lawlessness, and again and again I asked myself what
+could have happened to bring about such a condition of affairs.
+
+It would be well-nigh impossible to set down all the wild pictures we saw
+during the hour which followed. Instead of recovering from their panic,
+insubordination, or whatever it may have been, the men were momentarily
+growing more disorderly, and that the officers made no effort to preserve
+even the semblance of order, we knew from seeing them from time to time
+moving about the encampment with no heed to what was being done.
+
+The three commanders, however, remained beyond our line of vision, and,
+because no one save the rioting soldiery and the savages entered or came
+out of the headquarters tent, I began to suspect that the leaders had run
+away.
+
+As can be supposed, in a comparatively short time the Indians were
+thoroughly under the influence of the enormous amount of strong drink
+which had been consumed, and ripe for mischief of any kind.
+
+One of the Tories, a fellow who had been hob-nobbing with the savages,
+himself drinking until he could stand only with difficulty, was set upon
+by two of the feathered wolves, murdered and scalped before our eyes,
+without an alarm being raised.
+
+Then the Indians began a war-dance, waving the bloody scalp in the air
+with frenzied gestures as they circled around and around the lifeless
+body, and many of the drunken white men applauded heartily, although it
+must be set down in extenuation that they were so drunk as not really to
+understand what had taken place.
+
+"It's a nice kind of a tea-party," Sergeant Corney whispered to me, while
+the orgy was at its height. "If the rum holds out these villains will
+settle matters among themselves, so that Colonel Gansevoort won't find any
+to stand against him when he arrives."
+
+To this I could make no reply. I was literally sickened by the horrible
+scene, and began to wish most fervently that I had been the one to draw
+the shortest twig, for it was by no means agreeable to remain there idle
+while murder was being done, even though it was a bitter enemy who had
+thus been cowardly done to death.
+
+The savages soon brought their dance to an end as they stumbled into this
+tent and that, searching for more spirits although the cask was not yet
+empty, and I was on the point of suggesting to Sergeant Corney that it
+would be wise to move back among the bushes lest some of the drunkards
+come upon us by mistake, when a heavy body suddenly fell, or was thrown,
+directly upon my back, pinning me to the earth.
+
+My first thought was that the rioters had flung some heavy piece of camp
+equipage into the bushes at random, and then the blood grew cold in my
+veins as I felt two hands clutching at my throat.
+
+Like a flash of light came the knowledge that one of the drunkards, an
+Indian as I believed, had stumbled upon me accidentally. I expected each
+second to hear an alarm raised which would bring the murderous crew to the
+spot without delay, when there could be no question as to the result, for
+the sergeant and I could not hold out many moments against such a mob,
+even though every one of them was intoxicated to a greater or less degree.
+
+That which rendered my situation critical was the fact of my being
+virtually unarmed. It will be remembered that the rifle was strapped to my
+back, and even though I had been unhampered, it would have required no
+slight time in which to unsling it. My knife was quite as useless,
+because, borne to the earth as I had been, it could not be removed from my
+belt.
+
+To set all this down in words makes it appear as if I had ample time in
+which to think over the situation, whereas no more than five seconds could
+have elapsed before the sinewy fingers were closed so tightly about my
+throat that I could not breathe.
+
+At almost the same instant that the pressure began to be painful, before a
+single cry had been uttered by my assailant, a second shock was felt by
+me, while the weight which pressed me down to the earth was increased, and
+dimly I understood that the sergeant had leaped upon the back of him who
+was strangling me.
+
+Why the Indian made no cry for help I cannot understand, except that he
+was too drunk to realize he had within his grasp an enemy instead of one
+of his own company.
+
+Certain it is, however, that no alarm was raised even when the sergeant
+came to my relief, and in silence, save for the rustling of the foliage as
+we swayed to this side or that, the battle was continued until I felt the
+cruel fingers about my throat suddenly relax, while a warm liquid of a
+peculiar, salty odor poured down over my neck and head.
+
+When he who had been striving to kill me rolled from my back, I lay
+motionless, unable to raise a hand and gasping for breath, until Sergeant
+Corney lifted me up as he whispered in my ear:
+
+"Are you hurt, lad?"
+
+"Only choked well-nigh to death," I contrived to say, and then tried to
+struggle to my feet, but found myself yet pinned to the earth by the
+lifeless body which lay across my legs.
+
+"Let us get out of here," I said, after releasing myself from the sinister
+weight. "This is worse than such an ambush as we fell into on the
+Oriskany."
+
+"Ay, lad, I reckon you're right as to that; but it strikes me we're bound
+by the word I sent the commandant to stay here till we make certain these
+reptiles don't come to their senses."
+
+While he spoke the sergeant was helping me retreat yet farther among the
+bushes, for my knees bent beneath me, owing to the horror of it all, as
+well as the rough handling I had received.
+
+The old man was not willing to move so far away that it would not be
+possible to have a fairly good view of what might be going on; but we did
+walk to what I believed was a comparatively safe distance, and then sat
+down upon the ground on the alert for anything more of the same kind which
+had come so near to putting me out of the world.
+
+"It was a close shave, lad, an' ought'er be a lesson to sich fools as
+we've shown ourselves, never to carry good weapons where they can't be got
+hold of for use at a moment's notice."
+
+"A fellow isn't supposed to be on his guard against drunkards," I replied,
+curtly, caressing my throat, which was exceeding sore.
+
+"True for you, lad; but I'm free to say that, while we've had
+considerable experience in the business of fightin', I never run up agin
+quite sich a mess as this. It actually gives me a pain because I can't
+make head or tail of it."
+
+I was already weary with trying to solve the problem, for indeed it was
+puzzling to even make a guess at why an army of near to seventeen hundred
+men had been thrown into such a state of panic and lawlessness. Then,
+again, why were the commanders not present with their officers to check
+these proceedings? Why had they allowed the men to take part in such an
+orgy, for to my knowledge St. Leger was near at hand when the first cask
+of rum was broached?
+
+"It is no use to speculate as to how this thing came about," I said; "but
+it strikes me that you ought to post yourself so far as to be able to tell
+Colonel Gansevoort, or whoever he sends in command of the detachment,
+exactly where the blow may best be struck, for just now all we know is
+regardin' the row close hereabout."
+
+"You never spoke a truer word in your life, lad," the old man said,
+excitedly, as he rose to his feet. "I got so mixed up with this 'ere
+hubbub, tryin' to make out how it came about, as to have clean lost sight
+of all that a soldier ought to do. Jacob hasn't been gone over an hour,
+an' we have as much more time to find out how things are in the rest of
+the encampment, so let's set about it without delay."
+
+The scene immediately before us was so revolting that I had no desire to
+gaze at it longer, and there was a certain sense of relief in my mind when
+the sergeant, prompted by me, had thus decided upon a definite course of
+action.
+
+With so much of confusion and drunkenness everywhere around, it was a
+simple matter for us to go and come as we pleased, save by chance we might
+stumble upon those who yet remained sober, for all the men I had thus far
+seen, except the leaders themselves, were in such a maudlin condition as
+to be unable to distinguish friend from foe.
+
+We had already learned that the batteries fronting Fort Schuyler on the
+northeast had been abandoned, and it was only necessary to get a view of
+the remainder of the British encampment. There was little need to visit
+the Tory quarters, for, as it seemed to me, all those renegades were
+present, taking part in the orgy.
+
+With no care as to advancing noiselessly, but keeping a sharp lookout lest
+we come upon sober men, the sergeant and I moved about at will, finding
+everywhere the same condition of affairs, and when half an hour had passed
+it was positive our people might come into the enemy's lines and gather up
+prisoners by the hundreds without being molested in any way, for I
+question if their presence would have been suspected.
+
+During all this time of inspection we saw nothing of St. Leger, Sir John,
+or Thayendanega, and I was of the opinion that they had run away; but
+Sergeant Corney held to it that most like they were in the Indian
+encampment, proposing that we cross the river in order to hunt them up,
+but to this I would not listen.
+
+According to my mind, such of the Indians as remained sober, if there were
+any, would be in their own lodges, and because we had had such singular
+success in our scout thus far was no reason why we might not suddenly find
+ourselves face to face with the gravest danger, if we acted the fools by
+poking our noses among the camps of the savages.
+
+"Why not go to the fort?" I asked. "There is nothin' more to be learned
+here. We know to a certainty that the greater portion of all the Tories
+an' Indians are hereabout, and every one of them so drunk that the army
+will be harmless, save as to each other, until daybreak. Let us go back by
+way of the batteries, an' we can reach the fort almost as soon as will
+Jacob, if perchance he went to the northward of the hill."
+
+The sergeant was not inclined to leave the encampment immediately,
+although he agreed that we could learn nothing further of importance; it
+was as if the scene of confusion had a certain fascination for him. He
+finally agreed, however unwillingly, to my proposition, and we set out
+leisurely on the return, being forced to pass once more in the rear of all
+the British camps because of having continued our investigations to the
+easternmost line of tents.
+
+We began the return without thought of haste or of danger, and were come
+midway between headquarters and the most southerly battery, when without
+warning we arrived face to face with a party of six Tories, who, with
+their arms around each other's necks, were reeling to and fro in the most
+convivial fashion on what was probably intended to be a pleasant stroll in
+the night air.
+
+Just for an instant I was startled, fearing lest we might be discovered
+and find ourselves in trouble when we believed we were safest; but then,
+realizing that we had already met many who mistook us for comrades, I
+would have gone on but that Sergeant Corney halted suddenly, unslung the
+rifle from his back, and, presenting it full at the drunken renegades,
+said in a low, stern tone:
+
+"We are prepared to shoot one or all at a moment's notice if you make the
+slightest resistance. The orders are to gather in every mother's son in
+this encampment who has been makin' a fool of himself, an' I reckon you
+come in that class. About face, an' the first who so much as yips gets a
+bullet through the head."
+
+The fellows must have believed that we were acting under orders from their
+general, for, with many a laugh and good-natured quip, they obeyed the
+sergeant's order as promptly as a party of small boys would have done,
+and, still supporting each other, moved toward the fort, we two following
+directly in the rear.
+
+I could have laughed aloud at the comical situation. Here were two scouts
+who had gone out to spy upon an encampment of seventeen hundred men,
+marching boldly through the entire place, and taking as prisoners six
+soldiers who made no effort whatsoever to defend themselves.
+
+I question if in the annals of warfare there be found anything that can
+match such a situation!
+
+"Are you goin' to take them into the fort, sergeant?" I asked, in a
+whisper, and he replied, speaking with difficulty because of his mirth:
+
+"Why not, lad? It will be a rare lark, an' somethin' to tell about in the
+days to come, that we took out from almost directly in front of St.
+Leger's headquarters six men, marchin' 'em into a fort which was supposed
+to be closely invested."
+
+There could be little danger attending such a performance, save perchance
+we might come upon some of those who were sober, and that risk I was more
+than willing to take for the sake, as the sergeant had said, of being able
+to tell the story in the future.
+
+We marched our prisoners out past the batteries, they giving no heed to
+the direction we were going, evidently fancying we were taking them to the
+guard-tent, until arriving midway between the fort and the redoubts.
+
+[Illustration: "'Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet
+through the back'"]
+
+Then somewhat of the truth seemed to dawn upon them, and this was so
+startling as to restore a portion of their befuddled senses. The entire
+party halted as if with one accord, and would have turned to look at us,
+but that the sergeant said, sharply, emphasizing the words by the click of
+his rifle-lock as he cocked the weapon:
+
+"Keep a-movin' unless you're achin' to have a bullet put through the back
+of every blessed one in the gang!"
+
+"But, look here, this is too much of a joke," one of them cried, with a
+drunken laugh. "We can't go very far on this course without bein' seen by
+the rebels."
+
+"You've been seen by 'em already, an' that's why we've got you in charge.
+We count on movin' the whole of St. Leger's force over to the fort in
+squads, an' you're the first that has been started on the road."
+
+By this time the renegades had a fairly good idea of the situation, and I
+fully expected they would turn upon us, but each of them was a coward. If
+they wheeled about suddenly, taking the chances that one might be killed
+in the squabble, it would have been possible to overpower us, even though
+they were without firearms; but it was the probability of our doing some
+considerable execution before knocking under that prevented them from
+escaping at the favorable moment.
+
+I walked with my rifle cocked and pointed at the man directly in front of
+me, prodding him with the muzzle now and then that he might know I was
+ready for action, and Sergeant Corney kept the whole party moving at a
+good smart pace, for we had no assurance that there were not sober men
+enough in the enemy's camp to play the mischief with our bold plan.
+
+Before we were hailed by the sentinels I came to believe that every member
+of the besieging army was more or less incapacitated for duty through
+having drank too much rum, for we heard nothing whatsoever from any one in
+the enemy's camp, although we were in fairly good view of them for no less
+than half an hour.
+
+When the sentinel hailed we were yet half a musket-shot distant, and my
+companion answered it by shouting:
+
+"Report to the officer of the day that Captain Campbell, of the Minute
+Boys, an' Sergeant Braun, unattached, are come with a few prisoners as
+sample of what may be had for the takin'."
+
+This reply caused some mystification among the sentinels, as we could
+understand by the hum of conversation which followed; but the old man did
+not call a halt, and we continued straight on toward the sally-port, I
+feeling more than a bit nervous lest the sergeant's loud words might have
+been heard by such of the enemy as were able to come in pursuit.
+
+When we had come near the gate, the Tories now well sobered by fright,
+Colonel Gansevoort himself hailed, and again the sergeant replied, but
+this time in a respectful tone, after which we heard the command to open
+the port.
+
+A throng of curious, laughing men crowded around as we marched in, and not
+until the uniforms of our prisoners could be seen did they believe we had
+really made a capture.
+
+It was a squad of Johnson Greens which we had run across so fortunately
+and accidentally, and none of St. Leger's force could have been more
+welcome to our lads than they, for that organization was made up wholly of
+renegades from the Mohawk Valley, who needed such a lesson as we were now
+in position to give them.
+
+With such proof as we had with us, Colonel Gansevoort could no longer
+doubt the report which had already been brought in by Jacob. He had not
+thought it possible the entire force of the enemy could be in a helpless
+condition, and it is hardly to be wondered at that he was incredulous.
+
+The prisoners were speedily cared for in such a fashion that there could
+be no possibility of their escaping, and then the commandant summoned all
+three of us who had visited the British encampment, to his headquarters,
+that we might tell the story to himself and the officers.
+
+No one could even make a guess as to what had happened within the enemy's
+lines; but there was not a man present who did not believe that now had
+come our time to raise the siege in such a manner that the fort would not
+be invested again for many days to come.
+
+"When your messenger came in with his report, he admitted that you had
+seen but a small portion of the encampment, therefore I hesitated to
+accept it as a fact regarding the entire army; but now, after you have
+made a tour of the works, it would be worse than folly to delay," the
+commandant said to the sergeant. "If you who have so lately returned want
+to join in the sortie, it will be necessary to make your preparations
+quickly."
+
+And the old man replied, grimly:
+
+"The advance can't be made any too soon to please us, sir."
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XIX.
+
+The Pursuit
+
+
+
+No more than three hundred men were sent out to take advantage of the
+singular state of affairs which we, the scouts, had reported as existing
+in the British camp, and when I expressed surprise because of the small
+number ordered on duty, Sergeant Corney replied, contentedly:
+
+"If you an' I told the truth, lad, as we know we did, then a detachment of
+three hundred is way off more than enough to take care of all St. Leger's
+army in its present condition; but if we made a mistake, or if in some way
+it turned out to be a big trick intended for our undoin',--though I don't
+see how it _can_ be,--then have men in plenty been taken from the garrison
+here."
+
+"All of which means that you're entirely satisfied with everything this
+night?" I said, with a laugh, for the capture of the Tories had pleased me
+so thoroughly that my mouth was stretched in a grin nearly all the time.
+
+"That's about the size of it, lad, though in this case I couldn't find
+anythin' to be disgruntled with, however soreheaded I might be. The
+colonel is sendin' out men in plenty."
+
+It was Captain Jackman who led the force, and I knew full well that if it
+was possible to punish the Britishers he was the one above all others to
+tackle the job, for a braver, more cool-headed man I have never seen.
+
+It is well that I make the story short, so far as our own movements were
+concerned, for what we said or did before visiting the enemy's camp in
+force is of very little importance.
+
+We set off within an hour after Sergeant Corney and I brought in the
+prisoners, and were marched boldly across the plain on a bee-line for the
+batteries without hearing a single note of alarm. It seemed to me that
+even the noises of the orgy had died away.
+
+Arriving at the batteries, Captain Jackman ordered thirty of his force to
+take possession of the guns and hold them until the last possible moment,
+in case the enemy rallied sufficiently to do anything toward caring for
+their own safety.
+
+A few yards farther on, at the redoubts covering the batteries, thirty
+more men were left, and, since there was an ample supply of ammunition for
+the big guns as well as the small arms, we who were entering the
+encampment would have a fine support in case of trouble.
+
+All these precautions were proper, and the captain would have been a poor
+soldier indeed had he failed to take them; but, as was soon shown, they
+were needless.
+
+When we arrived near General St. Leger's quarters we saw the last of the
+army fleeing as if panic-stricken in the direction of Oneida Lake, no
+longer preserving any semblance of military formation, but each man for
+himself, and, what was yet more puzzling, their Indian allies were in
+close pursuit, striking down laggards whenever the opportunity offered.
+
+These so-called warriors of whom Thayendanega had been so proud, were
+taking Tory and British scalps as if they had been summoned for no other
+purpose, and during two or three minutes all our people stood as if
+suddenly turned into graven images, so much of astonishment and
+bewilderment was caused by the wonderful change in affairs.
+
+Captain Jackman's first act, after understanding that the enemy was
+actually in retreat, with their former allies harassing the fleeing men to
+the best of their ability, was to send a messenger in hot haste to the
+fort with the word that he counted on taking his entire force, save those
+left to hold the batteries and redoubts, in pursuit, and advising that
+nearly all the British equipment could be seized upon without fear of
+interruption.
+
+Then we began the pursuit, and this, like the panic in the camp, was the
+oddest ever known. British regulars and Tories running helter-skelter,
+casting aside their weapons and accoutrements lest they be impeded in the
+unreasoning flight, and close at their heels the savages, who fell upon
+every unarmed man they saw, sometimes killing him outright, but, in many
+cases which came under my personal observation, disabling and then
+scalping the poor wretch, leaving him to a lingering death.
+
+More than once did the frightened soldiers flee toward us for protection,
+and again and again we lent them weapons with which to defend themselves
+against their late friends.
+
+It is almost impossible to give any details of that pursuit, which was not
+brought to an end until we were close upon the shore of Oneida Lake,
+because it was all so confusing--more like the wildest kind of a
+foot-race, wherein each man was trying to gain the lead, and the
+hindermost frantic with fear.
+
+It would have been strange indeed had our people been able to hold
+anything like a military formation. Captain Jackman yelled himself hoarse
+trying to keep us together, and, when it seemed as if he was on the point
+of succeeding, some one would set off at a mad pace to save the life of a
+British soldier who had fallen at the mercy of a savage.
+
+At first we turned our attention to taking prisoners; but before having
+left the main encampment a mile in the rear the Indians, eager for scalps,
+began to grow careless of what we might do, and then we paid off many an
+old score, although all could not have been settled had we slaughtered
+every last one of them.
+
+During that time of pursuit we saw nothing of the leaders, and I had come
+to believe that they were among the first to flee, when suddenly the
+sergeant, in whose company Jacob and I had remained, pointed out amid the
+bushes what appeared to be a large portmanteau which had evidently been
+cast aside by some of the fugitives.
+
+In the excitement of the chase either Jacob or I would have passed it by
+as being of no particular value when there were so many things to be
+picked up; but the old man was too good and experienced a soldier not to
+realize the possibilities of the find, and, heedless of all the wild
+scenes around him, he seized upon it, breaking the lock with a rock.
+
+Then it was we learned that the apparently valueless case was none other
+than the writing-desk, or official portfolio, belonging to General St.
+Leger himself, and in it were not only private letters and documents, but
+all his correspondence and papers relating to the campaign, such as
+afterward served to show that the king's officers had actually hired the
+Indians to murder those whom they called "rebels."
+
+"I reckon we've captured the prize of the day," the sergeant said,
+gleefully, after making certain as to the contents of the case. "This is
+of more value than a score of prisoners, although there's far less
+satisfaction in seizin' it."
+
+A moment later the old man began to understand that if he held on to the
+prize he would be left far behind in the chase by our people, because it
+was far too cumbersome to be carried at a rapid pace, and then he
+regretted having found it.
+
+I believe that for a moment he had it in his mind to throw the heavy
+portfolio away, willing to lose what he believed to be the most valuable
+of all the plunder that might be found, rather than miss the excitement of
+the chase; but, fortunately, just then John Sammons came limping back with
+a wound in the leg which had been inflicted by a savage whom he afterward
+succeeded in killing.
+
+"It's the toughest kind of ill-fortune to be crippled just when the fun is
+the hottest," he said, after explaining how the wound had been received.
+"I can't go on, an' I don't want to miss the show when the crazy
+Britishers an' Tories arrive at the shore of the lake."
+
+"It looks pretty bad," Sergeant Corney said, when he had made the most
+careless examination of the wound, and I was surprised to hear him speak
+in such a tone, for it was not his custom to make much ado over any
+injury, however severe. "I reckon you'd better hobble back to the fort
+without delay, an', once there, look well to it that you wash an' bandage
+the leg well."
+
+"I s'pose I'll have to go," Sammons replied, with a sigh, and the sergeant
+made haste to add:
+
+"Of course you will, lad, an' I've got here that which will ensure you a
+warm reception by Colonel Gansevoort. Take this case to him, an' you'll
+be glad you had to go back."
+
+Then it was that I understood why the old man was so solicitous regarding
+John's injury.
+
+Sammons took up the bulky portfolio and limped back in the direction of
+the fort, the sergeant saying with a peculiar twinkle of the eyes as the
+lad passed beyond earshot:
+
+"Now I reckon there's nothin' to prevent us from goin' on so long as do
+the others. Strike out lively, lads; we've wasted too much time already!"
+
+Then we tailed on behind the crowd of our people who howled and yelled as
+if at a fair, shooting at every bunch of feathers we saw amid the foliage,
+but making no effort to capture the fugitives lest we find ourselves so
+hampered that further advance would be out of the question.
+
+There were many of our people who thought much as we did on that day,
+otherwise Fort Schuyler might have been crowded with prisoners before
+morning.
+
+When we had finally come within sight of the lake, it was to find the
+foremost of our party drawn up in something approaching military order.
+Captain Jackman had succeeded in bringing them to a halt while yet half a
+mile from the shore, and this was done because the British and Tories had
+made a stand while their boats, which had been left at that point when
+they marched to the investment of Fort Schuyler, could be put in sailing
+trim.
+
+We of the American army were far too few in numbers to risk an action by
+pressing on, for, no matter how demoralized the enemy had become during
+the flight, it was more than probable they would fight with desperation
+now safety was within view.
+
+More than one of our party cried out in anger because the captain
+displayed too much caution according to their ideas; but the
+cooler-headed, among whom was Sergeant Corney, declared that it would be
+the height of folly for us to throw ourselves upon at least a thousand men
+when no great good could come from such a venture, and much of disaster to
+the Cause might result.
+
+The savages had no such reason for lagging, however, nor did they intend
+to fall upon their late friends in a manner which could involve them in a
+pitched battle; but yet they did a large amount of mischief without
+putting their precious bodies in danger.
+
+Wherever a squad of the fugitives was withdrawn from the main body, making
+ready a boat, the painted fiends would swoop down upon it, performing
+their murderous work and getting away with a fresh supply of scalps before
+the victims' friends could rush to their assistance.
+
+I saw a boat laden with men, the greater number of whom were unarmed
+because of having thrown away their weapons during the flight, push off in
+company with several others; but the oarsmen of this particular craft were
+clumsy, and she drifted down the shore until beyond range of the
+remainder of the force.
+
+Then it was that the feather-bedecked wolves began shooting at the
+helpless men until a full half of the crew were wounded, after which
+Thayendanega's beauties swam out to her, killing and scalping all on
+board.
+
+This is but a single instance of what the savages did during that mad
+retreat. More than once had my rifle been emptied in behalf of some
+sore-beset soldier, and I even went so far in my sympathy for the white
+men that I saved the life of a Tory who would have been killed had we not
+come up in the nick of time. After rescuing him, however, we turned the
+fellow over to a squad who were guarding twenty or more prisoners, thus
+making certain he would not be left at liberty to work mischief among our
+people.
+
+The following brief account of the retreat was written and printed by one
+who took every care to learn all the truth regarding the affair, and I set
+it down here that he who reads may know I have not exaggerated the story
+for the purpose of shaming the enemy:
+
+"The Indians, it is said, made merry at the precipitate flight of the
+whites, who threw away their arms and knapsacks, so that nothing should
+impede their progress. The savages also gratified their passion for murder
+and plunder by killing many of the retreating allies on the borders of the
+lake, and stripping them of every article of value. They also plundered
+them of their boats, and, according to St. Leger, 'became more formidable
+than the enemy they had to expect.'"
+
+It was late in the afternoon before Captain Jackman gave us the word to
+turn back. He would have returned sooner, but our men pleaded for
+permission to watch the fugitives until they had embarked, and he could
+hardly do otherwise than remain.
+
+A happy, light-hearted company it was that marched back to what had been
+the British encampment, there to find many of those we had left in the
+fort busily engaged hauling in the plunder abandoned by his Majesty's
+valiant army, to the fortification.
+
+Now we had ammunition in plenty, both for our own guns and those we
+brought in from the batteries, while there was such a store of provisions
+that the wagons were kept busy during the entire night transporting it.
+
+We feasted from sunset until sunrise, much after the fashion of the
+savages, for it made a fellow feel good to know from actual test that
+there was no longer any need of saving every scrap of food against that
+day when it might be necessary to fight and fast at the same time.
+
+Even though we had not thus made merry, I question if there was a man
+among us, from the highest to the lowest, who could have closed his eyes
+in slumber. The relief of mind was so great, and the wonderment because of
+what had happened so overpowering, that we were able to do nothing save
+discuss the matter again and again, but without coming to any satisfactory
+solution of the riddle.
+
+The Tory encampment, which was a long distance westward from St. Leger's
+quarters, presented the same scene of confusion and evidences of hasty
+departure as had the British, and from there we got a large quantity of
+plunder; but in the Indian camp was nothing left but the lodges, and these
+we carted into the fort, although they would be of little value to us. It
+was satisfying to despoil Thayendanega's snakes, even though only to a
+slight extent.
+
+When another day had come Colonel Gansevoort brought all us merrymakers up
+with a sharp turn, by forcing us to perform military duty once more. The
+stores of the British and Tories had all been brought in, and then we were
+called upon to level the earthworks which had been thrown up at the
+beginning of the siege, lest General Burgoyne, who had been reported as
+possibly coming our way, might be able to turn them to his own advantage
+and our discomfiture.
+
+It was downright hard work to handle shovel and pick hour after hour under
+the burning rays of the summer sun; but no fellow cared to show himself
+indolent after having had such rare good fortune, and we petitioned the
+commandant to let us continue the labor throughout the night, to the end
+that it might the sooner be performed.
+
+Within six and thirty hours after we had returned from the pursuit matters
+were so far straightened that we had nothing save ordinary garrison duty
+to perform, and we lounged around discussing the exciting and mysterious
+events which we had witnessed, until I dare venture to say that every man
+was absolutely weary with so much tongue-wagging.
+
+Messengers had been sent on the road toward Stillwater to learn, if
+possible, what had caused such a panic among the enemy, and Sergeant
+Corney said to Jacob and me while we were waiting with whatsoever of
+patience we could command for some definite information to be brought in:
+
+"We must get out of this, lads, within four an' twenty hours after the
+matter has been made plain, an' we know somewhat concernin' the movements
+of our friends on the outside."
+
+"How surprised the people of Cherry Valley will be when they hear all that
+we can tell them!" Jacob said, as if speaking to himself.
+
+"An' is it in your mind, lad, that we're to go back there rather than
+anywhere else?"
+
+"Where else could we go?" I asked, in surprise.
+
+"I've been thinkin' that we might do our people at home more good by
+marchin' the Minute Boys to where they could be of real service, than
+goin' back to let 'em loaf 'round the settlement."
+
+At that moment the old soldier was called away to attend to some duty,
+and Jacob and I had ample food for thought as we turned over in mind what
+he had said.
+
+Before the day had come to an end we had reinforcements--when we no longer
+needed them--in plenty. Company after company of soldiers marched in from
+the direction of Stillwater, and through the earliest arrivals we learned
+that twelve hundred men, under General Benedict Arnold, had been sent to
+our relief.
+
+To our great joy, they could give valuable information regarding the
+strange behavior of St. Leger's army, and by putting together this and
+that bit of news we had a fairly good solution to the puzzle before the
+arrival of General Arnold, who came with a small force twenty hours behind
+the main body.
+
+And this is the story as we heard it from one source and another until
+there could be no question but that we had all the facts with no
+embellishments:
+
+Colonel Willett and Lieutenant Stockwell succeeded in getting past the
+several encampments without being discovered, and made their way to German
+Flats. There they procured horses, and rode at full speed until arriving
+at the headquarters of General Schuyler at Stillwater.
+
+Now it must be understood that when General Washington heard the news of
+the fall of Ticonderoga, he sent General Benedict Arnold with as many
+troops as could be gathered, to strengthen the northern army. General
+Arnold arrived at Stillwater nearabout three weeks before Colonel Willett
+rode into that place with the request that assistance be sent as soon as
+possible to Fort Schuyler.
+
+Now it seems, as I have heard it said by those who knew, and, later, have
+seen it printed, that immediately the messengers from the besieged fort
+stated the purpose of their coming, General Schuyler, eager to send
+Colonel Gansevoort all the succor he might, called a council of war to
+decide upon what should be done, when, greatly to his surprise, he found
+that the members of his staff were bitterly opposed to weakening the force
+then at Stillwater by sending any away, even on so important a mission as
+that of aiding the beleaguered garrison.
+
+Here is what I have seen printed regarding the matter, and I will copy it
+lest any one think I may have imagined some portion of this contention,
+which, as we look at the situation now, seems so improbable, for one can
+hardly believe that any officer in the patriot army would have refused at
+such a time to aid those who were so sorely pressed as were Gansevoort's
+troops:
+
+[Footnote: Fiske's "American Revolution."] "General Schuyler understood the
+importance of rescuing the stronghold and its brave garrison, and called a
+council of war; but he was bitterly opposed by his officers, one of whom
+presently said to another, in an audible whisper:
+
+"'He only wants to weaken the army!'
+
+"At this vile accusation the indignant general set his teeth so hard as to
+bite through the stem of the pipe he was smoking, which fell on the floor
+and was smashed.
+
+"'Enough!' he cried. 'I assume the whole responsibility. Where is the
+brigadier who will go?'
+
+"The brigadiers all sat in sullen silence, and Arnold, who had been
+brooding over his private grievances, suddenly jumped up.
+
+"'Here!' said he. 'Washington sent me here to make myself useful. I will
+go.'
+
+"The commander gratefully seized him by the hand, and the drum beat for
+volunteers. Arnold's unpopularity in New England was mainly with the
+politicians. It did not extend to the common soldiers, who admired his
+impulsive bravery and had unbounded faith in his resources as a leader.
+Accordingly twelve hundred Massachusetts men were easily enlisted in the
+course of the next forenoon, and the expedition started up the Mohawk
+Valley.
+
+"Arnold pushed on with characteristic energy, but the natural difficulties
+of the road were such that after a week of hard work he had only reached
+the German Flats, where he was still more than twenty miles from Fort
+Schuyler. Believing that no time should be lost, and that everything
+should be done to encourage the garrison and dishearten the enemy, he had
+recourse to a stratagem, which succeeded beyond his utmost anticipation.
+
+"A party of Tory spies had just been arrested in the neighborhood, and
+among them was a certain Yan Yost Cuyler, a queer, half-witted fellow not
+devoid of cunning, whom the Indians regarded with that mysterious awe with
+which fools and lunatics are wont to inspire them, as creatures possessed
+with a devil.
+
+"Yan Yost was summarily condemned to death, and his brother and gipsy-like
+mother, in wild alarm, hastened to the camp to plead for his life. Arnold
+for awhile was inexorable, but presently offered to pardon the culprit on
+condition that he should go and spread a panic in the camp of St. Leger.
+
+"Yan Yost joyfully consented, and started off forthwith, while his brother
+was detained as a hostage, to be hanged in case of his failure. To make
+the matter still surer, some friendly Oneidas were sent along to keep an
+eye upon him and act in concert with him.
+
+"Next day St. Leger's scouts, as they stole through the forest, began to
+hear rumors that Burgoyne had been totally defeated, and that a great
+American army was coming up the valley of the Mohawk. They carried back
+these rumors to the camp, and, while officers and soldiers were standing
+about in anxious consultation, Yan Yost came running in, with a dozen
+bullet-holes in his coat and terror in his face, and said that he had
+barely escaped with his life from the resistless American host which was
+close at hand.
+
+"As many knew him for a Tory, his tale found ready belief, and, when
+interrogated as to the numbers of the advancing host, he gave a warning
+frown and pointed significantly to the countless leaves that fluttered on
+the branches overhead."
+
+[Footnote: Lossing's "Field Book American Revolution."] "The Indians were
+greatly agitated. They had been decoyed into their present situation, and
+had been moody and uneasy since the battle of Oriskany. At the moment of
+Yan Yost's arrival they were engaged in a religious observance,--a
+consultation, through their prophet, of the Great Spirit, to supplicate
+his guidance and protection.
+
+"The council of chiefs at the powwow at once resolved upon flight, and
+told St. Leger so. He sent for and questioned Yan Yost, who told him that
+Arnold, with two thousand men, would be upon him in twenty-four hours.
+
+"At that moment, according to arrangements, the friendly Oneida who had
+taken a circuitous route approached the camp from another direction with a
+belt. On his way he met two or three straggling Indians of his tribe, who
+joined him, and they all confirmed the story of Yan Yost. They pretended
+that a bird had brought them the news that the valley below was swarming
+with warriors.
+
+"One said that the army of Burgoyne was cut in pieces, and another told
+St. Leger that Arnold had three thousand men near at hand. They shook
+their heads mysteriously when questioned about the numbers of the enemy,
+and pointed, like Yan Yost, upward to the leaves.
+
+"The savages, now thoroughly alarmed, prepared to flee. St. Leger tried
+every means, by offers of bribes and promises, to induce them to remain,
+but the panic and suspicion of foul play had determined them to go. He
+tried to make them drunk, but they refused to drink. He then besought them
+to take the rear of his army in retreating; this they refused, and
+indignantly said:
+
+"'You mean to sacrifice us. When you marched down, you said there would be
+no fighting for us Indians; we might go down and smoke our pipes; whereas
+numbers of our warriors have been killed, and you mean to sacrifice us
+also.'
+
+"Nothing more was needed to complete the panic. It was in vain that Sir
+John and St. Leger coaxed and threatened the savages. They were already
+filled with fear, and while a certain number deliberately ran away, taking
+their squaws with them, others drank rum until they were drunk, and began
+to assault the officers."
+
+That is the story as has been set down by others, and I have already told
+what we ourselves saw. All which seemed so unaccountable to us at that
+time, would have been as plain as the sun at noon-day had we possessed the
+key to the seeming riddle.
+
+
+
+
+Chapter XX
+
+Enlisted Men
+
+
+
+On the morning after General Arnold's arrival, when we learned that the
+reinforcements which had been sent to us at Fort Schuyler were to be
+marched directly back to the main army then at Stillwater, the Minute Boys
+held a conference to decide what should be done, for it was in my mind
+that each member of the company had a right to discuss freely the question
+that must be settled without delay.
+
+We knew that Peter Sitz was to return to Cherry Valley as soon as he could
+make ready for the journey, and I was of the belief that Jacob desired to
+accompany his father; but never a word had passed between us on the
+subject.
+
+From all we could hear concerning affairs in the Mohawk Valley, it seemed
+much as if the senseless panic among St. Leger's force had resulted in
+breaking up the combination between the British and the Indians, in which
+case Thayendanega would not be able to ravage the country nearabout Cherry
+Valley, as he had doubtless counted on.
+
+When I considered the matter, with a sickness for home in my heart, it
+seemed much as if my proper place was with my parents, and there, if
+trouble should come, I would be able to strike a blow in defence of those
+I loved; but while listening to the conversation of the soldiers, and
+being brought to understand how sorely the colonists needed the aid which
+should come from their midst, I said to myself that strong, hulking lads
+like our Minute Boys ought to be ashamed to do other than remain in the
+service, doing their part in showing the king that we would have no more
+of his misrule.
+
+It seemed to me that Sergeant Corney was averse to talking with any of us
+concerning the future, for, as soon as it was known that we must decide at
+once upon some course, he kept aloof whenever he heard two or three
+discussing the question of what we Minute Boys ought to do, now that we
+were no longer needed at Fort Schuyler.
+
+I have thus set down that which was in my mind at the time, not that it is
+of any especial importance, but to the end that he who reads may
+understand how undecided I was as to what my company had best do at such a
+time; and I believe every person will realize that a lad's love for
+country must be great when it prompts him to turn his back on home and
+loved ones after having passed through as many dangers as had our boys
+from Cherry Valley.
+
+During the evening previous I had notified all the members of the company
+that we would meet in the barracks at eight o'clock in the morning to
+decide what course should be pursued, and considerably before the time
+set every lad was in waiting; but Sergeant Corney did not put in an
+appearance.
+
+We had come to consider him as the head and front of the Minute Boys, and
+his absence at such an important time seemed odd, to say the least.
+
+"I believe he has it in mind to join General Arnold's force," John Sammons
+said, when the hour for the conference had come and passed without the
+sergeant's having shown himself, and the idea of such a possibility
+brought a strange sensation of loneliness to my heart.
+
+Then Jacob suggested that the old man might have been detained against his
+will at headquarters, and I proposed that the lad go at once to learn if
+such was the case.
+
+He did not absolutely refuse to obey what might have been considered as an
+order from the captain, but tried to shift the duty by saying:
+
+"It would be of more avail for you to go, Noel, if so be the old man
+really has it in mind to enlist under General Arnold. You have ever been a
+favorite of his, whereas I am little more than an outsider, who has caused
+you an' he much trouble an' sufferin'."
+
+The lad did not really believe his own statements, but made them simply to
+shift the duty to my shoulders, for it was a bold and might be considered
+an impertinent act for us to presume to advise or urge one of so much and
+so varied experience as Sergeant Corney.
+
+I set off without further parley, and to my great surprise found the old
+man on the parade-ground talking idly with Peter Sitz.
+
+"Had you forgotten that the company was called together at eight o'clock
+this mornin'?" I asked, as if in surprise.
+
+"Not a bit of it, lad."
+
+"Then why didn't you come to the barracks?"
+
+"I knew you lads had somewhat of importance to decide, an' wasn't countin'
+on goin' where I might be said to have influenced you."
+
+"But don't you reckon yourself as belongin' any longer to the company?"
+
+"I didn't count on bein' able to pass myself off for a boy, even among
+blind men," the old soldier said, with a laugh, and I cried, hotly:
+
+"That isn't answerin' my question, sergeant. Is there any good reason why
+you should stand stiffly here while we're tryin' to make up our minds what
+to do?"
+
+"Yes, lad, I believe there is."
+
+"What may it be, if you're willin' to tell us?"
+
+"It shouldn't be hard to guess. All my life long I've followed soldierin'
+as another man follows a trade, an' I'm not the one who ought to speak
+when lads are makin' up their minds as to the future, lest I say that
+which pleases me, an' may not be the best thing for them."
+
+"Answer me one question squarely, Sergeant Corney, without beatin' about
+the bush. Do you think we're too young to enlist as soldiers, if it so be
+the lads decide that the Minute Boys ought to do all they can for the
+Cause?"
+
+"Not a bit of it; it strikes me your company has shown that it may be of
+value in any army, an' I'll go bail Colonel Gansevoort will agree with me.
+What say you, Peter Sitz?"
+
+"Speakin' for my Jacob, he's shown that his services are not to be
+despised in sich warfare as we're like to have in the valley; but it must
+be for him to say what he'll do, without word or look from me."
+
+Now it was that I began to understand what these two were driving at. They
+were minded that we of the company should decide the question before us
+without aid from them, and it was not difficult to guess that, in their
+opinion, the Minute Boys ought to remain where they could do the best
+service for the colony.
+
+However, I was determined that they should be present while we discussed
+the matter, and by dint of much coaxing finally succeeded in my purpose.
+
+When we were all together I put the matter before the lads to the best of
+my ability, asking each to say if he was minded to go home at once, or
+whether he would be willing to regularly enlist in the American army, and
+before any other could speak John Sammons made a suggestion which showed
+him to be a lad of rare good sense.
+
+"It seems to me that it would be a good idea to first learn whether we're
+wanted in the army. There's hardly one among us of an age to be taken as a
+recruit, an' if they won't let us enlist as a full company, allowin' our
+own officers to remain in command, I for my part would rather go home."
+
+There could be no question but that very many of us shared John's ideas,
+and then came the question as to how we might learn what we wanted to
+know.
+
+This we could not determine upon until Peter Sitz said, quietly:
+
+"Most likely Colonel Gansevoort can tell you in short order; but, if he
+can't, he won't be long in findin' out from General Arnold."
+
+This was just the suggestion we needed, and then came the question as to
+who would go to the commandant. I flatly refused, because it would look
+too much as if I was eager to hold my rank as captain, and after
+considerable tongue-wagging it was decided that Jacob should tackle the
+job, his father agreeing to go with him to headquarters.
+
+While these two were absent we talked much among ourselves, and I soon
+learned that every member of the company was willing to remain in service
+if it could be done as regularly enlisted men, holding together as a
+separate company.
+
+Sergeant Corney would take no part in the discussion. He flatly refused
+to give an opinion until after the matter had been fully decided; but I
+knew full well the old man would remain with us, even though we were only
+a company of boys.
+
+Then Jacob and his father returned, and there was no need of further talk.
+
+"The commandant says that we have only to present ourselves before General
+Schuyler in order to be enlisted as we desire," Jacob reported. "He
+promises to write a letter to the general at once, telling him of how much
+service we have been here in the fort, an' agrees to provide us with
+provisions for the march, with two baggage-wagons to haul the stores.
+We're to have from the plunder gotten out of St. Leger's camp all we may
+need in way of an outfit, so that we'll really show up before the
+commander equipped for service without cost to the colonies."
+
+Thus the matter was settled. With such a generous offer from the
+commandant never a member of the company could have hung back had he so
+desired; but I am proud to say that each and every one of them was eager
+to join the army, since it might be done as regular soldiers.
+
+Then it was that Sergeant Corney had his say, and he was by no means
+niggardly with words.
+
+First he congratulated us on having performed such good service that the
+commander under whom we served was pleased to do all in his power to give
+us a good send-off, and then declared that he had rather enlist with us
+than in any regiment of the army. If we had decided to go to Cherry
+Valley, it was his purpose to join General Arnold's force; but now that he
+could remain with the Minute Boys he was content.
+
+We were proud lads that day, for it seemed as if every officer and soldier
+in the fort was eager to give us some word of praise, and those with whom
+we had served watched jealously when our equipment was being selected from
+the plunder of the British camp, lest we might not get the best of
+everything.
+
+We had our hands full of business making ready for the march, when Reuben
+Cox came shyly up to where Sergeant Corney and I were looking after the
+stowage of goods in the wagons, and said to me in a half-whisper, as if
+fearing others might hear him:
+
+"I don't reckon your company is any place for a man who has shown himself
+sich a sneak as I am, eh?"
+
+"Would you like to go with us?" I asked, in surprise, and pitying from the
+bottom of my heart the man who was so deeply repentant.
+
+"That I would, Captain Campbell. It may be in time I can live down my
+record, providin' there be any one who'll look to what I may do, instead
+of always thinkin' of what I have done."
+
+"But the men in the fort have been kind to you of late, Cox?" I said,
+questioningly.
+
+"Ay, that they have, considerin' what I've done, an' how nearly I came to
+workin' the worst of harm to all hands here; but I can see by their eyes
+that they're always thinkin' I may play the same dirty game agin, though
+God knows I'd stand at the stake with never a whimper till the life was
+burned out of me rather than do one of them another wrong."
+
+Had I felt at liberty to decide the matter then and there, Cox would have
+been a member of the Minute Boys without further parley; but it was only
+right I should consult the others, therefore I told him to come again
+within an hour, when I would give him an answer.
+
+He thanked me humbly, and was about to go away, when Sergeant Corney took
+him by the hand as he said:
+
+"What's in the past can't be brought back for the fixin'; but we've got in
+our own keepin' the shapin' of the to-morrows. I'm thinkin' you won't go
+astray agin, Reuben Cox, an' whenever I see a chance to speak a good word
+for you it shall be said."
+
+The man's face lighted up wonderfully, and in my heart I thanked the old
+sergeant over and over for having been thus kind to one who, having
+committed the worst crime possible for a soldier, stood ready to give up
+his life cheerfully to the end that he might atone.
+
+I called the lads together without loss of time, repeating to them what
+Cox had said, and again was I made glad when they agreed without
+hesitation to take him among us.
+
+John Sammons was sent to bring up the new member of the company, and
+Sergeant Corney said, grimly, as he tried without avail to pucker his
+wrinkled face into a frown:
+
+"At this rate you'll soon lose the right to call yourselves Minute _Boys_,
+because this 'ere company is fast becomin' a refuge for the aged and
+outcast."
+
+There was to be mourning as well as gladness among us on this the last day
+we were to spend in Fort Schuyler.
+
+Toward noon a messenger from the general commanding came in, bringing with
+him the sad news that General Herkimer was dead of his wounds, or, perhaps
+I should say, because of his wounds.
+
+As we were told, the general was safely taken to his home after the
+battle, being carried on a litter the entire distance. The weather was
+very warm, and soon the wound became gangrenous. Nine days after his
+arrival, a young French surgeon who had been with General Arnold's force
+visited the house, and claimed that the injured limb should be cut off
+without delay, as the only means of saving the sufferer's life.
+
+The family doctor objected very strongly; but the general's family had
+faith in the Frenchman, although it is claimed he had evidently been
+drinking heavily, and the leg was cut off. The operation was performed so
+unskilfully that it was impossible to entirely check the flow of blood,
+and the Frenchman, indulging in more wine, became so badly intoxicated
+that, even had he known how, it would have been beyond his power to take
+the proper measures.
+
+There was no other surgeon to be had, and toward the close of the day,
+when the brave old general came to understand that his end was very near,
+he asked for the Bible, from which he read aloud the thirty-eighth psalm,
+immediately afterward sinking back upon the pillow dead.
+
+"Murdered if ever a man was!" Sergeant Corney cried, when the sad story
+had been brought to an end, and I was of the same opinion.
+
+There are several forms of mutiny, and some of them are called by other
+names, but all as dangerous as they are wicked. Because many of those who
+badgered the brave old soldier to his death paid the full penalty of their
+crime in the ravine under the hatchet or knife of the savages, it may not
+be well to say harsh words concerning them; but so long as I live there
+will always be anger in my heart whenever I hear their names mentioned.
+
+During that evening, after everything had been made ready for the march at
+an early hour next morning, we lads gave to Peter Sitz messages for the
+loved ones at Cherry Valley, promising that we would never bring disgrace
+upon the settlement, and so burdening his mind with this matter and the
+other that, if the poor man remembered but the half of all the words we
+entrusted him with, he must have had a most prodigious memory.
+
+Right proud was I when I marched out of the fort next morning at the head
+of my company, followed by the two baggage-wagons; but yet there was a
+sorrow in my heart because it seemed, in a certain degree, at least, as if
+by becoming regularly enlisted men we gave up our claim to the name of
+Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley.
+
+Those under whom we served did not view the matter in the same light I
+did, however, for we kept the title we liked best during all the time we
+served in the army.
+
+It would please me to set down here an account of the adventures which
+were ours after becoming enlisted men, but it must not be done, else I
+might never bring the tale to a close, for we saw very much during the
+time our people were convincing the king, and surely did our duty at Bemis
+Heights, otherwise our company would never have been mentioned in the
+flattering terms it then was.
+
+It causes me most profound sorrow to say that our company was far away,
+fighting for the Cause to the best of our ability, when our homes at
+Cherry Valley were destroyed and many of our loved ones massacred by the
+fiendish savages, and there is always in my heart a cruel joy that we lads
+who had been trained by Sergeant Corney avenged that dastardly act of
+Thayendanega's in such manly fashion that he must have remembered the
+reprisals to his dying day.
+
+Then it was we showed ourselves to be Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley in
+good truth, however we may have been spoken of elsewhere, and if it so be
+the good God spares my life sufficiently long I propose to set down the
+story of that vengeance, when more than one of us, sorely wounded,
+continued the chase, upheld even when exhausted nigh unto death by the
+thoughts of what our loved ones had been made to suffer by that wolf in
+human shape--Joseph Brant.
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MINUTE BOYS OF THE MOHAWK
+VALLEY***
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