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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/10086-0.txt b/10086-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4d61e06 --- /dev/null +++ b/10086-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9435 @@ +*** 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 *** diff --git a/10086-h/10086-h.htm b/10086-h/10086-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b3f2559 --- /dev/null +++ b/10086-h/10086-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9486 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Minute Boys of the Mohawk Valley, by James Otis</title> +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + h1,h2,h3,h4 { text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-variant: small-caps } + h1,h2 { margin-top: 2em } + .smallcaps { font-variant: small-caps } + img { border-style: none } + hr ( margin: 2em 0% 2em 0% } + --> +</style> +</head> +<body> +<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 détour 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 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.</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 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.</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 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.</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 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.</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 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.</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 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.</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 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.</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 détour 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 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.</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 détour 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> diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..135ae44 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #10086 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10086) diff --git a/old/10086-8.txt b/old/10086-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..08215ff --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10086-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9862 @@ +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*** + + +******* This file should be named 10086-8.txt or 10086-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/8/10086 + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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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 détour 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 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.</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 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.</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 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.</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 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.</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 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.</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 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.</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 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.</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 détour 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 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.</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 détour 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 /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/8/10086">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/8/10086</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +https://www.gutenberg.org/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL">https://www.gutenberg.org/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/old/10086.txt b/old/10086.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bfbf022 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/10086.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9862 @@ +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*** + + +******* This file should be named 10086.txt or 10086.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +https://www.gutenberg.org/1/0/0/8/10086 + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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