by G. A. Henty
Chapter 12: A Commission.
Presently the noise made by the column of French troops was heardabreast of the fugitives. Then it died away behind them, and they againdirected their course to the left. Ten minutes later, they heard a loudsuccession of Indian whoops, and knew that the redskins pursuing themhad also heard the French column on its march, and would be warningthem of the course which the band were taking. The scouts were now butfour miles from Ticonderoga, and each man knew that it was a merequestion of speed.
"Throw away your meat," Rogers ordered, "you will not want it now, andevery pound tells."
The men had already got rid of their blankets, and were now burdenedonly with their rifles and ammunition. The ground was rough and broken,for they were nearing the steep promontory on which the French fort hadbeen erected. They were still a mile ahead of their pursuers, andalthough the latter had gained that distance upon them since the firststart, the scouts knew that, now they were exerting themselves to theutmost, the redskins could be gaining but little upon them, for thetrained white man is, in point of speed and endurance, fairly a matchfor the average Indian.
They had now descended to within a short distance of the edge of thelake, in order to avoid the valleys and ravines running down from thehills. The war whoops rose frequently in the forest behind them, theIndians yelling to give those at the fort notice that the chase wasapproaching.
"If there war any redskins left at the fort," Nat said to James, "theywould guess what our game was; but I expect every redskin started outon the hunt, and the French soldiers, when they hear the yelling, won'tknow what to make of it, and, if they do anything, they will shutthemselves up in their fort."
Great as were the exertions which the scouts were making, they couldtell, by the sound of the war whoops, that some at least of the Indianswere gaining upon them. Accustomed as every man of the party was to thefatigues of the forest, the strain was telling upon them all now. Fortwelve miles they had run almost at the top of their speed, and theshort panting breath, the set faces, and the reeling steps showed thatthey were nearly at the end of their powers. Still they held on, withscarcely any diminishing of speed. Each man knew that if he fell, hemust die, for his comrades could do nothing for him, and no pause waspossible until the boats were gained.
They were passing now under the French works, for they could hearshouting on the high ground to the right, and knew that the troops leftin the fort had taken the alarm; but they were still invisible, for itwas only at the point of the promontory that the clearing had beencarried down to the water's edge. A low cry of relief burst from themen, as they saw the forest open before them, and a minute later theywere running along in the open, near the shore of the lake, at theextremity of the promontory, where, hauled up upon the shore, lay anumber of canoes and flat-bottomed boats, used for the conveyance oftroops. A number of boatmen were standing near, evidently alarmed bythe war cries in the woods. When they saw the party approaching they atonce made for the fort, a quarter of a mile away on the high ground,and, almost at the same moment, a dropping fire of musketry opened fromthe entrenchments.
"Smash the canoes," Rogers said, setting the example by administering avigorous kick to one of them.
The others followed his example, and, in a few seconds, every one ofthe frail barks was stove in.
"Two of the boats will hold us well," Rogers said; "quick, into thewater with them, and out with the oars. Ten row in each boat. Let theother five handle their rifles, and keep back the Indians as they comeup. Never mind the soldiers."
For the white-coated troops, perceiving the scouts' intention, were nowpouring out from the intrenchments.
A couple of minutes sufficed for the men to launch the boats and taketheir seats, and the oars dipped in the water just as three or fourIndians dashed out from the edge of the forest.
"We have won the race by three minutes," Rogers said, exultantly."Stretch to your oars, lads, and get out of range as soon as you can."
The Indians began to fire as soon as they perceived the boats. Theywere scarcely two hundred yards away, but they, like the white men,were panting with fatigue, and their bullets flew harmlessly by.
"Don't answer yet," Rogers ordered, as some of the scouts werepreparing to fire. "Wait till your hands get steady, and then fire atthe French. There won't be many of the redskins up, yet."
The boats were not two hundred yards from shore when the Frenchsoldiers reached the edge of the water and opened fire, but at thisdistance their weapons were of little avail, and, though the bulletssplashed thickly around the boats, no one was injured, while several ofthe French were seen to drop from the fire of the scouts. Anotherhundred yards, and the boats were beyond any danger, save from a chanceshot. The Indians still continued firing, and several of their shotsstruck the boats, one of the rowers being hit on the shoulder.
"Lay in your rifles, and man the other two oars in each boat," Rogerssaid. "The French are launching some of their bateaux, but we have gota fair start, and they won't overtake us before we reach the oppositepoint. They are fresher than we are, but soldiers are no good rowing;besides, they are sure to crowd the boats so that they won't have achance."
Five or six boats, each crowded with men, started in pursuit, but theywere fully half a mile behind when the two English boats reached theshore.
"Now it is our turn," Rogers said, as the men, leaping ashore, tooktheir places behind trees. As soon as the French boats came withinrange, a steady fire was opened upon them. Confusion was at onceapparent among them. Oars were seen to drop, and as the fire continued,the rowing ceased. Another minute and the boats were turned, and weresoon rowing out again into the lake.
"There's the end of that," Rogers said, "and a close shave it has been.
"Well, youngster, what do you think of your first scout in the woods?"
"It has been sharper than I bargained for," James said, laughing, "andwas pretty near being the last, as well as the first. If it hadn't beenfor your taking us to the boats, I don't think many of us would havegot back to Fort Henry to tell the tale."
"There is generally some way out of a mess," Rogers said, "if one doesbut think of it. If I had not thought of the French boats, we shouldhave scattered, and a few of us would have been overtaken, no doubt;but even an Indian cannot follow a single trail as fast as a man canrun, and I reckon most of us would have carried our scalps back tocamp. Still, with the woods full of Iroquois they must have had some ofus, and I hate losing a man if it can be helped. We are well out of it.
"Now, lads, we had better be tramping. There are a lot more bateauxcoming out, and I expect, by the rowing, they are manned by Indians.The redskin is a first-rate hand with the paddle, but is no good withan oar."
The man who had been hit in the shoulder had already had his woundbandaged. There was a minute's consultation as to whether they shouldcontinue their journey in the boats, some of the men pointing out thatthey had proved themselves faster than their pursuers.
"That may be," Rogers says; "but the Indians will land and follow alongthe shore, and will soon get ahead of us, for they can travel quickerthan we can row, and, for aught we know, there may be a whole fleet ofcanoes higher up Lake George which would cut us off. No, lads, thesafest way is to keep on through the woods."
The decision was received without question, and the party at oncestarted at a swinging trot, which was kept up, with occasionalintervals of walking, throughout the day. At nightfall their course waschanged, and, after journeying another two or three miles, a halt wascalled, for Rogers was sure that the Indians would abandon pursuit,when night came on without their having overtaken the fugitives.
Before daybreak the march was continued, and, in the afternoon, theparty arrived at Fort William Henry.
James now determined to leave the force, and return at once to NewYork, where his letters were to be addressed to him. He took with him aletter from General Johnson, speaking in the warmest tones of hisconduct.
On arriving at New York
he found, at the post office there, a greatpile of letters awaiting him. They had been written after the receiptof his letter at the end of July, telling those at home of his share inBraddock's disaster.
"I little thought, my boy," his mother wrote, "when we received yourletter, saying that you had got your discharge from the ship, and weregoing with an expedition against the French, that you were going to runinto such terrible danger. Fortunately, the same vessel which broughtthe news of General Braddock's defeat also brought your letter, and welearned the news only a few hours before your letter reached us. Itwas, as you may imagine, a time of terrible anxiety to us, and thesquire and Aggie were almost as anxious as I was. Mr. Wilks did hisbest to cheer us all, but I could see that he, too, felt it verygreatly. However, when your letter came we were all made happy again,though, of course, we cannot be but anxious, as you say you are justgoing to join another expedition; still, we must hope that that will dobetter, as it won't be managed by regular soldiers. Mr. Wilks was quiteangry at what you said about the folly of making men stand in a line tobe shot at, he thinks so much of drill and discipline. The squire andhe have been arguing quite fiercely about it; but the squire gets thebest of the argument, for the dreadful way in which the soldiers wereslaughtered shows that, though that sort of fighting may be good inother places, it is not suited for fighting these wicked Indians in thewoods.
"The squire has himself been up to London about your commission, andhas arranged it all. He has, as he will tell you in his letter, got youa commission in the regiment commanded by Colonel Otway, which is to goout next spring. He was introduced to the commander in chief by hisfriend, and told him that you had been acting as Colonel Washington'saide-de-camp with General Braddock, and that you have now gone to joinGeneral Johnson's army; so the duke said that, though you would begazetted at once, and would belong to the regiment, you might as wellstay out there and see service until it arrived; and that it would be agreat advantage to the regiment to have an officer, with experience inIndian fighting, with it. I cried when he brought me back the news, forI had hoped to have you back again with us for a bit, before you wentsoldiering for good. However, the squire seems to think it is a capitalthing for you. Mr. Wilks thinks so, too, so I suppose I must put upwith it; but Aggie agrees with me, and says it is too bad that sheshould never have seen you, once, from the time when she saw you inthat storm.
"She is a dear little girl, and is growing fast. I think she must havegrown quite an inch in the five months you have been away. She sendsher love to you, and says you must take care of yourself, for hersake."
The squire, in his letter, repeated the news Mrs. Walsham had given.
"You are now an ensign," he said, "and, if you go into any more fightsbefore your regiment arrives, you must, Mr. Wilks said, get a properuniform made for you, and fight as a king's officer. I send you a copyof the gazette, where you will see your name."
Mr. Wilks's letter was a long one.
"I felt horribly guilty, dear Jim," he said, "when the news came ofBraddock's dreadful defeat. I could hardly look your dear mother in theface, and, though the kind lady would not, I know, say a word to hurtmy feelings for the world, yet I could see that she regarded me as amonster, for it was on my advice that, instead of coming home when yougot your discharge, you remained out there and took part in thisunfortunate expedition. I could see Aggie felt the same, and, though Idid my best to keep up their spirits, I had a terrible time of it untilyour letter arrived, saying you were safe. If it had not come, I dobelieve that I should have gone quietly off to Exeter, hunted up my boxagain, and hired a boy to push it for me, for I am not so strong as Iwas. But I would rather have tramped about, for the rest of my life,than remain there under your mother's reproachful eye. However, thankGod you came through it all right, and, after such a lesson, I shouldhope that we shall never have repetition of such a disaster as that. Asan old soldier, I cannot agree with what you say about the uselessnessof drill, even for fighting in a forest. It must accustom men to listento the voice of their officers, and to obey orders promptly andquickly, and I cannot but think that, if the troops had gone forward ata brisk double, they would have driven the Indians before them. As tothe whooping and yells you talk so much about, I should think nothingof them; they are no more to be regarded than the shrieks of women, orthe braying of donkeys."
James smiled as he read this, and thought that, if the old soldier hadheard that chaos of blood-curdling cries break out, in the still depthof the forest, he would not write of them with such equanimity.
"You will have heard, from the squire, that you are gazetted to Otway'sregiment which, with others, is to cross the Atlantic in a few weeks,when it is generally supposed war will be formally declared. Yourexperience will be of great use to you, and ought to get you a goodstaff appointment. I expect that, in the course of a year, there willbe fighting on a large scale on your side of the water, and the Englishought to get the best of it, for France seems, at present, to bethinking a great deal more of her affairs in Europe than of hercolonies in America. So much the better, for, if we can take Canada, weshall strike a heavy blow to her trade, and some day North America isgoing to be an important place in the world."
The letters had been lying there several weeks, and James knew thatOtway's regiment had, with the others, arrived a few days before, andhad already marched for Albany. Thinking himself entitled to a littlerest, after his labours, he remained for another week in New York,while his uniform was being made, and then took a passage in a tradingboat up to Albany.
Scarcely had he landed, when a young officer in the same uniform methim. He looked surprised, hesitated, and then stopped.
"I see you belong to our regiment," he said. "Have you just arrivedfrom England? What ship did you come in?"
"I have been out here some time," James replied. "My name is Walsham. Ibelieve I was gazetted to your regiment some months ago, but I onlyheard the news on my arrival at New York last week."
"Oh, you are Walsham!" the young officer said. "My name is Edwards. Iam glad to meet you. We have been wondering when you would join us, andenvying your luck, in seeing so much of the fighting out here. Ourregiment is encamped about half a mile from here. If you will let me, Iwill go back with you, and introduce you to our fellows."
James thanked him, and the two walked along talking together. Jameslearned that there were already five ensigns junior to himself, his newacquaintance being one of them, as the regiment had been somewhat shortof officers, and the vacancies had been filled up shortly before itsailed.
"Of course, we must call on the colonel first," Mr. Edwards said. "Heis a capital fellow, and very much liked in the regiment."
Colonel Otway received James with great cordiality.
"We are very glad to get you with us, Mr. Walsham," he said, "and weconsider it a credit to the regiment to have a young officer who hasbeen, three times, mentioned in despatches. You will, too, be a greatservice to us, and will be able to give us a good many hints as to thisIndian method of fighting, which Braddock's men found so terrible."
"It is not formidable, sir, when you are accustomed to it; but,unfortunately, General Braddock forced his men to fight in regularfashion, that is, to stand up and be shot at, and that mode offighting, in the woods, is fatal. A hundred redskins would be more thana match, in the forest, for ten times their number of white troops, whopersisted in fighting in such a ridiculous way; but, fighting in theirown way, white men are a match for the redskins. Indeed, thefrontiersmen can thrash the Indians, even if they are two or three toone against them."
"You have been in this last affair on the lake, have you not, Mr.Walsham? I heard you were with Johnson."
"Yes, sir, I was, and at the beginning it was very nearly a repetitionof Braddock's disaster; but, after being surprised and, at first,beaten, the column that went out made such a stout fight of it, that itgave us time to put the camp in a state of defence. Had the Indiansmade a rush, I think they would have carried it; but, as they contented
themselves with keeping up a distant fire, the provincials, who wereall young troops, quite unaccustomed to fighting, and wholly withoutdrill or discipline, gradually got steady, and at length sallied outand beat them decisively."
"I will not detain you, now," the colonel said; "but I hope, ere long,you will give us a full and detailed account of the fighting you havebeen in, with your idea of the best way of training regular troops forthe sort of work we have before us. Mr. Edwards will take you over tothe mess, and introduce you to your brother officers."
James was well received by the officers of his regiment, and soon foundhimself perfectly at home with them. He had to devote some hours, everyday, to acquiring the mysteries of drill. It was, to him, somewhatfunny to see the pains expended in assuring that each movement shouldbe performed with mechanical accuracy; but he understood that, althoughuseless for such warfare as that which they had before them, greataccuracy in details was necessary, for ensuring uniformity of movementamong large masses of men in an open country.
Otherwise, the time passed very pleasantly. James soon became afavourite in the regiment, and the young officers were never tired ofquestioning him concerning the redskins, and their manner of fighting.There were plenty of amusements. The snow was deep on the ground, now,and the officers skated, practised with snowshoes, and drove insleighs. Occasionally they got up a dance, and the people of Albany,and the settlers round, vied with each other in their hospitality tothe officers.
One day, in February, an orderly brought a message to James Walsham,that the colonel wished to speak to him.
"Walsham," he said, "I may tell you, privately, that the regiment islikely to form part of the expedition which is being fitted out, inEngland, against Louisbourg in Cape Breton, the key of Canada. Aconsiderable number of the troops from the province will accompany it."
"But that will leave the frontier here altogether open to the enemy,"James said in surprise.
"That is my own opinion, Walsham. Louisbourg is altogether outside therange of the present struggle, and it seems to me that the Britishforce should be employed at striking at a vital point. However, that isnot to the purpose. It is the Earl of Loudon's plan. However, it ismanifest, as you say, that the frontier will be left terribly open, andtherefore two companies of each of the regiments going will be left.Naturally, as you are the only officer in the regiment who has had anyexperience in this forest warfare, you would be one of those left here;but as an ensign you would not have much influence, and I think that itwould be at once more useful to the service, and more pleasant foryourself, if I can obtain for you something like a roving commission.What do you think of that?"
"I should greatly prefer that, sir," James said gratefully.
"The general is a little vexed, I know," the colonel went on, "at thenumerous successes, and daring feats, gained by Rogers and the otherleaders of the companies of scouts, while the regulars have not had anopportunity to fire a shot: and I think that he would, at once, acceptthe proposal were I to make it to him, that a company, to be called theRoyal Scouts, should be formed of volunteers taken from the variousregiments, and that you should have the command."
"Thank you, sir," James said, "and I should like it above all things;but I fear that we should have no chance, whatever, of rivalling thework of Rogers and the other partisan leaders. These men are alltrained to the work of the woods, accustomed to fight Indians, equallyat home in a canoe or in the forest. I have had, as you are good enoughto say, some experience in the work, but I am a mere child by theirside, and were I to lead fifty English soldiers in the forest, I fearthat none of us would ever return."
"Yes, but I should not propose that you should engage in enterprises ofthat sort, Walsham. My idea is that, although you would have anindependent command, with very considerable freedom of action, youwould act in connection with the regular troops. The scouts are oftenfar away when wanted, leaving the posts open to surprise. They are soimpatient of any discipline, that they are adverse to going near theforts, except to obtain fresh supplies. You, on the contrary, would actas the eyes of any post which you might think threatened by the enemy.At present, for instance, Fort William Henry is the most exposed toattack.
"You would take your command there, and would report yourself to MajorEyre, who is in command. As for service there, your letter ofappointment would state that you are authorized to act independently,but that, while it would be your duty to obey the orders of thecommanding officer, you will be authorized to offer such suggestions tohim as your experience in Indian warfare would lead you to make. Youwould train your men as scouts. It would be their special duty to guardthe fort against surprise, and, of course, in case of attack to takepart in its defence. In the event of the provincial scouts making anyconcerted movement against a French post, you would be authorized tojoin them. You would then have the benefit of their skill andexperience, and, in case of success, the army would get a share of thecredit. What do you think of my plan?"
"I should like it above all things," James replied. "That would beprecisely the duty which I should select had I the choice."
"I thought so," the colonel said. "I have formed a very high opinion ofyour judgment and discretion, from the talks which we have hadtogether, and I have spoken strongly in your favour to the general, whohad promised me that, in the event of the army moving forward, youshould have an appointment on the quartermaster general's staff, as anintelligence officer.
"Since I heard that the main portion of the army is to sail toLouisbourg, I have been thinking this plan over, and it certainly seemsto me that a corps, such as that that I have suggested, would be ofgreat service. I should think that its strength should be fifty men.You will, of course, have another officer with you. Is there anyone youwould like to choose, as I may as well take the whole scheme, cut anddried, to the general?"
"I should like Mr. Edwards, sir. He is junior to me in the regiment,and is very active and zealous in the service; and I should greatlylike to be allowed to enlist, temporarily, two of the scouts I haveserved with in the force, with power for them to take their dischargewhen they wished. They would be of immense utility to me in instructingthe men in their new duties, and would add greatly to our efficiency."
"So be it," the colonel said. "I will draw out the scheme on paper, andlay it before the general today."
In the afternoon, James was again sent for.
"The earl has approved of my scheme. You will have temporary rank ascaptain given you, in order to place your corps on an equal footingwith the provincial corps of scouts. Mr. Edwards will also havetemporary rank, as lieutenant. The men of the six companies, of thethree regiments, will be paraded tomorrow, and asked for volunteers forthe special service. If there are more than fifty offer, you can selectyour own men."
Accordingly, the next morning, the troops to be left behind wereparaded, and an order was read out, saying that a corps of scouts forspecial service was to be raised, and that volunteers were requested.Upwards of a hundred men stepped forward, and, being formed in line,James selected from them fifty who appeared to him the most hardy,active, and intelligent looking. He himself had, that morning, been putin orders as captain of the new corps, and had assumed the insignia ofhis temporary rank. The colonel had placed at his disposal twointelligent young non-commissioned officers.
The next morning, he marched with his command for Fort William Henry.No sooner had he left the open country, and entered the woods, than hebegan to instruct the men in their new duties. The whole of them werethrown out as skirmishers, and taught to advance in Indian fashion,each man sheltering himself behind a tree, scanning the woods carefullyahead, and then, fixing his eyes on another tree ahead, to advance toit at a sharp run, and shelter there.
All this was new to the soldiers, hitherto drilled only in solidformation, or in skirmishing in the open, and when, at the end of tenmiles skirmishing through the wood, they were halted and ordered tobivouac for the night, James felt that his men were beginning to havesome idea of forest fig
hting. The men themselves were greatly pleasedwith their day's work. It was a welcome change after the long monotonyof life in a standing camp, and the day's work had given them a highopinion of the fitness of their young officer for command.
But the work and instruction was not over for the day. Hitherto, noneof the men had had any experience in camping in the open. James nowshowed them how to make comfortable shelters against the cold, with twoforked sticks and one laid across them, and with a few boughs and ablanket laid over them, with dead leaves heaped round the bottom andends; and how best to arrange their fires and cook their food.
During the following days, the same work was repeated, and when, aftera week's marching, the force issued from the forest into the clearingaround Fort William Henry, James felt confident that his men would beable to hold their own in a brush with the Indians. Major Eyre, to whomJames reported himself, and showed his appointment defining hisauthority and duties, expressed much satisfaction at the arrival of thereinforcement.
"There are rumours, brought here by the scouts," he said, "that astrong force will, ere long, come down from Crown Point to Ticonderoga,and that we shall be attacked. Now that the lake is frozen, regulartroops could march without difficulty, and my force here is veryinadequate, considering the strength with which the French will attack.None of my officers or men have any experience of the Indian methods ofattack, and your experience will be very valuable. It is a pity thatthey do not give me one of these companies of scouts permanently.Sometimes one or other of them is here, but often I am without any ofthe provincials, and, although I have every confidence in my officersand men, one cannot but feel that it is a great disadvantage to beexposed to the attack of an enemy of whose tactics one is altogetherignorant.
"You will, of course, encamp your men inside the fort. I see you havebrought no baggage with you, but I have some spare tents here, whichare at your service."
"Thank you, sir," James replied; "I shall be glad to put the men undercover, while they are here, but I intend to practise them, as much aspossible, in scouting and camping in the woods, and, although I shallalways be in the neighbourhood of the fort, I do not propose always toreturn here at night. Are any of Captain Rogers's corps at present atthe fort?"
"Some of them came in last night," Major Eyre replied.
"I have authority," James said, "to enlist two of them in my corps."
Major Eyre smiled.
"I do not think you will find any of them ready to submit to militarydiscipline, or to put on a red coat."
"They are all accustomed to obey orders, promptly enough, when atwork," James said, "though there is no attempt at discipline when offduty. You see them at their worst here. There is, of course, nothinglike military order in the woods, but obedience is just as prompt asamong our troops. As to the uniform, I agree with you, but on that headI should not be particular. I can hardly fancy any of the scoutsbuttoned tightly up with stiff collars; but as, after all, althoughthey are to be enlisted, they will be attached to the corps, ratherthan be regular members of it, I do not think I need insist upon theuniform."
After leaving the major, James saw to the pitching of the tents, andthe comforts of his men, and when he had done so strolled off towards agroup of scouts, who were watching his proceedings, and among whom herecognized the two men for whom he was looking.
He received a cordial greeting from all who had taken part in hisprevious adventures with Captain Rogers's band.
"And so you are in command of this party?" Nat said. "I asked one ofthe men just now, and he said you were the captain. You are young to bea captain, but, at any rate, it's a good thing to have a king's officerhere who knows something about the woods. The rest ain't no more ideaof them than nothing."
"I want to chat to you, Nat, and also to Jonathan, if you will comeacross with me to my tent."
"I'm agreeable," Nat said; and the two scouts walked across to the tentwith James.
Lieutenant Edwards, who shared the tent with him, was inside, arranginga few things which Major Eyre had sent down for their use.
"Edwards, these are the two scouts, Nat and Jonathan, of whom you haveoften heard me speak. Now, let us sit down and have a chat.
"There is some first-rate rum in that bottle, Nat. There are two tinpannikins, and there is water in that keg.
"Now, Nat," he went on, when the party were seated on blankets laid onthe ground, "this corps of mine has been raised, specially, to act asscouts round this or any other fort which may be threatened, or to actas the advanced guard of a column of troops."
"But what do they know of scouting?" Nat said contemptuously. "Theydon't know no more than children."
"They don't know much, but they are active fellows, and ready to learn.I think you will find that, already, they have a pretty fair idea offighting in Indian fashion in the woods, and, as I have authority todraw extra supplies of ball cartridge, I hope, in a few weeks, to makefair shots of them. You have taught me something of forest ways, and Ishall teach them all I know; but we want better teachers, and I want topropose, to you and Jonathan, to join the corps."
"What, and put on a red coat, and choke ourselves up with a stiffcollar!" Nat laughed. "Nice figures we should look! No, no, captain,that would never do."
"No, I don't propose that you should wear uniform, Nat. I have got aspecial authority to enlist you and Jonathan, with the understandingthat you can take your discharge whenever you like. There will be nodrilling in line, or anything of that sort. It will be just scoutingwork, the same as with Captain Rogers, except that we shall not makelong expeditions, as he does, but keep in the neighbourhood of thefort. I should want you to act both as scouts and instructors, to teachthe men, as you have taught me, something of woodcraft, how to findtheir way in a forest, and how to fight the Indians in their own way,and to be up to Indian devices. You will be guides on the line ofmarch, will warn me of danger, and suggest the best plan of meeting it.You will, in fact, be scouts attached to the corps, only nominally youwill be members of it. I know your ways, and should not exact anyobservance of discipline, more than that which you have with Rogers,and should treat you in the light of non-commissioned officers."
"Well, and what do you say, Jonathan?" Nat said, turning to his tallcompanion. "You and I have both taken a fancy to the captain here, andthough he has picked up a lot for a young 'un, and will in time make afirst-rate hand in the woods, I guess he won't make much hand of it,yet, if he hadn't got someone as knows the woods by his side. We havehad a spell of hard work of it with Rogers lately, and I don't mind ifI have a change, for a bit, with the redcoats."
"I will go, of course," Jonathan said briefly.
"Very well, then, that's settled, captain," Nat said. "Rogers will bein tonight, and I will tell him we are going to transfer ourselves overto you."
"He won't mind, I hope," James said.
"He won't mind," Nat replied. "We ain't very particular about times ofservice in our corps. We just comes and goes, pretty well as the fancytakes us. They would never get us to join, if they wanted to get us tobind down hard and fast. Sometimes they start on an expedition fiftystrong, next time perhaps not more than thirty turns up.
"Is there anything to do to join the corps?"
"Not much, Nat. I give you each a shilling and attest you, that is tosay, swear you in to serve the king, and, in your case, give you apaper saying that you are authorized to take your discharge, whensoeverit pleases you."
"Very well, captain. Then on those terms we join, always understood aswe don't have to put on red coats."
The two men were sworn in, and then Nat, standing up, said:
"And now, captain, discipline is discipline. What's your orders?"
James went to the door of the tent, and called the sergeant.
"Sergeant, these two men are enlisted as scouts in the corps. They willdraw rations, and be a regular part of the company like the rest, butthey will not wear uniform, acting only as scouts. They will have therank and position of corporals, a
nd will specially instruct the men inwoodcraft, and in the ways of the Indians. They will, of course, occupythe tent with the non-commissioned officers, and will mess with them.Being engaged as scouts, only, they will in other respects be free fromanything like strictness. I trust that you will do what you can to makethem comfortable."
The sergeant saluted, and led the two scouts over to the tent occupiedby himself and the other non-commissioned officers, and the roars oflaughter that issued from it in the course of the evening, at theanecdotes of the scouts, showed that the newcomers were likely to behighly popular characters in their mess.