The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill Part 27

"It is right cleverly laid out," commented Gilbert Scarlett, whose keen, dark eyes missed nothing. "I am more struck with admiration of your farmer and mechanic soldiery the more I see of them."

"I can see," said Nat Brewster, who rode with him, "that you have been harkening to the stories that the British have to tell about us. They call us impudent peasants who, in ignorance of what we are about, dare to face the army of the King. But that is mere bl.u.s.ter and affectation.

Those officers among the British who have any experience in the warfare of the colonies, know that we have leaders who are perhaps their superiors."

Scarlett smiled.

"Almost," said he, "do you surpa.s.s our young friend Prentiss in attachment to the cause."

"It is the cause of my country," said Nat, simply.

A look of something like sadness came into the adventurer's face.

"It must be a fine thing, indeed, to feel like that," said he moodily.

"As I have mentioned, I have served many causes-but never that of my own country, because I have no country."

Nat looked at him inquiringly.

"I was born in Lisbon, of an English mother and an Italian father," said Scarlett, "and in my childhood, you might say the world was my cradle.

My father followed the wars and my mother followed him. And when they died, I took up their task of wandering. This sword," and his hand rested upon the heavy hilt, "was my father's, and I have carried it from Muscovy to the Floridas; and it has profited me no more than the cloth you see upon my back."

"You have lived and fought in old countries, or among old peoples,"

spoke Nat, eagerly. "But here is a new land, a new people. In the years to come, by the righteousness of our cause and the strength of our arms, we'll stand free and alone. Make this your country. Draw your blade for it. And when all is done, it will not forget you."

Scarlett's eyes sparkled; he looked at Nat with admiration.

"That's well spoken," said he, "and you all but persuade me. But," and he shook his head, "I have seen uprisings of people before. I have seen them suffer under burdens imposed upon them by their masters until they could bear it no more; then they threw it off and struck out madly, blindly at their tormentors. But always they were beaten down. They were untaught in war; they had no skilled leaders to show them the way to point out the foe's weaknesses, to direct their strength. If I expect to see this repeated now it will not surprise you, surely."

"When you come to know us," smiled Nat, "you'll know us better."

As they entered Cambridge they encountered Colonel Stark, with his powerful face and fearless bearing. Ezra saluted and stopped him, and as they conversed at some distance, Scarlett said:

"Who is that?"

"It is Colonel Stark, of New Hampshire. He has fought the French and Indians all his life and is a sample of our leaders."

"He has the front of a man who'd face terrible odds and never flinch,"

commented the adventurer as he regarded Stark narrowly. "Yes, I like your Colonel Stark; but I will require to see the others before I change my mind."

Ezra saluted the New Hampshire warrior, who then rode on. The boy returned to his comrades.

"We are again fortunate," said he. "Colonel Stark has just left General Ward and tells me that Colonel Prescott and General Putnam were then with him. If we make haste we might find them there still."

The hasty clatter of hoofs awoke no surprise in the town. Cambridge had grown accustomed to such long since. As they approached the house which the commander had made his headquarters, they saw a few sentries leaning upon their rifles, conversing carelessly.

A broad window, which faced an open sweep of green, stood open; and within, three men in blue uniforms faced with white were gathered about a table in earnest discussion.

The boys halted and dismounted; after a moment's discussion it was decided that Ezra should seek admittance to the officers' presence alone, as he could best tell of what had happened. So the others seated themselves upon the gra.s.s in full view of the window, while the young New Englander approached the sentries and announced himself. After some hesitation one of them went into the house as though to seek the commands of a superior.

Scarlett's searching eyes watched the three about the table; every movement, every lineament, so it seemed, came under his observation.

"And so these are more of your leaders," said he to Nat. "Tell me now, which of them is General Ward?"

"The one directly facing us," replied Nat, pointing to the general in command. "He is a safe leader, and that's saying the least of him. The only fault that could be charged against him is that his health is bad, which might affect his enterprise. He was once a justice of the peace; also he served with the British commander, Abercrombie, against the French and Indians. He was a lieutenant."

Scarlett plainly had no exalted opinion of General Ward as an officer; but he made no comment.

"This other, now," he said, "this thick-set man with the full red face and the whitening hair. Which is he?"

"That," said Nat, "is General Putnam. He is considered to be, and I think justly, one of the most remarkable military characters of this time. For years he led the quiet life of a country gentleman on a beautiful farm at Brooklyn in Connecticut. He was noted but for one exploit; and that was the killing of a she-wolf which had become the terror of the countryside. As no one had been able to destroy the beast, Putnam had himself lowered into its den, and shot it to death as it sprang at his throat.

"When the French invaded northern New York, he took up arms and, with the provincial army, marched to repulse them. Ten years of his life were spent in that and Indian warfare. Once he was taken at Wood Creek by the Indians, who determined to burn him, and were about applying the torch at his feet when a French captain of the name of Molang arrived and saved his life. He won the rank of colonel in the provincial army and was with General Lyman in the West Indies, serving at the fall of Havana. After that he went back to his estate, where he remained until the alarm went out to the Sons of Liberty some two months ago."

"A right experienced officer," said Scarlett, "and like the man from New Hampshire, he has the look of one that would not be easily beaten."

At this juncture they saw Ezra admitted to the house; a moment later they saw him enter the room where the three officers sat.

"Your Colonel Prescott is the other one, of course," said the adventurer, as he regarded the stalwart, soldier-like figure of that gallant gentleman. "For what is he remarkable?"

"He, too, has seen honorable service in the provincial army. He was a captain under General Winslow. At the first call for defenders he left his estates at Pepperell and gave his service and influence to the general good. I have the opinion," continued Nat, "that this officer will conduct himself with distinction in whatever place his lot be cast."

"If we are to go by appearances, yes. However," and the soldier of fortune twirled his moustache points, "the future will raise up leaders for your country if the war continues."

While they were speaking, they had been closely watching the scene within the headquarters of the colonial commander. George, Ben and the Porcupine were also likewise engrossed.

They saw Ezra greeted with rather surprised reserve. This was to be expected, as the three officers were apparently deep in some problem that required their undivided attention. Ezra saluted, and then the watchers saw Colonel Prescott speak to him. What he said must have been kindly and encouraging, for a look of grat.i.tude came into the boy's face.

He stood at the foot of the table. General Ward was at its head, while the other officers sat upon either side. Then the lad began to speak, and from the first sentence those outside noted a look of antic.i.p.ation settle upon the listeners' faces.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PUTNAM STRUCK THE TABLE]

This grew deeper and deeper; now and then General Putnam struck the table a smart blow with his right hand, his red face growing still redder. But toward the end of Ezra's story, he grew as grave as the others; and when the finish came, all arose quickly. General Ward was seen to speak, the others gestured their accord with him. Then all shook Ezra's hand warmly, after which Putnam and Prescott, followed by the lad, strode out of the room.

The horses belonging to the general and colonel were at hand when they emerged. A sentry brought them forward, and as this was being done, Ezra beckoned Gilbert Scarlett to the door of headquarters.

"This," said the boy, "is Mr. Scarlett, who was of such great a.s.sistance to me."

Both soldiers greeted the adventurer warmly.

"Sir," said General Putnam, in his bluff, honest way, "I am glad to see you in Cambridge at such a time. For a man so ready of hand and brain as you have proved yourself, there are deeds to be done."

"If you will accept a commission with our forces," said Colonel Prescott, after examining the young man steadily, "I feel sure that Dr.

Warren and his fellow committeemen will see to it with pleasure."

"Gentlemen," responded Scarlett with a flourish, "you are kind. I will not forget you. And if it should come about that I should at last take a side in this bickering that is now begun, I will give what you say serious consideration."

As Putnam and Prescott mounted, both Scarlett and Ezra stood at salute; the officers replied to this and rode hastily off, after the manner of men who had urgent matters that required their attention.

"Well?" inquired Nat Brewster, as Ezra and the adventurer approached once more.