The Young Continentals at Bunker Hill Part 28

"As it happened," said Ezra, cheerily, "General Ward was just outlining a plan to fortify one of the hills above or below the city, when I arrived. The matter has been under consideration in the council for some days, but some of the commanders have felt doubtful."

"And what will now be done?" asked George, anxiously.

"A force will be sent to throw up works on Bunker Hill."

"But," protested Ben Cooper, "how do they know that it is Bunker Hill that the British mean to attack?"

"They don't. But General Putnam says that they will attack any commanding place that our force seizes."

Scarlett slapped his thigh.

"A sound military judgment," declared he. "He is most undoubtedly right.

If Bunker Hill is taken possession of, Bunker Hill will be the object of Gage's a.s.sault. Look here."

Then in the shadow of General Ward's headquarters, the lads, together with the Porcupine, held consultation over a rough map which the adventurer had drawn before entering Boston.

"There will be riding to-day," said Ezra, at length, "and the bearing of dispatches. It would be as well that we should report to Dr. Warren for any service that we can render."

As Scarlett was not open to perform any such service until he had committed himself finally to the cause, the dwarf was sent with him to find a comfortable inn; then the four comrades rode to Dr. Warren's house.

The patriot doctor had just received a hasty line from Prescott, more than likely written in the saddle, and was delighted at the arrival of these four active, enterprising young spirits.

"This," said he, as he sat down to plan the work which he desired them to do, "will be a day of days. Let us hope that Providence will be kind to us and guide us to victory."

All day the four rode up and down the countryside. And wherever they went all became activity. Arms were seen to, ammunition was gotten ready, men were set to drilling outside their camps. Volunteers, at the prospect of immediate action, flocked into the towns; mattocks, spades and other entrenching tools were sent forward in wagon-loads to Cambridge.

Orders were issued in the evening for Prescott's, Frye's and Bridge's regiments, also a party of two hundred Connecticut troops to parade in the Cambridge camp, furnished with packs and blankets and with provisions for twenty-four hours. Also Captain Gridley's company of artillery of forty-nine men and two field-pieces was commanded to parade.

However, in all the dispatch-bearing and all the activity, not a word as to what was going forward had leaked out. Captains a.s.sembled their companies and saw them equipped as directed without the faintest notion as to what was about to be attempted.

The brigade named was to make an immediate advance upon Bunker Hill under command of Colonel Prescott. Colonel Richard Gridley, the American engineer, was to bear him company with the plans of the proposed works.

Gilbert Scarlett sat his borrowed horse by the side of Ezra Prentiss and watched Prescott's brigade ma.s.s upon Cambridge common.

"It's true," said he, with a hitch at his sword belt and a flush upon his face, "that I have taken no side yet in this quarrel. But I never could resist a good fight. So I'll strike a blow for the sheer pleasure of it, even if I have no feeling in the matter."

"I expected that," laughed Ezra. "And when you have struck one I am sure that the second will follow."

Dusk was beginning to settle upon that sixteenth day of June but there was light enough to play upon the rifle barrels and upon naked bayonets thrust into wide leather belts. The men were earnest-faced and determined; they bore themselves not after the style of regulated troops, but rather after that of men who were about to face the power of tyranny and attempt to break it once and for all. As he looked at them, admiration came into the face of the adventurer.

"Here," said he to Ezra, "we have fellows that have the power and the will to fight. The King's troops will have no rabble to disperse, as I've more than once heard they've expected."

With the officers at their heads, the brigade stood with heads bowed, resting upon their grounded rifles. A white-haired man, venerable and dignified, advanced before them, his hand upraised.

"Who is that?" whispered Ben Cooper, much impressed.

"It is President Langdon of Harvard College," replied Ezra Prentiss.

"Hush-h-h!" as Ben was about to speak once more.

Amid dead silence the venerable scholar began a fervent and impressive prayer. He prayed that heaven would watch over the little army and bring it to victory over the forces of evil, that morning should dawn upon it, strong for the fight and that it would hold out in the face of discouragements and dangers.

When everything was ready it was about nine o'clock; the command was formed into column and the advance began. Masked lights were borne in front by Ezra Prentiss and his friends; the carts containing the entrenching tools rumbled along in the rear.

At Charlestown Neck the detachment was halted, and the officers and men were informed as to the nature of the venture. Captain Nutting and his company, together with a party of Connecticut troops, were here ordered by Prescott to proceed to the lower end of the town as a guard. Here, also, General Putnam dashed up, accompanied by Major Brooks, and joined the main body.

Once more the party was put into motion; but at the foot of Bunker Hill it again came to a halt. Colonel Prescott called his officers about him and they plunged into an earnest debate. The dim light of the lanterns held by the boys lit up the earnest faces of the officers as they talked.

"The orders for us to occupy Bunker Hill are most explicit," said Prescott after a time. "And yet it would seem to me--"

He paused and his bold gaze went toward the hill nearest Boston, which bulked upward in a dense swell through the night.

"The nearer the enemy, the quicker we come to hard gripes with him,"

declared the rough and ready Putnam.

The other officers were for the most part silent; those who did speak were non-committal. It was plain to be seen that they had no desire to go contrary to General Ward's orders unless some one else a.s.sumed the responsibility.

"If we had a map of the section," spoke Prescott, "I think I could show you all the weak points in our orders."

In a moment Ezra Prentiss stood forward and saluted. Prescott signed to him to speak.

"Mr. Scarlett has such a map," he said. "I saw it only to-day."

Instantly the drawing was demanded.

[Ill.u.s.tration: GILBERT SCARLETT'S MAP, AS REVISED BY HIM AFTER THE BATTLE]

Scarlett stepped within the circle, coolly took it from his pocket, and proceeded to explain its design. The officers listened with great attention and examined the map closely.

"Orders to a soldier," stated Scarlett wisely, "should be as the breath to his nostrils. But," and he elevated his brows, "plans made in the camp are sometimes necessarily modified in the field."

Putnam looked at Prescott and that gentleman smiled.

"That Breed's Hill," continued Scarlett pointing to his map, "is nearest the enemy is the point of view of a fighting commander. Two more things are to be considered in its favor. Occupy it and you face your foe as he comes up the slope from the water; also by so doing you deprive him of a point where he can plant his batteries."

Putnam threw back his head and laughed.

"Could anything be better said?" demanded he. "The gentleman makes it all point. There is nothing else to do that I can see," with an inquiring look at his fellows, "but to shift from Bunker to Breed's and make our fight there."

Colonel Prescott and Colonel Gridley at once gave the same as their opinions; and after a few minor objections, the remainder also gave their consent.

Again the troops were put in motion; and this time they were not to halt until they had reached a spot for the possession of which they were to fight a battle, the story of which will live while the nation holds her place among her sisters of the earth.

CHAPTER XIV

IN WHICH IS FOUGHT THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL