CHAPTER XV.
ON SPECIAL DUTY.
When Enoch had repaid the debt of gratitude by aiding Lord Gordon torejoin his troops, and had landed once more on the Philadelphia side ofthe river, he felt particularly well pleased with the morning's work.
It was, to his mind, a fitting conclusion to the evacuation, and gavehim a sense of great satisfaction that he had been enabled to be ofservice to the generous officer.
"I allow Seth will be pleased twice when he hears of this day'shappenings, and I'm not certain but that what we have done for LordGordon will afford him nearly as much pleasure as to know that theBritish have finally left town. I wish he had given me something ofless value than this chain," he added as he examined the ornament moreclosely. "It seems as if this was in some sense payment for the work,although he insisted it was simply to remember him by. However, I couldnot have refused it."
Then he returned to Drinker's Alley; informed Mrs. Graydon her lateguest was in a place of safety, and, that having been done, wentdirectly home to acquaint his mother with the events of the evacuation.
As a matter of course he was on the street when General Arnold, stillsuffering from the wound received at Saratoga, entered the city with aforce of men sufficient to hold it against any ordinary attack, and assoon as the town was formally invested by its rightful rulers he wentback to Letitia Street, there to remain until word should be receivedregarding his future movements.
Enoch's one desire now was to join the army at the earliest possiblemoment, and he hoped most fervently that he would be allowed to enlist,for there seemed every reason to believe General Washington wouldattack the British forces during their march across New Jersey.
Late on this same afternoon it was told in the city that Clinton wasencamped with his army and camp-followers at Haddonfield, and solengthy was the train with its appendages that the first divisionof the force had bivouacked before the last left Gloucester Point,although the line had moved in close order.
It was reported that when the soldiers, the bathorses, baggage andammunition wagons, the camp-followers and refugees were stretched outon a single road in marching order, they extended a length of twelvemiles, and there seemed to be no question but that the American forceswould sadly harass the cumbersome column before it could arrive at itsdestination.
There was great rejoicing in Philadelphia on this first night of there-occupation by the Continental army.
Those who had been imprisoned because of their devotion to the causewere set free, and for the first time since September was therefeasting and joy in the homes of the citizens who ardently desired theindependence of the colonies.
It was noon of the 19th when Enoch received the expected summons, andthen, to his surprise and delight, Greene entered the house.
"I came with an order from General Arnold," he said in reply to Enoch'seager question, "and you are to carry a message from him to GeneralDickinson, while I return to the main army."
"Has Washington moved from Valley Forge?"
"Certainly. He started for Coryell's Ferry[F] last night. Day beforeyesterday Generals Maxwell and Dickinson left camp in order to beready to harass the enemy during his march, and are now somewherenear the river; but it is impossible to say just at what point theymay be found. You are to report to General Arnold at once, and willbe furnished by him with a horse and equipment in order to enableyou to reach the New Jersey troops. Clinton, so it is reported, leftHaddonfield this morning, moving in the direction of Mount Holly,and the general impression is that he intends to pass through NewBrunswick. Keep that fact well in mind, for it is somewhere on the westside of his line that you will find General Dickinson, and you must notapproach sufficiently near to run the risk of being captured."
"What am I to do after the message has been delivered?" Enoch asked.
"That I cannot say."
"Am I to be allowed to enlist?"
"The order which General Washington gave at Valley Forge is still inforce, and you will most likely be considered an aid so long as yourservices are required--very likely until the army is united. Now Ipropose to ask your mother for a dinner, although there is no lack ofrations in the Continental camp; but it is the last opportunity I shallhave for some time of enjoying her extraordinarily good cooking. Youmust tuck a generous meal under your vest this day, because you won'tget another like it for many days to come."
As a matter of course Enoch told his friend of the previous morning'sadventures, when he had aided Lord Gordon, and after the story wasfinished Greene said emphatically:
"It was a good day's work you did, lad, and that is a precious dealmore than I would say if you'd helped any other British officer out oftown. Gordon, even though he is a lord and an enemy, is an honest kindof a man, and after the spirit he has shown I'd be sorry to see him aprisoner."
Then Greene, observing the expression of sadness on Mrs. Ball's face asshe realized that her son was about to leave her once more, and wouldprobably be exposed to all the dangers of battle, began to talk onindifferent subjects in order to prevent the thoughts of mother and sonfrom dwelling upon the possibilities of disaster, succeeding so well inhis purpose that when the moment for departure arrived both were in areasonably calm frame of mind.
The spy did not allow any prolonged leave-taking, but hurried Enochaway immediately, saying as he left the house:
"You may depend upon it, Mrs. Ball, that you will receive the earliestpossible information of our movements, and I have no doubt but thatEnoch will return to the city several times before any engagementcan ensue. At all events, remember that nothing serious is likely tooccur, so far as the army is concerned, for several days. Clinton,owing to his unwieldy train, must of necessity move slowly, and GeneralWashington will not attack until everything is in our favor."
Then he literally forced Enoch from the house, hurrying him so rapidlytoward General Arnold's headquarters that the boy was listening to thatofficer's instructions almost before he fairly realized he had lefthome to take part in a campaign.
The duty which was now required of him seemed very slight. He wassimply to carry a written communication to General Dickinson, andconsider himself under that officer's orders after the task had beenperformed.
Directions were given that he be furnished with a proper equipment,and in the selection of this Greene took an active part, insisting onseveral articles which Enoch thought needless; critically examiningall that was turned over to the boy, and discarding this or that untilsatisfied in every respect with the complete outfit.
"I'm rigged out like a nabob!" Enoch said proudly when Greene announcedthat, everything having been provided, there was no necessity forfurther delay. "If all the soldiers in the army have as much, I canonly wonder where Congress finds the money with which to pay for thegoods."
"You are rather more generously equipped than the privates," Greenesaid with a laugh as he assisted the boy to mount. "This horse with histrappings, the two pistols in your belt, and the purse of money, cometo you by right of your being on General Washington's staff."
"But you know I don't really hold that position, Mr. Greene, andoughtn't have any more than belongs to me as a private."
"You have received only what is absolutely necessary to permit ofyour doing the duty required. You may be several days finding GeneralDickinson, in which case you must lodge at inns, and will need thewherewithal to pay your reckoning. Remember, Enoch, my boy, thatalthough the British have left Philadelphia, they are not very faraway from the town, and if you should chance to be made prisoner thesituation would be quite as grave as if the old Quaker had succeeded inretaining his hold of your ear. Be careful of yourself; don't trust anyone too far, unless you know beyond a question that he is a true friendto the cause, and keep your eyes wide open for treachery wherever youmay be."
"How long are you going to stay here?"
"I intend to leave very shortly, and it is not impossible we shallsoon meet again. You've got a good horse, lad, one that will serve youif
endurance is required, or I'm no judge. Be careful of him at theoutset, for the time may come when his speed and bottom will be neededfor your own safety. We won't say good-by, for now that you're in theservice it seems best to dispense with anything of that kind. Be offwith you, and don't show yourself too suddenly to Jacob, or he'll dieof envy at seeing you in this rig."
The spy struck the horse on the flank with his open hand, causing theanimal to leap forward so suddenly that the young courier was nearlyunseated.
General Arnold had instructed Enoch to follow up the highway toBadger's Point, where he would find facilities for crossing, and toact with confidence upon such advice regarding the whereabouts of theNew Jersey troops as might be given him by the ferryman, who was a truefriend to the cause.
Enoch rode leisurely as Greene had suggested; but before arriving athis destination it became necessary to urge his horse at a faster pace,for it was difficult to pass by the country people living on the roadand not stop sufficiently long, in response to their urgent entreaties,to tell them the news.
Although these halts were no longer than absolutely necessary in orderto give the desired information, they occupied considerable time, andit was nearly dark when the boy had finished the first stage of thejourney.
"Yes, I allow I can ferry you across; but you'll have to swim thehorse," the man to whom he had been directed said when Enoch made knownhis desire. "Have all the Britishers left the city?"
"The last one went before eleven o'clock," Enoch replied, able to speakwith certainty as to the time since he had assisted very materially inthe departure.
"I allow it'll be many a long day before they're back--leastways that'swhat I hope. Better take the saddle off, otherwise it'll be soaked. Nowlead the horse into the water alongside the boat, and I reckon we canmake him swim without any great trouble."
When the skiff was pushed off from the shore, the horse following asif accustomed to acting as his own ferryman, the owner of the craftplied Enoch with questions as vigorously as he worked at the oars,and not until they had landed on the opposite side did the boy havean opportunity of asking regarding the whereabouts of the New Jerseytroops.
"You're within three miles of where they allowed to halt to-night.General Dickinson is making for Mount Holly, so I'm told, reckoning theBritishers will strike that place in their march across the State. Keepstraight on the road ahead, and you'll hit them before dark, or I'm aDutchman."
The young courier gave rein to his horse now that the journey appearedso nearly at an end, for he was not only eager to deliver the message,but to be with friends.
The idea of riding around the country at night, knowing that he mightat any moment come across detachments of the enemy, was anything ratherthan pleasing, and he had not been in the service sufficiently long tolook upon such matters as ordinary incidents in a soldier's life.
At the end of ten minutes he saw ample signs betokening the passage ofa large body of men, and at the end of half an hour drew rein in themidst of the New Jersey forces, who had bivouacked in a pine grove nearthe main road.
It was not as simple a matter as he had supposed to gain an audiencewith General Dickinson.
When he was halted by the pickets he fancied that immediately heannounced himself as a messenger from General Arnold he would beallowed to proceed at will, instead of which he was detained by thevigilant outpost until the officer of the day could be communicatedwith, and during fully an hour Enoch sat on his horse, fretting becauseof the delay, and believing he would have received different treatmentif he had been in the garb of a soldier.
The night had come before he was conducted to where General Dickinsonwas partaking of a supper consisting of cold corn-bread and smokedfish, in company with several of his staff.
Enoch saluted awkwardly, and as he held the bridle of his horse withone hand, extended General Arnold's letter in the other, withoutspeaking.
"Where are you from, my lad?" the general asked as he took the missive,but without looking at it.
"Philadelphia, sir."
"Haven't I met you before?"
"Yes, sir; I am the boy who went into town with Greene before theBritish left."
"And because of a stroke of rare good fortune at a time when beset byenemies were enabled to bring important information?"
"Yes, sir."
"As a member of General Washington's staff," and there was a curioussmile on Dickinson's face as he spoke, "it is proper I invite you tomess with my aids. My orderly will care for your horse."
"If you please, sir, I had rather look out for him myself, and as forrations, I can get them anywhere. I don't fancy the commander-in-chiefreally meant that I was an aid. It seemed to be only a question of mygetting rations at the time."
"And that is all it is just now, lad. Help yourself, if you are hungry.Take care of your own horse if you choose; in fact do whatever pleasesyou during the night. I shall send you on to the main army in themorning."
Enoch bowed, wheeled his horse around and started off irresolutely,not knowing exactly in which direction to proceed, until the general'sorderly overtook him and said in a kindly tone:
"If you will follow me, my boy, I will show you where to get provenderfor your horse and rations for yourself."
"I have two friends somewhere among this force, and would like to findthem."
"They are in the same company with Greene, the spy, are they not?"
"Yes, sir."
"You will find them over here to the right. Suppose you let me take thebeast? The general's servants will care for him as well as you could.You need have no fear, so far as he is concerned, for he will farebetter than you will, I am afraid."
Enoch hesitated just an instant before doing as the orderly suggested,and had but just released the bridle-rein when Seth and Jacob camerunning up.
Turning toward his friends with a cry of joy, Enoch clasped their handsas if he had never expected to see them again, and Master Ludwick askedin a suspicious tone:
"Where did you get that horse?"
"At General Arnold's headquarters."
"Did you swap him for the beast we took from Wharton's stable?"
"Certainly not; that one was turned over to the army at the same timeyours was."
"But how does it happen you are riding, and what are you doing here?"
"I came with a message from General Arnold to General Dickinson."
"Then you _are_ an aid?" and Jacob spoke in a tone of envy.
"Indeed I am not! I'm going to enlist at the very first chance; butof course I had to bring this message, and must go to the main armyto-morrow. When that has been done, however, I shall sign the rolls inorder to be with you fellows."
"If you ride around on horseback, carrying messages from one general tothe other, of course you are an aid," Jacob began petulantly, and then,as if ashamed of himself for showing his ill-temper because his comradehad been favored, he added: "Who knows what Seth and I will be afterthe battle is over, for we are bound to have one mighty soon, and thenthere will be plenty of chances where a fellow can earn a commission."
'"You allow that to fret you not a little, Jacob," Seth saidreprovingly. "It is the good of the cause you should consider--nothingelse."
"I can do all that is in my power for the cause, and still keep my eyesopen for a commission," Master Ludwick replied stoutly. "If I had beenallowed to go to Philadelphia with Enoch and Greene, things would havebeen different."
"But isn't being a soldier in the Continental army enough for you?"Enoch asked.
"No, it isn't, and you will find that it ain't enough for you when youget here. I want to do what I can for the cause, and am as anxious asany fellow could be; but after you've stayed around the encampment aspell you'll see that a private don't count for very much, except----"
Master Ludwick was interrupted by the coming of one of GeneralDickinson's staff, who halted in front of the boys as he asked:
"Are either of you acquainted in this section of the country?"
"Seth and I were over it a good bit last fall," Jacob said.
"Are you boys willing to perform a little extra service?"
Jacob replied very promptly in the affirmative. If he could always bedetailed for "extra service" he would be quite content with his lot.
"General Dickinson wants to send some one toward Mount Holly, and hewould prefer that whoever goes should volunteer."
"We are ready," Seth said as the officer paused. "What is to be done?"
"The proposition simply is to lounge along the road in an apparentlyaimless fashion, and, if the enemy are not too near to render itdangerous, enter Mount Holly. The purpose is to learn in whichdirection Clinton proposes to march from that town, and whether thescout be successful or not, it is necessary you should return to thecommand within forty-eight hours."
"When are we to start?" Jacob asked.
"At once. You are to go on foot, and wear nothing which might indicatethat you belong to the army."
"Then we are to act as spies," Enoch said in a tone of disappointment.
"No, lad, nothing of the kind, for it is not your purpose to enter theenemy's lines. You will simply be an independent scouting party. If youare willing to perform this work I will wait until your preparationshave been made in order to pass you out."
"That won't take many minutes," Master Ludwick replied, and now alltraces of his ill-humor had vanished. If he was to be engaged in activeservice, rather than confined to the dull routine of the camp, it wasto him a most desirable change.
"I suppose we are not to carry weapons?"
"Certainly not. Discard everything which might give those whom you meetthe impression that you are soldiers."
In less than ten minutes the boys were being escorted out past thepickets, and Enoch said to the officer in an apologetic tone:
"I am sorry to give so much trouble, sir, but would you see to it thatsome one looks after my horse and the equipment I have left?"
"All your belongings shall be cared for, my boy. Now one last word:It is not impossible that we may be on the march to-morrow; but youwill have no trouble in finding the command. Be prudent; don't takeunnecessary risks for the purpose of gaining information, and rememberthat your errand will have been well performed when you know in whichdirection General Clinton intends to march after leaving Mount Holly."
Then the boys, saluting, walked rapidly down the road in the darkness,and Jacob said in a tone of satisfaction:
"Now this is what I call the proper kind of a job! I am more thanwilling to do a thing of this sort; but hanging around the camp,carrying a musket first in one fashion and then another, is what Idon't like."
"Yet it is necessary you should know how to do such things before youcan call yourself a soldier," Seth suggested. "I suppose you had supperwith General Dickinson, Enoch?"
"Indeed I didn't," Master Ball replied, "and I feel as if I could eatalmost anything."
"Do you mean to say you haven't had food since you left Philadelphia?"
"Yes."
"But why didn't you say something about it before we left camp?"
"Because it seemed necessary we should start without delay, and Ididn't want to appear so girlish as to declare I must have something toeat when there was work to be done."
"I don't call that girlish. A fellow must have a full stomach or hecan't do much work."
"We'll get something after awhile. You see we've money between us, now,for General Arnold gave me two pounds before I left, and since it wasto be used in the service, I shall be able to get what supplies areneeded."
"Let's stop at the first respectable-looking house we see," Sethsuggested. "It is getting so late that anything of the kind must bedone before the people go to bed, for I don't fancy our reception wouldbe very pleasant if we awakened any one with the proposition to sell usfood."
"We won't do that yet awhile. I reckon I can do without my supper twoor three hours."
"But you see," and Jacob halted suddenly, "General Dickinson couldn'thave intended that we should travel all night, for there is nothing tobe learned while everybody is in bed."
"I should suppose if we walked until midnight we would be somewherenear Mount Holly, and then the proper course will be to ask forlodgings at a farmhouse, unless we come across an inn."
With this understanding the boys continued on at a reasonably rapidpace, discussing as they walked the probability of a battle in the nearfuture.
Before they had traveled the length of time agreed upon, lights,apparently of a town, could be seen in the distance ahead, and Sethsaid in surprise:
"I thought Mount Holly was very much further away; but I must have beenmistaken, for there's no question about that's being the town. Do youthink it is safe for us to go there before daylight?"
"Why not?" Jacob asked.
"Because if the Britishers intend to strike that place, we may findourselves in trouble."
"We'd better stay where we are until morning," Enoch suggested."Suppose we try to get lodgings in that house?" and he pointed a shortdistance ahead on the right, where could be seen dimly in the darknessa collection of buildings.
With never a thought in their minds that they might meet with enemiesquite as dangerous as could be found in the British army, the boysturned into the lane leading from the main road, and went rapidlytoward the house.
Footnote:
[F] Now Lambertville.