CHAPTER XIII
SHOWS HOW EZRA RODE WITH PRESCOTT TOWARD BUNKER HILL
As the six dashed along the morning roads toward Roxbury, Ezra notedmuch improvement in the American position; and those works that were inview had grown stronger and much more formidable than heretofore.
"It is right cleverly laid out," commented Gilbert Scarlett, whose keen,dark eyes missed nothing. "I am more struck with admiration of yourfarmer and mechanic soldiery the more I see of them."
"I can see," said Nat Brewster, who rode with him, "that you have beenharkening to the stories that the British have to tell about us. Theycall us impudent peasants who, in ignorance of what we are about, dareto face the army of the King. But that is mere bluster and affectation.Those officers among the British who have any experience in the warfareof the colonies, know that we have leaders who are perhaps theirsuperiors."
Scarlett smiled.
"Almost," said he, "do you surpass our young friend Prentiss inattachment 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 owncountry, because I have no country."
Nat looked at him inquiringly.
"I was born in Lisbon, of an English mother and an Italian father," saidScarlett, "and in my childhood, you might say the world was my cradle.My father followed the wars and my mother followed him. And when theydied, I took up their task of wandering. This sword," and his handrested upon the heavy hilt, "was my father's, and I have carried it fromMuscovy to the Floridas; and it has profited me no more than the clothyou 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 yearsto 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 forit. 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," andhe shook his head, "I have seen uprisings of people before. I have seenthem suffer under burdens imposed upon them by their masters until theycould bear it no more; then they threw it off and struck out madly,blindly at their tormentors. But always they were beaten down. They wereuntaught in war; they had no skilled leaders to show them the way topoint out the foe's weaknesses, to direct their strength. If I expect tosee 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 hispowerful face and fearless bearing. Ezra saluted and stopped him, and asthey conversed at some distance, Scarlett said:
"Who is that?"
"It is Colonel Stark, of New Hampshire. He has fought the French andIndians 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 likeyour Colonel Stark; but I will require to see the others before I changemy mind."
Ezra saluted the New Hampshire warrior, who then rode on. The boyreturned to his comrades.
"We are again fortunate," said he. "Colonel Stark has just left GeneralWard and tells me that Colonel Prescott and General Putnam were thenwith him. If we make haste we might find them there still."
The hasty clatter of hoofs awoke no surprise in the town. Cambridge hadgrown accustomed to such long since. As they approached the house whichthe commander had made his headquarters, they saw a few sentries leaningupon their rifles, conversing carelessly.
A broad window, which faced an open sweep of green, stood open; andwithin, three men in blue uniforms faced with white were gathered abouta table in earnest discussion.
The boys halted and dismounted; after a moment's discussion it wasdecided that Ezra should seek admittance to the officers' presencealone, as he could best tell of what had happened. So the others seatedthemselves upon the grass in full view of the window, while the youngNew Englander approached the sentries and announced himself. After somehesitation one of them went into the house as though to seek thecommands of a superior.
Scarlett's searching eyes watched the three about the table; everymovement, 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 incommand. "He is a safe leader, and that's saying the least of him. Theonly 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 theFrench 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 faceand the whitening hair. Which is he?"
"That," said Nat, "is General Putnam. He is considered to be, and Ithink justly, one of the most remarkable military characters of thistime. For years he led the quiet life of a country gentleman on abeautiful farm at Brooklyn in Connecticut. He was noted but for oneexploit; and that was the killing of a she-wolf which had become theterror 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 itsprang at his throat.
"When the French invaded northern New York, he took up arms and, withthe provincial army, marched to repulse them. Ten years of his life werespent in that and Indian warfare. Once he was taken at Wood Creek by theIndians, who determined to burn him, and were about applying the torchat his feet when a French captain of the name of Molang arrived andsaved his life. He won the rank of colonel in the provincial army andwas with General Lyman in the West Indies, serving at the fall ofHavana. After that he went back to his estate, where he remained untilthe alarm went out to the Sons of Liberty some two months ago."
"A right experienced officer," said Scarlett, "and like the man from NewHampshire, he has the look of one that would not be easily beaten."
At this juncture they saw Ezra admitted to the house; a moment laterthey saw him enter the room where the three officers sat.
"Your Colonel Prescott is the other one, of course," said theadventurer, as he regarded the stalwart, soldier-like figure of thatgallant gentleman. "For what is he remarkable?"
"He, too, has seen honorable service in the provincial army. He was acaptain under General Winslow. At the first call for defenders he lefthis estates at Pepperell and gave his service and influence to thegeneral good. I have the opinion," continued Nat, "that this officerwill conduct himself with distinction in whatever place his lot becast."
"If we are to go by appearances, yes. However," and the soldier offortune twirled his moustache points, "the future will raise up leadersfor your country if the war continues."
While they were speaking, they had been closely watching the scenewithin the headquarters of the colonial commander. George, Ben and thePorcupine were also likewise engrossed.
They saw Ezra greeted with rather surprised reserve. This was to beexpected, as the three officers were apparently deep in some problemthat required their undivided attention. Ezra saluted, and then thewatchers saw Colonel Prescott speak to him. What he said must have beenkindly and encouraging, for a look of gratitude came into the boy'sface.
He stood at the foot of the table. General Ward was at its head, whilethe other officers sat upon either side. Then the lad began to speak,and from the first sentence those outside noted a look of anticipationsettle upon the listeners' faces.
PUTNAM STRUCK THE TABLE]
This grew deeper and deeper; now and then
General Putnam struck thetable a smart blow with his right hand, his red face growing stillredder. But toward the end of Ezra's story, he grew as grave as theothers; and when the finish came, all arose quickly. General Ward wasseen to speak, the others gestured their accord with him. Then all shookEzra's hand warmly, after which Putnam and Prescott, followed by thelad, strode out of the room.
The horses belonging to the general and colonel were at hand when theyemerged. A sentry brought them forward, and as this was being done, Ezrabeckoned Gilbert Scarlett to the door of headquarters.
"This," said the boy, "is Mr. Scarlett, who was of such great assistanceto me."
Both soldiers greeted the adventurer warmly.
"Sir," said General Putnam, in his bluff, honest way, "I am glad to seeyou in Cambridge at such a time. For a man so ready of hand and brain asyou have proved yourself, there are deeds to be done."
"If you will accept a commission with our forces," said ColonelPrescott, 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 willnot forget you. And if it should come about that I should at last take aside in this bickering that is now begun, I will give what you sayserious 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 ofmen who had urgent matters that required their attention.
"Well?" inquired Nat Brewster, as Ezra and the adventurer approachedonce more.
"As it happened," said Ezra, cheerily, "General Ward was just outlininga plan to fortify one of the hills above or below the city, when Iarrived. The matter has been under consideration in the council for somedays, 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 Hillthat the British mean to attack?"
"They don't. But General Putnam says that they will attack anycommanding 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 ofGage's assault. Look here."
Then in the shadow of General Ward's headquarters, the lads, togetherwith the Porcupine, held consultation over a rough map which theadventurer had drawn before entering Boston.
"There will be riding to-day," said Ezra, at length, "and the bearing ofdispatches. It would be as well that we should report to Dr. Warren forany service that we can render."
As Scarlett was not open to perform any such service until he hadcommitted himself finally to the cause, the dwarf was sent with him tofind a comfortable inn; then the four comrades rode to Dr. Warren'shouse.
The patriot doctor had just received a hasty line from Prescott, morethan likely written in the saddle, and was delighted at the arrival ofthese four active, enterprising young spirits.
"This," said he, as he sat down to plan the work which he desired themto do, "will be a day of days. Let us hope that Providence will be kindto us and guide us to victory."
All day the four rode up and down the countryside. And wherever theywent all became activity. Arms were seen to, ammunition was gottenready, men were set to drilling outside their camps. Volunteers, at theprospect of immediate action, flocked into the towns; mattocks, spadesand other entrenching tools were sent forward in wagon-loads toCambridge.
Orders were issued in the evening for Prescott's, Frye's and Bridge'sregiments, also a party of two hundred Connecticut troops to parade inthe Cambridge camp, furnished with packs and blankets and withprovisions for twenty-four hours. Also Captain Gridley's company ofartillery of forty-nine men and two field-pieces was commanded toparade.
However, in all the dispatch-bearing and all the activity, not a word asto what was going forward had leaked out. Captains assembled theircompanies and saw them equipped as directed without the faintest notionas to what was about to be attempted.
The brigade named was to make an immediate advance upon Bunker Hillunder command of Colonel Prescott. Colonel Richard Gridley, the Americanengineer, was to bear him company with the plans of the proposed works.
Gilbert Scarlett sat his borrowed horse by the side of Ezra Prentiss andwatched Prescott's brigade mass upon Cambridge common.
"It's true," said he, with a hitch at his sword belt and a flush uponhis face, "that I have taken no side yet in this quarrel. But I nevercould resist a good fight. So I'll strike a blow for the sheer pleasureof it, even if I have no feeling in the matter."
"I expected that," laughed Ezra. "And when you have struck one I am surethat the second will follow."
Dusk was beginning to settle upon that sixteenth day of June but therewas light enough to play upon the rifle barrels and upon naked bayonetsthrust into wide leather belts. The men were earnest-faced anddetermined; they bore themselves not after the style of regulatedtroops, but rather after that of men who were about to face the power oftyranny 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 thewill to fight. The King's troops will have no rabble to disperse, asI'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 anddignified, 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 impressiveprayer. He prayed that heaven would watch over the little army and bringit 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 ofdiscouragements and dangers.
When everything was ready it was about nine o'clock; the command wasformed into column and the advance began. Masked lights were borne infront by Ezra Prentiss and his friends; the carts containing theentrenching tools rumbled along in the rear.
At Charlestown Neck the detachment was halted, and the officers and menwere informed as to the nature of the venture. Captain Nutting and hiscompany, together with a party of Connecticut troops, were here orderedby Prescott to proceed to the lower end of the town as a guard. Here,also, General Putnam dashed up, accompanied by Major Brooks, and joinedthe main body.
Once more the party was put into motion; but at the foot of Bunker Hillit again came to a halt. Colonel Prescott called his officers about himand they plunged into an earnest debate. The dim light of the lanternsheld by the boys lit up the earnest faces of the officers as theytalked.
"The orders for us to occupy Bunker Hill are most explicit," saidPrescott after a time. "And yet it would seem to me----"
He paused and his bold gaze went toward the hill nearest Boston, whichbulked 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 speakwere non-committal. It was plain to be seen that they had no desire togo contrary to General Ward's orders unless some one else assumed theresponsibility.
"If we had a map of the section," spoke Prescott, "I think I could showyou all the weak points in our orders."
In a moment Ezra Prentiss stood forward and saluted. Prescott signed tohim to speak.
"Mr. Scarlett has such a map," he said. "I saw it only to-day."
Instantly the drawing was demanded.
GILBERT SCARLETT'S MAP, AS REVISED BY HIM AFTER THE BATTLE]
Scarlett stepped within the c
ircle, coolly took it from his pocket, andproceeded to explain its design. The officers listened with greatattention and examined the map closely.
"Orders to a soldier," stated Scarlett wisely, "should be as the breathto his nostrils. But," and he elevated his brows, "plans made in thecamp 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 nearestthe enemy is the point of view of a fighting commander. Two more thingsare to be considered in its favor. Occupy it and you face your foe as hecomes up the slope from the water; also by so doing you deprive him of apoint where he can plant his batteries."
Putnam threw back his head and laughed.
"Could anything be better said?" demanded he. "The gentleman makes itall point. There is nothing else to do that I can see," with aninquiring look at his fellows, "but to shift from Bunker to Breed's andmake our fight there."
Colonel Prescott and Colonel Gridley at once gave the same as theiropinions; and after a few minor objections, the remainder also gavetheir consent.
Again the troops were put in motion; and this time they were not to haltuntil they had reached a spot for the possession of which they were tofight a battle, the story of which will live while the nation holds herplace among her sisters of the earth.