CHAPTER XXXI
A TINY SILVER BULLET
That the voice he had heard was Russell's, Robert was convinced, but to attempt to flee was not to be thought of; for the men were near his hiding-place, and to his consternation halted not far from the door.
"Everything is clear up the river now all the way to Albany," Russell was saying.
What could he mean by the words? In spite of his own fears Robert Dorlon found himself listening, breathless with interest, to what was being said. Even his own alarm could not prevent the fear from sweeping over him that misfortunes must have overtaken the patriots, and if the statement was true, then even the forts must have fallen. Could it be true? Breathlessly he listened to the words that were spoken, and in a brief time his worst fears were confirmed.
"Yes," Russell resumed, "Sir Henry did not feel that it was wise for him to leave New York till his reinforcements came, but when thay did come he started up the river, and inside a week had cleared the way."
"How many reinforcements did he get?" inquired the other man.
"Three thousand."
"He did n't wait long."
"Not after they came. He started up the river and landed near Peekskill, as I was teling you. It did n't take him long to outwit old Put,—as the rebels call him, I understand,—and then he kept on to the forts. The rebels put up a pretty good fight, but they could n't hold out, though they did their best. Sir Henry sent up a messenger before the attack, ordering the Clintons to surrender"—
"It was strange that Clinton should be the name of the commander on each side, was n't it?"
"Yes, and this George Clinton and his brother are shrewd fellows, too. They kept up the fight till night; but, you see, Sir Henry had the men; then, too, the boats in the river kept up a heavy fire, and at last the rebels were driven out and ran, at least those who were still alive."
"How many did they lose?"
"About three hundred."
"How many did Sir Henry lose?"
"About a hundred and fifty."
"Where is he now?"
"I fancy he is n't very far from Esopus," laughed Russell. "There won't be much left of the rebel town when he's done with it."
"Did George and James Clinton both get out of the forts?"
"Yes, worse luck."
"How many men do you think they have now?"
"A couple of hundred, perhaps. This will be great news for General Burgoyne. He's hard put to it, according to reports."
"So I hear."
"Yes, they have given him a hard fight, and his supplies were cut off. But as soon as I get there it 'll all be changed," Russell added lightly.
"How's that?"
"I have the word he's waiting for. And he must get it, too!"
"Will you come into the house? Martha will be glad to have you."
"No, I thank you; but I 'll wait here till it is a little darker, and then I 'll push on. The boats have gone up the river; but just as soon as I can get past this part of the country I know where I can get a horse, and I 'll make such time that there won't be any more trouble for Sir John. When he learns that help is right at hand, he 'll be all right."
"Shall I go with you?"
"No. Leave me here, and I 'll look after myself. Good-night."
Robert was eager to see if the man with Russell, evidently the husband of the good woman who had cared for him, did indeed depart; but he dared not move from his hiding-place. A sudden resolution had been formed by him, and he was determined to do his best to carry it out. If this man was the bearer of information of such vital importance to John Burgoyne, then it was imperative that he should be prevented from going farther on his journey. In spite of the fall of the near-by forts, there still might be hope left, he thought, if only John Burgoyne might be prevented from receiving word of the approach of his allies. Weak as Robert still was, he nevertheless was determined to make the attempt. If Russell should enter the sugar-house he would attack him, and it might be that, taken unawares, the man might be held there, or at least prevented from going farther. Perhaps the message itself might be secured.
In the excitement aroused by the thought, Robert waited a brief time, standing ready to leap upon Russell if he entered; but the man did not come, and the silence outside the building was unbroken. Unable to endure the suspense longer, he peered forth; but as he looked about him he could not see anything of the man whose words he had overheard. Only the tall trees with their sombre shadows were about him. The air was chilly, but Robert was unaware of anything save the unexpected disappearance of Russell.
For a moment he tried to think out clearly what he should do, for he had no thought of abandoning the attempt to follow him. He soon concluded that the man would make for the road and trust to the darkness to protect him. He was by no means assured that he himself could find the road, but instantly decided to make the attempt, and at once started in the direction in which it seemed to him it must lie.
He was rejoiced when in a brief time he came within sight of Martha's house, but had slight fear of being seen, though he passed it at a distance, and then soon found himself in the road he was seeking. There was no question as to the direction Russell must have taken, he hastily concluded, and at once started back in the way from which he himself had come on that eventful day when he had been shot in the shoulder. He recalled the familiar scenes as he proceeded with all the haste he was able to make, but all the time he maintained a careful outlook for Russell, who he was well assured could not be far in advance of him.
An hour passed, but the longed-for sight of Russell was not obtained. Robert was already feeling severely the strain of the efforts he was making, but he gave slight heed to his own weakness or suffering, so eager was he to prevent the messenger from escaping him. At times he ran till, panting and almost fainting, he was compelled to stop to rest, but every time he speedily resumed his journey, eager to overtake the man who, he was confident, was somewhere not far in advance.
Two hours later Robert perceived the figure of a man in the road ahead of him. He was too far away to be recognized, but his movements were suspicious, and Robert at once concluded that the man whom he was seeking: was before him. There was need of increased caution on his own part now, and he kept close to the border of the road, that he might dart into the woods if his presence should be discovered.
With the coming of daylight, a great glow in the sky before him made him realize that there was more than the light of the sun to cause such an appearance. The man before him evidently was impressed by the same fact, for he stopped, peered intently about him, and then began to advance with quickened speed. It was difficult now for Robert to follow. His weakness, and the pain which came with every step he took, seemed almost unbearable ; but doggedly he held to his way, though he had no conception of what the blazing sky might portend. The one thought in his mind was that he must not lose sight of Russell, and desperately he held himself to the task.
At last it seemed to him that he could go no farther. The road appeared to rise and fall before him like the waves of the sea. Great weights seemed to be attached to his feet, and with every step his sufferings increased. Suddenly he perceived Russell (if, indeed, the man was Russell) stop abruptly, apparently listen intently, and then dart quickly into the woods.
Startled by the unexpected movement, Robert was at a loss to understand what it meant. He prepared, however, to follow, when he discovered four men approaching. Evidently the sight of them had alarmed Russell; and if he feared their coming, then it must have been because he had known they were no friends of his. There was comfort in the thought, and instantly Robert shouted to the advancing men.
His voice was too feeble to make them hear at first, but his second attempt arrested their attention, and at once they ran to the place where he was standing. In advance was Joseph Nott, and never had the sight of a face been more welcome to Robert than that of his friend.
"Oh, Joe!" he almost gasped. "There's a man in there. You must get him."
"In where?" demanded Joseph quickly.
"In there! Right there!" replied Robert, pointing to the place where Russell had darted into the woods. "You must get him! He must n't get away!"
The manner of the young express, as well as his words, was sufficiently startling to cause his friend to respond instantly. Bidding Robert wait for their return where he was, Joseph called loudly to his friends, and instantly all four darted into the woods and disappeared from sight.
In breathless suspense Robert waited for their return. He well understood the determination of Russell, and the importance of his present object was so great that the young express knew he would not be taken easily. His surprise was therefore the greater when he perceived the four men returning in a brief time, and in their midst was Russell himself.
"We 've got him, Robert!" called Joseph as he approached. "We found him hiding behind a stump, and as we all had the drop on him before he could wink, it was n't any trick at all to make him come with us. Who is he, and what made you say we must get him?"
"He's a messenger. He's an express from Sir Henry. He's got a word on him now for John Burgoyne from Sir Henry."
Russell stared at Robert as he spoke, as if he could not believe what he had heard; then suddenly wrenching one hand free he thrust it into a pocket, drew forth something which the others could not see, placed it in his mouth, and then with apparent calmness faced his captors.
"He's swallowed it!" exclaimed Robert aghast. "He's swallowed it!"
"We 'll take him to the general," said Joseph quickly. "He 'll know what to do."
"Is he near here?" inquired Robert.
"Yes, yes, only a little way up the road. The redcoats landed and set fire to Esopus this morning; General Clinton was near by and he rushed up with his men, but it was too late. The town's burned from end to end."
The explanation of the blaze he had seen in the early morning was now clear to Robert, and he said, "Have they gone?"
"The redcoats?"
"Yes."
"Yes, they got back to their boats and have gone up the river."
With all haste the little party started toward the place where General Clinton was to be found, Joseph being compelled to assist Robert at times, so weak had the latter become. It was not long before they arrived, and in spite of the excitement due to the burning town, their explanation of the cause of their desire to see the general at once, speedily admitted them into his presence. There Joseph briefly explained who and what his prisoner was, and also declared that they had seen him hastily swallow something only a few moments before.
General Clinton listened sharply, and then grimly gave an order for an emetic to be administered to the prisoner. In spite of Russell's protests and struggles the nauseous dose was swallowed, and in a brief time a small silver bullet was disgorged.
An examination speedily revealed that this oval bullet was opened by a tiny screw in the middle, and there within was found a small scrap of very thin paper on which was written: "Nous y voici, and nothing between us and Gates. I sincerely hope this little success of ours will facilitate your operations."
"When was this written?" demanded General Clinton of Russell.
"Yesterday."
"Where?"
"At Fort Montgomery after we—our—after Sir Henry captured it."
"John Burgoyne will never see it."
Russell, however, made no response, and was led at once from the presence of the general.
The captors also departed, and Joseph found a place where he could leave Robert for a time, while he himself attended to certain duties that could not be delayed or neglected. It was an hour afterwards when he returned to his friend, and there was an expression on his face such as Robert had never before seen.
"What is it, Joe?" he said hastily.
"Come and see," replied Joseph, in a low voice.
Not a word was spoken by either until they came to the roadside, and there Robert pointed to a lifeless body that was hanging from a limb of an apple-tree.
"It's Russell," gasped Robert.
Joseph silently nodded assent and then said, "That's not all, Robert; I 've more and worse than that to tell you about. Come with me."
And, sick at heart, Robert followed his friend.