“My only regret is that I cannot go to the colonel with the message I had,” Ira said.
“What was it?”
“I was to tell him of Baum’s defeat, Clinton’s failure to meet Burgoyne’s demands, and the latter’s critical condition before an overwhelming force,” was the answer. “I hoped to discourage him so he would go back into Canada.”
Late remained silent a few moments as though thinking the matter over. Then he asked:
“Can’t you make up a report from General Burgoyne, bringin’ in all those things, an’ advisin’ him to give up his campaign?”
“I can make up the report readily enough,” his companion admitted. “The difficult thing is to send it in such a way that he will believe it comes from his chief.”
“Give it to one of the Indians,” was the quick suggestion; “he can make any explanation you have a mind to give him.”
Ira laughed. “What is that old saying?” he asked. “‘Two heads are better than one’? I believe we can make the scheme work. It is getting too dark to write the message to-night; but I will prepare it early in the morning.”
They went back a little farther into the woods, built a temporary shack, and, after partaking of some food Ira had with him, took turns in sleeping and watching until dawn.
After breakfast young Le Geyt took from his pack the necessary writing materials, and, “as General Burgoyne’s secretary,” so he said in sport, wrote a letter to Colonel St. Leger, telling of the misfortunes which his commander had experienced, setting forth the direful condition he was in, and urging the colonel to come to his assistance; but adding, “If, however, you find it impossible to do so within a few days, then, to save yourself and men from capture, you had better abandon the campaign and return to Quebec, for I hear the rebels are sending a large force against you.”