“I am obeying the orders of my superior,” Colonel St. Leger declared stiffly.
“But they are false,” both Tories cried in a rage.
“You must permit me to be my own judge,” was the withering reply.
Cheers from the Yankee fort interrupted the conversation, and when the sally was made, the angry Tories were themselves forced to flee. But, as soon as possible, they left the retreating army, and turned their faces toward home.
Compelled to make a long detour because of Colonel Arnold’s forces, they could not decide as to the number of soldiers, and were not certain but that the entire army of the north was advancing to strengthen the fort. For the first time they also were compelled to acknowledge that there might be some truth in the message which had so mysteriously come into the hands of the British colonel.
Once at home, Hiram Le Geyt discussed with his wife the incidents connected with the use of the iron cross by the white lad, and while she agreed with him that Joe Fisher and the stranger were probably one and the same, yet she was fearful that it betokened some misfortune to her son. She urged him to visit Burgoyne’s headquarters immediately, and, therefore, on the morning following his arrival at the farm, he and his father-in-law embarked in a canoe to journey down the river.
Soon after Colonel Arnold arrived at Fort Stanwix, the three young scouts set out on their return to the Hudson. They traveled on foot, taking the nearest way through the valley. Arriving at Little Falls, they spent the night at the house of a well-known patriot, and early next morning resumed their tramp. As they passed the lane leading to the Le Geyt farm, Late asked Ira if he was going to stop and see his “mother.”
“I’m afraid she wouldn’t be glad to see me,” he replied with a smile.
“I wonder if Hiram and David have come home yet?” Joe added, “or if they are still with St Leger?”
“I shan’t run any risk to find out,” Ira declared. “You waste words, lads, for dear as the old place is to me, I am not going to stop there now.”