For some moments his hearers stood as though stupefied, and then Late gasped:
“What can be done?”
“I’ll tell you what I’m goin’ to do,” Dan said stoutly. “I shall follow Ira into the British lines, if necessary, to save him, or hang with him,” and he walked away toward the enemy’s encampment.
There was need for him, or some other friend, to take such an heroic step, for before he had gained the nearest British picket post, the young scout was in General Burgoyne’s tent, face to face with the real Ira Le Geyt.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE MIDNIGHT FIRE.
Confident that he had ample time to report Colonel St. Leger’s flight to his superior, and learn when and how that officer intended to engage the Continentals, before any of his enemies could disclose his identity, Ira, after parting with his lieutenants, walked rapidly on to the nearest picket-post of the British camp.
Here his first trouble began. In no way could he convince the sentinel that he had a right to pass through the lines. The fellow was a Hessian, who could not read, and the scout’s paper, written both in English and German, directing that he be allowed to go in or out of the camp at all times, was of no avail. Therefore the captain of the guard had to be summoned.
He knew Ira, and permitted him to pass the picket, but, to the surprise of the lad, held him up at the guard tent until his arrival could be made known to the commander of that division, General Fraser. At length an order came for him to be allowed to report to the commander-in-chief, and he went on, believing it was the nearness of the enemy that had caused this unusual caution on the part of the British officers.
When he finally reached General Burgoyne, that officer, instead of greeting him with his usual warmth, merely nodded towards a camp stool, saying:
“Sit down, Master Le Geyt, I will hear your report in a short time,” and then he left the tent, remaining away at least ten minutes.