Though the lad saw Master Lyman upon the walls of the fort, he did not think it wise to seek another interview with him. Something might arise in their conversation to awaken the suspicions of the Tory as to his identity. When in Bennington, some months previous, he had, by the merest chance, learned of the royalist, and that he had a son Fred, who was as ardent a supporter of the king as the father. This information had served him a good turn; but while he really meant to accompany the man to Bennington, he had no intention of putting himself in a position where either husband, wife, or son would be likely to discover he was not the real Ira.
Leaving it, therefore, for General Burgoyne to explain to the visitor the plans which had been decided upon, the young scout went into his own tent to devise, if possible, some way by which the purpose of the British commander could be thwarted.
When night came he slipped out of the fort, and went over to the place where he had arranged to meet Dan Cushing. He found the boy in waiting, and after a brief conversation with him, did what he had not expected to do when he left the British camp. At the risk of being seen by some sharp-eyed picket, or more alert Indian, he, in company with Dan, crossed the river and entered the Continental lines.
For an hour he and his comrade were closeted with General Schuyler, and then the two lads came forth, Ira to make his way back to his quarters in the fort, and Dan to mount a horse when, after a long detour to the south of Fort Edward, he was to ride toward Bennington.
Not far from nine o’clock the following day Master Lyman and Ira Le Geyt left the fort, and, taking the nearest route for Bennington, rode leisurely along.
“I am sure you will find Fred of great help to you in this work,” Master Lyman said, “and a good word from you will surely give him the place he wants on the general’s staff.”
“He prefers that to the position of scout or courier?” the latter questioned, more to keep up appearances than for any other reason.
“Yes,” the Tory replied emphatically. “If he is only a scout or courier he must wear his ordinary dress, but if put on the general’s staff, with the rank of a lieutenant or captain, he would have the regular uniform, and that is what Fred wants. Ever since he was in Quebec last fall he has just been about crazy to get on some regimentals.”
“And yet he might be of more service in ordinary clothes,” Ira said grimly.
“Yes, and run a bigger risk. The reason Fred sticks for a place on the staff of the general is, that there won’t be as much danger, as in the regular service. There’ll be more honor and less fighting.”