“There is nothing the matter with him, or me, colonel,” was the lad’s laughing reply.
“I wish he was as sure of whipping Burgoyne, as I am of the force the Britisher may send down here. But now to business. Come with me!”
He led the way to the Heights, where was a bend in the Walloomsac river, and into which, on the left, a smaller stream entered. Calling the attention of his companion to these features, the officer asked:
“Do you suppose you can induce the red-coats to make an encampment here?”
“Let me understand you perfectly, colonel, and I will make every effort to put the British forces where you want them.”
“Advise General Burgoyne to send a thousand men,” the officer explained. “Before they get here I’ll have my skirmishers hanging around them, and, finding he is going to meet with opposition, the commander will naturally look for some place in which to entrench himself. Show him this spot, and let him make his stand here. That is your part; I’ll take care of the rest.”
“It shall be done, if it lies within my power,” the young scout promised.
Half an hour later, with a complete list of the Continental stores, and a rough outline of the village and the surrounding hills in his pocket, Ira, accompanied by Dan Cushing, rode toward Fort Edward.
CHAPTER VII.
CLIPPING THE LEFT WING.
When the lads arrived at the cross-road leading to Master Earle’s, Ira gave his horse to Dan, and sent him to the farm to exchange the animal for the one he had left there.