“They are to be employed as a rear guard, to protect the baggage, I believe.”
“And I believe, that unless you would be consigned to the rear guard yourself, colonel, you should go to bed at once and gain strength,” laughed Doctor Craik. “Now, sir! Are you one to take advice or not?”
“As I have no mind to be anywhere near the rear in time of action—good night, gentlemen,” Washington said promptly. He rose. “I have talked only as among friends, with no thought of criticizing His Excellency General Braddock. He is an experienced soldier, of distinguished record——”
“But not in our style of fighting, colonel,” put in Gist. “This is not settled Europe; it is the American wilderness, as you know.”
“Nevertheless he is trained to arms, and is of great courage, and will fight. He is certain that the French Indians will not face our cannon and the bayonets of the British Regulars; and neither will the few French. We have not been attacked as yet, and here we are, almost within striking distance. In fact, very likely our showing will induce the fort to surrender without a blow. I wish the neighborhood of the fort had been a little better scouted upon, and so does he; but I realize the difficulty of anyone leaving the column without being observed by spies and cut off.”
“Well, we will do our duty and hope for the best,” said Doctor Craik. “And if there’s no work for the surgeon, here’s one who will be satisfied. Now, colonel, my duty is to place you in bed.”
With that, he put his arm through Washington’s and led him away. Captain Montour, Croghan and Gist talked together. The red-coat soldiers were singing again, around their fires:
See how, see how, they break and fly before us!
See how they are scattered over all the plain!
Now, now—now, now, our country will adore us!