"Yes, lad, you're right; but you're to be needed because the commander-in-chief believes the time for the battle is near at hand. When you are ordered off again, it'll be to carry word for some division to make a decided advance. That I predict, and you'll find I'm not far out of the way. Leave me to take care of your horse, and I'll see he's ready for service whenever you need him."
"If you are right, then I'm not to go into battle as a soldier."
"But you're to be there just the same, lad, and what's more, have a better chance of seeing and knowing all that's going on than the rest of us. Don't fret because you won't have a musket in your hands. The man in the ranks knows precious little of what's being done, except directly in front of him. I'd give a full year of my life if I could be in your place during the next forty-eight hours."
"I wish you might be there, and I could join Seth and Enoch."
"Never you mind them; they'll give a good account of themselves, I'll warrant. Now that Master Ludwick has got over his disappointment at not receiving a commission when he wasn't fit even to be a private, he'll fight as gallantly as an older man. The rest of us must lay still till the time for action comes; but you have the advantage of knowing all that's being done, and if you can pass me a word at any time, lad, when some decisive movement is to be made, I wish you would."
It seemed as if Greene never could tire of discussing the situation, and the probable outcome of a general engagement.
While Enoch would have been pleased to converse on some other subject, the spy continued his predictions for the future until the day was spent, and the setting sun warned the young aid that it was time to report for duty.
"I must go now," he said, interrupting Greene in his explanation of how the engagement would begin and how end.
"So you must, lad, and I've been babbling here like an old man, on a matter regarding which I knew very little, when it comes to facts. Take care of yourself—I'm not afraid but that you'll be brave enough; the only danger is you'll be foolhardy—and remember to keep me posted if it so be you can without betraying confidence."
Then Enoch, assuring himself his horse was well cared for, went toward General Washington's quarters.