CHAPTER XIX.
A FRIENDLY WARNING.
Arriving at headquarters, Enoch attracted but little attention.
The staff officers were discussing the information which had been brought in from different sources, and speculating upon the probable events of the coming day; but no one gave any heed to the young aid.
Thus it was that the boy learned, without the necessity of asking questions, the different opinions of the Continental officers regarding the advisability of attacking General Clinton and his well-organized, well-disciplined, and thoroughly-seasoned troops.
Now and then Washington joined in the conversation; but as a rule he remained apart from the others, as if in deep study, oftentimes neglecting to answer a question, and Enoch noticed that his apparent preoccupation occurred more often when his opinion was asked concerning some point upon which his officers were divided in opinion.
Twice during the evening the commander-in-chief dispatched an aid to some division, but gave no heed whatever to Enoch, and the boy began to fancy that the general had forgotten the order relative to reporting at sunset.
It was nearly nine o'clock in the evening when the commander-in-chief, turning to the officer nearest him, said:
"Major, will you oblige me by riding to General Lee's quarters, and saying to him it is my desire he shall have his troops ready to move at a moment's notice?"
The officer bowed and left the tent, and then it was as if the commander but had just seen Enoch.
"You were ordered to report at sunset, my lad."