“You mean,” said Ben Cooper, “that Schuyler prepared the way—roused the countryside—bore the hardships that went before and all that.”
The man nodded.
“I see you understand that part of it, and, believe me, young gentlemen, it’s true as gospel. Schuyler wore his heart out trying to get men to stand to the cause; he worked night and day breaking the British strength bit by bit, and when it was all ready for him to strike, Congress removes him and sends Gates.”
“And it is because of this,” said Nat Brewster, “that you say Gates had no more to do with it than either of us.”
“That would be enough, indeed,” answered the man in the riding dress. “But, as it happens, it is not at all the chief reason for what I say. We of the army of the north hated to see General Schuyler go, but if we had received a fighter in his place we would not have cared so much.”
Ezra Prentiss regarded the speaker with interest.
“So,” said he, “you are of the northern army.”
“I am,” said the man. “My name is Johnson Quinsey, and I come from the neighborhood of Fort Edward. It may interest you all to know,” and again his good-natured smile went from one to another about the fire, “that I am the courier who brought General Gates’ report to Congress.”
There was a stir among his young listeners, and George Prentiss asked:
“Then, perhaps, you took part in the Saratoga fight?”