“Why, he went into the army when General Lee came, and strutted with the best of them. But now that there is a chance of employment against the enemy, he’s given up his commission—resigned, they tell me.”
This was news to George. True, he had seen nothing of Herbert Camp since his return to New York; and he had made no inquiries, thinking it best, for one reason and another, to put the whole episode of the “Wheat Sheaf” behind him.
“Of course, a man has a proper right to do as he will,” observed the basket maker, wagging his head. “He had his reasons, they say. However, the matter stands as I have put it. And since his giving up the army, little is seen of him; once or twice I’ve noted him pass my door, and his head was hanging like a dog’s that had been caught harrying a rabbit out of season.”
When George left the basket maker, he rode along Crown Street and passed the Camp mansion at a canter. By chance he lifted his eyes to one of the windows; there stood his cousin Peggy, an arm upraised, holding back the curtains; and as their glances met, she quickly let the curtain fall.
But that one look told him more eloquently than words could have done that Peggy’s mind was not at rest; there was a look of fear in her eyes; her expression was intent and anxious.
And so, day by day, as his affairs took him through Crown Street, he never failed to look up at the window; but not once again did he catch sight of her.
CHAPTER XI
IN WHICH GEORGE PRENTISS MAKES A SUDDEN RESOLUTION
In the meantime Washington had returned to New York. Knowing that if the British ventured against the town, they would at once attempt to seize the navigation of the Hudson, he redoubled his efforts to strengthen the defenses of that important river. Upon his ability to hold this depended the possible safety of the entire province.
Fort Montgomery was planted at the lower part of the Highlands on a tall bluff north of Dunderberg. Here the river was a mile wide, and just opposite was the promontory called Anthony’s Nose, hundreds of feet high and accessible only to goats and men expert in climbing. From this a body of riflemen might sweep a vessel’s decks.
Fort Constitution was some miles higher up and built upon an island. The former fort was garrisoned by about two hundred and fifty of Clinton’s regiment and Wisner’s minutemen; the latter had about half as many drawn from the same source, and all were about half armed and badly equipped. Colonel James Clinton was in command of both posts.