Rodney never forgot that day when they first came in sight of the beautiful Hudson. He made some remark about the scenery, when the man next him in line exclaimed: “Whew! but I’d like plenty of shade trees in my scenery,” wiping away the perspiration with his sleeve.
“Ab, you are in as big a hurry to git thar as any of us,” said another.
“I don’t feel right certain about matters after we do. Thar must be some rattle-headed men in charge up in this country; what with fillin’ ol’ Ty full o’ powder an’ ball an’ then allowin’ the Britishers to climb a hill an’ drive ’em out the fort. Thar sure be some folks as think they’re ginerals by grace o’ good looks an’ lots o’ friends. Then some feller, as knows how, comes along an’ trees ’em,” was Ab’s reply.
A warm welcome awaited the Rangers when they joined the northern army. In fact all along their route they had received admiration and cordial greeting to their hearts’ content. Gates flattered Morgan by arranging that the colonel should receive orders only from the general in command. Quarters were assigned them at Loudon’s Ferry, and here they were joined by Major Dearborn with two hundred and fifty men selected from other regiments. This was pleasing to Morgan, as he and Dearborn had fought the enemy at Quebec, where both had been taken prisoners.
The Rangers welcomed the recruits heartily, and proceeded to get acquainted. In the midst of this Rodney saw a fine looking fellow, of about his own age, clad in the uniform of the Massachusetts militia, run toward Zeb, exclaiming, “I might have known if I could find Colonel Morgan I could find you, in flesh or spirit. How are you, anyway?”
“Shades of the Great North, Don, yer face looks good ter me.”
Then, after they had shaken hands and patted each other on the shoulder, literally and metaphorically, Zeb, turning to Rodney, said, “Here’s Donald Lovell, the lad who found me in a Quebec snowdrift an’ saved my life when I was about as fer gone as poor Bunster.”
“Easy, Zeb. I don’t want to tell all you did for me, there isn’t time, but I’m glad to know any one that’s your friend.”