“Sensible remark,” said Captain Morgan, who had come up and heard the conversation. “You know something about this country, also about Indians. Suppose you slip along behind the trees an’ cross the creek half a mile up stream and see what ye can find. Don’t shoot unless obliged to and don’t hurry. Don’t leave shelter until you are sure there ain’t a redskin behind the trees in front.”
It was a perilous task, and some might blame Morgan for assigning the boy to it. As it has already appeared, he would ask no one to attempt that which he wouldn’t do himself, and the conclusion must be that he thought the boy the best one he could send on the duty which some one must do.
The boy had listened to Ahneota’s descriptions of 125 Indian methods in battle and knew they would have scouts out. He believed the main body would simply cross the stream and lie in wait for the troops and attack them crossing so as to throw them into confusion. They would, however, send men to reconnoitre the main body of the troops, and these scouts, assigned to a task similar to his, were the ones he must avoid, a difficult thing to do, as will be readily understood.
Rodney made his way with extreme caution until he caught a glimpse of an Indian stealthily advancing toward the main body of troops; then, believing that Indian would be the only one sent from that quarter and having eluded the redskin, he went hastily forward to the creek, crossing it at a narrow place fully half a mile above where the savages had crossed.
Making his way down toward the ambush was nerve-racking work, but finally the boy was rewarded by discovering a sentinel on guard.
The Indians were waiting just where he had supposed. Now to get back without meeting the scout he had passed! At last the feat was accomplished without a glimpse of a savage on the way. On his arrival he found the troops getting ready to advance, for another scout, sent out at the same time as he, had returned with the report that he found no Indians and that they must have fled.
“Well, they are there,” exclaimed Rodney, and he told what he had seen.
“The youngster’s got redskins on the brain, I calc’late,” 126 drawled one fellow, at which the boy got very red in the face.
Captain Morgan here appeared, saying, “You’re back at last. What d’ye see?”
When the boy described what he had done Morgan promptly said, “You did your duty, my boy,” and proceeded to act on the information. A guard was posted to make sure the savages did not recross and make an attack, for it was found they were in considerable force.