The relief came early in the morning, bringing with it the news that our army, which was stronger every day than on the yesterday, had moved still closer to Burgoyne. My blood thrilled as ever at this, but I had chosen a new course of action for myself. It would be an evil turn for me if Albert Van Auken were taken at the house and should run the risk of execution as a spy; it might be said that I was the chief cause of it.
I was very tired, and stretching myself on the turf beneath the shade of a tree in the valley, I fell into a sound sleep in two minutes. When I awoke at the usual time I found that the guard had been re-enforced, and, what was worse, instead of being first in command I was now only second. This in itself was disagreeable, but the character of the man who had supplanted me was a further annoyance. I knew Lieutenant Belt quite well, a New Englander much attached to our cause, but of a prying disposition and most suspicious. The re-enforcements had been sent because of the previous attempt to break through the line at this point, the lay of the ground being such that it was more favorable for plans of escape than elsewhere.
“You need not stay unless you wish,” said Belt. “No positive instructions were given on that point. As for myself, I confess I would rather be with the army, since much is likely to happen there soon.”
“I think things will drag for some time yet,” I said with as careless an air as I could assume, “and I suspect that they have been more active here than they are with the army. Another attempt to break through our line may be made at this point, and I believe I’d rather remain for a day or two.”
But just then, as if for the sole purpose of belying my words about dullness at the front, there was a sharp crackle of distant skirmishing and the red flare of a cannon appeared on the horizon. It called the attention of both of us for a moment or two.
“The bullets appear to be flying over there, but if you prefer to remain here, of course you can have your wish,” said Belt with sarcasm.
I did not answer, as no good excuse happened to my mind, and we went up the hillside together. I looked about carefully to see what arrangements he had made, but it was merely a doubling of the guard. Otherwise he had followed my dispositions. Belt looked at the house.
“I hear that some people are there. Who are they?” he asked.
“Only two,” I replied, “women both—Madame Van Auken and her daughter.”