“You had best go into the house and notify them,” said Belt, “for they are to be taken to Burgoyne under a white flag this very afternoon.”
I found Mistress Kate first and told her what Belt had done. She did not seem to be much surprised. In truth, she said she had expected it.
“I trust, Mistress Kate,” I said, “that while you are in Burgoyne’s army you will not let your opinions be influenced too much by your surroundings.”
“My opinions are my own,” she said, “and are not dependent upon time and place.”
Then I said something about its being a pity that Captain Chudleigh was a prisoner in our hands at such a time and was not with his own army, but she gave me such a sharp answer that I was glad to shut my mouth.
Madame Van Auken said she was glad to go, but she would revisit her house when she came southward with Burgoyne after he had scattered the rebels, provided the rebels in the meantime had not burned the house down. Which, considering many things, I felt I could overlook. Both promised to be ready in an hour. I went outside and found that Belt was able to surprise me again.
“You are to take the ladies into Burgoyne’s camp,” he said. “I wished to do it myself, but I was needed for other work.”
I was not at all averse to this task, though it had never occurred to me that I would enter the British lines, except possibly as a prisoner.
“I wish you luck,” said Belt, somewhat enviously. “I think the trip into the British lines is worth taking.”