"Plenty, sir, if they keep their eyes wide open," I replied. "They have only to guard the approach on the water side."
"All right. Attention—company! Shoulder arms! Right shoulder—shift! Forward—march!"
The soldiers marched ahead, and I followed with the wagon. It was about two miles to the point between the lake and the Little Fish, where the detachment was to be posted, and in less than an hour we arrived at our destination. We halted, and a sergeant and three men were sent forward to scout the woods, and give the troops early intimation of the approach of the enemy. The rest of the force was immediately set at work in the erection of two breastworks—one near the river, and the other between Kit's Brook and the lake. The first commanded the road on the Little Fish, and the other the brook path.
"Don't your soldiers have any cannons?" I asked, after the lieutenant had set the men at work.
"We have some mountain howitzers at the fort; but field-pieces are not available for this bushwhacking service," replied Mr. Jackson. "I wish we had a couple of howitzers here."
"Mr. Gracewood has what he calls a twelve-pounder."
"Indeed! Is it mounted?"
"It's on wheels, if that is what you mean."
"Do you know whether he has any ammunition for it?" asked the officer, evidently much interested in the information I had given him.
"He has plenty of powder, and some tin cans——"