"
The consent of the sergeant being obtained, the equipage of Mrs.
Flanagan was soon in readiness to receive its burden.
"As it is quite uncertain whether we shall be attacked in front, or in
rear," said Hollister, "five of you shall march in advance, and the
remainder shall cover our retreat towards the barrack, should we be
pressed. 'Tis an awful moment to a man of little learning, Elizabeth, to
command in such a service; for my part, I wish devoutly that one of the
officers were here; but my trust is in the Lord."
"Pooh! man, away wid ye," said the washerwoman, who had got herself
comfortably seated. "The divil a bit of an inimy is there near. March
on, hurry-skurry, and let the mare trot, or it's but little that Captain
Jack will thank ye for the help."
"Although unlearned in matters of communicating with spirits, or laying
the dead, Mrs. Flanagan," said the veteran, "I have not served through
the old war, and five years in this, not to know how to guard the
baggage. Doesn't Washington always cover the baggage? I am not to be
told my duty by a camp follower. Fall in as you are ordered, and
dress, men."
"Well, march, anyway," cried the impatient washerwoman. "The black is
there already, and it's tardy the captain will think ye."
"Are you sure that it was really a black man that brought the order?"
said the sergeant, dropping in between the platoons, where he could
converse with Betty, and be at hand, to lead on an emergency, either on
an advance or on a retreat.
Pages:
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415