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front。 A growing din of men prepared him for more troops； but
still he was surprised to see ten regiments march past with all
their stores a brave army； but no one could mistake their
looks； they wore the despondent air of an army in full retreat。
Chapter 83。 The Last of Sir George Prevost
The battle was over at Plattsburg town； though it had not been
fought； for the spirit of MacDonough was on land and water； and
it was felt by the British general； as well as the Yankee
riflemen； as soon as the Union Jack had been hauled from the mast
of the Confiance。
Now Sir George Prevost had to face a momentous decision： He could
force the passage of the Saranac and march on to Albany； but his
communications would be cut； and he must rely on a hostile
country for supplies。 Every day drew fresh bands of riflemen from
the hills。 Before he could get to Albany their number might
exceed his； and then what？ Unless Great Britain could send a new
army or a fleet to support him； he must meet the fate of
Burgoyne。 Prevost proposed to take no such chances and the night
of the 11th eight hours after MacDonough's victory； he gave the
order 〃Retire to Canada。〃
To hide the move as long as possible； no change was made till
after sundown； no hint was given to the beleaguered town； they
must have no opportunity to reap the enormous advantages； moral
and material； of harrying a retreating foe。 They must arise in
the morning to find the enemy safely over the border。 The plan
was perfect； and would have been literally carried out； had not
he had to deal with a foe as clever as himself。
How eagerly Rolf took in the scene on Chazy Road； how much it
meant！ how he longed to fly at his fastest famous speed with the
stirring news。 In two hours and a half he could surely let his
leader know。 And he gazed with a sort of superior pride at the
martial pomp and bravery of the invaders driven forth。
Near the last was a gallant array of gentlemen in gorgeous
uniforms of scarlet and gold； how warlike they looked； how
splendid beside the ill…clad riflemen of Vermont and the rude
hunters of the Adirondacks。 How much more beautiful is an iron
sword with jewels； than a sword of plain gray steel。
Dame Hubbell stood in her door as they went by。 Each and all
saluted politely； her guard was ordered to join his regiment。 The
lady waved her sun…bonnet in response to their courteous
good…bye； and could not refrain from calling out：
〃How about my prophecy； Sir George； and those purses？〃
Rolf could not see his hostess； but he heard her voice； and he
saw the astonishing effect：
The British general reined in his horse。 〃A gentleman's word is
his bond； madam；〃 he said。 〃Let every officer now throw his purse
at the lady's feet；〃 and he set the example。 A dozen rattling
thuds were heard and a dozen officers saluting； purseless； rode
away。
A round thousand dollars in gold the lady gathered on her porch
that morning； and to this day her grand…kin tell the tale。
Chapter 84。 Rolf Unmasks the Ambush
Rolf's information was complete now； and all that remained was to
report at Plattsburg。 Ten regiments he had counted from his peep
hole。 The rear guard passed at ten o'clock。 At eleven Mrs。
Hubbell did a little scouting and reported that all was quiet as
far as she could see both ways； and no enemy in sight anywhere。
With a grateful hand shake he left the house to cover the
fourteen miles that lay between Chazy and Plattsburg。
Refreshed and fed； young and strong； the representative of a just
and victorious cause； how he exulted in that run； rejoicing in
his youth； his country； his strength； his legs； his fame as a
runner。 Starting at a stride he soon was trotting； then； when the
noon hour came； he had covered a good six miles。 Now he heard
faint； far shots； and going more slowly was soon conscious that a
running fight was on between his own people and the body of
British sent westward to hold the upper Saranac。
True to the instinct of the scout； his first business was to find
out exactly what and where they were。 From a thick tree top he
saw the red…coats spotting an opening of the distant country。
Then they were lost sight of in the woods。 The desultory firing
became volley firing； once or twice。 Then there was an interval
of silence。 At length a mass of red…coats appeared on the highway
within half a mile。 They were travelling very fast； in full
retreat； and were coming his way。 On the crest of the hill over
which the road ran； Rolf saw them suddenly drop to the ground and
take up position to form a most dangerous ambuscade； and half a
mile away； straggling through the woods； running or striding；
were the men in the colours he loved。 They had swept the enemy
before them； so far； but trained troops speedily recover from a
panic； if they have a leader of nerve； and seeing a noble chance
in the angle of this deep…sunk road； the British fugitives turned
like boars at bay。 Not a sign of them was visible to the
Americans。 The latter were suffering from too much success。 Their
usual caution seemed to have deserted them； and trotting in a
body they came along the narrow road； hemmed in by a forest and
soon to be hedged with cliffs of clay。 They were heading for a
death…trap。 At any price he must warn them。 He slid down the
tree； and keeping cover ran as fast as possible toward the
ambush。 It was the only hill near Beekman's Rise； they call
it。 As far as possible from the red…coats； but still on the hill
that gave a view； he leaped on to a high stump and yelled as he
never did before： 〃Go back； go back！ A trap！ A trap！〃 And lifting
high his outspread hands he flung their palms toward his friends；
the old…time signal for 〃go back。〃
Not twice did they need warning。 Like hunted wolves they flashed
from view in the nearest cover。 A harmless volley from the
baffled ambush rattled amongst them； and leaping from his stump
Rolf ran for life。
Furious at their failure； a score of red…coats； reloading as they
ran； came hot…footed after him。 Down into cover of an alder swamp
he plunged； and confident of his speed； ran on； dashing through
thickets and mudholes。 He knew that the red… coats would not
follow far in such a place； and his comrades were near。 But the
alder thicket ended at a field。 He heard the bushes crashing
close at hand； and dashed down a little ravine at whose lower
edge the friendly forest recommenced。 That was his fatal mistake。
The moment he took to the open there was a rattle of rifles from
the hill above； and Rolf fell on his face as dead。
It was after noontide when he fell； he must have lain unconscious
for an hour； when he came to himself he was lying still in that
hollow； absolutely alone。 The red…coats doubtless had continued
their flight with the Yankee boys behind them。 His face was
covered with blood。 His coat was torn and bloody； his trousers
showed a ragged rent that