Follow the Heart by Anita Mills

Author:Anita Mills [Mills, Anita]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626810358
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2013-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

22

Adam surveyed his new company of men and wondered if the quarrel with Loudoun had been worth it. Aside from Lieutenant Colonel Gage’s still-forming Eightieth Regiment, there were several other new ranger companies still needing the discipline of regular officers. Adam had asked for assignment to Gage’s, but instead had been given command of his own, if command it could be called.

His men were for the most part no more than a motley assortment of adventurers who’d signed on to fight “Injuns and Frenchies” on the northern frontiers. And Adam was dismayed to discover among them a number of Irishmen, Spaniards, and seamen as well as trappers and farmers looking for a place to spend a hard winter. Between the lot of them, there was not so much as the semblance of a uniform, nor was there an issued weapon. His men carried knives, hatchets, much-repaired muskets, and in the case of one farmer come up from the south, a Pennsylvania rifle that was the envy of his fellows. They wore ragged breeches ranging from wool to buckskin, coats of all descriptions, some long-tailed, some short, and everything from buckled shoes to knee boots. And there was not a one of them that did not view him with equal skepticism as they faced each other.

“Sergeant,” he addressed Edward Byrd, the young man he’d brought with him from Loudoun’s staff, “read the roll.”

“Aye, sir.” He cleared his throat and began. “Sean O’Donnell.” When there was no answer, he looked up, directing, “When you hear your name, you will be pleased to respond, ‘Aye.’ Now, is Mr. O’Donnell here?”

“Aye.”

“Rafael Estevez?”

“Aye.”

“Benjamin Dixon?”

“Aye.”

“Thomas Kirk?”

“Aye.”

“John Peters?”

“Aye.”

“Francis Burton?”

There was no answer. Byrd looked around him, then repeated, “Francis Burton?”

“He’s here!” someone shouted.

“Mr. Burton must answer for himself.”

A big burly fellow with limp brown hair sauntered forward. “Allowing as you was to ask for Frank Burton, I might be here,” he told Byrd, spitting at his feet.

Adam groaned inwardly. He was going to earn every penny he got for his service. He stared coldly at Frank Burton. “You will be pleased to address Sergeant Byrd as ‘sir.’ ”

Burton looked him up and down contemptuously, taking in the scarlet coat and polished brass buttons, before spitting again. Then he looked at Byrd. “Sir.” He sneered, sauntering back to lounge against a wall.

“Sergeant Byrd, you will order that man’s pay forfeit.” An ugly murmur spread through the sixty men before him, but Adam was too angry to note it. “Any man who has no wish to show the proper respect to a superior should withdraw now. Otherwise, those who choose to remain will face disciplinary action—is that clear to all?”

A freckle-faced sandy-haired boy spoke up from the group. “Beggin’ yer honor’s honor, but d’ ye mean to wear that ter fight Injuns?” he called out to Adam. “ ’Cause if yer do, I ain’t goin’一I ain’t follerin’ no redcoat into no trees.” The crowd tittered. “I came here to fight for Rogers, and yer ain’t ’im, mister!” The laughter grew louder.

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