Major Washington by Michael Kilian

Author:Michael Kilian
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Head of Zeus Ltd

Twenty-four

If Washington had been hesitant and indecisive since arriving at Great Meadows, his resolve returned the instant of hearing Montour’s news. The Colonel quickly organized a party of forty men, including the twenty-five led by Captain Stephen, who would serve as his second-in-command on this expedition. I asked to go as well, having tired of hanging about. It was the only thing I’d asked of Washington since our contretemp, and he granted me it—muttering something about the usefulness of my knowledge of the country.

We gathered our weapons quickly and formed up for the march. It was decided to proceed all of us on foot, in the manner of the Indians, as some stealth would be required approaching the French, and nervous mounts were no friends to that. As there were not mounts for all, our pace would have been the walk at all events.

Montour said Half King would be waiting up on Chestnut Ridge, some six miles to the north and west of us. The day was fast advancing toward its end and the sky clouding up. We’d be moving through the dark.

It didn’t matter. The moment had come to meet the French. We had to reach them where they were, and not where they might choose to surprise us.

I don’t think the Colonel liked it much in the infantry, especially after the disagreeableness of our walk through this country during the winter. But he saw the need and grumbled not—at least not aloud. I followed his example. In time, I got used to the march again. After a while, so did my foot.

Not a third of the way up the ridge, the day abruptly ended of a sudden as a murderous tempest came roiling over the summit, blanking out all trace of light. Its only virtue was the lightning, which at intervals, in hellish fashion, illuminated the way. Otherwise, all became as black as tar, and as wet as if ocean waves entire were dropping from the sky.

I’d secured myself a place in the line of march right behind the Colonel, whether he liked it or no, and stayed within reach of his back throughout the devilish, twisting climb up the ridge and onto the gentler ground that followed after. Others with us were not so skillful at keeping the way. Even in the thudding rain I could hear the cries of those stumbling off the trail into boulder or tree or rock slide. I lost count of the times we halted the column to wait for stragglers to rediscover us. I don’t think I said but two words to the Colonel in all those hours, and he spoke to me not at all. His attention was concentrated on Montour, who served as our principal guide. At this he was excellent, having no fault save nimbleness and the fast pace he set.

We reached the meeting place on the ridge just at the first glimmer of gray in the eastern sky. I recognized the spot as the same point of prospect that had filled me with such awe when Gist had urged me up to see its limitless view.

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