"Sergeant, you shall. Thus are poor servitors, "When others sleep upon their quiet beds, "Constrained to watch in darkness, rain, and cold." King Henry VI
Two or three days of fine, balmy, spring weather succeeded to the storm, during which Lionel saw no more of his aged fellow-voyager. Job, however, attached himself to the British soldier with a confiding helplessness that touched the heart of his young protector, who gathered from the circumstance a just opinion of the nature of the abuses that the unfortunate changeling was frequently compelled to endure from the brutal soldiery. Meriton performed the functions of master of the wardrobe to the lad, by Lionel's express commands, with evident disgust, but with manifest advantage to the external appearance, if with no very sensible evidence of additional comfort to his charge. During this short period, the slight impression made on Lionel by the scene related in the preceding chapter, faded before the cheerful changes of the season, and the increasing interest which he felt in the society of his youthful kinswomen. Polwarth relieved him from all cares of a domestic nature, and the peculiar shade of sadness, which at times had been so very perceptible in his countenance, was changed to a look of a more brightening and cheerful character. Polwarth and Lionel had found an officer, who had formerly served in the same regiment with them in the British Islands, in command of a company of grenadiers, which formed part of the garrison of Boston. This gentleman, an Irishman of the name of M'Fuse, was qualified to do great honour to the culinary skill of the officer of light-infantry, by virtue of a keen natural gusto for whatever possessed the inherent properties of a savoury taste, though utterly destitute of any of that remarkable scientific knowledge which might be said to distinguish the other in the art. He was, in consequence of this double claim on the notice of Lionel, a frequent guest at the nightly banquets prepared by Polwarth. Accordingly we find him, on the evening of the third day in the week, seated with his two friends, around a board plentifully garnished by the care of that gentleman, on the preparations for which, more than usual skill had been exerted, if the repeated declarations of the disciple of Heliogabulus, to that effect, were entitled to any ordinary credit.
"In short, Major Lincoln," said Polwarth, in continuance of his favourite theme, while seated before the table, "a man may live any where, provided he possesses food—in England, or out of England, it matters not. Raiment may be necessary to appearance, but food is the only indispensable that nature has imposed on the animal world; and in my opinion there is a sort of obligation on every man to be satisfied, who has wherewithal to appease the cravings of his appetite— Captain M`Fuse, I will thank you to cut that surloin with the grain."
"What matters it Polly"—said the captain of grenadiers, with a slight Irish accent, and with the humour of his countrymen strongly depicted in his fine, open, manly features, "which way a bit of meat is divided, so there be enough to allay the cravings of the appetite, you will remember!"
"It is a collateral assistance to nature that should never be neglected," returned Polwarth, whose gravity and seriousness at his banquets were not easily disturbed; "it facilitates mastication and aids digestion, two considerations of great importance to military men, sir, who have frequently such little time for the former, and no rest after their meals to complete the latter."
"He reasons like an army contractor, who wishes to make one ration do the work of two, when transportation is high," said M`Fuse, winking to Lionel. "According to your principles, then, Polly, a potato is your true campaigner, for that is a cr'ature you may cut any way without disturbing the grain, provided the article be a little m'aly."
"Pardon me, captain M`Fuse," said Polwarth, "a potato should be broken, and not cut at all— there is no vegetable more used, and less understood than the potato."
"And is it you, Pater Polwarth, of Nesbitt's light-infantry," interrupted the grenadier, laying down his knife and fork with an air of infinite humour, "that will tell Dennis M`Fuse how to carve a potato! I will yield to the right of an Englishman over the chivalry of an ox, your sirloins, and your lady-rumps, if you please, but in my own country, one end of every farm is a bog, and the other a potato-field—'tis an Irishman's patrimony that you are making so free with, sir!"
"The possession of a thing, and the knowledge how to use it, are two very different properties—"
"Give me the property of possession, then," again interrupted the ardent grenadier, "especially when a morsel of the green island is in dispute; and trust an old soldier of the Royal Irish to carve his own enjoyments. Now, I'll wager a month's pay, and that to me is as much as if the Major should say, done for a thousand, that you can't tell how many dishes can be made, and are made every day in Ireland, out of so simple a thing as a potato."
"You roast and boil; and use them in stuffing tame birds, sometimes, and—"
"All old woman's cookery!" interrupted M`Fuse, with an affectation of great contempt in his manner—"now, sir, we have them with butter, and without butter, that counts two; then we have the fruit p'aled; and—"
"Impaled," said Lionel, laughing. "I believe this nice controversy must be referred to Job, who is amusing himself in the corner there, I see, with the very subject of the dispute transfixed on his fork, in the latter condition."
"Or suppose, rather," said M`Fuse, "as it is a matter to exercise the judgment of Solomon, we make a potato umpire of master Seth Sage, yonder, who should have some of the wisdom of the royal Jew, by the sagacity of his countenance, as well as of his name."
"Don't you call Seth r'yal," said Job, suspending his occupation on the vegetable. "The king is r'yal and fla'nty, but neighbour Sage lets Job come in and eat, like a christian."
"That lad there, is not altogether without reason, Major Lincoln," said Polwarth; "on the contrary, he discovers an instinctive knowledge of good from evil, by favouring us with his company at the hour of meals."
"The poor fellow finds but little at home to tempt him to remain there, I fear," said Lionel; "and as he was one of the first acquaintances I made on returning to my native land, I have desired Mr. Sage to admit him at all proper hours; and especially, Polwarth, at those times when he can have an opportunity of doing homage to your skill."
"I am glad to see him," said Polwarth, "for I love an uninstructed palate, as much as I admire naiveté in a woman.—Be so good as to favour me with a cut from the breast of that wild-goose, M`Fuse—not quite so far forward, if you please; your migratory birds are apt to be tough about the wing—but simplicity in eating is, after all, the great secret of life; that and a sufficiency of food."
"You may be right this time," replied the grenadier, laughing, "for this fellow made one of the flankers of the flock, and did double duty in wheeling, I believe, or I have got him against the grain too! But, Polly, you have not told us how you improve in your light-infantry exercises of late."
By this time Polwarth had made such progress in the essential part of his meal, as to have recovered in some measure his usual tone of good-nature, and he answered with less gravity—
"If Gage does not work a reformation in our habits, he will fag us all to death. I suppose you know, Leo, that all the flank companies are relieved from the guards to learn a new species of exercise. They call it relieving us, but the only relief I find in the matter, is when we lie down to fire—there is a luxurious moment or two then, I must confess!"
"I have known the fact, any time these ten days, by your moanings," returned Lionel; "but what do you argue from this particular exercise, captain M`Fuse? does Gage contemplate more than the customary drills?"
"You question me now, sir, on a matter in which I am uninstructed," said the grenadier; "I am a soldier, and obey my orders, without pretending to inquire into their objects or merits; all I know is, that both grenadiers and light-infantry are taken from the guards; and that we travel over a good deal of solid earth each day, in the way of marching and counter-marching, to the manifest discomfiture and reduction of Polly— there, who loses flesh as fast as he gains ground."
"Do you think so, Mac?" cried the delighted captain of light-infantry; "then I have not all the detestable motion in vain. They have given us little Harry Skip as a drill officer, who I believe has the most restless foot of any man in his majesty's service. Do you join with me in opinion, master Sage? you seem to meditate on the subject as if it had some secret charm."
The individual to whom Polwarth addressed this question, and who has been already named, was standing with a plate in his band, in an attitude that bespoke close attention, with a sudden and deep interest in the discourse, though his eyes were bent on the floor, and his face was averted as if, while listening earnestly, he had a particular desire to be unnoticed. He was the owner of the house in which Lionel had taken his quarters. His family had been some time before removed into the country, under the pretence of his inability to maintain them in a place destitute of business and resources like Boston; but he remained himself, for the double purpose of protecting his property and serving his guests. This man partook, in no small degree, of the qualities, both of person and mind, which distinguish a large class among his countrymen. In the former he was rather over than under the middle stature; was thin, angular, and awkward, but possessing an unusual proportion of sinew and bone. His eyes were small, black, scintillating, and it was not easy to fancy that the intelligence they manifested was unmingled with a large proportion of shrewd cunning. The rest of his countenance was meager, sallow, and rigidly demure. Thus called upon, on a sudden, by Polwarth for an opinion, Seth answered, with the cautious reserve with which he invariably delivered himself—
"The adjutant is an uneasy man, but that, I suppose, is so much the better for a light-infantry officer. Captain Polwarth must find it considerable jading to keep the step, now the General has ordered these new doings with the soldiers."
"And what may be your opinion of these doings, as you call them, Mr Sage," asked M`Fuse; "you who are a man of observation, should understand your countrymen; will they fight?"
"A rat will fight if the cats pen him," said Seth, without raising his eyes from his occupation.
"But do the Americans conceive themselves to be penned?"
"Why, that is pretty much as people think, captain; the country was in a great toss about the stamps and the tea, but I always said such folks as didn't give their notes-of-hand, and had no great relish for any thing more than country food, wouldn't find themselves cramped by the laws, after all."
"Then you see no great oppression in being asked to pay your bit of a tax, master Sage," cried the grenadier, "to maintain such a worthy fellow as myself in a dacent equipage to fight your battles."
"Why, as to that captain, I suppose we can do pretty much the whole of our own fighting, when occasion calls; though I don't think there is much stomach for such doings among the people, without need."
"But what do you think the Committee of Safety, and your `Sons of Liberty,' as they call themselves, really mean, by their parades of `minute-men, ' their gathering of provisions, carrying off the cannon, and such other formidable and appalling preparations—ha! honest Seth, do they think to frighten British soldiers with the roll of a drum, or are they amusing themselves, like boys in the holy days, with playing war."
"I should conclude," said Seth, with undisturbed gravity and caution, "that the people are pretty much engaged, and in earnest."
"To do what?" demanded the Irishman; "to forge their own chains, that we may fetter them in truth?"
"Why, seeing that they have burnt the stamps, and thrown the tea into the harbour," returned Seth, "and since that have taken the management into their own hands, I should rather conclude that they have pretty much determined to do what they think best."
Lionel and Polwarth laughed aloud, and the former observed—
"You appear not to come to conclusions with our host, captain M`Fuse, notwithstanding so much is determined. Is it well understood, Mr. Sage, that large reinforcements are coming to the colonies, and to Boston in particular?"
"Why yes," returned Seth, "it seems to be pretty generally contemplated on."
"And what is the result of these contemplations?"
Seth paused a moment, as if uncertain whether he was master of the other's meaning, before he replied—
"Why, as the country is considerably engaged in the business, there are some who think if the ministers don't open the Port, that it will be done without much further words by the people."
"Do you know," said Lionel, gravely, "that such an attempt would lead directly to a civil war?"
"I suppose it is safe to calculate that such doings would bring on disturbances," returned his phlegmatic host.
"And you speak of it, sir, as a thing not to be deprecated, or averted by every possible means in the power of the nation!"
"If the Port is opened and the right to tax given up," said Seth, calmly, "I can find a man in Boston who'll engage to let them draw all the blood that will be spilt, from his own veins, for nothing."
"And who may that redoubtable individual be, master Sage?" cried M`Fuse; "your own plethoric person?—How now, Doyle, to what am I indebted for the honour of this visit?"
This sudden question was put by the captain of grenadiers to the orderly of his own company, who at that instant filled the door of the apartment with his huge frame, in the attitude of military respect, as if about to address his officer.
"Orders have come down, sir, to parade the men at half an hour after tattoo, and to be in readiness for active service."
The three gentlemen rose together from their chairs at this intelligence, while M`Fuse, exclaimed— "A night march! Pooh! We are to be sent back to garrison-duty I suppose; the companies in the line grow sleepy, and wish a relief—Gage might have taken a more suitable time, than to put gentlemen on their march so soon after such a feast as this of yours, Polly."
"There is some deeper meaning to so extraordinary an order," interrupted Lionel; "there goes the tap of the tattoo, this instant! Are no other troops but your company ordered to parade?"
"The whole battalion is under the same orders, your honour, and so is the battalion of Light Infantry; I was commanded to report it so to Capt. Polwarth, if I saw him."
"This bears some meaning, gentlemen," said Lionel, "and it is necessary to be looked to—if either corps leaves the town to-night, I will march with it as a volunteer, for it is my business, just now, to examine into the state of the country."
"That we shall march to-night, is sure, your honour," added the sergeant, with the confidence of an old soldier; "but how far, or on what road, is known only to the officers of the Staff; though the men think we are to go out by the colleges."
"And what has put so learned an opinion in their silly heads?" demanded his captain.
"One of the men who has been on leave, has just got in, and reports that a squad of gentlemen from the army dined near them, your honour, and that as night set in they mounted and began to patrole the roads in that direction. He was met and questioned by four of them as he crossed the flats."
"All this confirms my conjectures," cried Lionel— "there is a man who might now prove of important service—Job—where is the simpleton, Meriton?"
"He was called out, sir, a minute since, and has left the house."
"Then send in Mr. Sage," continued the young man, musing as he spoke. A moment after it was reported to him that Seth had strangely disappeared also.
"Curiosity has led him to the barracks," said Lionel, "where duty calls you, gentlemen. I will despatch a little business, and join you there in an hour; you cannot march short of that time."
The bustle of a general departure succeeded; Lionel threw his cloak into the arms of Meriton, to whom he delivered his orders, took his arms, and making his apologies to his guests, he left the house with the manner of one who saw a pressing necessity to be prompt. M`Fuse proceeded to equip himself with the deliberation of a soldier who was too much practised to be easily disconcerted. Notwithstanding his great deliberation, the delay of Polwarth, however, eventually vanquished the patience of the grenadier, who exclaimed, on hearing the other repeat, for the fourth time, an order concerning the preservation of certain viands, to which he appeared to cling in spirit, after a carnal separation was directed by fortune.
"Poh! poh! man," exclaimed the Irishman, "why will you bother yourself on the eve of a march, with such epicurean propensities. It's the soldier who should show your hermits and anchorites an example of mortification; besides, Polly, this affectation of care and provision is the less excusable in yourself, you who have been well aware that we were to march on a secret expedition this very night on which you seem so much troubled."
"I!" exclaimed Polwarth; "as I hope to eat another meal, I am as ignorant as the meanest corporal in the army of the whole transaction— why do you suspect otherwise?"
"Trifles tell the old campaigner when and where the blow is to be struck," returned M`Fuse, coolly drawing his military over-coat tighter to his large frame; "have I not, with my own eyes, seen you within the hour, provision a certain captain of light-infantry after a very heavy fashion! Damn it, man, do you think I have served these five-and-twenty years, and do not know that when a garrison begins to fill its granaries, it expects a siege?"
"I have paid no more than a suitable compliment to the entertainment of Major Lincoln," returned Polwarth; "but so far from having had any very extraordinary appetite, I have not found myself in a condition to do all the justice I could wish to several of the dishes.—Mr. Meriton, I will thank you to have the remainder of that bird sent down to the barracks, where my man will receive it; and as it may be a long march, and a hungry one, add the tongue, and a fowl, and some of the ragout; we can warm it up at any farm-house—we'll take the piece of beef, Mac— Leo has a particular taste for a cold cut; and you might put up the ham, also; it will keep better than any thing else, if we should be out long—and— and—I believe that will do, Meriton."
"I am as much rejoiced to hear it as I should be to hear a proclamation of war read at Charing-Cross," cried M`Fuse—"you should have been a commissary, Polly—nature meant you for an army suttler!"
"Laugh as you will, Mac," returned the good-humoured Polwarth, "I shall hear your thanks when we halt for breakfast; but I attend you now."
As they left the house, he continued, "I hope Gage means no more than to push us a little in advance, with a view to protect the foragers and the supplies of the army—such a situation would have very pretty advantages; for a system might be established that would give the mess of the light corps the choice of the whole market."
"'Tis a mighty preparation about some old iron gun, which would cost a man his life to put a match to," returned M`Fuse, cavalierly; "for my part, captain Polwarth, if we are to fight these colonists at all, I would do the thing like a man, and allow the lads to gather together a suitable arsenal, that when we come to blows it may be a military affair—as it now stands, I should be ashamed, as I am a soldier and an Irishman, to bid my fellows pull a trigger, or make a charge, on a set of peasants whose fire-arms look more like rusty waterpipes than muskets, and who have half a dozen cannon with touch-holes that a man may put his head in, with muzzles just large enough to throw marbles."
"I don't know, Mac," said Polwarth, while they diligently pursued their way towards the quarters of their men; "even a marble may destroy a man's appetite for his dinner; and the countrymen possess a great advantage over us in commanding the supplies—the difference in equipments would not more than balance the odds."
"I wish to disturb no gentleman's opinion on matters of military discretion, captain Polwarth," said the grenadier with an air of high martial pride; "but I take it there exists a material difference between a soldier and a butcher, though killing be a business common to both—I repeat, sir, I hope that this secret expedition is for a more worthy object than to deprive those poor devils, with whom we are about to fight, of the means of making a good battle, and I add, sir, that such is sound military doctrine, without regarding who may choose to controvert it."
"Your sentiments are generous and manly, Mac; but, after all, there is both a physical and moral obligation on every man to eat; and if starvation be the consequence of permitting your enemies to bear arms, it becomes a solemn duty to deprive them of their weapons—no—no—I will support Gage in such a measure, at present, as highly military."
"And he is much obliged to you, sir, for your support," returned the other—"I apprehend, captain Polwarth, whenever the Lieutenant-General Gage finds it necessary to lean on any one for extraordinary assistance, he will remember that there is a regiment called the Royal Irish in the country, and that he is not entirely ignorant of the qualities of the people of his own nation.— You have done well, captain Polwarth, to choose the light-infantry service—they are a set of foragers, and can help themselves; but the grenadiers, thank God, love to encounter men, and not cattle in the field."
How long the good-nature of Polwarth would have endured the increasing taunts of the Irishman, who was exasperating himself, gradually, by his own arguments, there is no possibility of determining, for their arrival at the barracks put an end to the controversy and to the feelings it was beginning to engender.
