We must
dislodge them if we can; and to begin, I have a small contrivance in my
head which may do some good. I want two from among you to go upon a nice
business. I must have men quick of foot, keen of sight, and cunning as a
black-snake; and they mustn't be afraid of a knock on the head either.
Shall I have my men?"
There was no difficulty in this, and the leader was soon provided. He
selected two from among the applicants for this distinction, upon whose
capacities he thought he could best rely, and led them away from the
party into the recess of the wood, where he gave them their directions,
and then returned to the main body. He now proceeded to the division,
into small parties, of his whole force--placing them under guides rather
than leaders, and reserving to himself the instruction and command of
the whole. There was still something to be done, and conceiving this to
be a good opportunity for employing a test, already determined upon, he
approached Ralph Colleton, who surveyed the whole affair with intense
curiosity.
Pages:
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309