the general replied, and his words were a riddle to me until half an hour
later.

Then he asked what the old soldier meant by wishing to be excused from
duty, and the sergeant, in the fewest words possible, gave him an account
of our proceedings since leaving the camp at Oriskany, concluding by
saying:

"There is no question but that Jacob Sitz will make his way through the
Indian encampment, if it can be done by any person. Yet the lad is blinded
by love for his father, an' will take altogether too desperate chances,
unless there be some one at hand who can restrain him."

"Is it in your mind that the prisoner may be taken out of Thayendanega's
camp?" General Herkimer exclaimed.

"We do not count on any such good fortune; but follow the lad simply that
he may know he has not been forgotten. If it so be you need us, sir, we
will wait until you have gained the fort before making any effort to join
him."

"No, no, it was not from such motives that I spoke," the general
interrupted, hastily. "With a force as large as this two men would not
make much of a count either way. Go where you please, Sergeant Braun, and
when you are once more at liberty report to me."

"We reckon on resting our legs a bit, sir, before settin' out. You will
not advance for some time to come, sir?"

"How far do you count we are from the enemy's pickets?"