The bride of Fort Edward :: :: University of Virginia Library

I am flesh and blood myself, as well as
the rest of you, but there is no use in talking. What
the devil would you do?—You may talk till dooms-day,
but what's to hinder us from serving our time out?—
and that's three months yet. Ay, there's the point.
Show me that.

2nd Sol.

Three months! Ha, thank Heaven mine is

up to-morrow; and, I'll tell you what, boys, before the
sun goes down to-morrow night, you will see one Jack
Richards trudging home,—trudging home, Sirs! None of
your bamboozling, your logic, and your figures. A good
piece of bread and butter is the figure for me. But you
should hear the Colonel, though, as the time draws
nigh. Lord! you'd think I was the General at least.
Humph, says I.

3d Sol.

Ay, ay,—feed you on sugar-candy till they get
you to sign, and then comes the old shoes and moccasins.—

2nd Sol.

And that's true enough, Ned. I've eaten myself,
no less than two very decent pair in the service. I'll
have it out of Congress yet though, I'll be hanged if I
don't. None of your figures for me! I say, boys, I am
going home.

1st Sol.

Well, go home, and—can't any body else
breathe? Why don't you answer me, John?—What
would you have us do?—

4th Sol.

Ask Will Wilson there.

1st Sol.

Will?—Where is he?

4th Sol.

There he stands, alongside of the picket there,
his hands in his pockets, whistling, and looking as wise
as the dragon. Mind you, there's always something
pinching at the bottom of that same whistle, though its
such a don't-care sort of a whistle too. Ask Will, he'll
tell you.

3d Sol.

Ay, Will has been to the new quarters to-day.
See, he's coming this way.

5th Sol.

And he saw Striker there, fresh from the Jerseys,
come up along with that new General there, yesterday.

3d Sol.

General Arnold?

5th Sol.

Ay, ay, General Arnold it is.

6th Sol.

[Advancing.]
I say, boys—

4th Sol.

What's the matter, Will?

6th Sol.

Do you want to know what they say below?

All.

Ay, ay, what's the news?

6th Sol.

All up there, Sirs. A gone horse!—and he
that turns his coat first, is the best fellow.

4th Sol.

No?

6th Sol.

And shall I tell you what else they say?

4th Sol.

Ay.

6th Sol.

Shall I?

All.

Ay, ay, What is it?

6th Sol.

That we are a cowardly, sneaking, good-for-nothing
pack of poltroons, here in the north. There's
for you! There's what you get for your pains, Sirs.
And for the rest, General Schuyler is to be disgraced, and
old Gates is to be set over us again, and—no matter for
the rest. See here, boys. Any body coming? See here.

3d Sol.

What has he got there?

2nd Sol.

The Proclamation! The Proclamation!
Will you be good enough to let me see if there is
not a picture there somewhere, with an Indian and a
tomahawk?

6th Sol.

Now, Sirs, he that wants a new coat, and a
pocket full of money—

3d Sol.

That's me fast enough.

2nd. Sol.

If he had mentioned a shirt-sleeve now, or a
rim to an old hat—

4th Sol.

Or a bit of a crown, or so.

6th Sol.

He that wants a new coat—get off from my
toes, you scoundrel.

All.

Let's see. Let's see. Read—read.

7th Sol.

(Spouting.)
“And he that don't want his
house burned over his head, and his wife and children,
or his mother and sisters, as the case may be, butchered
or eaten alive before his eyes—”

3d Sol.

Heavens and earth! It'ant so though, Wilson,
is it?

7th Sol.

“Is required to present himself at the said village
of Skeensborough, on or before the 20th day of August
next. Boo—boo—boo—Who but I. Given under my
hand.”—If it is not it—it is something very like it, I can
tell you, Sirs. I say, boys, the old rogue wants his neck
wrung for insulting honest soldiers in that fashion; and
I say that you—for shame, Will Willson.

4th Sol.

Hush!—the Colonel!—Hush!

2nd Sol.

And who is that proud-looking fellow, by his
side?

4th Sol.

Hush! General Arnold. He's a sharp one
—roll it up—roll it up.

6th Sol.

Get out,—you are rumpling it to death.

(Two American officers are seen close at hand, in a
bend of the ascending road; the soldiers enter the
woods.)