University of Virginia Library

9. CHAPTER IX.

The retreating army returned as they came, by way
of Oneida Lake, and he who had watched the large
flotilla on the evening of the second day after the raising
of the siege, might also have seen a single boat following

in the distance. It need hardly be said that it
was Dudley who thus daringly followed the flying host.
He was confident that Rogers was in the British camp
only as his friend and ally; and he indulged the faint
hope of now attracting his attention, and by some
means establishing a communication with him. When
the enemy encamped at night on the borders of the
Lake, he retained a position in which he would be visible
only to the close observer. He knew well that any
attempt personally to enter the British lines, without
the password, would result in his detection and an ignominious
death. Dudley listened long and earnestly until
he thought he heard the distant fall of oars. A few
minutes convinced him that he was not mistaken. Nothing
could be seen, and as the darkness would prove
an equal obstacle to his own position being discovered,
he resolved upon the hazardous experiment of displaying
a light. The quick and emphatic dash of oars
which succeeded, met with a response in his fast beating
heart. A momentary silence, and the low, cautious
interchange of the words Dudley and Rogers, established
the certainty of the anxious hopes of each. In a
moment more the boats were side by side. A few
minutes sufficed to put Dudley in possession of all the
important facts in relation to Ellen's situation.

It is well known to the historical reader that the allied
army, in their hasty departure from the walls of Fort
Stanwix, left behind them, not only their artillery and
many of their tents, but a large portion of their stores
and camp equipage. It was an easy matter for Dudley
to procure apparel from these sources, both of the civilized
and savage soldier, which might serve as disguise
for himself and companions, nor had he neglected so
obvious an aid to his enterprise. To transform the Indians

by a change of dress, from the republican Oneidas
into the royal Mohawks, was no difficult operation,
and Dudley, with equal celerity, was converted into a
private of Sir John Johnson's regiment of American
loyalists. All things being in readiness, the boats slowly
and silently approached the shore, taking a direction
that would bring them to land a few rods below the
camp. As they drew nigh, the sentinels could be distinctly
seen and the countersign was carefully impressed
upon the mind of each of the party. It required no
repetition to the Indians, for the word was “Brant.”