38. CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE CANNONADE RESUMED.
Virus did not fail to inform his patron of the remarks he
heard in the camp of the enemy regarding the disposition
that had been made of Lord Slysir; but for a long time he
paid no heed to it, supposing the words to have been uttered
by some one for the purpose of misleading him. After
the departure of Valiant, however, and the return of
Balatrum, although the latter did not confirm the suspicions
which Virus might have excited, several messengers from
the Western outpost reported the departure of many transports
from the Southern camp, having horses on board,
supposed to be cavalry, and several deserters were brought
in who confirmed the statement that his Lordship had been
sent on board the flag-ship of the Commodore.
“Then,” said Ruffleton, “there can be no danger of killing
him by resuming the cannonade! See to it, Balatrum.
Let our batteries re-open on them. What is that?” he continued,
as the booming of distant guns struck upon his ear.
“By St. George, General!” said Balatrum, “it comes
from the fleet! It is Bang's cannon! And there goes a
broadside from the Wabash! They are at it, General, at
last!”
“And we are idle! They have discovered the attempt of
these Southern heroes to steal away! Sound the alarm! Fly
to arms! Let all the batteries re-open upon the encampment
of the enemy. Balatrum, suppose you attempt once more
to penetrate their lines with a column of infantry?”
“I shall be happy to do so, General, and will set about it
without delay.”
In a very few minutes the roar of cannon was again resounding
through the forests of New Jersey, and the heavens
were illuminated with the incessant bursting of bombs.
But Balatrum was unfortunate in his attempt to lead a
column of infantry across the creek. His hastily constructed
bridges were immediately destroyed, and he found himself,
and nearly half his men, suddenly struggling in the treacherous
sand and mud, an easy prey to the foe. Many sank
never to rise again; and those that succeeded in extricating
themselves were in no condition to resume the offensive.
They fled back, numbers falling by the way, the victims of
their own batteries.
