“I remember, sir, when your honour led out two companies of ours, with one of the Royal Irish, a major’s command, of good rights, to observe the left flank of the French, the evening before we stormed the enemy’s works at Ty—­”

“Your memory is beginning to fail you, Joyce,” interrupted the captain, smiling.  “We were far from storming those works, having lost two thousand men before them, and failed of seeing their inside at all.”

“I always look upon a soldierly attempt, your honour, the same as a thing that is done.  A more gallant stand than we made I never witnessed; and, though we were driven back, I will allow, yet I call that assault as good as storming!”

“Well, have it your own way, Joyce.—­The morning before your storming, I remember to have led out three companies; though it was more in advance, than on either flank.  The object was to unmask a suspected ambush.”

“That’s just what I wanted to be at, your honour.  The general sent you, as an old captain, with three companies, to spring the trap, before he should put his own foot into it.”

“He certainly did—­and the movement had the desired effect.”

“Better and better, sir.—­I remember we were fired on, and lost some ten or fifteen men, but I would not presume to say whether the march succeeded or not; for nothing was said of the affair, next day, in general orders, sir—­”

“Next day we had other matters to occupy our minds.  It was a bloody and a mournful occasion for England and her colonies.”

“Well, your honour, that does not affect our movement, which, you say, yourself, was useful.”

“Very true, Joyce, though the great calamity of the succeeding day prevented the little success of the preceding morning from being mentioned in general orders.  But to what does all this tend; as I know it must lead to something?”

“It was merely meant as a respectful hint, your honour, that the inferior should be sent out, now, according to our own ancient rules, to reconn’itre the clearing, while the commander-in-chief remain with the main body, to cover the retreat.”

“I thank you, serjeant, and shall not fail to employ you, on all proper occasions.  At present, it is my intention that we go together, leaving the men to take breath, in a suitable cover.”

This satisfied Joyce, who was content to wait for orders.  As soon as the sounds of the axes showed that the party were far enough in advance, and the formation of the land assured the captain that he was precisely where he wished to be, the men were halted, and left secreted in a cover made by the top of a fallen tree.  This precaution was taken, lest any wandering savage might get a glimpse of their persons, if they stood lounging about in the more open forest, during the captain’s absence.

This disposition made, the captain and serjeant, first examining the priming of their pieces, moved with the necessary caution towards the edge of the wood-chopper’s clearing.  The axe was a sufficient guide, and ere they had proceeded far the light began to shine through the trees, proof in itself that they were approaching an opening in the forest.