Sir George drew his tinder-box, struck steel to flint, and lighted a short wax dip.

“Here!” whispered Mount.

On the edge of the sand the dip-light illuminated the small imprint of a woman’s shoe, pointing southeast.

Magdalen Brant had heard the voices in the Long House.

“The mischief is done,” said Sir George, steadily.  “I take the blame and disgrace of this.”

“No; I take it,” said I, sternly.  “Step back, Sir George.  Blow out that dip!  Mount, can you find your way to that sulphur spring where the flat stones are piled in little heaps?”

The big fellow laughed.  As he strode forward into the depthless sea of darkness a whippoorwill called.

“That’s Elerson, sir,” he said, and repeated the call twice.

The rifleman appeared from the darkness, touching his cap to me.  “The horses are safe, sir,” he said.  “The General desires you to send your report through Sir George Covert and push forward with Mount to Stanwix.”

He drew a sealed paper from his pouch and handed it to me, saying that I was to read it.

Sir George lighted his dip once more.  I broke the seal and read my orders under the feeble, flickering light: 

     “Temporaryheadquarters,
     Varick manor, June 1, 1777.

     To Captain Ormond, on scout: 

Sir,—­The General commanding this department desires you to employ all art and persuasion to induce the Oneidas, Tuscaroras, and Onondagas to remain quiet.  Failing this, you are again reminded that the capture of Magdalen Brant is of the utmost importance.  If possible, make Walter Butler also prisoner, and send him to Albany under charge of Timothy Murphy; but, above all, secure the person of Magdalen Brant and send her to Varick Manor under escort of Sir George Covert.  If, for any reason, you find these orders impossible of execution, send your report of the False-Faces’ council through Sir George Covert, and push forward with the riflemen Mount, Murphy, and Elerson until you are in touch with Gansevoort’s outposts at Stanwix.  Warn Colonel Gansevoort that Colonel Barry St. Leger has moved from Oswego, and order out a strong scout towards Fort Niagara.  Although Congress authorizes the employment of friendly Oneidas as scouts, General Schuyler trusts that you will not avail yourself of this liberty.  Noblesse oblige!  The General directs you to return only when you have carried out these orders to the best of your ability.  You will burn this paper before you set out for Stanwix.  I am, sir,

     “Your most humble and obedient servant,

     “John Harrow, Major and A. D. C. to the Major-General
     Commanding. (Signed) Philip Schuyler, Major-General
     Commanding the Department of the North.”

Hot with mortification at the wretched muddle I had already made of my mission, I thrust the paper into my pouch and turned to Elerson.