“Not that this information necessarily means that the Indian called Black-Snake is a traitor.  He brought proper credentials from the officer commanding at Pitt.  But it is best that you know of this, and that you feel free to use your judgment accordingly.”

“Yes,” said I to myself, “I’ll use it.”

I took another long look at the suspect, then opened my third and last letter.  It was from Lois; and my heart beat the “general” so violently that for a moment it stopped my breath: 

“Euan Loskiel, my comrade, and my dear friend:  Since you have gone, news has come that our General Wayne, with twelve hundred light infantry, stormed and took Stony Point on the Hudson on the 15th of this past month.  All the stores, arms, ammunition, and guns are ours, with more than five hundred prisoners.  The joy at this post is wonderful to behold; our soldiers are mad with delight and cheer all day long.

“Lieutenant Beatty tells me that we have taken fourteen pieces of good ordnance, seven hundred stand of arms, tents, rum, cheese, wine, and a number of other articles most agreeable to recount.

“On Wednesday morning last a sad affair; at Troop Beating three men were brought out to be shot, all found guilty of desertion, one from the 4th Pennsylvania, one from the 6th Massachusetts, and one from the 3rd New York.  The troops were drawn up on the grand parade.  Two of the men were reprieved by the General; the third was shot....  It meant more to me, kneeling in my room with both hands over my ears to shut out the volley, than it meant to those who witnessed the awful scene.  Marching back, the fifes and drums played ‘Soldiers’ Joy.’  I had forgotten to stop my ears, and heard them.

“On Tuesday rain fell.  News came at noon that Indians had surprised and killed thirty-six haymakers near Fort Schuyler; and that other Indians had taken fifteen or seventeen of our men who were gathering blueberries at Sabbath Day Point.  Whereupon Colonel Gansevoort immediately marched for Canajoharie with his regiment, which had but just arrived; and in consequence Betty Bleecker and Angelina are desolate.

“As you see from this letter, we have left Croghan’s new house, and are living at Otsego in a fine Bush House, and near to the place where Croghan’s old house stood before it was destroyed.

“Sunday, after an all night rain, clear skies; and all the officers were being schooled in saluting with the sword, the General looking on.  In the afternoon the Chaplain, ‘Parson’ Gano, as the soldiers call him, gave us a sermon.  I went with Betty and Angelina.  Miss Helmer went on the lake in a batteau with Mr. Boyd.  The Rifles tried their guns on the lake, shooting at marks.  Murphy and Elerson made no misses.

“On Monday the officers had a punch, most respectable and gay.  We ladies went with Major Parr, Lieutenant Boyd, and the Ensign you so detest, to view the hilarity, but not to join, it being a sociable occasion for officers only, the kegs of rum being offered by General Clinton—­ a gentleman not famed for his generosity in such matters.