When he next saw the general the latter was in a better mood. He had sent for the scout, and when Ira entered the tent he found there a young fellow, scarcely older than himself, to whom the officer at once introduced him.
"Master Le Geyt," he said, "this is Master Bowen, a courier like yourself, which is a bond that ought to make you fast friends. He has come from Quebec bringing me good news. In a short time Colonel St. Leger is to leave that city for Oswego. From there he will march against Fort Stanwix,[4] and, capturing that, sweep down the valley of the Mohawk, driving the rebels before him, until he joins me at Albany. Now how large a force remains at Fort Stanwix?"
Startled as Ira was by these tidings, he nevertheless replied calmly:
"The last I knew, General Burgoyne, there were two hundred men in the fort. Of course I can't tell you whether any reinforcements have been sent there within a week or two."
It was the number that caught the general's ear.
"Do you hear that, Master Bowen?" he cried. "Only two hundred men there, and how large a force did you say St. Leger has?"
"Seven hundred regulars, and one thousand Indians," the courier answered.
"Seventeen hundred in all!" the officer announced with exultation. "We shall hear great things from him I do not doubt, and the rebels, being caught between our two forces, must be crushed to powder. Ha! ha!" and he laughed loudly.
For some time he discussed the matter with his young visitors, and then dismissed them. Ira took Master Bowen, as a matter of courtesy, to his own tent, where he bade him make himself at home.
"I shall have to come and go on my regular duties," he explained; "but you are welcome to all I have so long as you remain with us."
"It will be but a few hours," the courier replied. "The authorities in Quebec are eager to know what progress our army is making, and as soon as the general can prepare his report I shall start on my return. I hope it may be some time to-night. I can then reach the lake, where I have a sailboat, in time for the morning breeze."
For reasons of his own Ira stuck close to his new friend during the rest of the day, and when the hour came for the latter to depart, asked permission of the general to accompany him a mile or two on his way.
