Saratoga by David Garland Read Free Book Online Page A

with disciplined grandeur,its size doubled by its reflection in the shimmering waters of the lake, its potency somehow increased by its splendor. To the east were the looming peaks of the Green Mountains, to the west were the dark and craggy Adirondacks. Gliding between them across the widest part of the lake was a dazzling flotilla of death.
    Gentleman Johnny had a true sense of theater.
    Major Harry Featherstone was not a man who could easily conceal his anger. After making his feelings known to the brigadier, he sought out Jamie Skoyles in his tent.
    "
I
should have been sent on this mission," Featherstone insisted.
    "Brigadier Fraser made the decision."
    "It was the wrong one."
    "That may be so, Major," said Skoyles, trying to calm him, "but there's no point in berating me about it. I've no power to change the situation. Take the matter up with Brigadier Fraser."
    "I've already done so—to no avail."
    "I'm sorry to hear that."
    "When all is said and done, I'm the senior officer."
    "Of course."
    "But that counted for nothing," said the other irritably. "Listen, Jamie, I know that you have a lot of experience as a scout and I don't want us to fall out over this, but you can appreciate why I'm furious."
    "Yes, Major."
    "This assignment should have been given to me."
    "All I can do is to obey orders, sir."
    Skoyles was delighted that he had been selected for such an important scouting mission, but he could understand why Featherstone was so upset. Hoping to be given the task himself, he had probably boasted of the position to Elizabeth Rainham. Instead of being able to go on a daring expedition, he would now have to cool his heels in the advance camp while someone else had the opportunity to gain kudos. It was galling for the major.
    Ready to depart, Skoyles had shed his uniform and changed into a hunting shirt that would be far less conspicuous than his redcoat. He picked up his Brown Bess musket and checked that it was loaded. Featherstone watchedhim with muted resentment. When Skoyles tried to walk past him, he blocked his way.
    "You could always ask for me to assist you," he said.
    "No, I couldn't."
    "Why not?"
    "Because it would be the other way round," Skoyles pointed out. "You'd be in command and I'd be at your elbow. If that's what the brigadier had wanted, he'd have said so."
    "Simon has too much on his plate at the moment."
    "Perhaps that's why he chose the wrong person."
    "That's the only excuse I can think of," said Featherstone with ill grace. "Next time, I'll expect him to turn to me."
    "I'm sure that he will, sir."
    There was a tension between the two men that had not been there before, and it puzzled Skoyles. In being preferred over the major, he had clearly ruffled his feathers. Featherstone was still obstructing his exit.
    "I'll have to be on my way," said Skoyles.
    "Of course. I'm sorry." Reverting to his normal bonhomie, Featherstone moved back so that the other man could leave. "Good luck, Jamie! I know that you won't let us down."
    Once outside the tent, Skoyles forgot all about his exchange with the major. The task ahead demanded all his concentration. Accompanied by three Indians, he was being sent on a scouting mission to find out the strength of the American forces that lay ahead and to determine the quality of their fortifications. It gave him an opportunity to make amends for the mishap that had occurred nearby the previous year.
    Progress had so far been uninterrupted. Under the leadership of Brigadier Simon Fraser, the advance corps had approached Crown Point. Bracing themselves for combat, they instead found the fort completely abandoned and decided to camp there until the main army could catch them up. Meanwhile, the scouting party was being sent on toward Fort Ticonderoga, a much more formidable bastion. Jamie Skoyles had learned his trade as a skirmisher, able to move fast, shoot straight, and survive in enemy territory. They were skills that would now be called into play. Watch boats had