The Iron Chain by Jim DeFelice Read Free Book Online Page B

acquiring an elevated tone. "I am Captain John Busch, of his lordship Earl Graycolmb's own Loyal Rangers, working with His Majesty's Marines to defeat the rebels in the Highlands. I am recruiting men, such as yourself, to vindicate His Majesty's name."
    Jake could only nod.
    "I assume you will join us."
    " Whatdo Iget if Ijoin?"
    "Besides preserving your country and winning back your land? I would think those enough for a man of honor." Busch's displeasure was brief but genuine; he had already formed an opinion of Jake, and the expression of material interests conflicted with it. "You will get a bounty of fifty pounds, legal money, besides pay, and the return of your land when the insurrection is ended. Is that good enough for you?"
    "I would fight for my king without reward," responded Jake, "though in my destitute state I will be glad for any I can find. Where do I sign up?"
    "Consider yourself recruited," answered the captain. "After tonight, I consider you the brother I never had."
    Approaching hoof beats echoed through the trees, and Busch took a fresh pistol from a holster on his horse's saddle as he guided the animal to the side of the road. Jake pulled his own animal around and waited opposite him, his own pistol in hand. The Segallas was reloaded and returned to its resting place inside his belt beneath his shirt.
    The rider had approached from a long way off, and it took several minutes for him to arrive. Finally his horse's light trot was replaced by a soft whistle — two bars from the fighting song, "British Grenadiers."
    Busch answered with a whistle of his own.
    "Captain?"
    "Approach," Busch ordered. He kicked his horse's side gently and the mount cantered into the roadway, meeting a rider. Jake waited until both men had stopped, then pushed his horse out behind the newcomer.
    "Corporal Caleb Evans, I want you to meet a friend of mine, Jake Smith. He has just joined us."
    "Smith, eh?" Caleb Evans was a pudgy man, the sort who sat on his horse like a loosely packed bag of onions. There was not enough light to study his face, but he wore an oversized beaver hat not dissimilar to the Quaker van Clynne favored. He greeted the newcomer with unveiled doubts. "Who are you running from that you have adopted that name?"
    "My father gave it to me, as his father had handed it to him," responded Jake. "It is thought that our ancestors worked at a forge, though we ourselves are farmers."
    "Farmers?"
    "Or were formerly," said the patriot spy. "I was run off my land."
    "He's with us, Caleb; he's made that clear enough already," said Busch. "He has spent much time in England, and he just saved my life."
    "Indeed?"
    "We were ambushed by two Skinners."
    The corporal's skepticism evaporated into concern for his commander. "Were you harmed?"
    "My coat has a hole in it," said Busch. "But Smith saved us from further damage."
    "We can't afford to lose you, sir. Perhaps you should return to Stoneman's, and let me go on myself."
    "Nonsense. Come, and make sure your pistols are charged and ready. Smith!" Busch had already turned his horse away and was starting on the road east. "Take this road three miles to the west. You'll find a farm that belongs to a man named Stoneman. A small force is gathering there. Present yourself to the sergeant. His name is Lewis. Tell him I have recruited you."
    Jake would much have preferred to stay with Busch and his corporal. But before he could protest, the two Tories rode off. The only course open was to travel on to Stoneman's, and see what he could gather of the group's plans.

 
     
     
    -Chapter Six-
     
    Wherein, Jake finds that Liberty has not hidden her fire beneath a bushel, but rather seeks to increase its flames.
     
    J ake rode north along the road as cautiously as possible, searching with one eye for any activity that would hint at his destination, and with the other for additional American patrols. His pistol was no longer in its holster — he held it firmly in his hand.
    This part of New