From under the hay there issued grunts and squeals and German oaths. Sorry looking hirelings were those two Hessians when they crawled out into the light. Wisps of hay clung to their well greased pigtail queues and their hated uniforms, blue coats and yellow waistcoats, were daubed with muck. "Pass out yer guns, an' take this fork an' pitch out the hay," was Zeb's order, which the dazed prisoners attempted to obey, when the farmer, calling out the window, said, "I'll look out fer that." "Better let him, Zeb," said Rodney. "If we stay here too long we may have more Hessians than we need." "Good advice, ye townsman of the immortal Jefferson. Forward march." ----- [1] See "Marching with Morgan." [2] The chief incident in "Marching with Morgan," in which Zeb and young Donald Lovell are the leading characters. CHAPTER XXIV THE RANGERS SENT AGAINST BURGOYNE England proposed to snuff out the rebellion that summer of 1777: so she sent all the troops she could spare and hire, also bribes to secure the services of the Indians. England must win, though the savages kill and torture every man, woman and child on the frontier. General Burgoyne must leave the writing of plays for a time and lead an army from Canada down to New York, and then Philadelphia was to be captured and the Continental Congress sent a-packing. Howe is said to have thought the Burgoyne plan unwise, for he knew something about war, though frequently too indolent to put his knowledge into practice. This beautiful month of June he had his army down in New Jersey, watching for a chance to outwit Washington and seize Philadelphia. After the first failure, he abandoned New Brunswick and marched his troops back to New York. Here was an opportunity for Morgan's Rangers. They followed Howe's army like a swarm of angry hornets. When too annoying, the British would turn and drive them back, but, as soon as the march was resumed, they would return and again sting the rear of the column into desperation. When the Rangers first came in contact with the retreating British the latter were crossing a bridge. Here was a fine opportunity for Morgan's men, and they used it to the fullest extent. Their bullets laid many a poor Hessian in the dust, for the aim of the riflemen was quick and accurate, whereas that of the British was mechanical. "Ah! Another bee has stung that arm. The redcoats intend to get it, I believe," suddenly cried Rodney. "Does yer arm feel numb?" asked Zeb. "No, I guess it's just a scratch. Anyhow I'm going to use it while I may." No, our two comrades lost no time examining trifling wounds, while British bullets whistled about their ears. On the contrary, they were loading and firing as rapidly as possible, and the perspiration was streaming down their powder-blackened faces, for the day was hot. "They are going to support the column; look out for a volley. Git down here, lie low," and, suiting action to word, Zeb threw himself on the grass.