Seth also told us that the belief of the military authorities was that the first move made by the red-coats from their present encampment, would be on Long Island, and to that end the fort at Red Hook had been greatly strengthened and garrisoned with as many men as could find lodgment within it. The redoubt on Governor’s Island had been enlarged, and batteries were building along the East river as far as Harlem. “Lieutenant Winterbottom says there will be a battle soon, an’ on Long Island,” Sam went on. “I’m thinkin’ if any work is given us, it will be nearabout our homes; at all events on the island. You must know that for the past four days a large force has been workin’ on the redoubt that is to be called Fort Putnam, situated upon the hill back of your house, Eph, and there five guns are to be mounted. Leadin’ from it, down the hill to the old spring which father walled up last year, is bein’ dug an intrenchment, and on the other side are to be breastworks in zigzag shape across the Flatbush Road. “Half-way between there and the mill-pond another redoubt is buildin’, which I have heard was to be called Fort Green, an’ near the road south of the Wallabout is another redoubt, where will be three or four guns. Three guns are to be mounted on Cobble Hill, with an intrenchment runnin’ in circles like unto a corkscrew from the base of the hill to the top.” Sam’s information was not well calculated to cheer. Because so much in the way of fortifying Long Island was being done, none of us questioned but that the battle, which the general had said was near at hand, would be fought there. Our own people might find themselves between the two armies, and as we realized this a gloom settled upon us, causing all to fall silent until Sam, who had had more time in which to become familiar with the danger, set about making the acquaintance of our prisoner, for, having heard the story of our adventures as told to General Putnam, he had no further need to ask questions concerning him. Then Abel Grant aroused himself from the fit of despondency to remember that he was hungry, and straightway we insisted that Master Sam, who had been idling his time away and living on the fat of the land for the past four days, should resume his duties as cook, therefore soon the little cuddy of the Swiftsure was stiflingly hot and filled with the smoke of frying pork and fish, which last Abel Grant had bought from a boy who passed nearby the sloop while we were at headquarters. I fancied Seth Hartley had grown more jolly after learning that General Putnam was content for him to remain in our company, and he told us many stories while we were waiting for the long delayed meal, chiefly of what the Britishers had done nearabout Boston, for he was of the force which General Howe brought with him from that city.