nd a wallet
containing dried venison. August 16th they received final orders to
march to Peekskill, and there to take boats for Albany to join Gates'
army.

Here at last was something definite, and how the men cheered!
Washington was sending his best men to aid Gates because he thought
the country needed them at that place. George Washington was a big
enough man to forget self and think only of his country. Gates was
not, and was to repay his chief for this assistance with treachery.

Rodney never forgot that day when they first came in sight of the
beautiful Hudson. He made some remark about the scenery, when the man
next him in line exclaimed: "Whew! but I'd like plenty of shade trees
in my scenery," wiping away the perspiration with his sleeve.

"Ab, you are in as big a hurry to git thar as any of us," said
another.

"I don't feel right certain about matters after we do. Thar must be
some rattle-headed men in charge up in this country; what with fillin'
ol' Ty full o' powder an' ball an' then allowin' the Britishers to
climb a hill an' drive 'em out the fort. Thar sure be some folks as
think they're ginerals by grace o' good looks an' lots o' friends.
Then some feller, as knows how, comes along an' trees 'em," was Ab's
reply.

A warm welcome awaited the Rangers when they joined the northern army.
In fact all along their route they had received admiration and cordial
greeting to their hearts' content. Gates flattered Morgan by arranging
that the colonel should receive orders only from the general in
command. Quarters were assigned them at Loudon's Ferry, and here they
were joined by Major Dearborn with two hundred and fifty men selected
from other regiments. This was pleasing to Morgan, as he and Dearborn
had fought the enemy at Quebec, where both had been taken prisoners.

The Rangers welcomed the recruits heartily, and proceeded to get
acquainted. In the midst of this Rodney saw a fine looking fellow, of
about his own age, clad in the uniform of the Massachusetts militia,
run toward Zeb, exclaiming, "I might have known if I could find
Colonel Morgan I could find you, in flesh or spirit. How are you,
anyway?"

"Shades of the Great North, Don, yer face looks good ter me."

Then, after they had shaken hands and patted each other on the
shoulder, literally and metaphorically, Zeb, turning to Rodney, said,
"Here's Donald Lovell, the lad who found me in a Quebec snowdrift an'
saved my life when I was about as f