al St. Leger had under his command; of the
possibility that we might, perhaps, come across Peter Sitz; the chances
that Colonel Gansevoort would be forced to surrender even before we could
arrive with information that reinforcements were near at hand, and, in
fact, the numberless happenings which might occur to change the entire
situation, served to drive sleep so far from my eyelids that I despaired
of being able to summon it until sheer exhaustion should come.

Jacob was lying, with closed eyes, so still that I half-believed he had
succeeded in obeying Sergeant Corney's commands, and, bent on moving
around among the men in the hope of thereby changing the current of my
disagreeable thoughts, I crept softly from his side lest I awaken him.

"Where are you goin'?" he asked, quietly, in a tone which told me he had
been no nearer slumber than I.

"I cannot sleep, an' that's a fact. Perhaps after walkin' around a bit I
shall feel more like it."

"I'll go with you," Jacob said, rising to his feet. "There is no hope I
can sleep, although I am willin', if needs be, to make it appear as if I
was unconscious."

Taking heed not to go near Sergeant Corney, whom we could see in the
distance, Jacob went from one group of soldiers to the other, and, as may
be supposed, the chief topic of conversation everywhere was the
possibility that Fort Schuyler could hold out against the large number of
men who were besieging it, as well as the chances of General Herkimer's
command being able to enter the place.

Thus it was we learned that among Brant's following were savages from all
the various tribes of the Six Nations, except the Oneidas, who remained
faithful to their agreement to be neutral during the war. It was said that
the besiegers were well supplied with everything necessary for the
accomplishment of their purpose, including a large amount of ready money,
and General St. Leger was willing to pay liberally for the services of
those who would join him.

It was also reported--the information having been brought in by
scouts--that on the second day of the siege the British commander had sent
to the fort a messenger, who, with many high-sounding words, recited the
love of the king for those who remained loyal to him, and the punishment
which would be inflicted upon those who continued in rebellion. This
stream of bombast was concluded by direst threats in case the garrison
held out against the demand for surrender, the sum and su