at there would be seven
redoubts and six batteries on the land side, all to be connected by
entrenchments, and that on the river bank preparations were making for a
line of batteries, the largest, or grand battery, being near the church.

As for outworks, Pierre said there would be three redoubts on the margin
of the ravine to the southwest of the town, another a little eastward of
the road to Hampton, two on the extreme right near the river, and the
Fusileer's redoubt on the left.

He also told us that my Lord Cornwallis had made his headquarters at
Governor Nelson's house, for it can well be understood that our governor
of Virginia, noted for more than a leaning toward the cause of liberty,
would not remain within the limits of York Town, or anywhere that it was
likely the Britishers could get hold of him, while General Cornwallis
was occupying this portion of our state of Virginia.

More than this: Little Frenchie in his quiet way had learned that my
Lord Cornwallis's army numbered nearabout seven thousand men, meaning
that such number of British troops were encamped either at Gloucester or
in the town of York.

When I questioned him as to how he had gathered all this information,
which it seemed to me none save an adroit man might gain, he put me off
with a laugh, declaring that while Englishmen and Frenchmen were natural
enemies, these red-coated soldiers seemed to take an especial liking
for a small French boy who had lived no nearer France than New Orleans.

It came into my mind more than once that mayhap Pierre had found even
among the king's troops an old friend, improbable though this
possibility might be; but if such was the case the lad never admitted
it, and to this day it is impossible for me to say how he learned so
much concerning York Town and the enemy who occupied it, in that one
visit of four or five hours.

The pain in my heart caused by the theft of Silver Heels was in no
degree lessened as we journeyed on, now listening to what little
Frenchie had to say regarding the situation of affairs at York Town, and
again, either Saul or I breaking out in some wild plan for regaining
possession of our horses, which, if put into execution, would have led
to our arrest, if not to our death.

Then we were arrived home, and although I might have expected it, I was
thoroughly surprised at finding everything in confusion. The greatest
excitement prevailed everywhere among the people, and work was seemingly