Chapter 4

Daniel and Mingo found Lieutenant Grayson sitting alone by the stream reading a dog-eared leather-bound book. His red hair glistened in the sun, making him an easy target if an adversary were near. As they walked up, Mingo said, "What are you reading, John?"

The lieutenant jumped, startled. He brandished his pistol, which was concealed under the book, but quickly relaxed at the sight of Daniel and Mingo. "Defoe's Robinson Crusoe. It's been passed around camp for a while. Have you read it?"

"Yes. I have read it several times to Daniel's son, Israel."

The comely young lieutenant smiled sheepishly at Daniel and Mingo. "You two probably think this an odd time to be reading. Reading usually calms my nerves. It's not working today. I never dreamed the British would try to assassinate General Lafayette. That is so unlike them."

"You mean it's against their code of conduct?" Daniel said.

"Yes, sir. Even with my short time in the British army as a youth, I know that a British officer does not stoop to cowardice, and assassination is the desperate act of a coward."

Daniel and Mingo sat down on a log by the stream.

"Well, Lieutenant, men don't always follow the rules," Daniel said.

Lieutenant Grayson furrowed his brow, slipped the small book into his coat pocket and changed the subject. "Tell me about my father, Colonel. What were his last hours like?"

"Jacob Grayson was a good soldier, an expert marksman. We were camped for the night on a march north to disrupt a French supply line. Jacob, I, and some others were sittin' around a fire reminiscin' about our early days. We had each started out on a farm and felt the limits imposed by family and inheritance."

Daniel snickered, and smiled with guilt, remembering his youthful ambitions. "We both shared a dislike for farmin'. We talked about headin' west together after the war. Young men with big dreams of startin' a new life where land was plentiful. If your father hadn't been killed, I feel sure he would be with me in Kentucky."

"How did he die?"

Daniel looked puzzled. "You mean you never heard how he died?"

"Oh, yes, sir. The platoon sergeant lived in our community. I heard his stories, but…"

"Charlie Kerns?"

"Yes, sir. I would really like to hear it from you, Colonel."

"Jacob died a brave man. A band of French, and their Indian allies, ambushed us in the night. Many of our men died by bayonet and never knew what killed 'em. It was a silent attack. Jacob slept light, so he alone awoke when he heard the bayonets thrust into his sleepin' comrades. He sounded the alarm for the rest of us. I saw him killed…"

The lieutenant bowed his head. "Was it an Indian that killed him, or one of the soldiers?"

"Young soldiers. Younger than you."

"Charlie said the French were more savage than the Indians. They had no understanding of honor among soldiers, never took prisoners so as to not be bothered with them, raped any females they came across, or made slaves of them—"

"Ah, Lieutenant, Charlie had a big mouth," Daniel said. "He liked to color the stories of our few confrontations with the French to increase his own importance in the minds of anyone who would listen. He couldn't stand up to the French soldiers, or the Indians. Charlie was always shrinkin' from the fight, usually drunk, feigning a sprained ankle, or anythin' he could come up with as an excuse to hang back. A fuddled sergeant is not a reliable source of information, son."

Lieutenant Grayson grimaced, "I know. Charlie hasn't changed much. He said my father was bayoneted repeatedly then clubbed in the head with the butts of muskets. He said his body was found scalped."

Daniel bowed his head and bit his lower lip. He couldn't find the words.

The lieutenant said, "Is that true, sir?"

Daniel felt a tightening of his chest, his pulse and breathing had quickened, he looked down to see his fists were clenched. He quickly relaxed them. With his hand, he wiped away the beads of sweat that had formed on his forehead. The sights and sounds of the skirmish with bayonets, earlier, heightened the memories Daniel had of that fateful night over a decade past. Hatred for those French soldiers was still there, deep down inside, though years had passed. He had found it easy to tolerate Charlie Kerns back then. It seemed so right to hate the enemy and smear them with all the sins of mankind. Charlie was good at that. He kept the platoon laughing. What harm could come from it? Now he saw the harm in front of him. A young man poisoned by hate. Daniel knew that old hatred would be threatening to Lafayette.

A hand on his shoulder caused him to jump. "Daniel, are you all right?" Mingo asked with concern in his eyes.

Daniel looked into Lieutenant Grayson's eyes, still waiting for the answer that would make everything right. "John, that is true. The soldiers had been worked into a frenzy by their commander, and the French couldn't stop the Indians from scalping anymore than the British can today." Daniel swallowed hard. "I too hated the French in that war and long after it had ended, but I see the same behavior in the English and among Americans in this war. Neighbors are at each other's throats, tarrin'n' featherin', rapin', murderin'…"

"War brings out the worst in men," Mingo said, "because decent men can not engage in it. It is a temporary madness. That is what it takes to make a man kill. It has the same effect regardless of creed or race."

Lieutenant Grayson dropped his head into his hands. He rubbed his forehead as if to erase memories from his mind. Then he rubbed his hands together nervously. "I was taught that the French war was an atrocity committed by the French against the English. You are right Mingo. I have learned what it takes to kill a man in war…and I am a trained killer at that…I should know. Thank you for telling me about my father, Colonel. It means a great deal to hear it from you."

"His grandchildren should know he was destined to be a great man, but gave his life servin' his…country."

The men fell silent for a moment, listening to the sounds of the wood and the stream.

Daniel took a deep breath and exhaled. "John, you understand that Gen'ral Lafayette believes one of his most loyal guards is an informant for the British don't you?"

"Including me?"

"He cannot eliminate you," Mingo said, "or Sergeant Boggs."

Lieutenant Grayson sighed. "Well, I understand of course. If an informant led those Cow Boys our way this afternoon, I'd like to get hold of him. We lost a good man." The lieutenant's eyes glanced at Daniel and then quickly darted away. "Of course, the Cow Boys could have just had the misfortune of encountering us. They terrorize the communities between the two armies. They scavenge for cows…and people…they can sell to the British. I'm sure they use this trail."

Daniel said, "You have no suspicions?"

"No, sir. Not a clue. These guards have been loyal without a fault."

"The informant may be with the regiment," Mingo said, "or with the group that went with Jeb."

"I understand, Mingo."

Daniel said, "Perhaps if you share with us how you spent your day yesterday…"

"Are you looking for an alibi?"

"No," Mingo said, "we are looking for clues, John. You may have seen something and do not realize it is a clue. Did anything unusual happen? Were there any strangers in camp?"

The lieutenant thought for a moment. "Only, Captain Jeremy Larkin and his men. They arrived just before sunset."

"Go hour by hour for us from the time you awoke," Daniel said.

Lieutenant Grayson leaned back against the rock behind him. "Well, the drums beat reveille. I arose and proceeded to prepare for morning roll call. The men are required to muster in a designated parade area to be counted, and to receive the orders of the day. It's routine and there was nothing odd or unusual yesterday. Every man and officer was present and accounted for. I spent the rest of the day, counting and inspecting the arms, musket balls and powder we acquired from the Du Ponts. In fact, I was so busy I was surprised when the drums beat the tattoo."

"What is the chain of command in the guard?" Daniel asked.

"I am the commander of the guard. Sergeant Boggs reports to me. He is the general's personal guard. The men report directly to him. The sergeant arranges the posting of the guards. If one of them has so much as a stubbed toe, he is the first to hear of it. He is closest to the general, but sometimes the general sends him off on scouting missions. I take over his duties when he's away." The lieutenant chuckled. "I'll deny I ever said this, but I think General Lafayette sends the sergeant on those scouting missions just to get rid of him. Sergeant Boggs is a bit over protective of the general."

Daniel and Mingo smiled with the knowledge the sergeant had already imparted to them of his 'special mission' for General Washington.

"You don't spend much time with the gen'ral durin' the day?" Daniel asked.

Lieutenant Grayson shook his head, "Not in an official capacity. I represent the guard unit in staff meetings. I'm responsible for recruiting, arranging equipment, horses and supplies for the guard. I lead the company on the battlefield."

"Was there a staff meetin' yesterday?"

"No."

"But you spend time with the gen'ral, unofficially?"

"Yes, sir. Sometimes we just talk, usually at dinner or in the evening. I enjoy his company and he seems to enjoy mine."

"Where would you normally be at sundown?"

"In my tent, reading, or writing letters."

"Were there other officers with you last night?"

Mingo said, "Daniel. This is not a court of inquiry."

"Not last night." The lieutenant paused and drew in a deep breath. He stood suddenly as if bitten, his fists clenched, his freckled face reddened almost matching his hair. Glaring down at Mingo with unblinking eyes, he spoke with a trembling meek voice that contrasted with his appearance. "Mingo, I could never…be an instrument of harm to General Lafayette…or any of these brave men. You, of all people, have to believe me! You have known me longer than anyone here." A tear fell from John's eye. "You think me a suspect don't you? Because of the way my father died at the hand of the French? You think I hold a grudge and would take it out on…Lafayette? I tell you that is impossible!"

Mingo reached up and gripped John's forearm. "Calm down John, we are not accusing you, we are simply looking for clues that will lift the cloud of suspicion from you and ease the general's mind."

Lieutenant Grayson sighed and bowed his head. "I will tell you one thing, I feel wholly inadequate at this moment…I am thankful that the two of you are here."

Daniel stood and patted the young officer's shoulder. "John, by the looks o' things, you and your men are very capable of defendin' the gen'ral. I saw no hesitation on any man's part in that skirmish. It's very odd that a bunch of renegades would even try attackin' such well trained soldiers."

Just then, Sergeant Boggs walked up to the men. "We are moving out gentlemen, the general sent me to fetch you."

"Thank you, Sergeant," Daniel said.

As they walked off towards the trail, Daniel looked at the broad strong shoulders of the sergeant walking in front of him and did not see a guilty man. Knowing his past service to Washington, he was probably a great source of strength for the young general. Daniel had doubts about the young lieutenant, Mingo's friend, raised on hatred of the French. Despite his denial, Lieutenant Grayson had a reason to hate Lafayette as a surrogate for the French soldiers that had killed his father.

As they walked back to the clearing, Mingo and John led the way. Mingo said, "John, I do not know enough to place blame. We should talk some more. I think you may know more than you realize."

Daniel grabbed Sergeant Boggs's arm to stop him, allowing the other two men to move out of hearing range. "Sergeant, do YOU know what's goin' on here?"

"If you mean do I know who is responsible for the sabotage this morning and this attack, I do not, sir. Loyalists in camp, Cow Boys, deserters, malcontents, spies, double agents…they are so common place…I don't know that we will ever know exactly who--"

"You inspected and loaded the gen'ral's gun this mornin'?"

The sergeant looked warily at Daniel. "Aye, sir. That I did, as I do every day."

A dark black bruise was forming along the side of the sergeant's face where he had been clubbed. Daniel had seen with his own eyes, Sergeant Boggs save Lafayette's life by putting his own life in jeopardy. He couldn't bring himself to even tell this man he was suspected of being an enemy informant. "Have any strangers been in camp lately? Have you observed anythin' unusual?"

The sergeant looked off into the forest, knitted his sandy brows together and thought for a moment. Then he turned steady eyes on Daniel. "A couple of weeks ago, the general had me escort a man out of the camp and then he ordered the camp moved. There was something very odd about that man. I would have suspected him a militia deserter, or a Cow Boy, if I didn't know he was Lieutenant Grayson's brother-in-law."

"Brother-in-law? What was his name?"

"Charlie something."

"Kerns?"

"Aye. That sounds right. He came to camp demanding to see the Lieutenant, something about an apprenticeship. The lieutenant talked with him, alone, at length."

When Daniel and Mingo returned to the trail, they found Jeremy in a heated discussion with General Lafayette.

"Sir, I insist!"

"Jeremy, whatever danger is down that trail, I will share it with my men. I will not be protected like a piece of…porcelain china!"

"Sir, you put me in command. Let me do it!"

The general dropped his head and took a deep breath, obviously trying to cage his anger in front of the men. "All right, Jeremy. Have it your way."

The men mounted their horses and proceeded down the trail with Jeremy in the lead. The captain had placed the general in the middle of the group of riders, with Daniel and Mingo to either side of him. Daniel could see that it had taken all of Jeremy's persuasive skills to get the general to cooperate. The young Frenchman clearly did not like being 'protected.' Jeremy was flanked by Henry, and Isak.

The heavily wooded forest of old ancient oak, knobby pines, sweet gum and sycamore was growing dark in the late afternoon. The air was filled with the pungent aroma of pine needles that covered the trail. The woods were bare, accept for the pines, and the spring buds high above glazed a light green by the sun. A man dressed in brown or gray could easily be camouflaged among the dense tree trunks. Everyone watched the woods to either side of the trail for evidence of ambushers, which resulted in no one watching the trail directly in front of them.

As the group approached a curve in the trail, they had to climb a field of large boulders, being careful of the horses' footing. Jeremy, Isak and Henry disappeared around the bend. Moments later, the earth shook and rumbled. A startled human yell broke the silence of the forest, followed by the horrendous scream of a horse. The men hurried their horses forward, with guns ready, and found Jeremy and Isak dismounted and peering down a large hole in the middle of the trail. A plume of thick dust was settling around them.

Daniel, Mingo and the officers, hurried to the crater to find the horrific sight of Henry and his horse trapped below them. The horse was panicking and struggling, knocking Henry about in the dark hole like a rag doll. Isak fell on his stomach at the edge of the crater and tried to reach down to grab Henry. Frustrated he yelled, "I can't reach him!"

The general yelled back to the men, "Bring some rope!" He turned back to Jeremy. "The horse will have to be shot or he will kill Henry."

From below came a breathless anxious plead from Henry, "Please, sir…do not shoot him…"

Mingo was taking off his sleeveless buckskin shirt, he said, "General, perhaps blinding the horse will calm him." Mingo threw his shirt down over the frantic horse's head and the horse stopped its wild thrashing.

Jeremy rubbed the dust from his eyes. He and Isak were covered with it. "The ground just gave way…there was a big puff of dust and debris…and then Henry was gone."

The general knelt down at the edge of the cave-in. "Henry, can you hear me? Can you free your legs and crawl up the horse's back?"

There was a mumbled reply. The rope was quickly brought forward and handed to the general.

Isak said, "There's no way anyone can squeeze down into that hole to tie a rope around Henry. He may be too injured to pull himself out. The horse is only going to have so much patience."

Jeremy looked perturbed at Isak.

Isak saw the look. "Sorry, I'm just statin' the facts as I see 'em. Henry can you grab the reins and pull yourself up?"

From below came a breathless reply, "I appreciate…the suggestions…gentlemen…but I am as stuck as a cork in a bottle. I cannot extricate myself…"

Daniel was standing over the general peering down into the dark abyss. "Henry, this is Dan'l Boone. Listen, you're goin' to have to help us get you out o' there."

There was no answer. Daniel walked over into the woods and came back with a couple of small pitch pine limbs. He bent down to light a handful of twigs and bark by striking two pieces of flint together. Once he had a fire going, he lit the end of one of the limbs. It began to glow with a bright light. Daniel handed the torch to Isak, who lowered it into the hole revealing the situation to everyone above ground. Henry was trapped. He looked up at the light, revealing the fear on his face and in his eyes.

Daniel seeing the panic in the young man's eyes, said, "Henry, you're a smart feller. I suspect that if you think on it, you can come up with a way to get you and that horse out of this tight spot. What d'ya say?"

Henry said in a soft voice, "I will try, Colonel Boone." Henry was quiet for a moment. He grunted as he tried to free his legs to climb up on the horse's back, but he was clearly pinned tightly and couldn't move. Henry called up, "Back at the mine shaft we passed… there were broken carts and spades…If someone could go back and retrieve the metal parts…some of the wood?"

Jeremy said, "Of course, Henry, but it would be dangerous at night. Do you think you and your horse can last until dawn? Isak could take a couple of the men and ride back down the trail and retrieve the carts and anything else they see useful."

Isak jumped up and started to mount his horse. "I'm willing to go in the dark, Jeremy."

"No, Isak!" Henry said. "Jeremy is right. Franklin and I can wait. If anything were to happen to you…I would not want to live. I see a branch over my head. Is it strong enough to carry half my weight?"

Mingo leaped up and grabbed the branch with his hands. Flexing the muscles on his dark bare back, he swung his feet clear of the ground. "It is strong enough to carry half the weight of your horse, Henry."

Henry smiled, "Then I think I may have a plan. Franklin and I will hang out here for awhile and catch our breath."

"That's the spirit, boy." Daniel said, "With our brawn, and your brains, we'll have you out o' there in no time." Daniel turned and smiled at the soldiers behind him who smiled back.

"We need to get away from this hole," Jeremy said, "it may be a cave-in of an old mine shaft. We can take turns sitting with Henry." Jeremy stuck Daniel's torch into the ground to give Henry some light. The men moved back and fed the fire that Daniel had started. Jeremy sat down cross-legged to keep his friend company.

Daniel watched General Lafayette walk off into the woods. When he didn't come back after several minutes, he made another torch from the other tree limb and motioned to Mingo to follow him.

They found the general sitting on a rock outcropping with a view of the sun setting over the peaceful valley from which they had come. As Daniel approached, with Ticklicker cradled in his arms, the general reached for the gun he held under his belt.

"Whoa there, son. It's just me 'n' Mingo."

"I am sorry, Colonel."

"That's all right. At least that tells me you're not considerin' surrender."

The general looked astonished at Daniel, but gradually understood the meaning of his words and smiled. "I could not let the men see my state of agitation. Poor Henry. He did not want to come and I pressured him…he has been so tolerate of me…they all have. General Washington tells me I am as stubborn as a bull's head." The general dropped his head clearly emotionally troubled.

Daniel and Mingo managed not to laugh at the general's interpretation of 'bull-headed' by avoiding looking at each other. Daniel suddenly felt a strong urge to hug the boy as he would his son Israel, or his daughter Jemima, who was near Lafayette's age, but he refrained. Thoughts of his elder son, James, drifted into his mind. He would have been Lafayette's age, and probably an officer in Washington's army, if he had not been killed before the war. "Gen'ral, that cave-in could be an old mineshaft that collapsed without any help from a Tory."

"I do not think so, Colonel Boone. I have been sending couriers down this trail for the past two weeks. They would have fallen into that hole if it had been here all along."

"I see."

"Henry's calamity was meant for me. If it had not been for Jeremy insisting that I not be at the head of the group….Someone had a plan and time to execute it."

Mingo said, "What do you mean?"

"No one knew this was the trail we would be following, and yet there are carefully placed traps and ambushes."

"A lucky guess, perhaps, on someone's part," Mingo said.

"Or else," Daniel said, "a lot o' innocent people are bein' hurt today along the other possible routes." Daniel regretted his words when the general looked up, his face lit by the torchlight that Daniel held. It was clear that thought had already crossed Lafayette's mind, increasing his anxiety. He looked like a man carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders; a man too young for such a burden.

"Son," Daniel said, "do ya know that Lieutenant Grayson's father was brutally killed in the French war?"

The young general's serious countenance suddenly gave way to the dimpled smile, and bright-eyed glee, Daniel had seen the night before. Daniel thought he had given away his own prejudice by how he had named the war. "Gen'ral, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend. I suppose you have a different name for that war?"

"Colonel Boone, you seem terribly concerned with offending me. There is really no need. The finality of calling it 'the French war' amuses me. It says with confidence that another war with France will never happen. I admire that confidence. I pray it is rewarded with a lasting peace with my country." The general's smile quickly fell back to a somber frown. He sighed deeply. "Of course, I am aware there was a war between the French and the English on this continent, and many of my men served in that war, or lost their fathers or brothers in it. I lost my own father in that war."

Daniel hadn't thought of that possibility. Lafayette is an orphan? He has found a father in Washington, and Washington has found a son in him.

"He died at the battle of Minden, on a different continent, but it was the same war. Europeans call it the Seven Years' War.

"General," Mingo said, "do you not find it difficult to serve with men who once hated the French, and may still?"

The general lifted his head high and thought for a moment. "Mingo, before I came to this country, I thought Americans were all the same. All united against an unjust King, desiring the right to rule themselves, to speak their minds, to follow the religion of their choice…it was a noble cause for a noble people."

Lafayette bowed his head, and wrapped his arms around himself as if he was cold. "I never imagined the reality of brother fighting against brother and old hatreds that never die. My hope is that, through my actions and behavior, I can show Americans that the French people support the American call for Liberté, because the French people want the same. America will be a shining example for the world. Of course, I do not deceive myself. King Louis's only interest is in reducing the power of King George in the world."

"Doesn't that put you at odds," Daniel said, "with the government you're workin' to procure aide from for this cause?"

"Oui, Colonel. I walk a fine line between this world of General Washington's and the world of King Louis…and my father-in-law."

Daniel and Mingo chuckled. Daniel said, "Well, I suppose all married men share one of those problems with ya. That's what you meant by being between two peoples?"

The general smiled. "Yes, Colonel. That is what I meant. I am becoming an American by fighting for this country, living as Americans live, thinking as Americans think, so much so that I would rather die than abandon this cause. Congress trusts me to receive the oath of allegiance to that beautiful constitution. Yet I am still a French aristocrat in King Louis's court."

"It does not sound like you are particular happy in the role of French aristocrat."

"No, Mingo. I wasn't particularly good at it. You see, I grew up in the forests of Auvergne, not Paris..." Lafayette flashed an embarrassed smile at Mingo. "They called me a sauvage."

Mingo chuckled. "When I was young, I was called the Fifth Earl of Dunsmore."

General Lafayette grinned ear to ear and then doubled-over in laughter. His youthful mirth was contagious as Daniel and Mingo fell to laughing as well. Lafayette wiped the tears of amusement from his eyes and said, "I am sorry Mingo, I was laughing at the idea of walking away from all of this and King Louis's court and joining you, and Colonel Boone, in the wilderness. Then I could say that I was 'once' called the Marquis de Lafayette."

Mingo smiled. He put his arm across the young general's back and gripped his shoulder. "You would be welcome, the natives speak French."

"I would not be worthy. I envy you, Mingo, I really do, but my young French wife, residing in the gilded halls of Versailles for her safety, would think it a bad joke."

"I admire your courage, General," Mingo said. "I know what it is like to have an independent mind and heart in a world that only understands and rewards conformity."

"Then you do not think me just an adventurer, or how do you say, 'groper for fame?'"

"Sounds like there is a greater purpose to your adventurin'," Daniel said. "Some men are moved by the prospect of land, or wealth, or power over others."

"I have more land and wealth than I need. I could grow fat and live without a care in France, but I cannot do it. I have seen wealth turn men into worthless sops without purpose. I want to do something with my life, to make a difference. I am trained as a soldier, as every Marquis de Lafayette before me. I wish to live up to my heritage and honor my forefathers." The general glanced sideways at Daniel and Mingo and smiled sheepishly. "Perhaps my aunts that raised me told me too many stories of gallant knights riding off in search of adventures." The young general chuckled. "I bore you with my silly tale."

Daniel arched his brows. "My dear boy, you're as far from boring as a man can get. I don't believe I've had a boring moment since I met you, how 'bout you Mingo?"

"Not here," Mingo said with a chuckle.

Lafayette smiled and shook his head. "It is a danger to your health, if not your life, to know me."

Daniel slapped the young man on the back. "Well, you gave us ample warnin' and a chance to back out. Gen'ral, I admire your zeal and determination, and your youthful exuberance. If only more young men were as motivated as you to change the world for the better."

"I have seen that world of debauchery brought on by wealth and power," Mingo said. "General, you are one of a kind."

The trio fell silent as they watched the sun slip below the horizon.

Daniel found himself comparing Lafayette with his friend Mingo. Mingo could have been an English earl, equal to Lafayette in class, had he not chosen to abandon his inheritance. Lafayette was apparently not particularly happy as a courtier either, but he had not abandoned it…yet. Where Mingo was mysterious, hidden, quick to distrust, Lafayette was transparent, trusting, an open book. Daniel knew that Mingo's reserve was a form of self-defense developed over the years. Finding out one of his closest aides was a traitor could send this optimistic young Frenchman into a bitter cold depression, changing him for life. Daniel wanted to say something, or do something, to prevent that, partly because he liked the affable boy, but also because he knew General Washington thought of Lafayette as an adopted son. Washington had made that very clear in his letter. Daniel knew the anguish of losing a son. A dark shadow crossed Daniel's mind. God help them all if Boggs and Grayson are in on this together.

Suddenly, cries of triumph arose from the direction of the trail arousing Daniel from his reverie.

The general bounded up and dashed back through the woods with Daniel and Mingo close behind. When they arrived back at the trail, they saw Henry's dark form, seated in a sling made from a horse's blanket, dangling above the monstrous hole.

General Lafayette exclaimed excitedly, "Henry!"