''Witch-hunters and magicians had no business on the field of battle. The leaders of the French and Indian War had set out to end the existence of witches and bring back their God. Neither of these tasks was designed for men of flesh and blood – surely not for any that wore soldier's clothes – and the more witches who perished, the better it would make war.
The soldiers of the Third Battalion of the Thirteenth Regiment of Foot were enjoying a false sense of victory after their defeat at Fort Bull. After all, they had suffered countless casualties and the French and Indians had fled the battlefield with little damage done to them. Still, there were rumors that wizards and witches were at play in the battle. No one could know whether these rumors were to be believed.
Common soldiers were busy preparing for battle outside Fort Bull. Private Reville sprang up from his bedroll and headed out into the grounds to strike the dead and wounded with his musket. Knowing full well that he would be considered a coward by the other soldiers, Reville did not mind the reputation. The action would do him some good and it might even win him a promotion.
Captain Lucas and the other officers were already in their own camps and tents and could not be called upon to either take the wagon from the wounded or provide other food for the other soldiers. The supplies were being stored in a barn half a mile away from the camp which would be a two-day journey or so for Lucas and his men. You cannot march on an empty stomach.
Captain Goddett, of the Second Battalion of the Thirteenth Regiment of Foot, who had been tasked with transporting Captain Lucas and his men, was sleeping as well as he could as he watched the elements outside his tent. Bored as he was by the task he had been given, Goddett had hoped that it would be a long and sleepy day. He was soon to be proven wrong.
Out of the fray, and with darkness approaching, appeared Private Reville and a group of his colleagues.
''We were ordered to prepare the wagon for battle, sir!'' yelled Private Reville, in a dramatically high voice.
''Good,'' responded the captain in a calmer voice. ''You have done well, man. Take the wheel. I will be along shortly.''
Private Reville took his place in the driver's seat.
Captain Goddett watched the short man shuffle to the wheel, angry that the job had been given to Private Reville. The weather was still very hot. It would be a long, hard fight ahead if the wagon would need to be wheeled up to the fort. Goddett cursed his superiors, wondering if they had any idea of the magnitude of the task.
''How soon will the wagon be completed, Private Reville?''
''I don't know, sir, perhaps tomorrow morning,'' replied Private Reville.
''I thought as much. That is all. I'll hold down your pay for now,'' continued Goddett, as he turned on his heel to move to the tent where the other leaders were quartered.
''Where are you going?'' Reville yelled, as the corporal moved off towards the camp.
''I am going to see if we can get some grain to eat today. Maybe some whiskey to ease the pain,'' cried Goddett, as he made his way through the tents of the line officers.
Captain Lucas' tent was the farthest away of the five that had been for the leaders of the unit, yet he was there. Lucas sat crouched on his pallet under his small common tent. It was the only tent that was not of the common kind being used by all of the soldiers. The others were too large for the numbers of men being led by Lucas, so an additional tent had been constructed for his use by two moles.
As Goddett approached the tent, he found it empty. Lucas had spread the news of the recent defeat far and wide and it was virtually certain that all of the other leaders were aware of the situation. As he entered Lucas' tent he found the captain was acting rationally.
''There's something I want you to do for me,'' Lucas began, eyeing Goddett. ''I want you ensure that the rations get to the fort. We cannot afford to lose any more men. You will take two of your men. You will also take some of the guards of the fort. They will escort the wagon into camp. I am sure that some of the men can use the grain to fill their bellies. What do you think?''
''Yes, sir, that is just what I was about to suggest to you. Are you sure that is wise?''
''We were not expecting the attack at the fort, Goddett. It was an ambush. The little devil thought he could take me by surprise,'' said Captain Lucas. ''Well, he did. We'll all die if the papers get in the wrong hands. They are proof of our negotiations!''
''Yes sir. It sounds like a very good idea. I will get the guards ready to go to the barn,'' Goddett said in reply, as he retired from the tent to carry out his captain's wishes.
