Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/154

138 with satisfaction as he listened, and then said, "I shall tell you a few facts which you may be able to give the general, even if your letter should be lost on your way down as it was on your way up the river. We have comparatively quick knowledge of Burgoyne's movements, and he is now advancing."

Robert looked up eagerly as he heard the statement, but he did not speak, and the general continued: "Yes, we know that Burgoyne arrived at Quebec on the sixth of May, and on the tenth of the same month received the command of the army from General Carleton. On May twelfth he had advanced to Montreal. Then from the fifteenth of May till the seventh of June he was at Three Rivers, and doubtless by this time has pushed on to Fort Chambly, and it may be that he is even as far as Isle aux Noix or Cumberland Head. We shall surely know within a day or two, for his movements are watched and quickly reported."

"And will General Schuyler be able to stop him?" inquired Robert eagerly.

"That remains to be seen," replied the general, a momentary frown appearing on his face. "Naturally we hope so, we expect it," he added more cheerfully, "but the task is not