“They are,” said Renmark, with a pang of anguish.
“Well, I can’t see what your stupid government means by sending them here alone. They should have at least one company of regulars with them.”
“Perhaps; but they will have to put in an appearance mighty sudden, or the fight will be over. If these boys are not in a hurry with their meal, the Fenians will be upon them before they know it. If there is to be a fight, it will be before a very few hours--before one hour passes, you are going to see a miniature Bull Run.”
Some of the volunteers crowded around the incomers, eagerly inquiring for news of the enemy. The Fenians had taken the precaution to cut all the telegraph wires leading out of Fort Erie, and hence those in command of the companies did not even know that the enemy had left that locality. They were now on their way to a point where they were to meet Colonel Peacocke’s force of regulars--a point which they were destined never to reach. Stoliker sought an officer and delivered up his prisoners, together with the incriminating paper that Yates had handed to him. The officer’s decision was short and sharp, as military decisions are generally supposed to be. He ordered the constable to take both the prisoners and put them in jail at Port Colborne. There was no time now for an inquiry into the case,--that could come afterward,--and, so long as the men were safe in jail, everything would be all right. To this the constable mildly interposed two objections. In the first place, he said, he was with the volunteers not in his capacity as constable, but in the position of guide and man who knew the country. In the second place, there was no jail at Port Colborne.
“The jail of the county is at Welland, the county town,” replied the constable.
“But I am here as guide,” repeated Stoliker.
The officer hesitated for a moment. “You haven’t handcuffs with you, I presume?”
“Yes, I have,” said Stoliker, producing the implements.
“Well, then, handcuff them together, and I will send one of the company over to Welland with them. How far is it across country?”
The officer called one of the volunteers, and said to him:
“You are to make your way across country to Welland, and deliver these men up to the jailer there. They will be handcuffed together, but you take a revolver with you, and if they give you any trouble, shoot them.”