know Herstraw and isn’t expecting him. It would be a simple matter for you to go in his place.”
“ Excuse me, sir, but I believe the effects of last night’s sleeping drug have lingered in my brain. Did you say, for me to go in his place?”
“ Who else?”
“ Why, you of course,” protested van Clynne. “You are well versed in these matters, while I am just a lowly assistant and amateur.”
“ You’re Dutch, though. The Dutch have a natural superiority in all matters.”
Jake had never met Howe himself, but there was more than enough officers in his retinue, to say nothing of the city, who knew him under other guises. It would strain credibility for him to try and pass himself off now as a messenger. But van Clynne was perfect.
All you have to do is give him the bullet, doff your hat and be off. You say you work for Burgoyne, and his adjunct will never be the wiser.”
“ What if he gives me another assignment?”
“ Even better. You take it straight to me, and we’ll give it to Schuyler.”
“ This is a most precarious plan, sir. What happens when the real agent shows up?”
“ I’ll arrange for an accident to greet him in New York. That will take a little doing, but it won’t be as hard as sneaking into their camp again. All I need is a marksman or two, or perhaps some thugs on the street.” Jake considered his options. “I shall have to call on one of the Culpers to help me.”
“ Why can’t this Culper fellow carry the message?”
“ What do you know about Culper?”
“ Nothing, sir, nothing.”
“ Forget the name. It means nothing to you.”
“ It would mean even less if we could forget this plan.”
“ Listen, Claus.” Jake’s voice had the iron in it that only a deep love of Liberty could inspire. “You said you wanted to help me so you could get your property back. You claim to hate the British and believe in Freedom.”
“ All true. Very true.”
Jake brought his horse around and was now facing van Clynne. “Do this for your land, Claus.”
“ I want to make sure I survive to enjoy it. It’s one thing to confuse these rogues, but the British commander-in-chief…”
Jake, well aware of Howe’s reputation as somewhat less than astute except when battle was directly before him, began to laugh. “Oh, don’t worry,” he said. “You’ll have him debating the merits of beer over Madeira within a minute or two.”
“ There is no debate over which one is better,” said the Dutchman with great solemnity.
Jake knew it would be better if van Clynne met the general before Herstraw met his accident. Partly this was a matter of logistics; the troop had now passed into very secure British territory north of King’s Bridge, where a surprise attack would be well-guarded against. Fort Independence — the name had not prevented it from falling into British hands — lay to the west, and the redcoats and Loyalists here were constantly on guard against attack, having successfully fended off an American raid several months before. An ambush would be infinitely easier on Manhattan island, where the troops would not be as alert, and where some or all of the patrol might fall away.
Delaying his assault would also guarantee that, if Herstraw somehow escaped, in the worst case Howe would be presented with two messages completely at odds with one another. Past experience showed that the inclination in such cases was always to give the first more weight.
But how to guarantee that Herstraw was delayed sufficiently to finish second in this race?”
“ Too back we can’t get them to detour to my friend Roelff’s,” suggested van Clynne. “I’m sure he could arrange to detain them — perhaps a little of your powder in their ale would do the trick.”
“ Where is it?”
“ North of Morrisania on the Harlem Creek,” said the Dutchman, using the Dutch name for the narrow portion of the upper East or Salt River. “There’s a small patch of calm water untouched by the riptides, and there Roelff has his inn and a small ferry besides. He does a very nice business. And,” van Clynne winked at him, “he has a daughter you would like.”
Having seen firsthand what van Clynne considered beautiful, Jake’s mind could not have stood the strain of contemplating what the young girl might be like. Fortunately, it was spared that labor by the more pressing problems.
“ This Roelff would help us?”
“ Of course, he’s Dutch. And with a few crowns on the side, one’s patriotism is easily enforced. Besides, the British look for excuses to stay there — the daughter is exceedingly fair. The soldiers make camp in the yard outside while the officers stay inside. It is their usual arrangement.”
“ How do we get them there?”
“ I cannot be expected to shoulder this entire operation myself. You must supply some initiative yourself. We are, after all, equal partners.”
“ Equal partners?”
“ Just so, sir, just so.”
The reader can conclude on his or her own how the conversation proceeded, quite possibly suggesting the various arguments that were raised and points made. In actual fact, Squire Van Clynne carried these out single- handedly, or single-tongued, if there is such an expression. Jake’s attention was turned to other things, namely the two British soldiers who appeared practically from nowhere and demanded to see their rights of passage.
These papers were calmly produced. The soldiers reviewed them, though it was obvious to Jake that in fact neither man knew quite how to read. The pair were poor conscripts taken from some north country tavern in England during a drunken stew. They’d be eminent candidates for desertion — but now was not the time to convert them.
“ Do you want me to help you with that?” Jake offered congenially, slipping from his horse and going to the soldiers to turn the paper in its proper direction.
“ How do we know you wouldn’t read the wrong thing?” one of the men said gruffly. He poked his bayoneted musket in Jake’s direction, but the American put his hand gently on the barrel and turned it away.
“ Because I am a loyal subject of King George, just as you are,” said Jake, reaching into his jacket. “Care for a pinch of snuff?”
“ Never touch the stuff,” said the soldier.
“ Well, I will, sir, and thank you for it,” said the other man, cheerfully handing back the papers.
Jake held out the silver snuffbox.
“ Very nice,” said the man, taking it and opening it carefully.
“ You must be a gentleman or something, eh?” said the other soldier.
“ Or something. What’s this? Your friend seems sleepy.”
Jake grabbed the box from the man’s hand just as he collapsed to the ground.
“ Jesus. Tom! Tom, get up, damn it, before the corporal comes. What’d you do to him, mister?”
“ Me?” Jake flailed his hands, warding off blame. “What could I have done? I was talking to you.”
“ And he — Jesus, I’m — “
Falling asleep, too, as Jake’s innocent protests had shaken the powder into the man’s face.
As a matter of fact, Jake felt as if he could use a good strong cup of coffee right about now. But first things first.
“ I was about to suggest your magic dust might be appropriate,” said van Clynne.
“ Grab their guns, then help me get their clothes off.”
“ What for?”
“ If you were as inventive as you claim, you’d already know.”
“ You’re not going to suggest that I wear a redcoat uniform!” protested van Clynne. “My father will turn over in his grave!”
If they had had time to sew these two uniforms together, Jake surely would have suggested that. In the actual event, however, it was he who donned the private’s coat. Van Clynne fulfilled the other part of his plan,
