See that a steady and
experienced driver is told off with them. They had best start at
daybreak tomorrow morning."
At the appointed time the wagon was in readiness, and those who had
to accompany Malcolm gathered round, together with many of their
comrades who had assembled to wish them Godspeed. The pikes and
muskets, helmets and breast pieces were placed in the wagon, and
then the fever stricken band formed up before it.
Munro, Nigel, and most of the officers came down to bid farewell
to Malcolm, and to wish him a speedy return in good health. Then he
placed himself at the head of the band and marched off, the wagon
following in the rear. Before they had been gone a mile several
of the men had been compelled to take their places in the wagon,
and by the time three miles had been passed the rest had one by
one been forced to give in.
Malcolm was one of the last. He took his seat by the driver, and
the now heavily freighted wagon moved slowly across the country.
A store of provisions sufficient for several days had been placed
in the wagon, and after proceeding fifteen miles a halt was made
at a deserted village, and two of the houses in the best condition
were taken possession of, Malcolm and the sergeant of the party, a
young fellow named Sinclair, occupying the one, and the men taking
up their quarters in another.
The next morning the benefit of the change and the removal from
the fever tainted air made itself already apparent.
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