Thus he went alone and travelled far. He knew the country nearly
to Montreal and late in July was lurking about Odletown, when he
overheard scattered words of a conversation that made hin eager
for more. "Colonel Murray - - twelve hundred men -- four hundred
men --"
Meanwhile Rolf was hiding in the woods about La Colle Mill.
Company after company of soldiers he saw enter, until at least
five hundred were there. When night came down, he decided to risk
a scarer approach. He left the woods and walked cautiously across
the open lands about.
The hay had been cut and most of it drawn in, but there was in
the middle of the field a hay-cock. Rolf was near this when he
heard sounds of soldiers from the mill. Soon large numbers came
out, carrying their blankets. Evidently there was not room for
them in the mill, and they were to camp on the field.
The scout began to retreat when sounds behind showed that another
body of soldiers was approaching from that direction and he was
caught between the two. There was only one place to hide and that
was beneath the haycock. He lifted its edge and crawled under,
but it was full of thistles and brambles; indeed, that was why it
was left, and he had the benefit of all the spines about him.
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