When the time approached, Brown sent word to the sergeant that he preferred to meet in a local pub instead of in the officers’ quarters or the major’s office. He arrived early and took a table in the corner so that he could observe those who entered and left the tavern. At the appointed hour, the door was thrust open by a brute of a man, no taller than Brown but fifty pounds heavier. His considerable paunch went relatively unnoticed, as an observer’s eyes were drawn to his great shoulders and bull neck. He glanced around the room and then moved gracefully to where the lieutenant was sitting.

He saluted and said, “Sir, I’ve been ordered to report to you.”

Brown returned the salute without rising and said, “Sergeant, please have a seat, be at ease, and share an ale with me.”

Baker was surprised by these opening remarks and sat stiffly in the chair opposite Brown. He was not accustomed to being offered such an invitation, although, like other experienced enlisted men, he shared the conviction of innate superiority over junior officers whose rank exceeded their capabilities.

When their drinks were served, Brown began with a statement that he had carefully prepared. “Sergeant, it is my understanding that you are the most competent and experienced fighting man on this post. I have to state that I stand at the other extreme, having had little training and no experience except in the use of a sword and pistols, almost exclusively in personal contests. My primary duties now are to serve Major Furlong as an assistant and to concentrate on gathering intelligence. However, I have a desire, approved by the major, to learn as much as possible about military skills. My hope is that you will be willing to assist me as my instructor. When we are together, at least for a few months, there will be no consideration of relative rank, just as you have related to officer trainees who are seeking their first commission.”

The sergeant was silent for an uncomfortable period of time and then asked, “Am I permitted to speak frankly, sir?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then let me say that I don’t like the proposal, sir, or the decision. Why should I assume the role of a drill master in addition to my other duties, and what is the reason for your request to the major?”

Brown replied, “Let me answer your second question first, by describing the circumstances that brought me here. I have some influence in London, which permitted me to be given a commission and then sent to South Carolina and on into Georgia, where I was deeded a large landholding and enough indentured servants to work it. As a special representative of the governor of South Carolina, I was asked to assess the loyalty of citizens in the region around the upper Savannah River. One night in Augusta, I was surrounded by a large group of brigands and traitors, humiliated in a mock trial, and severely abused by these criminals—in fact, covered with tar and feathers—because I professed my loyalty to the king. When I reported this tragic event to authorities, it became clear that they were not prepared to acknowledge the crime publicly, most likely because of inadequate means of contending successfully with the men who had abused me. It is for that reason that I was asked to leave Carolina. Now I have only two purposes in my life: to preserve the authority of the crown in the colonies and to seek vengeance against those who have wronged me.”