6
As the Navy continued to silence the defending fortifications with devastating broadsides, the Rangers waited. Some were outwardly nonchalant, while a few spoke nervously. Danskin reread his last letter from his sweetheart, MacRae prayed, and Dickert oiled his rifle.
“Have you all checked your muskets?” MacKim asked. “Are your flints sharp and spare flints to hand?”
The men nodded.
“Everybody had forty rounds and spare powder? Hatchets and bayonets?”
“We’re all set, sergeant,” Parnell said, seemingly unaffected by the looming battle.
“You Johnny Raws men, follow orders and follow the veterans’ example,” MacKim fussed like an older brother.
Then the order came. “Board the boats! Get on board the boats!”
“That’s us, lads!” Kennedy said. “You all know what to do!”
The Rangers filed
