NATHAN BEMAN.
In his fear and trouble it seemed to Isaac as if this stranger might
render him some valuable assistance.
It was as if he stood alone amid the recruits, now that Corporal 'Lige
had been claimed, so to speak, as leader of the Pittsfield faction, and
the lad needed some one to whom he could appeal for advice.
Therefore it was that while the new-comer was staring about him as if
distracted by the tumult, Isaac approached in the most friendly manner
as he asked:
"Are you a recruit?"
"What do you mean by that?"
"Do you belong to the soldiers here?"
"Do you call these soldiers?" the stranger asked almost contemptuously.
"Well, if they ain't, what do you call them?"
"They look to me like a crowd of folks what was goin' to have a fight
pretty soon."
"That's jest what I'm afraid of. Say, do you live near here?"
"No, I came from Shoreham. We heard there was a crowd comin' to take
Fort Ticonderoga, an' seein's how they didn't get along very fast, I
thought I'd come an' hunt 'em up. Do you count yourself a soldier?"
"I did when I left Pittsfield; but I've kind'er got over that feelin'
now. What's your name?"
"Nathan Beman."
"Mine's Isaac Rice."
"What made you come out with a crowd like this?"
"All the folks 'round our way was enlisting, and they said it was the
duty of everybody to fight against the king. Besides that the corporal
was going, an' he agreed to put me through in great shape."
"Who's the corporal?"
"That's him over there with the red coat on."
"Do you allow an old chap like him could put anybody through in very
great shape?"
"You mustn't talk like that about Corporal 'Lige where anybody will hear
you. Why, he's a regular soldier; fought under General Abercrombie in
'58, an' I reckon if it hadn't been for him the king's troops would have
got it terrible bad."
"An' that's about the way they did get it."
"Well, Corporal 'Lige is here now, an' it'll be different. Did you ever
see the fort?"
"See it? Why, I'm over there pretty near very week. Our folks sell eggs
an' chickens an' such truck to the garrison, an' I know the place jest
like I do my own home."
"Do you s'pose we can take it?"
"There seems to be a sight of you here; but I shouldn't want to make a
guess till after I'd seen whether there's going to be a row among all
hands or not. Father says when thieves fall out honest men get their
due."
However frightened Isaac might be, he was not disposed to allow any boy
of his own size to call the members of this army thieves, even though
they were in a state of insubordination, and forgetting all his fears he
demanded sternly:
"Who are you calling thieves?"
"Now, you needn't get so huffy, 'cause I didn't mean anything," Nathan
replied quietly, and yet with no show of alarm; "but father is always
sayin' that, an' I s'pose it means--well I don't know what, except that
all hands of you are fightin' here, an' it looks like as if Captain
Delaplace would get the best of it."
"Who's he?"
"The commandant of the fort, of course."
"Well, see here, Nathan, it begins to look as though there was goin' to
be a row for a fact, and I hoped you lived close by so I could go to
your house till it was over."
"But you're a soldier, ain't you?"
"Not much of one."
"Well, if you've enlisted, a fight is right where you belong," and
Nathan appeared to think this settled the matter beyond any argument.
"I ain't so certain of that; but even if I do belong in a fight I shan't
stay in one. It seems like as if Corporal 'Lige had turned me off, an'
all he's thinking about is helping our crowd get the best of the
Stockbridgers."
"Well, there ain't anything very dangerous here yet awhile; suppose we
wait an' see how things turn? I don't care overmuch for fightin' myself;
but that's no reason why I shouldn't want to know whether there's likely
to be a row or not."
Isaac admired the courage of his new acquaintance and immediately
adopted him as a protector, taking up his position a pace or two in the
rear of Nathan as he watched the threatening movements.
The recruits from Pittsfield and vicinity were standing in close order
with the corporal at their head, evidently ready for whatever turn might
come in affairs.
Some of them retained their weapons; but the majority appeared to have
more confidence in their fists, and with arms bared to the elbow were
awaiting the word which would precipitate them upon the small body from
Stockbridge who guarded the treasure.
This last detachment had either learned of the advice given by Corporal
'Lige, or scented danger because they were so few in numbers as compared
with the other two factions, and were standing shoulder to shoulder
ready to resist an expected attack.
A short distance away the Green-Mountain Boys remained strictly by
themselves; but not giving any sign of taking part in the lawless
proceedings. So long as Ethan Allen was considered the head of the
expedition they were satisfied to stand aloof from any brawl.
As has been said before, the leading officers were nowhere to be seen;
some of the better informed declared they were in the shelter near by
which had been used as their quarters during the night, and with Colonel
Arnold were discussing the question of superiority in rank.
Corporal 'Lige hesitated to give the word which should precipitate the
riot.
He had been elevated to the position of leader and perhaps the
responsibility weighed heavily upon him, for certain it is that after
advising what should be done, he evinced a disposition to retire from
what might be the scene of a conflict.
"Look here, old man, we're ready to do as you have said. Now give the
word and lead us on to those recruits. We'll soon find out what they're
made of," one of the men said as the corporal turned toward the rear
much as though intending to join Isaac and Nathan:
"Yes, give the word. This is your plan, and we're ready to carry it out
as you have said!"
"Fair an' easy; fair an' easy, comrades," Corporal 'Lige said
soothingly. "A good general doesn't depend wholly on his plan until he's
made certain of the enemy's position. You don't allow that we can rush
in hilter-skilter an' hope to work our purpose, eh?"
"Why not? There are only a dozen of them to near fifty of us."
"But look at Colonel Allen's regiment."
"Well, what of them? They are not in this quarrel, for their commander
is leader of the expedition so far."
"No, they are not in it," the corporal said; "but what assurance have we
they won't take a hand as soon as we begin operations? Don't you allow
they know what the Stockbridge men brought with them?"
"Why, everybody in camp knows that."
"Then do you suppose they're goin' to stand by idly while we take the
money and munitions?"
The men began to murmur among themselves, and Corporal 'Lige appeared
well satisfied that they should thus consume the time; but before many
minutes had passed one and another spoke derisively of the old man,
asking what his plan was good for if he didn't dare carry it out, or why
he had not made mention of what Colonel Allen's men might do in event of
his suggestion being acted upon?
At first the corporal was not minded to take heed of these disparaging
remarks; but as the clamor increased he was forced to defend himself,
and made answer sharply:
"The plan was good, and the only one likely to succeed. When I got that
far with it you jumped to the idea that it should be worked out at once.
Now all the while I was keeping my eye fixed on Colonel Allen's men,
tryin' to make up my mind what they'd do when we struck the first blow,
and I haven't decided yet."
"You're a coward! You claimed to be an old soldier, and to know more of
warfare than any one in this encampment, not excepting the commanders,
but yet you don't dare lead fifty men against a dozen!"
"If I don't dare it isn't because I'm afraid of bodily injury; but I
can't afford to stake my reputation as a soldier where the chances are
likely to be so heavy against us. It's one thing to have a good plan,
an' just as important to know when to carry it out. If we hang together
an' are ready to take advantage of the first opportunity that comes,
then we'll be showing our strength; but not by rushing in hilter-skilter
like a crowd of boys primed for a rough-an'-tumble fight."
Corporal 'Lige's argument was evidently considered a good one, for at
once the outcries which had been raised against him died away, the men
yet remaining in position as if ready to act upon any suggestion he
might make.
"I don't reckon there's goin' to be much trouble 'round here after all,"
Nathan said in a tone of disappointment, and Isaac gave vent to a sigh
of relief. "It strikes me that old man crawled out of a pretty small
hole."
"Do you mean to say he wouldn't dare do what the men wanted?"
"Well, he would be a pretty poor stick if he didn't. There's four of
this crowd to one of that. What I allow is he's afraid of the officers,
and if this is any kind of a military company he's got good cause to be,
accordin' to the way things run up to the fort. There you wouldn't hear
privates tellin' who should command 'em, an' who shouldn't, else they'd
find themselves in trouble."
At this moment a great shout went up from the Green-Mountain Boys, and
as the two factions who had stood facing each other ready for the
encounter glanced around quickly, they saw Colonel Ethan Allen
approaching.
Then the Stockbridge men set up a shout, for Colonel Arnold stepped to
Allen's side as if of equal rank, and the Pittsfield detachment remained
silent, because Colonel Easton was walking in the rear of these two
officers.
"It looks as if our colonel had given in, an' wasn't countin' on
standin' up for his own rights," Corporal 'Lige said mournfully. "Let
one of you run over there an' tell him what we're ready to do. Say we'll
begin the scrimmage as soon as he gives the word."
This order was obeyed, and the little troop watched the messenger as he
approached the colonel, and, without so much as touching his cap by way
of salute, spoke earnestly during a few seconds.
Then Colonel Easton was seen to shake his head decidedly, and the man
returned to his fellows looking thoroughly ashamed.
"What's the matter?" Corporal 'Lige asked sharply.
"He says if we had any idea of our duties as soldiers we should be less
ready to advise and more eager to obey."
"There's a good deal of sense in that," the corporal said thoughtfully;
"but at the same time I claim matters are in such shape that we're
justified in making the proposition. When a body of men have got a
commander what won't stand up for himself, it's time the rank and file
took the matter in hand."
"Is that what you call good soldiering?" Nathan Beman asked shrilly, and
Isaac clutched his new friend by the arm frantically for it alarmed him
that any one should dare ask such a bold question of the corporal.
The old man turned around angrily; opened his mouth as if to speak, and
then, repenting of his purpose, faced the on-coming officers once more,
much as if to say that such a question from such a questioner was not
worthy of regard.
The group of officers advanced until they were standing at equal
distances from each of the three factions, and Colonel Allen said,
speaking slowly and distinctly, looking at the forces from Stockbridge
and Pittsfield:
"It is no secret that you men are disgruntled because I have been chosen
commander of the expedition. You are enlisted as militia from the
province of Massachusetts and as enroled men have no voice in choosing a
commander. Therefore I propose to make no explanation of the matter; but
have taken this opportunity to address you in order to say that, by the
advice and with the consent of the others in command, those of you who
cannot obey such orders as may be given regardless of who is the leader,
had best return home from this point. It shall not be counted against
you as deserters, for the names of those who are unwilling to serve
cheerfully will be stricken quietly from the rolls, without any mention
whatever, dishonorable or otherwise. Colonel Arnold presents himself
with due authority from the province of Massachusetts to take command of
any troops not exceeding four hundred which may be raised for the
purpose of attacking Fort Ticonderoga. Under all the circumstances he
has decided to wave his claim of rank and act as volunteer until the
purpose for which we have advanced be accomplished. Now, then, those of
you who cannot obey my orders, step to the right."
The Green-Mountain Boys began to raise shouts of approval, but their
colonel checked them by saying sternly:
"Silence in the ranks! Let no man dare give voice to his approval or
disapproval of what may occur in this encampment!"
It was as if Colonel Easton believed some of his men might take
advantage of the opportunity, and stepping quickly to the side of Allen,
he said:
"Lads, when the question came up last night as to who should lead this
expedition, I cast the first vote for Colonel Allen. He is a soldier of
much experience and great ability. It is my earnest desire that he take
upon himself the responsibility of directing our movements, and
whatsoever he orders shall be performed by me faithfully and promptly."
Colonel Arnold made no attempt to address his men, and the three
officers stood in silence several moments, after which Allen said:
"Because none of you have signified your desire to be relieved from the
enlistment, we will suppose all are willing to go forward, and from now
out there can be no excuse for insubordination or hesitation."
This said, the officers withdrew once more, and now that their colonel
was no longer there to check them the Green Mountain Boys set up a shout
of triumph, which was answered by derisive yells from Corporal 'Lige's
troop, and apparent indifference by the men from Stockbridge.
"I reckon I may as well go home now," Nathan said in a low tone to
Isaac. "There don't seem to be any chance of a row because the men are
going to give in easy enough; but I'd like to see 'em find their way
into the fort. It ain't so easy as they're countin' on."
"Who is this boy, Isaac?" Corporal 'Lige asked as he stepped toward the
lads, apparently glad of an opportunity to disengage himself from those
who had shown they were ready to obey his commands.
Isaac gave such explanation as was within his power, and the old man
asked, addressing Nathan:
"What do you know about Fort Ticonderoga?"
The boy made reply much as he had to Isaac, and the corporal questioned
him sharply:
"Have you been allowed to roam over the fortification at will?"
"There was no reason why I shouldn't. I know all the boys who live in
the fort, an' after I finished what I went for, who'd stop us from goin'
'round?"
"How many soldiers are there in the place?"
"Somewhere about fifty, I should think."
"Women and children?"
"Yes, 'most twice as many, I reckon, though I never counted 'em."
"And you say you know all the ins and outs of the fort?"
"Look here, how many times do you want me to tell you? Of course I do;
but what's that got to do with you?"
Nathan spoke in such a disrespectful tone that Isaac literally trembled
lest the corporal should fall upon him in his wrath.
"Wait you here till I come back, an' see to it that you don't move from
this spot."
The corporal gave this command in his sternest tones, and without
waiting for a reply hastened off in the direction where the officers had
disappeared, while Nathan stood looking at his new acquaintance in
mingled surprise and bewilderment.
"Now, what does that old man mean when he tells me to wait here? What
right's he got to order me 'round?"
"Don't get disgruntled," Isaac said imploringly. "I tell you he's a
great soldier, and you'll see that his order means something, 'cause the
corporal don't make foolish talk."
"Then, what was it I heard when I come up here an' he was tellin' the
men what to do, but backed down after findin' they were ready to follow
him?"
"That part of it was all right. The time hadn't come for him to carry
out his plans, and he explained it. Couldn't you hear him?"
"I heard what he said; but that didn't deceive me."
Then Isaac explained with many a detail why the old man was the ablest
soldier in the encampment, and while he was trying to convince the
skeptical Nathan, Corporal 'Lige returned, looking very important and
mysterious.
"You're to come with me," he said tapping Nathan on the shoulder.
"Where?" the boy asked sharply.
"I said you were to come with me."
"Well, you may say it again before I go. I want to know what you're
thinkin' of doin'. I ain't one of these make-believe soldiers that can
be ordered 'round by such as you."
During an instant the corporal glowered at the boy as if of a mind to
chastise him for his too familiar words, and then Isaac interposed to
save his new-found friend from what he feared would be most severe
punishment.
"He'll go with you, Corporal 'Lige; don't be angry with him. You see
he's a stranger here, an' doesn't understand what----"
"I understand enough not to go till I know what he's about," Nathan
cried angrily, wrenching himself free from Isaac's detaining grasp and
leaping back a few paces.
The corporal clapped his hand to his side as if to raise a sword, and
then realizing that he had no such weapon, said in a remarkably
conciliatory tone:
"I told Colonel Allen that you were well acquainted with the interior of
the fort, and he would speak with you a few moments."
"Well, if you'd said that in the first place I would have been willing;
but when you jumped down on me as if I was one of these recruits, I
wasn't goin' to stand it."
"If you are willin' to come, follow me."
"Am I to go with you?" Isaac asked pleadingly, and the corporal
hesitated an instant before replying:
"Yes, lad, I don't reckon it'll do any harm, and it may give you an
insight into the way we manage military affairs."