A SQUAD OF FOUR.
Isaac was in high glee at thus being permitted to visit headquarters,
for even though he went there only by permission of Corporal 'Lige and
not because his presence was desired, it seemed to him that it was in a
certain degree a recognition of the possible fact that he was really a
soldier.
Nathan Beman, however, did not appear to think there was any compliment
in the invitation. Naturally of a suspicious nature, he fancied in some
way this visit might work to his harm, and, in addition, he was
displeased by the air of superiority which was observable in the
corporal when he addressed any remark to the lad.
The old soldier walked several paces in advance of the boys, and did not
appear to think it necessary he should look around to see if they were
following, for in his mind a request to visit headquarters was the same
as an imperative command, and one which no sane person would venture to
disobey.
"I suppose he thinks he can tow me 'round wherever he likes, and I've
got a mind to show him he can't," Nathan said to Isaac, motioning with
his thumb toward the corporal.
"It's Colonel Allen who wants to see you," Isaac ventured to suggest
timidly.
"How do you know?"
"Why Corporal 'Lige said so."
"I ain't certain that makes it true, 'cause he's said a good many things
that don't amount to much since I've been around this place."
"But the corporal wouldn't lie," Isaac said solemnly, and Nathan added
with a peculiar smile:
"Oh, no, he wouldn't lie!"
"See here, what have you got against the corporal?"
"Me? Why should I have anything against him?"
"That's what puzzles me; but it seems as though you didn't think very
much of him."
"Neither do I. I've seen soldiers up 'round Ticonderoga, not
make-believes like the old man, who is all talk an' no substance."
Isaac's face flushed. He was not disposed to let this stranger make
sport of Corporal 'Lige, whom he knew was thoroughly versed in the art
of warfare, and a brave man withal; but before he had decided in his own
mind how the most telling reproof could be administered, they arrived at
headquarters, which was neither more nor less than a shelter built of
pine boughs, situate so far from the main encampment as to afford some
degree of seclusion.
Isaac judged from the eager look on the faces of the officers that this
visit was considered by them of more importance than it was by Nathan,
and instantly Corporal 'Lige saluted, Colonel Allen asked:
"Are both the lads acquainted with the fort?"
"No, colonel; here is the one who lives up Shoreham way," and he touched
Nathan on the shoulder. "This," he added, motioning toward Isaac, "is a
recruit I have taken under my protection."
It was evident that Colonel Allen came nearer Nathan's standard of a
soldier than Corporal 'Lige, for he stood in a respectful attitude
before the officer as if recognizing the latter's right to question him.
"Is your father alive?" the colonel asked.
"Yes, sir; he owns a farm up on the lake."
"How often have you visited the fort within the past year?"
"Mostly twice a week, sir; never less than once."
"Then you are sufficiently well acquainted with the troops to be able to
gain admission at any time?"
"Yes, sir; father sells a lot of truck there, an' I mostly carry it
over."
"Are you known to Captain Delaplace?"
"Yes, sir, and his wife as well."
"What brought you here, lad?"
"We heard it said there was a lot of soldiers marchin' up this way, and
I didn't have much of anything to do, so come down to have a look at
'em."
"Is it generally known near about where you live that troops are
marching toward the fort?"
"I don't think so, sir. Simon York, a trapper, told father, and it was
agreed between them that nothing should be spoken about it lest the news
get out."
"Do you know how many soldiers there are in the fort now?"
"Near about fifty, sir."
"Hark you, lad, are you minded to do a service for those who would
strike a blow against the king?"
"I suppose that would depend on what it was, an' how much I'd make out
of it," Nathan replied cautiously.
"Then you are not of the mind to do anything toward establishing the
independence of the colonies--it is simply a question of shillings and
pence?"
"Well, sir, perhaps it is something like that," Nathan replied, growing
confused. "Father thinks since the news came from Concord and Lexington
that all the provincials ought to turn to and show their mettle; but
mother says so long as the king's troops buy truck and pay good prices
for it, it is our business to see that we don't take the bread and
butter out of our own mouths."
"I understand; yours is what might be called a divided household," and
Colonel Allen looked around with a smile at his companions.
"I guess I don't know what you mean by that, sir; but things our way are
about as I have told you."
Corporal 'Lige glowered at the boy who thus unblushingly announced that
he measured his patriotism by its value in money, and Isaac wondered
that a lad so young could talk thus pertly to one as high in authority
as was Colonel Ethan Allen.
"If you should be paid six shillings, would you be willing to guide one
of these gentlemen into the fort and come back with him to where our
troops might then be stationed?"
"Which one wants to go?" Nathan asked, not intending to commit himself
until the full details were given.
"This gentleman," and Colonel Allen pointed toward Master Phelps, one of
the Committee from the Connecticut Assembly.
Nathan looked at him critically a moment, and then asked, as if
suspicious some portion of the plan was being kept secret from him:
"Does he want to see Captain Delaplace?"
"He simply wishes to view the fort, and it would be necessary you should
pretend he was a neighbor who had come with no other motive than that of
curiosity."
"You couldn't pass him off for any neighbor of our'n."
"Why not?"
"'Cause he's dressed too fine, an' his face is so pale that anybody'd
know he didn't live 'round here."
"All that may be readily changed," Master Phelps interrupted. "I'll
promise to look so nearly like one of your neighbors that there shall be
no question raised."
"When do I get the six shillings?" Nathan asked.
"After you have performed the work faithfully to the extent of bringing
Master Phelps back to me," Colonel Allen replied, now speaking quite
sharply. "It would be a serious matter indeed if you were to betray him
to the commandant of the fort, or indicate that this body of men are
near at hand."
"If I take the six shillings, I'll earn 'em. It's none of my business
where you folks are, nor what's goin' on 'round the fort; all I'm
looking after is the cash I can make."
"Will you undertake the task?"
"Yes," Nathan replied, and then, as if a sudden thought had come to him,
added:
"I will if this boy goes along too."
"Is he a friend of yours?"
"I don't s'pose so, 'cause I never saw him before; but it's goin' to be
mighty pokey all alone with a man like him," and Nathan pointed to
Master Phelps.
At this point Corporal 'Lige stepped forward and saluted, thus
attracting the colonel's attention, after which he motioned toward the
outside as if to ask for a private interview.
The colonel immediately left the hut, followed by the corporal, and
Nathan looked after them suspiciously, whispering to Isaac:
"Now, what do you s'pose that old imitation soldier is up to? He mustn't
try to get the best of me."
"You needn't be afraid Corporal 'Lige will do anything that's wrong,
'cause he's an honest man, an' no imitation of a soldier; but a true
one."
"I ain't so certain about all that; but you seem to have a pretty good
idea of him, so perhaps he is half-way decent after all."
At his point the old soldier and the colonel returned, the latter saying
when he was inside the hut once more:
"In order that you may have no lack of company I propose that Master
Phelps, Corporal Watkins, and the lad all go with you."
"Who's Watkins?" Nathan whispered to Isaac.
"Why, that's Corporal 'Lige, of course."
"I knew he was stickin' his nose into it some way."
"You'll be glad to have him, 'cause he's jest as good as he can be after
you get acquainted."
Nathan remained silent a few seconds, and then asked abruptly:
"When does the crowd want to go?"
"At once. It should be possible to visit the fort before sunset."
"Well, that's accordin' to how fast they can walk; but if they start,
an' don't get there in time, father'll keep them overnight without
chargin' more'n what's right for the lodgings."
"Very well; you may make ready to set out immediately, and when you have
returned the money shall be paid you."
"I'm ready now."
"Master Phelps will need a few moments in which to prepare himself for
the journey, and I doubt not but that the corporal and his comrade have
some belongings which they will want to take with them. Remain you here,
lad, until the others have made all necessary preparations and are in
condition for the journey."
This was a command which Nathan could not well disobey; but he looked
toward Isaac while the latter was hurried away by Corporal 'Lige, as if
there were yet other questions concerning this project which he would
like to ask.
"Don't turn back, lad," the old soldier said when his _protege_ made a
move as if to return. "There's to be no time lost, and you'll have good
opportunity for talking once we're on the road."
"How did it happen the colonel sent you and me?" Isaac asked when the
two were so far from headquarters that his words could not be overheard.
"That's owing to the hint I gave Colonel Allen when that young skinflint
made his talk. A lad who won't take sides in this matter 'twixt the
colonies and the king, but holds out for whatever money he can get, is
not to be trusted, accordin' to my way of thinkin'. While he was settin'
himself down for a cold-blooded, close-fisted specimen of humanity such
as you wouldn't look for in one so young, I made up my mind that there
had best be a sharp watch kept of him, else a word or two might be
dropped at the fort which would upset all our plans."
"Do you believe he would take Colonel Allen's money and then betray
him?"
"I am certain a lad who would haggle for six shillings under such
circumstances as this would sell out to the next man who offered half as
much more, and the colonel was of the same mind after I'd mentioned the
matter."
"I don't see why I should go."
"Don't you want to?" the corporal asked in surprise.
"Of course it would be more pleasant than marching with the troops; but
still I can't understand what good it is possible for me to do."
"I don't reckon you will be of any service; but the boy had taken a
notion to have you with him, so it seemed like a good chance for me to
put my oar in, and between the two of us I reckon he won't have much
show of playing double."
In a very few seconds the corporal and Isaac had made their preparations
for the journey, which simply consisted in gathering up all their
belongings, much to the surprise of the lad, who questioned whether, if
they were to go to the fort apparently from motives of curiosity, it was
well they carried muskets.
"If it seems necessary we can leave them where this boy lives; but it is
certain we cannot depend on any one else bringing our luggage along for
us, so take what we own, lad, an' then be at home wherever we stop."
When the two returned to headquarters they found Master Phelps awaiting
their coming, and Nathan kept close and suspicious watch upon each
person and everything within his range of vision.
The messenger from the General Assembly had made a very decided change
in his personal appearance, and Isaac was forced to look twice before
feeling positive this was the same Master Phelps whom he had seen a few
moments before.
Now he was clad after the fashion of a farmer, in garments which he had
probably borrowed from some member of the troop; his face was browned
and soiled, while his hands were exceedingly dirty, and even Nathan must
have been satisfied that the commandant of the fort would not see in
this visitor other than he professed to be.
"If that lad had a trifle more sense he'd understand there wasn't
anything to be gained by deceiving him," the corporal said in a low tone
to Isaac; "but he's so self-opinionated he thinks everybody is plotting
mischief against him."
"You don't seem to like him very well," Isaac ventured to say, and
Corporal 'Lige replied emphatically:
"Neither do I."
"Then unless he an' I go off by ourselves, I don't reckon this will be a
very pleasant journey," Isaac said to himself as he thought of the
corporal and Nathan, each distrusting and making complaint against the
other.
Colonel Allen was determined there should be no delay in the setting out
of this spying expedition, and immediately the corporal and Isaac showed
themselves he insisted that the little party start without further loss
of time.
Young Beman at once showed his preference as to a traveling companion,
for he ranged himself by Isaac's side, and when the corporal would have
joined them, said curtly:
"You'd better keep back with the other man. I s'pose I'll have to lead
the way, and when we strike off the main road the path ain't wide enough
for more than two."
"Don't the highway lead to Shoreham?" the corporal asked suspiciously.
"Yes; but we can save more'n four miles by cuttin' through the woods,"
and Nathan hurried Isaac on as a means both of putting an end to the
corporal's inquiries, and forcing him to join Master Phelps.
Once the journey was well begun young Beman presented himself in a more
favorable light.
He ceased to refer to the corporal as an "imitation soldier," and gave
no further evidence of being suspicious; but questioned Isaac as to what
the town of Pittsfield was like, and concerning Boston, where young Rice
had visited two years previous in company with his father.
Master Phelps was not accustomed to this method of traveling, and when
the guide struck into the woods where the trail lead alternately over a
hilly and swampy country he was soon forced to declare that he could not
proceed at such a rapid pace.
"You will have to slacken up a bit," Corporal 'Lige shouted, "for the
gentleman ain't used to this kind of footin'."
"We can't go very slow, else we shan't get to the fort before sunset,"
Nathan replied indifferently, and Master Phelps said in a tone which
admitted of no argument:
"It isn't possible for me to keep pace with you. If it so be we fail to
finish the journey before dark, we can take lodgings with your father
and accomplish our purpose early to-morrow morning."
The prospect of introducing to his father guests who would pay for all
they received, was so satisfactory to young Beman that he made no
protest at being thus forced to slacken pace. It may be he was
unnecessarily slow from this time out, for it was already dark when they
arrived at the guide's home, and Nathan said to Master Phelps before
entering the building:
"I'll tell father you folks want to stay all night, and that's as much
as I need say. If you count on explaining why you have come, it's none
of my business. The officer what hired me said I was to keep quiet about
everything I'd seen down to the camp, so I might as well begin by
holding my tongue."
Then Nathan ushered the guests into the kitchen, where was found Mr.
Beman sitting by the fireplace, for the night had grown cold and chill,
while his wife was preparing the supper.
"Here are some travelers who want to stay all night," Nathan announced,
and added in a lower tone to Isaac, "Come out to the barn with me while
I do my chores; there's no fun in sittin' here."
Five minutes later the three men followed the boys, and Isaac fancied it
was Master Phelps' intention to explain to the farmer the purpose of
their coming, but that he feared to do so in the presence of the
mistress of the household, who, if her son had quoted her words
correctly, favored the king's representatives rather than the colonists
in the doings which had lately arisen.
Nathan took good care that his new friend should perform a full share of
the evening's work, and Isaac assisted in milking the cows, carrying
water, and chopping wood until he had of a surety earned as bountiful a
spread as could be set before him.
The farmer and his guests did not appear until they had been summoned
twice after the appetizing meal was placed upon the table, and while she
was impatiently awaiting them, Mrs. Beman questioned her son sharply as
to what business his father could have with the strangers.
For a time Nathan avoided making any direct answer; but when his mother
pressed him closely he answered her quite as pertly as he had Colonel
Allen, by saying:
"I'm to be paid for holdin' my tongue about whatever is goin' on--I'll
have six shillings by this time to-morrow night, an' I can't afford to
talk to anybody."
"Six shillings just for holding your tongue, Nathan?"
"Well, it's for that an' a little more; but I ain't goin' to make any
talk, so if you want me to earn the money you'd better stop askin'
questions."
"Is your father going to get as much?"
"I don't know anything about his trades; it's all I can do to take care
of my own, an' work 'em through accordin' to the agreement, when there's
so much questionin' goin' on," Nathan replied quite sharply, and his
mother, who was evidently as prudent as himself in financial matters,
desisted from pressing him further.
After this brief conversation Isaac felt positive Corporal 'Lige need
have no fear regarding possible treachery on Nathan's part, for if the
boy refused to tell his mother he surely would be close-mouthed in the
presence of others.
When the party finally made their appearance and were seated at the
supper table, the three men evidently on the best of terms with each
other, Mrs. Beman's curiosity was still further aroused, as was but
natural. Yet no word was dropped during the progress of the meal, nor so
long as the guests remained downstairs, which could have given her the
slightest clew.
It was Nathan's purpose to have Isaac for a bed-fellow; but to this his
mother made emphatic protest, and when the time for retiring came the
three guests were conducted to a room adjoining the kitchen, while the
farmer's family retired to the loft above.
Then it was in cautious whispers that Isaac told the corporal why he
felt confident there was no danger Nathan would betray them, and the old
soldier said grimly:
"He didn't have a fair test when he was talking with his mother, 'cause
there was no chance she would pay him for the information. What I'm
afeared of is that some one may offer him more than Colonel Allen did,
an' then I'll go bail everything he knows will come out in short order."
"I don't believe he would do other than he has agreed."
"Well, lad, you hold to that opinion, an' I'll have my own, an' 'twixt
the two of us I reckon he won't be able to do any mischief. His father
is a proper kind of man; holds to it that the colonists are right in
making war against the king, and stands ready to do all he can in
furtherance of the cause. Therefore if this young jack-a-napes holds
himself too high an' mighty in the mornin' we shan't be wholly in his
power."
When day dawned, however, Corporal 'Lige had no reason to complain of
Nathan.
The lad showed himself of the mind to earn the six shillings, and now
that he was at home, appeared less suspicious of his companion's
intentions.
Perhaps this was due in part to the fact that his father, well knowing
what the visitors would have, took it upon himself to give the guide
positive instructions, and at an early hour Nathan set out accompanied
by Master Phelps.
It was his intention that Isaac should be one of the party; but to this
the farmer made decided objections, insisting that more than one
stranger might cause suspicion, and therefore it was that Corporal 'Lige
and his pupil remained quietly at the farm until noon of that day, when
the delegate from the Connecticut Assembly returned well pleased with
what he had seen.
In a private conversation held with the corporal he reported that strong
though the fortification was, the walls were in a state of great
dilapidation; few, if any, precautions taken against surprise; military
discipline was hardly known, and the sentinels in particular were remiss
in their duty.
Master Phelps had no difficulty in making such investigations as he
chose, and declared that in his opinion, providing the garrison could be
taken by surprise, there was nothing to prevent a capture of the fort.
However, in order that all this might be effected, boats were necessary,
and there was not a sufficient number on the shores near about to convey
one-tenth of the men in Colonel Allen's command.
"It is well you have come with me," Master Phelps said to the corporal,
"for while I am returning, you and the lad, accompanied by the farmer,
shall set about seizing all the boats which may be found in this
vicinity, having due heed to your movements, however, lest you proceed
so far in the direction of Crown Point as to arouse suspicions in that
quarter. Work as expeditiously as is in your power, for the troops will
arrive here not later than midnight, and it is absolutely necessary
there be ready proper craft to convey them across the lake."
Then Master Phelps, still holding to Nathan as a guide, set off to meet
the force, which was believed to be rapidly approaching, and the farmer
said impatiently to the corporal:
"If it so be, sir, you count on carrying out the orders given 'twixt now
and dark, it is time for us to be moving, for boats are not plentiful
hereabout, and we shall have a long tramp before gathering as many as
will carry your force across."