TICONDEROGA.
It was not necessary Farmer Beman should urge Corporal 'Lige to make
haste in this matter which had been intrusted to him, for the old
soldier understood full well how necessary it was that means of
transportation for the troops should be at hand when the men arrived,
and had good reason to believe that such task as was assigned him could
not be readily performed.
He even showed himself more eager in the work than the farmer, for when
the latter would have delayed in order to eat the noonday meal, the old
man positively refused as he said:
"We can have dinner after Ticonderoga has been taken, but until then
there must be no thought of rest. Although as I understand, detachments
are to be sent to Skenesborough and Panton, it is not positive they can
get boats from there to this point in time, and we must act as if
believing the matter of transportation depended wholly upon ourselves."
Had Nathan been there to witness the old man's activity after some
special work had been set for him, he might have changed his opinion
about the corporal's being an "imitation soldier."
He walked here and there, tiring his companions almost to the verge of
exhaustion, and yet apparently as fresh as when he began; but when the
sun set he had only seventeen boats drawn up on the shore at that point
where it was supposed the troops would halt, and Isaac believed there
were absolutely no more within the radius of a dozen miles.
"I allow you've done your best, corporal," Farmer Beman said as the
three stood looking ruefully at the small number of boats, many of which
would be loaded to the water's edge with half a dozen men, "and it now
stands us in hand to get supper, considerin' we missed our dinner so
completely."
"There must be no time wasted. Let Isaac run up to the house for such
provisions as your wife can spare, and we'll set out in some other
direction, for every craft that we add to this 'ere lot is jest so much
gained."
"You may set out in as many directions as you choose; but you will not
find another boat this night," Farmer Beman said decidedly, and with
what was very like a show of ill-temper. "I've guided you to every place
I know of, and if you are so headstrong as to keep on when there's
little show of accomplishing anything, you must go alone."
"And that's exactly what I shall do," the corporal said emphatically.
"Even though I knew nothing would be accomplished I should keep on
workin' until the force arrived, 'cause it isn't for me to set down and
say my task is finished."
"If that's your idea of soldierin', then I'm mighty glad I haven't
enlisted," and the farmer went deliberately to his home, convinced, as
was his son, that the old corporal was not as well skilled in warfare as
he would have it appear.
Even Isaac was disposed to protest against his teacher's decision, and
urged that it was little less than folly to think of adding to the
fleet, for Farmer Beman had declared positively there were no more boats
in the vicinity.
To this the corporal replied with some warmth, and there might have been
a serious undermining of friendship had not Nathan arrived just at that
moment.
"Well, is that all you've done this afternoon?" he asked sharply, and
the corporal turned on him fiercely.
"Do you know of other boats?"
"Seems to me there's more'n a hundred 'round here."
"Where are they?"
Nathan began a list, mentioning this neighbor or that, and as often
seeing among the collection the craft to which he referred, until
finally he was forced to admit that to the best of his knowledge there
were no more.
"I thought you knew of more than a hundred?" Corporal 'Lige cried
fiercely.
"That's what I reckoned myself; but when I come to figger 'em up they
wasn't there."
"You come with us, an' it may be we'll find another."
"What? After I've walked down to Castleton an' back to-day, I go with
you out rowin'? It'll take more'n six shillings to hire me to do
anything like that this night; besides you haven't got time before the
troops get here."
"How near are they?" Corporal 'Lige asked in alarm.
"Well, they ought'er be showin' up by this time, for I wasn't five
minutes ahead of 'em, and--there they are now!"
Nathan pointed to a group of men who had just come into the clearing
from amid the thicket, and as the old man looked up one of the party
motioned for him to approach.
Although Nathan had announced that he was nearly exhausted from his
ardent labors, his weariness was not so great as his curiosity, and he
followed the corporal and Isaac.
It was Colonel Arnold, Colonel Easton and the two representatives of the
Connecticut Assembly, who had thus come into view, and the former, after
explaining to Corporal 'Lige that the troops had been halted in the
thicket lest they might be seen from the fort even in the gloom, asked
concerning the means of transportation.
Chagrined though he was at his inability to do more, the corporal was
forced to admit that he had hardly a sufficient number of boats to take
over seventy-five or eighty of the men; but this the colonel did not at
the time believe to be of great importance, for it seemed positive
Captain Herrick from Skenesborough, and Captain Douglas from Panton,
must before midnight send craft enough to transfer the entire force.
Therefore it was that the leaders of the party appeared well satisfied,
and the corporal must have come to the conclusion that he had fretted
himself without reasonable cause.
"You will remain in charge of the fleet," Colonel Allen said to the old
soldier, "with the boy to act as your lieutenant, and you may detail two
men as oarsmen in each boat. We will set out as soon as the remainder of
the craft arrives."
Then it was that Nathan believed he saw an opportunity to add to his
earnings of the day, and made the proposition that if the further sum of
four shillings be paid him he would aid in ferrying the troops across,
providing the work could be finished before midnight; but if it should
be delayed until morning he desired to be paid twice that amount.
No one seemed disposed to take advantage of this very generous offer;
now that his particular portion of the work had been done, it was very
much as if every one save Isaac ignored him.
"That's jest the way with these people from down 'round Bennington. They
get all they can for the least money, an' then throw you off. I ought to
have held out for more'n six shillings when I took that Master Phelps,
as you call him, over to the fort."
"But you got paid very well," Isaac suggested.
"Yes, so far as it went; but if I'd thought of all that's going on I
would have put up my price, or held out half-hired till the business was
over."
Now for the first time since their meeting did Corporal 'Lige's pupil
speak sharply to this friend.
"You should be ashamed to demand money for such work as you have done
this day," he said stoutly. "Whatever resistance be made to the king is
for the benefit of all the colonies, and if each one insisted on being
paid, as you've done, his majesty might work his will, for there would
be none to say him nay."
Young Beman was both surprised and injured by this outburst.
"That's what I call pretty tough, after all I've done for you!" he cried
sharply. "If it hadn't been for me you wouldn't have got over here and
had a chance of staying all night in our house."
"I didn't have a chance without paying for it, as I understand Master
Phelps is to settle with your father for our accommodations."
"Yes, an' just before I come away mother told me she thought as likely
as not father'd be such a fool as to refuse to take a cent; but I ain't
goin' to quarrel with you, even if I have been defrauded of what is my
right. Come up to the house an' get some supper, won't you?"
"You mean that I shall partake of the food after I have helped you do
the chores?"
"Well, yes, something like that. Of course you don't expect to get your
supper for nothing."
"No; I'd rather go without than do more work now after tramping around
all the afternoon. There'll be something in the way of rations found in
camp, an' I'll take my chances there."
Young Beman turned away quickly as if angry with this new friend, and
observing the movement Corporal 'Lige asked Isaac:
"What's the trouble with yon skinflint? Haven't been quarrelin', eh?"
"I think I have seen enough of a lad who must be paid for all he does at
such a time," and having said this Isaac went in search of his supper,
not minded to make further explanations.
Weary though he was, the lad was soon forced to aid the corporal in
getting the boats' crews together, and after it was fully dark those
selected to act as oarsmen were marched to the water's edge, that they
might be in readiness when their services were required.
After this there was nothing to be done save await the coming of the
expected craft.
The men were not allowed to build fires lest the lights should be seen
by those in the fort, and so cautious was the leader that even loud
talking was forbidden, therefore the men could do little else than spend
the time in sleeping, a fact by no means disagreeable to the majority
after their march of the day.
On the shore of the lake the oarsmen followed the example of their
comrades in the woods, until all save the corporal and Isaac were
wrapped in the unconsciousness of slumber.
The old soldier, considering himself responsible for the safety of the
fleet, would neither lie down nor allow his young lieutenant to do so,
and they paced to and fro on the sand keeping sharp lookout for the
expected boats, but without avail.
Midnight came, and yet no word from either of the two detachments which
had been sent in search of means of transportation.
Colonel Allen and Colonel Arnold, growing impatient because of the long
delay, came to the shore, and Corporal 'Lige stood stiff as the barrel
of his own musket when he saluted.
"How many can be taken in the boats you have here?" Colonel Arnold
asked.
"Somewhere about eighty, sir, and if it so be you give the word we can
ferry the whole party across in three trips."
"That would never do," Colonel Arnold replied decidedly. "We must go in
a body or give up all hope of surprising the garrison."
In this Colonel Allen was agreed, and the two officers remained near at
hand, now pacing to and fro, and again listening intently for those
sounds which would tell of the hoped-for arrival, until it lacked no
more than two hours of daybreak, when they were joined by Master Phelps
and Colonel Easton, the latter saying sufficiently loud for Isaac to
distinguish the words:
"Unless such a move is made as may be possible with the means at our
disposal, the plan of capturing the fort has come to naught, for it
isn't reasonable to suppose our party can remain in this vicinity
throughout to-morrow without some intimation being given the commandant
by those who live in the vicinity."
What was evidently a conversation between the officers followed; but it
was conducted in so low a tone that Isaac could not hear the words, and
he remained near at hand expecting to receive the order to launch the
boats, until Colonel Easton called him by name.
"You know where is situated the home of the lad who guided Master Phelps
into the fort?"
"Oh, yes, sir; it is but a short distance from here."
"Go you there, and bring the boy."
"I question if he will come, sir, unless I make explanation of why he is
wanted, or promise that he shall be paid for thus disturbing himself. He
seems to have no thought save of money."
"Yet, his father is with us in this matter, I am told, so far as opinion
goes."
"Yes, sir."
"Then go and rouse the lad; if he refuses to come, say to the father
that Colonel Allen requires the services of the boy, and if he answers
not what we make as a request, I will send a detachment to enforce a
demand."
Isaac obeyed promptly, not finding it a simple matter to make his way
across the field in the darkness; but finally succeeding after one or
two tumbles, each of which left their marks in the shape of a scratch or
contusion, and with the first knock at the door he heard Farmer Beman's
voice asking as to who was there.
"It is Isaac Rice, sir, and Colonel Easton has sent me to say that
Colonel Allen desires the attendance of Nathan at once."
"What does he want him for?" the shrill voice of Mrs. Beman cried, and
Isaac replied truthfully that he did not know, since no explanation had
been made him.
Then could be heard the farmer, his wife, and son in what was evidently
an altercation, until no less than five minutes had passed, at the end
of which time young Nathan appeared in the doorway fully clad, as he
asked impatiently:
"How much are they willing to give me for coming out in the night like
this?"
"I think it would be well if you depended upon their generosity,
otherwise it is in Colonel Allen's power to force you to do as he asks,"
Isaac replied curtly, and from the inside Farmer Beman shouted:
"Get you gone, boy, and do their bidding. If I again hear you demanding
money for such services, your jacket shall be tanned with the stoutest
hickory switch I can get hereabouts."
One would have said young Beman was the most abused lad in the province
of New York, as he followed Isaac down to the shore, alternately
bewailing his ill-fortune because he had not given Captain Delaplace
information of the coming of such a body of men, trusting to that
officer's generosity for a greater sum of money than was given him by
Colonel Allen, and vehemently protesting he would not stir one step from
the encampment without being well paid for his services. Colonel Easton,
overhearing this threat, stepped directly in front of the grumbling lad
and called for Corporal 'Lige, much to the surprise of both the boys,
saying when the old soldier arrived:
"Corporal, it is Colonel Allen's wish that this lad remain near him
after we have landed on the other side, to show the way into the fort.
He is not disposed to do so willingly, it seems, and it shall be your
duty to see that the order be obeyed. If he attempts to escape, shoot
him down; but give him gentle treatment so long as he complies with your
requests."
"I'll take care of him, sir, that you may depend on," the corporal said
grimly, and from that instant Nathan Beman remained silent regarding his
desire to be paid for acting the part of guide.
Because of having received this order the corporal was forced to
relinquish his position as commodore of the fleet, and thus it was that
he and his pupil were among the few who entered Ticonderoga early that
morning.
Within five minutes after Nathan had apparently been subdued, word was
passed for as many of the Green Mountain Boys as could be conveyed in
the boats to embark at once, and almost at the same moment Colonel
Easton, turning to the old man, said:
"It is your duty, Corporal 'Lige, to take passage in the same craft that
carries our leader, for the lad of whom you have charge must be kept
where Colonel Allen can speak to him at an instant's notice."
Had the men been allowed to follow their inclinations, the frail boats
which formed the fleet would have been swamped even before they pushed
off from the shore, for every member of the troop was eager to be with
the first division, and it was only after considerable difficulty in the
way of restraining the men that the different craft were properly and
safely loaded.
When the corporal and the lad who was thus virtually held prisoner
entered the boat where was Colonel Allen, Isaac followed as if it was
his right so to do.
He could not fancy any position of affairs where he would be debarred
from remaining with the man who had taken him "under his wing," and it
so chanced that in the excitement of embarking he passed aboard unheeded
by who might have checked him.
The darkness of night was just giving way to the gray light of dawn when
the little fleet put off from the shore, and without being really aware
he did so, Isaac counted the number of those who were thus afloat.
Beside the officers, there were eighty-three, including himself and
Nathan, and it was no longer reasonable to expect that those who had
been sent to Skenesborough and Panton would arrive in time to be of
assistance.
"Will they try to take the fort with so few?" he asked in a whisper of
Corporal 'Lige, and the latter added emphatically:
"If all that is told of Colonel Allen be true, he wouldn't hesitate to
make an attempt single-handed."
"But surely we cannot hope to do much, for fifty men behind a fort
should be a much larger force than ours."
"Savin' and exceptin' these men be surprised, as our leader counts them
in Fort Ticonderoga will be," the corporal replied, and then placed his
finger on his lips that the lad should cease talking, for the order had
been passed from boat to boat just before the fleet left the shore that
no conversation be indulged in.
Nathan, sulky because of having been put in charge of the man whom he
disliked, gave no apparent attention to anything.
In almost perfect silence the journey by water was made, and brought to
an end just as the day was breaking, when, in obedience to signals
rather than words, the men disembarked and were formed in three ranks
close to the water's edge.
Then it was that Colonel Allen advanced to where the men might hear when
he spoke in the tone of ordinary conversation, and said with a calmness
which in itself was impressive:
"There are but few of us here to undertake the work which was cut out;
but yet each of you should be a match for any two whom we may meet.
Should we delay until all the force can be ferried across, there will be
no longer opportunity to surprise the garrison; therefore we must act
for our comrades as well as ourselves, remembering that should we falter
we cast shame on them also. Now, lads, it is my purpose to march into
the fort, and I only ask that you follow where I lead."
The officers stepped forward quickly to make certain there should be no
cheering, and wheeling about with true military precision Colonel Allen
started forward, Colonel Arnold by his side, and Corporal 'Lige with
Nathan and Isaac directly in the rear.
Behind them came eighty of the Green Mountain Boys.
There was no command given.
Each of the men copied the movements of the leader, and noiselessly but
rapidly they made their way up the heights toward the sallyport, Isaac's
face paling as he went, for he believed of a surety now was come the
time when he should hear the clash of arms and find himself in the midst
of combatants, each striving to take the other's life.
On passing an angle at the rear of the fortification the entrance of a
trench or covert-way was come upon and here they surprised a sentinel
half asleep, leaning against the earthwork.
Awakened thus suddenly, and seeing what he might naturally suppose to be
the advance guard of a large force directly upon him, he took hasty aim
at Colonel Allen and pulled the trigger.
Involuntarily Isaac closed his eyes, believing their leader must be
killed at such short range, but the weapon hung fire and the sentinel
took to his heels through this trench, the attacking party following at
full speed.
The fugitive led the way to the parade-ground within the barracks, where
was found another sentinel, and he made a thrust with his bayonet at
Colonel Easton, who was side by side with the leaders; but had hardly
raised his weapon before a blow from the flat of Colonel Allen's sword
sent him headlong to the ground.
At this the men, unable longer to control themselves, gave vent to a
tremendous shout, and without orders separated into two divisions, each
bent on gaining possession of the barrack ranges.
As bees swarm out of their hives, so did the startled redcoats rush from
the buildings, and it seemed to Isaac as if instantly each man appeared
he was disarmed by one of the Green Mountain Boys, who, as fast as he
secured a captive, marched him to the center of the parade-ground in
order that he might not block up the entrance of the barracks.
Now was come the moment when Nathan's services were required.
It was no longer possible to keep silence, for the shouts of the men
must have aroused every one within the inclosure, and turning quickly,
Colonel Allen cried in a loud voice:
"Get you before me with that lad, corporal and let him lead the way to
the commandant's quarters."
Nathan did not require urging.
He understood that this man had come with serious purpose, and knew full
well it might be dangerous for him to hang back.
Darting ahead as swiftly as the corporal would allow, he conducted
Colonel Allen to the door of Captain Delaplace's dwelling, and the
leader gave three resounding knocks with the hilt of his sword, as he
shouted:
"Surrender this fort, commandant! Surrender at once in order to save the
lives of your men!"
The door was quickly opened in response to this demand, and a half-clad
man, over whose shoulder could be seen the frightened face of a woman,
appeared in the doorway.
Before he could speak Colonel Allen cried:
"I order you instantly to surrender, sir!"
"By whose authority do you make such demand?" the captain cried with
dignity.
"In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!"
These words sounded in Isaac's ears like the thunder of cannon, and even
while he questioned to himself if it were possible this handful of men
had really captured the fortress, Ticonderoga was surrendered.