The day was intensely hot, the wind nearly southwest, the sky deep
blue toward the horizon, but waning to a hazy gold color in the
zenith, when, at an early hour on the Saturday morning, the great
flotilla of General Abercrombie got under way. One large boat, modeled
like a whaleboat, and so designated in contemporary accounts, led the
way, with the active and energetic second in command, accompanied by a
portion of his own regiment. The rest followed, spreading out in the
shape of an irregular wedge over the face of the lake, and the whole
steered at once directly toward the narrows. Fresh, and peaceful, and
beautiful was the scene upon that loveliest of lakes, with the wild
mountains and sweeping forests round, and myriads of lovely islands
studding the golden waters like gems. Lord H---- sat somewhat
reclining on his cloak in the stern of the leading boat, with a
telescope in his hand, which, however, he did not use. The scene
presented to his eye had sufficient in its general features to afford
pleasant occupation to the thoughts, and he strove to turn them, as
much as possible, toward objects unconnected with his own fate, or
with the fate of the expedition.
Diamond Island was soon passed, Long Island left to the eastward, and
the rich, narrow strip of low land extending far into the lake, and
known as Long Point, rounded by the boat in which he sat. He gazed
back to see how near the others were following, and then looked
forward again. French Mountain, Deer Pasture Mountain, Harris' Bay,
Dunham's Bay, were left behind, and the Dame Island, rising up in the
midst of the waters like the cupola of some large submerged cathedral,
was right in front. Many another islet was seen scattered round, while
the peculiar magical effect of the hazy midsummer light made them look
hardly real. At length the high, precipitous cliffs known as Shelving
Rock, on the one hand, and the Tongue Mountain on the other, were seen
in front, announcing the approach to the Narrows, while the top of the
Black Mountain appeared dark and grim over the lower land in the
foreground.
More caution now became necessary, for hitherto no fear had been
entertained that the movements of the flotilla would be discovered by
the enemy's scouts; but that part of the lake most frequently swept by
the French boats was now at hand, and it became necessary to keep as
far inshore as possible, and take advantage of every headland and
island as a means of concealment, in order to hide the approach and
number of the armament till the last moment.
Still, the general orders having been given, Lord H---- lay quiet, and
meditated. On an active and energetic spirit the saddest thoughts are
most apt to obtrude in moments of forced tranquillity. He could not
cast them off. He tried to think of everything that was happy--of
Edith, of his speedy union with her who had become the brightness of
his life--of pleasant days beyond the sea, far away in their peaceful
native land. But still, still, through all the visions he conjured up
of hope and happiness, and long, cheerful hours, came chiming, like
the tolling of a bell, the sad, prophetic words of the question,
"Shall I ever see her more?" and he longed for the moment of landing,
to shake off thought in active exertion.
At length it came. The wild, strange scenery of the Buck Mountain and
the Rattlesnake Dens was seen upon the left, and, stretching out in
front, the low, fertile sweep of land known from that day forward as
Sabbath Day Point. There, in the evening, the troops landed for
refreshment, and the boats were drawn up to the southward, under cover
of the banks and woods, with but a few miles' farther voyage on the
following day ere they reached the point of attack. Happy are the
thoughtless; for though, perhaps, they enjoy not so highly, and their
enjoyment is of a lower kind, yet they can enjoy each sunshiny hour
that God grants them in their course through life. The brief repose,
the pleasant meal, the fair and the strange things around, afforded
matter for much happiness to many a light heart there, during the halt
of the army; but it was not so with Lord H----. He knew that the next
day was to be one of great fatigue, difficulty, and exertion; and in
order that his corporal powers might be in full activity, he lay down
and tried to sleep. But sleep would not come, and he had not closed an
eye when, toward midnight, the order was given to form upon the beach
and re-embark.
Every one, as well as the young nobleman, felt that to be a solemn
moment. The sky was clear and bright, the stars were shining out large
and lustrous; not a breeze moved in the sky; the clear waters of the
lake were smooth as a sheet of glass; the only sound that stirred the
air was the tramp of the troops toward the boats, the whirring insects
in the trees, and the wailing voice of the whip-poor-will. All was
conducted as silently as possible; the oars of the boats were muffled,
and once more Lord H---- led the way with a few bodies of rangers in
several bateaux. The regular troops followed in the center of the
line, and the volunteers of the provinces formed wings on either side.
Stilly and silently the flight of boats skimmed over the waters, till,
after a few hours of solemn darkness, day dawned upon them, revealing
to the scouts of Montcalm upon the rocky eminences near the shore the
full blaze of the English uniforms in the innumerable boats sweeping
down, as if to certain conquest. Somewhat less than one hour more the
first boat neared what is called Prisoners' Island, bore away a little
to the westward, where the ground was open, touched the shore, and the
young nobleman instantly sprang to land. Regiment after regiment
followed. The debarkation was perfectly orderly and uninterrupted, and
it was evident that the French garrison of Ticonderoga, if not
actually taken by surprise, were attacked much sooner than they had
expected.
The number of the Indians with the army was actually small, but it was
known that large parties of Mohawks, Oneidas, and even Onondagas, were
hovering on the flanks, sweeping, in fact, in a crescent, round that
which was then considered the key of Lake Champlain. It was nearly
noon before the disembarkation was completed and the army formed into
three columns, ready for advance. The first column then plunged into
the woods, headed by Lord H---- in person, and pushed on for some way
unopposed, except by the difficulties of the road, which at every step
became greater and greater, from the number of thick juniper bushes
and tangled brushwood which encumbered the ground under the large
trees. The men's strength was spent in contending with these natural
obstructions, and to give them time to breathe, Lord H---- halted his
corps for a moment, at the first open space in the woods which they
reached. He himself leaned upon the short ranger's musket which he
carried in his hand; his fine, expressive countenance glowing with
exercise and eagerness, and beaming encouragement upon the gallant men
who followed him on what they fully believed to be the road to
victory.
At that moment something was heard plunging through the thick
brushwood on the left, and an Indian in his full war costume, painted
and armed, burst out into the open space, holding up a piece of paper
in his hand. He darted instantly toward the commander of the column,
lifting the paper high, and Lord H----, who was just upon the point of
giving the order to advance again, paused, and stretched forth his
hand. What the man gave him was not a letter, but apparently merely a
leaf torn out of a pocketbook; and the moment it was delivered, the
Indian, whose eyes had been gleaming with eagerness, dropped his arms
by his side, and stood as still as a statue. Lord H---- gazed upon the
paper, and beheld, written in pencil, apparently in great haste, the
following words:
"There is a masked redoubt in front, as far as I can discover, a
little to the east of the brook. It is concealed by low bushes, and
the gaps in the underwood are filled up with boughs of pine. Edith is
within, a prisoner. Beware! We are marching round rapidly to take it
in reverse--I mean the Oneidas. WALTER PREVOST."
Several of the superior officers had gathered round, and amongst the
rest a man deservedly famous in those and after times, then simply
known as Major Putnam.
"We have been seen by friends, if not by enemies, Putnam," said Lord
H----, handing him the paper. "What do you advise to be done? You are
more skilled in wood warfare than I am?"
"Send back the Indian," answered Major Putnam. "Let him tell his
brethren to advance as speedily as possible and help to clear the
woods. Then give me a hundred rangers and a handful of Indians, and I
will push on myself and make a way for you."
"Good!" said Lord H----. "Call up your men, Putnam, while I send away
the Indian."
Beckoning up an interpreter, the young nobleman gave their savage
allies directions, telling them particularly to report the exact spot
which the column had reached; and by the time this was done and the
man gone, Major Putnam had placed himself at the head of his little
party, ready to dash on.
"Stay, Putnam!" said Lord H----. "You command, but I go with you!"
Putnam paused and dropped the point of his sword, looking almost
aghast. "My lord," he said, "I beg you would forbear. If I am killed,
the loss of my life will be of little consequence to anyone, but the
preservation of your life is of importance to this army!"
Lord H---- laid his hand upon his arm, saying: "Putnam, your life is
as dear to you as mine is to me. I am determined to go. Lead on!"
The next moment they dashed on at quick time along a trail which
opened before them. The few Indians who accompanied the party
scattered, as usual, to the right and left, and for some little way
they made good progress through the tangled wood. At length, however,
all, even to the natives, became puzzled by the number of trails
crossing each other, and the thick and intricate nature of the wood;
but still they forced their way forward, judging the direction they
ought to take by the way the shadows of the trees were thrown by the
sunshine. Thus for four or five hundred yards they pushed on, without
seeing an enemy, when Putnam, suddenly pointing with his sword,
exclaimed: "There goes a Frenchman's cap--more of them! more of them!
Now, gallant rangers, down with your pieces and make your barrels
ring!"
In an instant every gun was leveled; but at the same moment a sharp
flash ran along the trees and bushes beyond, the loud report of
firearms rattled through the forest, and one of the young officers of
the rangers dropped at once. Several privates fell before they could
draw the trigger, while the rest were sending a fatal volley into the
wood.
"On! on!" cried Putnam. "Clear the copse of them! My lord, what is the
matter?"
Lord H---- stood for a moment longer without answering, then wavered
for an instant on his feet, and fell back into the arms of a sergeant
of the rangers.
"I knew it!" cried Putnam. "Forward, my men! Forward! and avenge this
noble fellow!"