Corporal 'Lige's Recruit: A Story of Crown Point and Ticonderoga

by James Otis

  CHAPTER VII.

  TICONDEROGA.

  It was not necessary Farmer Beman should urge Corporal 'Lige to makehaste in this matter which had been intrusted to him, for the oldsoldier understood full well how necessary it was that means oftransportation for the troops should be at hand when the men arrived,and had good reason to believe that such task as was assigned him couldnot be readily performed.

  He even showed himself more eager in the work than the farmer, for whenthe latter would have delayed in order to eat the noonday meal, the oldman positively refused as he said:

  "We can have dinner after Ticonderoga has been taken, but until thenthere must be no thought of rest. Although as I understand, detachmentsare to be sent to Skenesborough and Panton, it is not positive they canget boats from there to this point in time, and we must act as ifbelieving the matter of transportation depended wholly upon ourselves."

  Had Nathan been there to witness the old man's activity after somespecial work had been set for him, he might have changed his opinionabout the corporal's being an "imitation soldier."

  He walked here and there, tiring his companions almost to the verge ofexhaustion, and yet apparently as fresh as when he began; but when thesun set he had only seventeen boats drawn up on the shore at that pointwhere it was supposed the troops would halt, and Isaac believed therewere absolutely no more within the radius of a dozen miles.

  "I allow you've done your best, corporal," Farmer Beman said as thethree stood looking ruefully at the small number of boats, many of whichwould be loaded to the water's edge with half a dozen men, "and it nowstands us in hand to get supper, considerin' we missed our dinner socompletely."

  "There must be no time wasted. Let Isaac run up to the house for suchprovisions as your wife can spare, and we'll set out in some otherdirection, for every craft that we add to this 'ere lot is jest so muchgained."

  "You may set out in as many directions as you choose; but you will notfind another boat this night," Farmer Beman said decidedly, and withwhat was very like a show of ill-temper. "I've guided you to every placeI know of, and if you are so headstrong as to keep on when there'slittle 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 onworkin' until the force arrived, 'cause it isn't for me to set down andsay my task is finished."

  "If that's your idea of soldierin', then I'm mighty glad I haven'tenlisted," and the farmer went deliberately to his home, convinced, aswas his son, that the old corporal was not as well skilled in warfare ashe would have it appear.

  Even Isaac was disposed to protest against his teacher's decision, andurged that it was little less than folly to think of adding to thefleet, for Farmer Beman had declared positively there were no more boatsin the vicinity.

  To this the corporal replied with some warmth, and there might have beena serious undermining of friendship had not Nathan arrived just at thatmoment.

  "Well, is that all you've done this afternoon?" he asked sharply, andthe 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 oftenseeing among the collection the craft to which he referred, untilfinally he was forced to admit that to the best of his knowledge therewere no more.

  "I thought you knew of more than a hundred?" Corporal 'Lige criedfiercely.

  "That's what I reckoned myself; but when I come to figger 'em up theywasn'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 withyou out rowin'? It'll take more'n six shillings to hire me to doanything like that this night; besides you haven't got time before thetroops 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 fiveminutes ahead of 'em, and--there they are now!"

  Nathan pointed to a group of men who had just come into the clearingfrom amid the thicket, and as the old man looked up one of the partymotioned for him to approach.

  Although Nathan had announced that he was nearly exhausted from hisardent labors, his weariness was not so great as his curiosity, and hefollowed the corporal and Isaac.

  It was Colonel Arnold, Colonel Easton and the two representatives of theConnecticut Assembly, who had thus come into view, and the former, afterexplaining to Corporal 'Lige that the troops had been halted in thethicket lest they might be seen from the fort even in the gloom, askedconcerning the means of transportation.

  Chagrined though he was at his inability to do more, the corporal wasforced to admit that he had hardly a sufficient number of boats to takeover seventy-five or eighty of the men; but this the colonel did not atthe time believe to be of great importance, for it seemed positiveCaptain 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 frettedhimself without reasonable cause.

  "You will remain in charge of the fleet," Colonel Allen said to the oldsoldier, "with the boy to act as your lieutenant, and you may detail twomen as oarsmen in each boat. We will set out as soon as the remainder ofthe craft arrives."

  Then it was that Nathan believed he saw an opportunity to add to hisearnings of the day, and made the proposition that if the further sum offour shillings be paid him he would aid in ferrying the troops across,providing the work could be finished before midnight; but if it shouldbe 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 verymuch as if every one save Isaac ignored him.

  "That's jest the way with these people from down 'round Bennington. Theyget all they can for the least money, an' then throw you off. I ought tohave 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 Iwould have put up my price, or held out half-hired till the business wasover."

  Now for the first time since their meeting did Corporal 'Lige's pupilspeak sharply to this friend.

  "You should be ashamed to demand money for such work as you have donethis day," he said stoutly. "Whatever resistance be made to the king isfor the benefit of all the colonies, and if each one insisted on beingpaid, as you've done, his majesty might work his will, for there wouldbe 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 criedsharply. "If it hadn't been for me you wouldn't have got over here andhad a chance of staying all night in our house."

  "I didn't have a chance without paying for it, as I understand MasterPhelps is to settle with your father for our accommodations."

  "Yes, an' just before I come away mother told me she thought as likelyas not father'd be such a fool as to refuse to take a cent; but I ain'tgoin' to quarrel with you, even if I have been defrauded of what is myright. 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 dothe chores?"

  "Well, yes, something like that. Of course you don't expect to get yoursupper for nothing."

  "No; I'd rather go without than do more work now after tramping aroundall the afternoon. There'll be something in the way of rations found incamp, an' I'll take my chances there."

  Young Beman turned away quickly as if angry with this new friend, andobserving 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 atsuch 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 ingetting the boats' crews together, and after it was fully dark thoseselected to act as oarsmen were marched to the water's edge, that theymight be in readiness when their services were required.

  After this there was nothing to be done save await the coming of theexpected craft.

  The men were not allowed to build fires lest the lights should be seenby those in the fort, and so cautious was the leader that even loudtalking was forbidden, therefore the men could do little else than spendthe time in sleeping, a fact by no means disagreeable to the majorityafter their march of the day.

  On the shore of the lake the oarsmen followed the example of theircomrades in the woods, until all save the corporal and Isaac werewrapped in the unconsciousness of slumber.

  The old soldier, considering himself responsible for the safety of thefleet, 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 theexpected boats, but without avail.

  Midnight came, and yet no word from either of the two detachments whichhad been sent in search of means of transportation.

  Colonel Allen and Colonel Arnold, growing impatient because of the longdelay, came to the shore, and Corporal 'Lige stood stiff as the barrelof his own musket when he saluted.

  "How many can be taken in the boats you have here?" Colonel Arnoldasked.

  "Somewhere about eighty, sir, and if it so be you give the word we canferry the whole party across in three trips."

  "That would never do," Colonel Arnold replied decidedly. "We must go ina body or give up all hope of surprising the garrison."

  In this Colonel Allen was agreed, and the two officers remained near athand, now pacing to and fro, and again listening intently for thosesounds which would tell of the hoped-for arrival, until it lacked nomore than two hours of daybreak, when they were joined by Master Phelpsand Colonel Easton, the latter saying sufficiently loud for Isaac todistinguish the words:

  "Unless such a move is made as may be possible with the means at ourdisposal, the plan of capturing the fort has come to naught, for itisn't reasonable to suppose our party can remain in this vicinitythroughout to-morrow without some intimation being given the commandantby those who live in the vicinity."

  What was evidently a conversation between the officers followed; but itwas conducted in so low a tone that Isaac could not hear the words, andhe remained near at hand expecting to receive the order to launch theboats, until Colonel Easton called him by name.

  "You know where is situated the home of the lad who guided Master Phelpsinto 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 iswanted, or promise that he shall be paid for thus disturbing himself. Heseems to have no thought save of money."

  "Yet, his father is with us in this matter, I am told, so far as opiniongoes."

  "Yes, sir."

  "Then go and rouse the lad; if he refuses to come, say to the fatherthat Colonel Allen requires the services of the boy, and if he answersnot what we make as a request, I will send a detachment to enforce ademand."

  Isaac obeyed promptly, not finding it a simple matter to make his wayacross the field in the darkness; but finally succeeding after one ortwo tumbles, each of which left their marks in the shape of a scratch orcontusion, and with the first knock at the door he heard Farmer Beman'svoice asking as to who was there.

  "It is Isaac Rice, sir, and Colonel Easton has sent me to say thatColonel Allen desires the attendance of Nathan at once."

  "What does he want him for?" the shrill voice of Mrs. Beman cried, andIsaac replied truthfully that he did not know, since no explanation hadbeen made him.

  Then could be heard the farmer, his wife, and son in what was evidentlyan altercation, until no less than five minutes had passed, at the endof which time young Nathan appeared in the doorway fully clad, as heasked impatiently:

  "How much are they willing to give me for coming out in the night likethis?"

  "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 demandingmoney for such services, your jacket shall be tanned with the stoutesthickory switch I can get hereabouts."

  One would have said young Beman was the most abused lad in the provinceof New York, as he followed Isaac down to the shore, alternatelybewailing his ill-fortune because he had not given Captain Delaplaceinformation of the coming of such a body of men, trusting to thatofficer's generosity for a greater sum of money than was given him byColonel Allen, and vehemently protesting he would not stir one step fromthe encampment without being well paid for his services. Colonel Easton,overhearing this threat, stepped directly in front of the grumbling ladand 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 himafter 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 yourduty to see that the order be obeyed. If he attempts to escape, shoothim down; but give him gentle treatment so long as he complies with yourrequests."

  "I'll take care of him, sir, that you may depend on," the corporal saidgrimly, and from that instant Nathan Beman remained silent regarding hisdesire to be paid for acting the part of guide.

  Because of having received this order the corporal was forced torelinquish his position as commodore of the fleet, and thus it was thathe and his pupil were among the few who entered Ticonderoga early thatmorning.

  Within five minutes after Nathan had apparently been subdued, word waspassed for as many of the Green Mountain Boys as could be conveyed inthe boats to embark at once, and almost at the same moment ColonelEaston, turning to the old man, said:

  "It is your duty, Corporal 'Lige, to take passage in the same craft thatcarries our leader, for the lad of whom you have charge must be keptwhere Colonel Allen can speak to him at an instant's notice."

  Had the men been allowed to follow their inclinations, the frail boatswhich formed the fleet would have been swamped even before they pushedoff from the shore, for every member of the troop was eager to be withthe first division, and it was only after considerable difficulty in theway of restraining the men that the different craft were properly andsafely loaded.

  When the corporal and the lad who was thus virtually held prisonerentered the boat where was Colonel Allen, Isaac followed as if it washis right so to do.

  He could not fancy any position of affairs where he would be debarredfrom remaining with the man who had taken him "under his wing," and itso chanced that in the excitement of embarking he passed aboard unheededby who might have checked him.

  The darkness of night was just giving way to the gray light of dawn whenthe little fleet put off from the shore, and without being really awarehe did so, Isaac counted the number of those who were thus afloat.

  Beside the officers, there were eighty-three, including himself andNathan, and it was no longer reasonable to expect that those who hadbeen sent to Skenesborough and Panton would arrive in time to be ofassistance.

  "Will they try to take the fort with so few?" he asked in a whisper ofCorporal 'Lige, and the latter added emphatically:

  "If all that is told of Colonel Allen be true, he wouldn't hesitate tomake an attempt single-handed."

  "But surely we cannot hope to do much, for fifty men behind a fortshould be a much larg
er force than ours."

  "Savin' and exceptin' these men be surprised, as our leader counts themin Fort Ticonderoga will be," the corporal replied, and then placed hisfinger on his lips that the lad should cease talking, for the order hadbeen passed from boat to boat just before the fleet left the shore thatno conversation be indulged in.

  Nathan, sulky because of having been put in charge of the man whom hedisliked, gave no apparent attention to anything.

  In almost perfect silence the journey by water was made, and brought toan end just as the day was breaking, when, in obedience to signalsrather than words, the men disembarked and were formed in three ranksclose to the water's edge.

  Then it was that Colonel Allen advanced to where the men might hear whenhe spoke in the tone of ordinary conversation, and said with a calmnesswhich 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 beno longer opportunity to surprise the garrison; therefore we must actfor our comrades as well as ourselves, remembering that should we falterwe cast shame on them also. Now, lads, it is my purpose to march intothe fort, and I only ask that you follow where I lead."

  The officers stepped forward quickly to make certain there should be nocheering, and wheeling about with true military precision Colonel Allenstarted forward, Colonel Arnold by his side, and Corporal 'Lige withNathan 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 butrapidly they made their way up the heights toward the sallyport, Isaac'sface paling as he went, for he believed of a surety now was come thetime when he should hear the clash of arms and find himself in the midstof combatants, each striving to take the other's life.

  On passing an angle at the rear of the fortification the entrance of atrench or covert-way was come upon and here they surprised a sentinelhalf asleep, leaning against the earthwork.

  Awakened thus suddenly, and seeing what he might naturally suppose to bethe advance guard of a large force directly upon him, he took hasty aimat Colonel Allen and pulled the trigger.

  Involuntarily Isaac closed his eyes, believing their leader must bekilled at such short range, but the weapon hung fire and the sentineltook to his heels through this trench, the attacking party following atfull speed.

  The fugitive led the way to the parade-ground within the barracks, wherewas found another sentinel, and he made a thrust with his bayonet atColonel Easton, who was side by side with the leaders; but had hardlyraised his weapon before a blow from the flat of Colonel Allen's swordsent him headlong to the ground.

  At this the men, unable longer to control themselves, gave vent to atremendous shout, and without orders separated into two divisions, eachbent on gaining possession of the barrack ranges.

  As bees swarm out of their hives, so did the startled redcoats rush fromthe buildings, and it seemed to Isaac as if instantly each man appearedhe was disarmed by one of the Green Mountain Boys, who, as fast as hesecured a captive, marched him to the center of the parade-ground inorder 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 menmust 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 tothe commandant's quarters."

  Nathan did not require urging.

  He understood that this man had come with serious purpose, and knew fullwell it might be dangerous for him to hang back.

  Darting ahead as swiftly as the corporal would allow, he conductedColonel Allen to the door of Captain Delaplace's dwelling, and theleader gave three resounding knocks with the hilt of his sword, as heshouted:

  "Surrender this fort, commandant! Surrender at once in order to save thelives of your men!"

  The door was quickly opened in response to this demand, and a half-cladman, 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 withdignity.

  "In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress!"

  These words sounded in Isaac's ears like the thunder of cannon, and evenwhile he questioned to himself if it were possible this handful of menhad really captured the fortress, Ticonderoga was surrendered.