CHAPTER XV--LEADERS AND GUIDE
Even while Nathan watched Gabe and his master depart into the forestsouthward, he became aware the assemblage was moved by some new objectof interest. Turning, he saw Colonel Allen and another gentleman,eagle-eyed, eagle-beaked, in handsome military dress, talking angrily inthe midst of an excited group. At length Allen turned his passionateface toward the men and called in a loud voice:
"Men, fall in for a moment. Here," waving his hand toward his companion,as the men rapidly fell into line, "is Mr. Benedict Arnold. He bears acolonel's commission from the Connecticut Committee of Safety, andclaims the right to command you to-night. Men of the Green Mountains,whom do you follow--Arnold or Allen?"
"Allen, Allen," came in response, loud and decided.
The chosen chief turned a triumphant smile upon his rival, who strodeaway in silence of restrained passion. Soon returning, however, headdressed Allen in a clear, steady voice:
"Sir, I submit to the will of these men, but let me be a volunteer inthis glorious enterprise. The Green Mountain Boys and their famousleader are too generous to refuse this."
Allen, touched at a vulnerable point, grasped the speaker's handheartily and answered:
"Indeed, so brave a man as I well know you to be, is most welcome, and,by the Great Jehovah, if the men don't object, you shall be second incommand."
A shout of approval went up from the men, who gathered around their campfires again, while Allen and Arnold, together with Warner, walked apartin amicable consultation. Soon the first called loudly for anyinformation concerning a lad named Nathan Beeman. At the sound of hisname, Nathan started, blushed, hesitated, and then stepped bashfullyforward, and was quickly recognized by Allen in spite of his addedstature.
"Here, this is the youngster, Colonel Arnold, that Mr. John Brown tellsof in this paper, whom he saw and conversed with last winter aboutTiconderoga."
The two colonels then asked the boy many questions about the Fort, itsentrance, the interior, the number of the garrison, and the disposal ofthe sentinels. Evidently satisfied with his straightforward replies,Allen said, low and impressively:
"You have such a chance to serve your country as don't often fall to aboy. Will you lead us into the Fort to-night? Will you do itfaithfully?"
Nathan looked steadily into the earnest, searching eyes fixed upon him,but did not answer.
"Speak," cried Allen, sharply.
"If the commandant's lady won't be hurt, I will," he said at last, hisleft hand thrust into his pocket, fumbling his cherished shilling piece.
Allen laughed good-humoredly. "So the lady is a friend of yours. Well,never fear. We may disturb her morning nap, but she shall not be harmed.We are not waging war in the wilderness against women and children.Here, my boy, stick this twig of hemlock in your hat. Don't you seewe've all mounted it? There, now," as he himself put the evergreen sprigin Nathan's hatband, "you wear the Green Mountain Boy's cockade. Seethat you never disgrace it."
The boy thrilled with pride as he walked with measured step behind thestately chieftain and his lithely built companion. Presently the soundof oars was heard and a large batteau swept into the landing, navigatedby two of Newton's sons, who gleefully related how, with a jug of rum,they had lured Skeene's old negro with the coveted craft into theirtoils, as he was voyaging homeward from Crown Point. It was capable ofcarrying twenty-five persons and was a welcome prize. Though one by one,and in little flotillas, boats continued to arrive, still, at twoo'clock in the early May morning, there were not enough to transporthalf the men gathered. After brief consultation, it was determined thatas many as possible should at once cross to the other shore and thereawait the coming of the others in the returning boats.
Embarkation began at once under the superintendence of Allen, Arnold,and Warner. Nathan found himself with the first two in the leading boat,Warner being left in charge of the party remaining on the eastern shore.At a low word of command, the flotilla swept out of the flickering glareof the fire into the darkness. It passed down the creek and was soonupon the lake, heading for the other shore, being guided to the chosenlanding by the mountain peaks that loomed black against the western sky.The night was windless. The shrill piping of hylas, the monotonous trillof toads, and the rush of running brooks filled the air. Such soundsfaded out as the middle of the lake was reached, where nothing was heardbut the light plash of muffled oars, to rise again in increasing volumefrom the other shore.
As the last boat grounded on the shelving beach, Nathan was startled bythe loud, hollow hoot of an owl, uttered thrice, almost in his ear. Afew moments later there came, like an echo from the distant creek, theanswer to this preconcerted signal of safe arrival. The men quicklydisembarked, and the boats returned to those who, under Seth Warner,were eagerly awaiting their turn.
Those who had made the passage tramped to and fro to stir their blood,for there was a creeping chill in the night air. The first light of dawnwas stealing up the eastern sky, the woods and mountains showing insharp relief against it, yet no signs came to strained eyes and ears ofthe returning boats.
"The lazy-bones," growled Allen, forgetting the long distance. "What hasgone wrong? Daylight will betray us if we wait much longer. What do yousay, my men--shall we wait, and maybe lose our best chance of success,or go on with what strength we have?"
There was a murmur of universal assent, and Allen commanded:
"Fall in, in three ranks!"
Instantly the men formed in the order of the ranger service. "I want noman to go against his will. You that wish to go with me, poise arms."Every gun was brought to the position.
"Shoulder arms! Right face! Forward, march!"
Before the last word was fairly given, Arnold stepped in front of thespeaker.
"I swear," he cried, shaken with his passion, "I will not yield myright. I planned this enterprise. My money set it on foot. I swear Iwill command, and not yield my right to Ethan Allen or the devil."
There was a muttered growl of dissatisfaction among the men, and Allenwas raging. "What shall I do with this fellow? Put him under guard?" heasked, turning to one of his captains.
"Gentlemen," said Captain Callender, a staid and quiet man, "for thesake of the good cause, don't quarrel. Yield a little, both of you.Share the command equally, and enter the Fort side by side."
Allen returned his half-drawn sword to its scabbard and said bluffly:"For the sake of the cause I agree to this." The Connecticut colonelsullenly assented, and the three columns moved briskly along the shore,led by the two colonels marching side by side, till, through thebranches of the budding trees, the leaders saw close before them thewalls of Ticonderoga, looming dark and vague in the gray of the morning.