CHAPTER VI.
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 andnot because his presence was desired, it seemed to him that it was in acertain degree a recognition of the possible fact that he was really asoldier.
Nathan Beman, however, did not appear to think there was any complimentin the invitation. Naturally of a suspicious nature, he fancied in someway this visit might work to his harm, and, in addition, he wasdispleased by the air of superiority which was observable in thecorporal when he addressed any remark to the lad.
The old soldier walked several paces in advance of the boys, and did notappear to think it necessary he should look around to see if they werefollowing, for in his mind a request to visit headquarters was the sameas an imperative command, and one which no sane person would venture todisobey.
"I suppose he thinks he can tow me 'round wherever he likes, and I'vegot a mind to show him he can't," Nathan said to Isaac, motioning withhis thumb toward the corporal.
"It's Colonel Allen who wants to see you," Isaac ventured to suggesttimidly.
"How do you know?"
"Why Corporal 'Lige said so."
"I ain't certain that makes it true, 'cause he's said a good many thingsthat don't amount to much since I've been around this place."
"But the corporal wouldn't lie," Isaac said solemnly, and Nathan addedwith 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 verymuch of him."
"Neither do I. I've seen soldiers up 'round Ticonderoga, notmake-believes like the old man, who is all talk an' no substance."
Isaac's face flushed. He was not disposed to let this stranger makesport of Corporal 'Lige, whom he knew was thoroughly versed in the artof warfare, and a brave man withal; but before he had decided in his ownmind how the most telling reproof could be administered, they arrived atheadquarters, which was neither more nor less than a shelter built ofpine boughs, situate so far from the main encampment as to afford somedegree of seclusion.
Isaac judged from the eager look on the faces of the officers that thisvisit 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 touchedNathan on the shoulder. "This," he added, motioning toward Isaac, "is arecruit I have taken under my protection."
It was evident that Colonel Allen came nearer Nathan's standard of asoldier than Corporal 'Lige, for he stood in a respectful attitudebefore 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 togain admission at any time?"
"Yes, sir; father sells a lot of truck there, an' I mostly carry itover."
"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, andI 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 aremarching toward the fort?"
"I don't think so, sir. Simon York, a trapper, told father, and it wasagreed between them that nothing should be spoken about it lest the newsget 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 wouldstrike a blow against the king?"
"I suppose that would depend on what it was, an' how much I'd make outof it," Nathan replied cautiously.
"Then you are not of the mind to do anything toward establishing theindependence of the colonies--it is simply a question of shillings andpence?"
"Well, sir, perhaps it is something like that," Nathan replied, growingconfused. "Father thinks since the news came from Concord and Lexingtonthat all the provincials ought to turn to and show their mettle; butmother says so long as the king's troops buy truck and pay good pricesfor it, it is our business to see that we don't take the bread andbutter out of our own mouths."
"I understand; yours is what might be called a divided household," andColonel 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 areabout as I have told you."
Corporal 'Lige glowered at the boy who thus unblushingly announced thathe measured his patriotism by its value in money, and Isaac wonderedthat a lad so young could talk thus pertly to one as high in authorityas was Colonel Ethan Allen.
"If you should be paid six shillings, would you be willing to guide oneof these gentlemen into the fort and come back with him to where ourtroops might then be stationed?"
"Which one wants to go?" Nathan asked, not intending to commit himselfuntil the full details were given.
"This gentleman," and Colonel Allen pointed toward Master Phelps, one ofthe Committee from the Connecticut Assembly.
Nathan looked at him critically a moment, and then asked, as ifsuspicious 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 shouldpretend he was a neighbor who had come with no other motive than that ofcuriosity."
"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'dknow he didn't live 'round here."
"All that may be readily changed," Master Phelps interrupted. "I'llpromise to look so nearly like one of your neighbors that there shall beno question raised."
"When do I get the six shillings?" Nathan asked.
"After you have performed the work faithfully to the extent of bringingMaster Phelps back to me," Colonel Allen replied, now speaking quitesharply. "It would be a serious matter indeed if you were to betray himto the commandant of the fort, or indicate that this body of men arenear at hand."
"If I take the six shillings, I'll earn 'em. It's none of my businesswhere you folks are, nor what's goin' on 'round the fort; all I'mlooking 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 bemighty pokey all alone with a man like him," and Nathan pointed toMaster Phelps.
At this point Corporal 'Lige stepped forward and saluted, thusattracting the colonel's attention, after which he motioned toward theoutside as if to ask for a private interview.
The colonel immediately left the hut, followed by the corporal, andNathan looked after them suspiciously, whispering to Isaac:
"Now, what do you s'pose that old imitation soldier is up to? He mustn'ttry 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 trueone."
"I ain't so certain about all that; but you seem to have a pretty goodidea of him, so perhaps he is half-way decent after all."
At his point the old soldier and the colonel returned, the latter sayingwhen he was inside the hut once more:
"In order that you may have no lack of comp
any I propose that MasterPhelps, 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 afteryou 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 withoutchargin' more'n what's right for the lodgings."
"Very well; you may make ready to set out immediately, and when you havereturned the money shall be paid you."
"I'm ready now."
"Master Phelps will need a few moments in which to prepare himself forthe journey, and I doubt not but that the corporal and his comrade havesome belongings which they will want to take with them. Remain you here,lad, until the others have made all necessary preparations and are incondition for the journey."
This was a command which Nathan could not well disobey; but he lookedtoward Isaac while the latter was hurried away by Corporal 'Lige, as ifthere were yet other questions concerning this project which he wouldlike to ask.
"Don't turn back, lad," the old soldier said when his _protege_ made amove as if to return. "There's to be no time lost, and you'll have goodopportunity for talking once we're on the road."
"How did it happen the colonel sent you and me?" Isaac asked when thetwo 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 skinflintmade his talk. A lad who won't take sides in this matter 'twixt thecolonies and the king, but holds out for whatever money he can get, isnot to be trusted, accordin' to my way of thinkin'. While he was settin'himself down for a cold-blooded, close-fisted specimen of humanity suchas you wouldn't look for in one so young, I made up my mind that therehad best be a sharp watch kept of him, else a word or two might bedropped at the fort which would upset all our plans."
"Do you believe he would take Colonel Allen's money and then betrayhim?"
"I am certain a lad who would haggle for six shillings under suchcircumstances as this would sell out to the next man who offered half asmuch more, and the colonel was of the same mind after I'd mentioned thematter."
"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; butstill 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 anotion to have you with him, so it seemed like a good chance for me toput my oar in, and between the two of us I reckon he won't have muchshow of playing double."
In a very few seconds the corporal and Isaac had made their preparationsfor the journey, which simply consisted in gathering up all theirbelongings, much to the surprise of the lad, who questioned whether, ifthey were to go to the fort apparently from motives of curiosity, it waswell they carried muskets.
"If it seems necessary we can leave them where this boy lives; but it iscertain we cannot depend on any one else bringing our luggage along forus, so take what we own, lad, an' then be at home wherever we stop."
When the two returned to headquarters they found Master Phelps awaitingtheir coming, and Nathan kept close and suspicious watch upon eachperson and everything within his range of vision.
The messenger from the General Assembly had made a very decided changein his personal appearance, and Isaac was forced to look twice beforefeeling positive this was the same Master Phelps whom he had seen a fewmoments before.
Now he was clad after the fashion of a farmer, in garments which he hadprobably borrowed from some member of the troop; his face was brownedand soiled, while his hands were exceedingly dirty, and even Nathan musthave been satisfied that the commandant of the fort would not see inthis visitor other than he professed to be.
"If that lad had a trifle more sense he'd understand there wasn'tanything to be gained by deceiving him," the corporal said in a low toneto Isaac; "but he's so self-opinionated he thinks everybody is plottingmischief against him."
"You don't seem to like him very well," Isaac ventured to say, andCorporal 'Lige replied emphatically:
"Neither do I."
"Then unless he an' I go off by ourselves, I don't reckon this will be avery pleasant journey," Isaac said to himself as he thought of thecorporal and Nathan, each distrusting and making complaint against theother.
Colonel Allen was determined there should be no delay in the setting outof this spying expedition, and immediately the corporal and Isaac showedthemselves he insisted that the little party start without further lossof 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 havejoined them, said curtly:
"You'd better keep back with the other man. I s'pose I'll have to leadthe way, and when we strike off the main road the path ain't wide enoughfor 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 thecorporal's inquiries, and forcing him to join Master Phelps.
Once the journey was well begun young Beman presented himself in a morefavorable light.
He ceased to refer to the corporal as an "imitation soldier," and gaveno further evidence of being suspicious; but questioned Isaac as to whatthe town of Pittsfield was like, and concerning Boston, where young Ricehad visited two years previous in company with his father.
Master Phelps was not accustomed to this method of traveling, and whenthe guide struck into the woods where the trail lead alternately over ahilly and swampy country he was soon forced to declare that he could notproceed at such a rapid pace.
"You will have to slacken up a bit," Corporal 'Lige shouted, "for thegentleman 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 whichadmitted of no argument:
"It isn't possible for me to keep pace with you. If it so be we fail tofinish the journey before dark, we can take lodgings with your fatherand accomplish our purpose early to-morrow morning."
The prospect of introducing to his father guests who would pay for allthey received, was so satisfactory to young Beman that he made noprotest at being thus forced to slacken pace. It may be he wasunnecessarily slow from this time out, for it was already dark when theyarrived at the guide's home, and Nathan said to Master Phelps beforeentering the building:
"I'll tell father you folks want to stay all night, and that's as muchas I need say. If you count on explaining why you have come, it's noneof my business. The officer what hired me said I was to keep quiet abouteverything I'd seen down to the camp, so I might as well begin byholding 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 whileI do my chores; there's no fun in sittin' here."
Five minutes later the three men followed the boys, and Isaac fancied itwas Master Phelps' intention to explain to the farmer the purpose oftheir coming, but that he feared to do so in the presence of themistress of the household, who, if her son had quoted her wordscorrectly, favored the king's representatives rather than the colonistsin the doings which had lately arisen.
Nathan took good care that his new friend should pe
rform a full share ofthe evening's work, and Isaac assisted in milking the cows, carryingwater, and chopping wood until he had of a surety earned as bountiful aspread as could be set before him.
The farmer and his guests did not appear until they had been summonedtwice after the appetizing meal was placed upon the table, and while shewas impatiently awaiting them, Mrs. Beman questioned her son sharply asto what business his father could have with the strangers.
For a time Nathan avoided making any direct answer; but when his motherpressed him closely he answered her quite as pertly as he had ColonelAllen, by saying:
"I'm to be paid for holdin' my tongue about whatever is goin' on--I'llhave six shillings by this time to-morrow night, an' I can't afford totalk 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 anytalk, 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 careof my own, an' work 'em through accordin' to the agreement, when there'sso much questionin' goin' on," Nathan replied quite sharply, and hismother, who was evidently as prudent as himself in financial matters,desisted from pressing him further.
After this brief conversation Isaac felt positive Corporal 'Lige needhave no fear regarding possible treachery on Nathan's part, for if theboy refused to tell his mother he surely would be close-mouthed in thepresence of others.
When the party finally made their appearance and were seated at thesupper table, the three men evidently on the best of terms with eachother, Mrs. Beman's curiosity was still further aroused, as was butnatural. Yet no word was dropped during the progress of the meal, nor solong as the guests remained downstairs, which could have given her theslightest clew.
It was Nathan's purpose to have Isaac for a bed-fellow; but to this hismother made emphatic protest, and when the time for retiring came thethree guests were conducted to a room adjoining the kitchen, while thefarmer's family retired to the loft above.
Then it was in cautious whispers that Isaac told the corporal why hefelt confident there was no danger Nathan would betray them, and the oldsoldier said grimly:
"He didn't have a fair test when he was talking with his mother, 'causethere was no chance she would pay him for the information. What I'mafeared 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' 'twixtthe two of us I reckon he won't be able to do any mischief. His fatheris a proper kind of man; holds to it that the colonists are right inmaking war against the king, and stands ready to do all he can infurtherance of the cause. Therefore if this young jack-a-napes holdshimself too high an' mighty in the mornin' we shan't be wholly in hispower."
When day dawned, however, Corporal 'Lige had no reason to complain ofNathan.
The lad showed himself of the mind to earn the six shillings, and nowthat he was at home, appeared less suspicious of his companion'sintentions.
Perhaps this was due in part to the fact that his father, well knowingwhat the visitors would have, took it upon himself to give the guidepositive instructions, and at an early hour Nathan set out accompaniedby Master Phelps.
It was his intention that Isaac should be one of the party; but to thisthe farmer made decided objections, insisting that more than onestranger might cause suspicion, and therefore it was that Corporal 'Ligeand his pupil remained quietly at the farm until noon of that day, whenthe delegate from the Connecticut Assembly returned well pleased withwhat he had seen.
In a private conversation held with the corporal he reported that strongthough the fortification was, the walls were in a state of greatdilapidation; few, if any, precautions taken against surprise; militarydiscipline was hardly known, and the sentinels in particular were remissin their duty.
Master Phelps had no difficulty in making such investigations as hechose, and declared that in his opinion, providing the garrison could betaken 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 conveyone-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 thisvicinity, having due heed to your movements, however, lest you proceedso far in the direction of Crown Point as to arouse suspicions in thatquarter. Work as expeditiously as is in your power, for the troops willarrive here not later than midnight, and it is absolutely necessarythere be ready proper craft to convey them across the lake."
Then Master Phelps, still holding to Nathan as a guide, set off to meetthe force, which was believed to be rapidly approaching, and the farmersaid impatiently to the corporal:
"If it so be, sir, you count on carrying out the orders given 'twixt nowand dark, it is time for us to be moving, for boats are not plentifulhereabout, and we shall have a long tramp before gathering as many aswill carry your force across."