Kitabı oku: «Corporal 'Lige's Recruit: A Story of Crown Point and Ticonderoga», sayfa 4
The group of officers advanced until they were standing at equal distances from each of the three factions, and Colonel Allen said, speaking slowly and distinctly, looking at the forces from Stockbridge and Pittsfield:
“It is no secret that you men are disgruntled because I have been chosen commander of the expedition. You are enlisted as militia from the province of Massachusetts and as enroled men have no voice in choosing a commander. Therefore I propose to make no explanation of the matter; but have taken this opportunity to address you in order to say that, by the advice and with the consent of the others in command, those of you who cannot obey such orders as may be given regardless of who is the leader, had best return home from this point. It shall not be counted against you as deserters, for the names of those who are unwilling to serve cheerfully will be stricken quietly from the rolls, without any mention whatever, dishonorable or otherwise. Colonel Arnold presents himself with due authority from the province of Massachusetts to take command of any troops not exceeding four hundred which may be raised for the purpose of attacking Fort Ticonderoga. Under all the circumstances he has decided to wave his claim of rank and act as volunteer until the purpose for which we have advanced be accomplished. Now, then, those of you who cannot obey my orders, step to the right.”
The Green-Mountain Boys began to raise shouts of approval, but their colonel checked them by saying sternly:
“Silence in the ranks! Let no man dare give voice to his approval or disapproval of what may occur in this encampment!”
It was as if Colonel Easton believed some of his men might take advantage of the opportunity, and stepping quickly to the side of Allen, he said:
“Lads, when the question came up last night as to who should lead this expedition, I cast the first vote for Colonel Allen. He is a soldier of much experience and great ability. It is my earnest desire that he take upon himself the responsibility of directing our movements, and whatsoever he orders shall be performed by me faithfully and promptly.”
Colonel Arnold made no attempt to address his men, and the three officers stood in silence several moments, after which Allen said:
“Because none of you have signified your desire to be relieved from the enlistment, we will suppose all are willing to go forward, and from now out there can be no excuse for insubordination or hesitation.”
This said, the officers withdrew once more, and now that their colonel was no longer there to check them the Green Mountain Boys set up a shout of triumph, which was answered by derisive yells from Corporal ’Lige’s troop, and apparent indifference by the men from Stockbridge.
“I reckon I may as well go home now,” Nathan said in a low tone to Isaac. “There don’t seem to be any chance of a row because the men are going to give in easy enough; but I’d like to see ’em find their way into the fort. It ain’t so easy as they’re countin’ on.”
“Who is this boy, Isaac?” Corporal ’Lige asked as he stepped toward the lads, apparently glad of an opportunity to disengage himself from those who had shown they were ready to obey his commands.
Isaac gave such explanation as was within his power, and the old man asked, addressing Nathan:
“What do you know about Fort Ticonderoga?”
The boy made reply much as he had to Isaac, and the corporal questioned him sharply:
“Have you been allowed to roam over the fortification at will?”
“There was no reason why I shouldn’t. I know all the boys who live in the fort, an’ after I finished what I went for, who’d stop us from goin’ ’round?”
“How many soldiers are there in the place?”
“Somewhere about fifty, I should think.”
“Women and children?”
“Yes, ’most twice as many, I reckon, though I never counted ’em.”
“And you say you know all the ins and outs of the fort?”
“Look here, how many times do you want me to tell you? Of course I do; but what’s that got to do with you?”
Nathan spoke in such a disrespectful tone that Isaac literally trembled lest the corporal should fall upon him in his wrath.
“Wait you here till I come back, an’ see to it that you don’t move from this spot.”
The corporal gave this command in his sternest tones, and without waiting for a reply hastened off in the direction where the officers had disappeared, while Nathan stood looking at his new acquaintance in mingled surprise and bewilderment.
“Now, what does that old man mean when he tells me to wait here? What right’s he got to order me ’round?”
“Don’t get disgruntled,” Isaac said imploringly. “I tell you he’s a great soldier, and you’ll see that his order means something, ’cause the corporal don’t make foolish talk.”
“Then, what was it I heard when I come up here an’ he was tellin’ the men what to do, but backed down after findin’ they were ready to follow him?”
“That part of it was all right. The time hadn’t come for him to carry out his plans, and he explained it. Couldn’t you hear him?”
“I heard what he said; but that didn’t deceive me.”
Then Isaac explained with many a detail why the old man was the ablest soldier in the encampment, and while he was trying to convince the skeptical Nathan, Corporal ’Lige returned, looking very important and mysterious.
“You’re to come with me,” he said tapping Nathan on the shoulder.
“Where?” the boy asked sharply.
“I said you were to come with me.”
“Well, you may say it again before I go. I want to know what you’re thinkin’ of doin’. I ain’t one of these make-believe soldiers that can be ordered ’round by such as you.”
During an instant the corporal glowered at the boy as if of a mind to chastise him for his too familiar words, and then Isaac interposed to save his new-found friend from what he feared would be most severe punishment.
“He’ll go with you, Corporal ’Lige; don’t be angry with him. You see he’s a stranger here, an’ doesn’t understand what – ”
“I understand enough not to go till I know what he’s about,” Nathan cried angrily, wrenching himself free from Isaac’s detaining grasp and leaping back a few paces.
The corporal clapped his hand to his side as if to raise a sword, and then realizing that he had no such weapon, said in a remarkably conciliatory tone:
“I told Colonel Allen that you were well acquainted with the interior of the fort, and he would speak with you a few moments.”
“Well, if you’d said that in the first place I would have been willing; but when you jumped down on me as if I was one of these recruits, I wasn’t goin’ to stand it.”
“If you are willin’ to come, follow me.”
“Am I to go with you?” Isaac asked pleadingly, and the corporal hesitated an instant before replying:
“Yes, lad, I don’t reckon it’ll do any harm, and it may give you an insight into the way we manage military affairs.”
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 and not because his presence was desired, it seemed to him that it was in a certain degree a recognition of the possible fact that he was really a soldier.
Nathan Beman, however, did not appear to think there was any compliment in the invitation. Naturally of a suspicious nature, he fancied in some way this visit might work to his harm, and, in addition, he was displeased by the air of superiority which was observable in the corporal when he addressed any remark to the lad.
The old soldier walked several paces in advance of the boys, and did not appear to think it necessary he should look around to see if they were following, for in his mind a request to visit headquarters was the same as an imperative command, and one which no sane person would venture to disobey.
“I suppose he thinks he can tow me ’round wherever he likes, and I’ve got a mind to show him he can’t,” Nathan said to Isaac, motioning with his thumb toward the corporal.
“It’s Colonel Allen who wants to see you,” Isaac ventured to suggest timidly.
“How do you know?”
“Why Corporal ’Lige said so.”
“I ain’t certain that makes it true, ’cause he’s said a good many things that don’t amount to much since I’ve been around this place.”
“But the corporal wouldn’t lie,” Isaac said solemnly, and Nathan added with 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 very much of him.”
“Neither do I. I’ve seen soldiers up ’round Ticonderoga, not make-believes like the old man, who is all talk an’ no substance.”
Isaac’s face flushed. He was not disposed to let this stranger make sport of Corporal ’Lige, whom he knew was thoroughly versed in the art of warfare, and a brave man withal; but before he had decided in his own mind how the most telling reproof could be administered, they arrived at headquarters, which was neither more nor less than a shelter built of pine boughs, situate so far from the main encampment as to afford some degree of seclusion.
Isaac judged from the eager look on the faces of the officers that this visit 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 touched Nathan on the shoulder. “This,” he added, motioning toward Isaac, “is a recruit I have taken under my protection.”
It was evident that Colonel Allen came nearer Nathan’s standard of a soldier than Corporal ’Lige, for he stood in a respectful attitude before 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 to gain admission at any time?”
“Yes, sir; father sells a lot of truck there, an’ I mostly carry it over.”
“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, and I 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 are marching toward the fort?”
“I don’t think so, sir. Simon York, a trapper, told father, and it was agreed between them that nothing should be spoken about it lest the news get 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 would strike a blow against the king?”
“I suppose that would depend on what it was, an’ how much I’d make out of it,” Nathan replied cautiously.
“Then you are not of the mind to do anything toward establishing the independence of the colonies – it is simply a question of shillings and pence?”
“Well, sir, perhaps it is something like that,” Nathan replied, growing confused. “Father thinks since the news came from Concord and Lexington that all the provincials ought to turn to and show their mettle; but mother says so long as the king’s troops buy truck and pay good prices for it, it is our business to see that we don’t take the bread and butter out of our own mouths.”
“I understand; yours is what might be called a divided household,” and Colonel 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 are about as I have told you.”
Corporal ’Lige glowered at the boy who thus unblushingly announced that he measured his patriotism by its value in money, and Isaac wondered that a lad so young could talk thus pertly to one as high in authority as was Colonel Ethan Allen.
“If you should be paid six shillings, would you be willing to guide one of these gentlemen into the fort and come back with him to where our troops might then be stationed?”
“Which one wants to go?” Nathan asked, not intending to commit himself until the full details were given.
“This gentleman,” and Colonel Allen pointed toward Master Phelps, one of the Committee from the Connecticut Assembly.
Nathan looked at him critically a moment, and then asked, as if suspicious 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 should pretend he was a neighbor who had come with no other motive than that of curiosity.”
“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’d know he didn’t live ’round here.”
“All that may be readily changed,” Master Phelps interrupted. “I’ll promise to look so nearly like one of your neighbors that there shall be no question raised.”
“When do I get the six shillings?” Nathan asked.
“After you have performed the work faithfully to the extent of bringing Master Phelps back to me,” Colonel Allen replied, now speaking quite sharply. “It would be a serious matter indeed if you were to betray him to the commandant of the fort, or indicate that this body of men are near at hand.”
“If I take the six shillings, I’ll earn ’em. It’s none of my business where you folks are, nor what’s goin’ on ’round the fort; all I’m looking 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 be mighty pokey all alone with a man like him,” and Nathan pointed to Master Phelps.
At this point Corporal ’Lige stepped forward and saluted, thus attracting the colonel’s attention, after which he motioned toward the outside as if to ask for a private interview.
The colonel immediately left the hut, followed by the corporal, and Nathan looked after them suspiciously, whispering to Isaac:
“Now, what do you s’pose that old imitation soldier is up to? He mustn’t try 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 true one.”
“I ain’t so certain about all that; but you seem to have a pretty good idea of him, so perhaps he is half-way decent after all.”
At his point the old soldier and the colonel returned, the latter saying when he was inside the hut once more:
“In order that you may have no lack of company I propose that Master Phelps, 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 after you 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 without chargin’ more’n what’s right for the lodgings.”
“Very well; you may make ready to set out immediately, and when you have returned the money shall be paid you.”
“I’m ready now.”
“Master Phelps will need a few moments in which to prepare himself for the journey, and I doubt not but that the corporal and his comrade have some belongings which they will want to take with them. Remain you here, lad, until the others have made all necessary preparations and are in condition for the journey.”
This was a command which Nathan could not well disobey; but he looked toward Isaac while the latter was hurried away by Corporal ’Lige, as if there were yet other questions concerning this project which he would like to ask.
“Don’t turn back, lad,” the old soldier said when his protégé made a move as if to return. “There’s to be no time lost, and you’ll have good opportunity for talking once we’re on the road.”
“How did it happen the colonel sent you and me?” Isaac asked when the two 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 skinflint made his talk. A lad who won’t take sides in this matter ’twixt the colonies and the king, but holds out for whatever money he can get, is not to be trusted, accordin’ to my way of thinkin’. While he was settin’ himself down for a cold-blooded, close-fisted specimen of humanity such as you wouldn’t look for in one so young, I made up my mind that there had best be a sharp watch kept of him, else a word or two might be dropped at the fort which would upset all our plans.”
“Do you believe he would take Colonel Allen’s money and then betray him?”
“I am certain a lad who would haggle for six shillings under such circumstances as this would sell out to the next man who offered half as much more, and the colonel was of the same mind after I’d mentioned the matter.”
“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; but still 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 a notion to have you with him, so it seemed like a good chance for me to put my oar in, and between the two of us I reckon he won’t have much show of playing double.”
In a very few seconds the corporal and Isaac had made their preparations for the journey, which simply consisted in gathering up all their belongings, much to the surprise of the lad, who questioned whether, if they were to go to the fort apparently from motives of curiosity, it was well they carried muskets.
“If it seems necessary we can leave them where this boy lives; but it is certain we cannot depend on any one else bringing our luggage along for us, so take what we own, lad, an’ then be at home wherever we stop.”
When the two returned to headquarters they found Master Phelps awaiting their coming, and Nathan kept close and suspicious watch upon each person and everything within his range of vision.
The messenger from the General Assembly had made a very decided change in his personal appearance, and Isaac was forced to look twice before feeling positive this was the same Master Phelps whom he had seen a few moments before.
Now he was clad after the fashion of a farmer, in garments which he had probably borrowed from some member of the troop; his face was browned and soiled, while his hands were exceedingly dirty, and even Nathan must have been satisfied that the commandant of the fort would not see in this visitor other than he professed to be.
“If that lad had a trifle more sense he’d understand there wasn’t anything to be gained by deceiving him,” the corporal said in a low tone to Isaac; “but he’s so self-opinionated he thinks everybody is plotting mischief against him.”
“You don’t seem to like him very well,” Isaac ventured to say, and Corporal ’Lige replied emphatically:
“Neither do I.”
“Then unless he an’ I go off by ourselves, I don’t reckon this will be a very pleasant journey,” Isaac said to himself as he thought of the corporal and Nathan, each distrusting and making complaint against the other.
Colonel Allen was determined there should be no delay in the setting out of this spying expedition, and immediately the corporal and Isaac showed themselves he insisted that the little party start without further loss of 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 have joined them, said curtly:
“You’d better keep back with the other man. I s’pose I’ll have to lead the way, and when we strike off the main road the path ain’t wide enough for 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 the corporal’s inquiries, and forcing him to join Master Phelps.
Once the journey was well begun young Beman presented himself in a more favorable light.
He ceased to refer to the corporal as an “imitation soldier,” and gave no further evidence of being suspicious; but questioned Isaac as to what the town of Pittsfield was like, and concerning Boston, where young Rice had visited two years previous in company with his father.
Master Phelps was not accustomed to this method of traveling, and when the guide struck into the woods where the trail lead alternately over a hilly and swampy country he was soon forced to declare that he could not proceed at such a rapid pace.
“You will have to slacken up a bit,” Corporal ’Lige shouted, “for the gentleman 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 which admitted of no argument:
“It isn’t possible for me to keep pace with you. If it so be we fail to finish the journey before dark, we can take lodgings with your father and accomplish our purpose early to-morrow morning.”
The prospect of introducing to his father guests who would pay for all they received, was so satisfactory to young Beman that he made no protest at being thus forced to slacken pace. It may be he was unnecessarily slow from this time out, for it was already dark when they arrived at the guide’s home, and Nathan said to Master Phelps before entering the building:
“I’ll tell father you folks want to stay all night, and that’s as much as I need say. If you count on explaining why you have come, it’s none of my business. The officer what hired me said I was to keep quiet about everything I’d seen down to the camp, so I might as well begin by holding 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 while I do my chores; there’s no fun in sittin’ here.”
Five minutes later the three men followed the boys, and Isaac fancied it was Master Phelps’ intention to explain to the farmer the purpose of their coming, but that he feared to do so in the presence of the mistress of the household, who, if her son had quoted her words correctly, favored the king’s representatives rather than the colonists in the doings which had lately arisen.
Nathan took good care that his new friend should perform a full share of the evening’s work, and Isaac assisted in milking the cows, carrying water, and chopping wood until he had of a surety earned as bountiful a spread as could be set before him.
The farmer and his guests did not appear until they had been summoned twice after the appetizing meal was placed upon the table, and while she was impatiently awaiting them, Mrs. Beman questioned her son sharply as to what business his father could have with the strangers.
For a time Nathan avoided making any direct answer; but when his mother pressed him closely he answered her quite as pertly as he had Colonel Allen, by saying:
“I’m to be paid for holdin’ my tongue about whatever is goin’ on – I’ll have six shillings by this time to-morrow night, an’ I can’t afford to talk 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 any talk, 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 care of my own, an’ work ’em through accordin’ to the agreement, when there’s so much questionin’ goin’ on,” Nathan replied quite sharply, and his mother, who was evidently as prudent as himself in financial matters, desisted from pressing him further.
After this brief conversation Isaac felt positive Corporal ’Lige need have no fear regarding possible treachery on Nathan’s part, for if the boy refused to tell his mother he surely would be close-mouthed in the presence of others.
When the party finally made their appearance and were seated at the supper table, the three men evidently on the best of terms with each other, Mrs. Beman’s curiosity was still further aroused, as was but natural. Yet no word was dropped during the progress of the meal, nor so long as the guests remained downstairs, which could have given her the slightest clew.
It was Nathan’s purpose to have Isaac for a bed-fellow; but to this his mother made emphatic protest, and when the time for retiring came the three guests were conducted to a room adjoining the kitchen, while the farmer’s family retired to the loft above.
Then it was in cautious whispers that Isaac told the corporal why he felt confident there was no danger Nathan would betray them, and the old soldier said grimly:
“He didn’t have a fair test when he was talking with his mother, ’cause there was no chance she would pay him for the information. What I’m afeared 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’ ’twixt the two of us I reckon he won’t be able to do any mischief. His father is a proper kind of man; holds to it that the colonists are right in making war against the king, and stands ready to do all he can in furtherance of the cause. Therefore if this young jack-a-napes holds himself too high an’ mighty in the mornin’ we shan’t be wholly in his power.”
When day dawned, however, Corporal ’Lige had no reason to complain of Nathan.
The lad showed himself of the mind to earn the six shillings, and now that he was at home, appeared less suspicious of his companion’s intentions.
Perhaps this was due in part to the fact that his father, well knowing what the visitors would have, took it upon himself to give the guide positive instructions, and at an early hour Nathan set out accompanied by Master Phelps.
It was his intention that Isaac should be one of the party; but to this the farmer made decided objections, insisting that more than one stranger might cause suspicion, and therefore it was that Corporal ’Lige and his pupil remained quietly at the farm until noon of that day, when the delegate from the Connecticut Assembly returned well pleased with what he had seen.
In a private conversation held with the corporal he reported that strong though the fortification was, the walls were in a state of great dilapidation; few, if any, precautions taken against surprise; military discipline was hardly known, and the sentinels in particular were remiss in their duty.
Master Phelps had no difficulty in making such investigations as he chose, and declared that in his opinion, providing the garrison could be taken 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 convey one-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 this vicinity, having due heed to your movements, however, lest you proceed so far in the direction of Crown Point as to arouse suspicions in that quarter. Work as expeditiously as is in your power, for the troops will arrive here not later than midnight, and it is absolutely necessary there be ready proper craft to convey them across the lake.”
Then Master Phelps, still holding to Nathan as a guide, set off to meet the force, which was believed to be rapidly approaching, and the farmer said impatiently to the corporal:
“If it so be, sir, you count on carrying out the orders given ’twixt now and dark, it is time for us to be moving, for boats are not plentiful hereabout, and we shall have a long tramp before gathering as many as will carry your force across.”
