Kitabı oku: «Corporal 'Lige's Recruit: A Story of Crown Point and Ticonderoga», sayfa 7
CHAPTER IX. A BOLD STROKE
Isaac’s heart beat hard and fast when he and Nathan were thus left with but a single man to guard them, for he believed the time had come when they might succeed in turning the tables, because surely it would be easier to overpower one than three.
In this, however, he soon came to understand that he was mistaken.
Had either of the others been left on guard it is possible something might have been done; but Jason Wentworth was not a man to be caught napping, and while he seemingly directed his gaze out over the waters, at the slightest movement of either of the prisoners he was on the alert against an attempt at escape.
Twice had Isaac changed his position in order to make certain the man was keeping close watch upon them when his attention was apparently directed elsewhere, and each time he saw Master Wentworth’s musket raised that it might be ready in case a bullet was needed to check the flight of his captives.
“You had better not try that again,” the man said warningly when Isaac shifted his position the third time for no other reason than to make himself more comfortable. “In a case like this your lives count as nothing, and while I am unwilling to leave you to starve in the woods, I shall not hesitate to kill either or both, therefore do not make any feint at giving me the slip lest my patience should become exhausted.”
After that Isaac was exceedingly careful, as was young Beman, to remain silent and motionless.
While Corporal ’Lige’s recruit was ready to encounter serious danger in order to accomplish his ends, there was no idea in his mind of risking life needlessly when there was nothing to be gained.
Young Beman lay face downward, as he had thrown himself when the halt was called, giving no heed to the conversation between his comrade and Master Wentworth, and Isaac believed young Beman intended for him to understand that he would take no part in an effort to effect their release.
An hour passed and nothing had been heard from the two who had gone in search of a boat.
It surely seemed as if they must have met with some mishap, and a great hope sprang up in Isaac’s breast.
When thirty minutes more had passed Master Wentworth’s face gave evidence of the anxiety which had come upon him, and he looked toward his prisoners with such an odd expression that Isaac Rice trembled, fearing the man was beginning to believe it would be better to do with them as his friends had suggested.
Then, when it seemed impossible for Jason Wentworth longer to control his impatience, Master White returned as when he departed, and having the appearance of one who had walked far and rapidly.
“You found no boat?” Master Wentworth said interrogatively, and the man replied, as he seated himself wearily near by the prisoners:
“I do not believe there is one this side of Crown Point. Most likely the rebels took good care to gather in every craft that was to be found within half a dozen miles of here.”
For the first time since the little party came to a halt did Nathan evince any interest in what was going on around him, and now he partially turned as if to speak.
Isaac, believing he was on the point of telling what he knew regarding the seizure of boats, covered the boy’s mouth with his hand, for he was not minded to give the enemy any information.
Master Wentworth observed the movement, and evidently would have demanded an explanation, but for the fact that at this moment Ezra Jones came up through the thicket, instead of along the shore.
His report was much like Master White’s.
The boat he had expected to find near the trail leading to Sudbury was missing, and he had continued on nearly two miles further, but without avail.
Again did hope come into Isaac’s desponding breast.
The boy had believed Master Jones would surely find the craft in which he and Nathan had crossed the lake; but fortune favored the “rebel” cause in that respect at least, for the man must have turned about, when, by continuing on a very short distance further, he would have come upon that for which he was searching.
“We must go on foot,” Master Wentworth said after a short pause, “and the sooner we set out the better.”
“It’s all very well for you, who have been resting here, to say that,” Jones replied petulantly. “I’ve been making a road through the thicket for a matter of five miles or more, and don’t propose to move again until after I’ve had a breathing spell.”
“Why didn’t you come back by the shore, as you went?”
“Because there are a hundred pair of eyes watching this side of the lake. I could see the rebels on the opposite shore before I gained the trail, and then it was necessary to keep well hidden in the bushes. Even though I had found a boat, it is doubtful if I should have been allowed to pull up this way, for Seth Warner and Ethan Allen are much too keen to let any one pass who is headed in the direction of Crown Point.”
“They are waiting for the wind to die away before setting out to take the fort, and if we would save it to the king it is time to be about the work,” Master Wentworth said half to himself, but his comrades gave no heed to the words.
Then ensued a long time of silence, and Isaac was well content, for each moment of delay lessened the danger, as he believed.
Thanks to the indolence of Masters White and Jones, it was nearly nightfall before they were ready to begin the journey, and then the latter intimated that he had recovered from his fatigue.
“If we fail to give the warning in time, you and White can take the fault to yourselves,” Master Wentworth said angrily, after which he ordered the prisoners on in advance once more.
“They have begun to quarrel among themselves, and perhaps our time will come before morning,” Isaac whispered to Nathan as they pushed on in advance, and young Beman appeared more willing to listen than when the subject was first broached; but yet he made no reply.
An hour later night had fully come, and the flying clouds so completely obscured the sky that it was difficult for the travelers to make their way even along the shore where was nothing, save here and there a point of rocks, to impede the progress.
More than once did the boys walk directly into the water, and twice Master White fell headlong over a fallen tree, despite all efforts to the contrary, and then it was Jason Wentworth who proposed a halt.
“We are not making two miles an hour at this rate,” he said in the tone of one who is offended with his companions. “We may as well stop where we are until it is light enough for us to see the way.”
Nathan and Isaac came to a halt immediately, and, ordering them to keep close by his side, the leader of the party sought for a camping-place amid the shrubbery.
It was not possible to make any choice selection while it was so dark that one could not distinguish objects a dozen paces in advance, and at the first cleared space sufficiently large to admit of the men stretching out at full length, Master Wentworth made his preparations for the night.
He ordered the boys to lie down; covered them with four or five saplings, and on the ends of these he and Master White laid themselves in such manner that the first movement made by the prisoners must awaken the captors.
It was the Indian method of guarding captives; but, owing to the absence of robes or blankets with which to cover the ends of the saplings, those who lay on the outside had a most uncomfortable bed.
Isaac, still on the alert for any advantage, observed, rather by sense of hearing than of sight, that Master Wentworth kept his musket close beside him, while the other two leaned their weapons against the bushes.
It seemed to Corporal ’Lige’s recruit as if Nathan Beman had finally come to understand that escape might yet be possible, for the latter prodded his comrade with his elbow from time to time, as if to prevent him from falling asleep, and Isaac returned the pressure with vigor.
Then, when it appeared as if fully an hour had passed, the heavy breathing of the men told that they were fast asleep, and Nathan whispered cautiously:
“These fellows ain’t so smart as I’d counted on. I’ve heard father tell how he outwitted the savages when they had him in the same kind of a trap, an’ I can work this if you’re ready.”
“Begin at once; there is no time to lose.”
Then it was that young Beman breathed loudly as if wrapped in profound slumber, and tossed about restlessly, all the while pressing against Master White.
Isaac did not understand the purpose of such maneuver, but he was content with knowing that his comrade had at last consented to make an effort toward escape.
More than once Master White partially awakened, and grumbled because of Nathan’s restlessness; but at the same moment he unconsciously moved aside slightly, and each time he did this the prisoners were so much nearer liberty.
Then came the time when Nathan whispered:
“He has at last rolled off the saplings, and I can crawl away without disturbing him. Are you ready to follow?”
“Yes. Can’t you get the muskets? Two are near our feet, and the other is by the side of Wentworth.”
“It is enough if we give them the slip.”
“If we get possession of the muskets they cannot send a bullet after us in case one awakens before we are well off.”
“I’ll try it,” Nathan replied as he began wriggling his body out from under the saplings, not daring to move in the direction of where Master White lay.
Isaac, literally trembling with excitement, followed his example, and it seemed to him as if half an hour had been consumed in the task, when really no more than five minutes were thus spent before the boys were on their feet and the men apparently still wrapped in slumber.
Even now Nathan would have made good his escape without an effort to secure the weapons, and pressed his comrade’s arm to intimate that there was no time to be lost; but Isaac, dropping to his hands and knees, crept toward Master Wentworth.
When the plan had so far succeeded that they were on their feet, a bold scheme came into Isaac’s head, and he believed now was come the time for him to gain the good opinion of Corporal ’Lige, if he should be so fortunate as to see the old soldier again.
Moving with infinite care, and giving no heed to what Nathan might be doing, the boy crept to Master Wentworth’s side, and it was with difficulty he repressed a cry of exultation as his fingers closed over the musket.
Cautiously rising to his feet, and at the same instant assuring himself the flint was in place, but forgetting that he had no powder with which to prime the weapon, Isaac stepped back to where he had left his comrade.
Nathan was no longer there, but from a short distance away came a slight rustling of the foliage, and Isaac waited, his heart beating so violently that it seemed positive the thumping must awaken their enemies.
Before Corporal ’Lige’s recruit could have counted twenty, Nathan stood by his side, and it needed but one touch of the hand to tell the former that all the weapons had been secured.
Young Beman had done his work well, for he not only held the two muskets, but a powder-horn well filled, and a shot pouch heavy with bullets.
Now it was that, having all the advantage, Nathan began to be sensible of a glow of patriotism, and he whispered to his comrade as he carefully primed one of the muskets:
“It wouldn’t be a hard task to take these fellows into Sudbury, if we had something with which to fetter their hands.”
“My mother made the cloth of this coat I am wearing, and I promise that it’s as strong as a rope.”
Without waiting for a reply Isaac began stripping the garment into narrow bands, by aid of his teeth, and the noise caused Master Wentworth to half rise as he cried:
“Hey! White! Jones!”
“Stay where you are!” Nathan shouted. “We’ve got all the muskets, and are in the mood to shoot if you make any trouble. It won’t go much against the grain to put a couple of bullets into the two who wanted to leave us trussed up in the thicket, where we would starve to death!”
Master Wentworth sank back upon the ground very quickly, and at the same instant must have discovered that his ammunition had not been seized, for he cried to his companions:
“They can’t prime the muskets, and it is the same – ”
“You’ll know whether we can or not if you make any move! Don’t think we were such fools as to forget that part of the business! I’ve got all the powder and balls that’ll be needed to give you three a solid dose. Tie Master Wentworth’s hands behind his back, Isaac, and if he so much as winks while you are doing it I’ll quiet him. Lie down!” he added fiercely as in the dim light he saw one of the others attempting to rise. “If you make any fuss we’ll shoot first an’ talk afterward!”
It was more than probable one of the men might, because of the darkness, have gotten off without injury; but each knew that should such an attempt be made Nathan could shoot down perhaps two of the party, and each probably feared it might be himself who would receive the bullet.
Therefore it was that they obeyed young Beman’s orders strictly, and as soon as might be Master Wentworth was lying on his face with both hands tied securely behind his back.
To fetter the others in the same fashion was neither a long nor a difficult task, because, like the bullies they were, both showed the white feather when danger threatened their precious selves, and no more than fifteen minutes had elapsed from the time Nathan first set about making the attempt at escape before the prisoners were powerless for harm.
With their hands thus securely lashed behind them, it was impossible for the men to rise without assistance, and while Nathan stood with the musket raised that he might shoot at the first show of resistance, Isaac helped the prisoners to their feet.
“Now it is you three who will obey our orders, instead of knocking us about,” young Beman said gleefully, “and I’ll make the same threat Master Wentworth did: At the first show of trying to escape, I’ll shoot, an’ even though it is dark, there’s little chance of missing aim, for we shall keep close in the rear. Take one musket, Isaac, and the other we’ll leave here, rather than hamper ourselves by too much of a burden.”
“Do you count on trying to make your way through the thicket while it is so dark?” Ezra Jones asked in a surly tone.
“That’s what we shall do.”
“Then you may as well shoot us offhand, for if it was hard work when we were free, what chance have we with our hands tied?”
“If you think that is the best plan I’ll follow your advice, and never so much as wince in the doing of it, for you was one who would have left us to starve,” Nathan said so promptly that the man involuntarily ducked his head as if fearing a bullet might follow the words.
“Where are you bent on taking us?” Jason Wentworth asked, after he had somewhat recovered his composure.
“Our orders were to go to Sudbury, and I think we’d better keep on in that direction, rather than lose time by carrying you to Ticonderoga. We could do that last if we pleased, for our boat is hidden among the bushes nearabout where Master Jones turned back. What say you, Isaac Rice? Is it to be Sudbury, or the fort?”
“It is best we see Captain Baker as soon as may be, and if you think we can find our way through the woods, I’ll say nothing against a short cut, for time presses.”
The prisoners were driven like sheep, both boys marching directly behind them with leveled muskets, and, as may be expected, the advance was exceedingly slow.
The men stumbled over fallen trees, and each of them fell headlong half a dozen times before the seemingly long night came to an end; but still they were urged on at the best possible pace until sunrise, when a brief halt was made.
Two hours after the journey had been resumed the trail was found, and from that time on until the outskirts of the settlement was gained, the party marched at a reasonably rapid rate of speed.
Once a glimpse of Sudbury was had Isaac became exceedingly prudent, and insisted upon calling a halt, while Nathan declared they should press forward until the prisoners could be delivered to Captain Baker.
“I shan’t feel comfortable in mind until all three are off our hands, for there’s no knowing how many friends they may have in the settlement.”
“That is exactly why I would halt here,” Isaac replied, and Corporal ’Lige would have rejoiced had he known how rapidly his recruit was learning his duties as a soldier. “We do not know in which house Captain Baker lives, and while making inquiries, still having the prisoners with us, we might come upon those who would turn the tables once more, before we had so much as gained speech with the officer.”
“Then what would you do?”
“We are within less than half a mile of the settlement. Let us march the prisoners into the thicket, where they will be hidden from view of any who may come this way, and while one stands guard over them, the other can seek out the captain. After that has been done he can take charge of the affair, and our work will be well and thoroughly done.”
“Who is to remain here?” Nathan asked.
“It shall be as you say.”
Young Beman remained silent a moment, and then, with the air of one who has decided an important question, said:
“You shall go into the settlement, and if either of these Tories so much as opens his mouth while you are gone, I’ll put a bullet through him.”
“And you must not hesitate to carry out that threat,” Isaac added firmly. “Now is come the time when we may prevent any news from being carried to Crown Point, and at the same moment deliver Colonel Allen’s message, therefore blood must be spilled if necessary.”
Jones and White looked thoroughly alarmed, while Jason Wentworth said approvingly:
“You lads are in the right, from your own standpoint, which is a wrong one, however; but since we have been so dull as to let you get the best of us, it is but proper we should pay the penalty for disobeying orders.”
“Will you give us your word not to make an outcry if any person should pass by on the trail?” Isaac quietly, having no little respect for this enemy who could look upon the situation so fairly.
“If by giving up my life I can prevent the capture of Crown Point, you may be certain I shall not hesitate.”
Isaac looked significantly at Nathan, as if to say that this man should be guarded more closely than the others, and after the prisoners had been marched into the thicket, where they were completely hidden from view, Corporal ’Lige’s recruit set out, Nathan calling after him:
“Do not loiter by the way, either in going or coming, for I am not quite at my ease while alone.”
“Have no fear I shall delay. It should not be a long task to find Captain Baker, and most likely you’ll see me again in less than an hour. Keep your wits about you, and remember how much mischief may be done if you hesitate to shoot when it becomes necessary to do so.”
CHAPTER X. CROWN POINT
Never since the moment when Corporal ’Lige had promised to make a soldier of him, had Isaac Rice been as happy as now.
He had atoned for the mistake made when they first set out on the journey, although it was really none of his, and, in addition to having prevented the news of what had been done at Ticonderoga from being carried to Crown Point, had as prisoners three who could have made no slight amount of trouble for the colonists.
Surely the old corporal would praise Nathan and himself, and he glowed with pride as he thought of the report he could make on his return to the fort.
“Of course Nathan Beman has as big a share in this work as I, and it is his right; but I know it was not me who grew faint-hearted when we were in the power of the enemy, an’ there’s a deal of satisfaction in that thought.”
On arriving at Sudbury, half an hour after having left his comrade, Isaac made inquiries for Captain Baker’s dwelling, and learned that had Nathan’s proposition been carried out, they would have been forced to parade the prisoners through the entire settlement before coming upon the house.
The captain was within sound of his wife’s voice when Isaac finally stood before the good woman asking to see her husband, and came up quickly; but with a look of disappointment on his face when he saw his visitor was only a boy.
“Is this Captain Remember Baker?” Corporal ’Lige’s recruit asked, for he was not minded any mistake should be made now that his work was so nearly accomplished.
“Yes; what do you want?”
“I am come from Colonel Allen – ”
“Where is he?” the captain asked eagerly.
“That I may not tell you until we are alone.”
“Come into the house! Come in and refresh yourself, and you shall tell me that with which you are charged while partaking of such food as my wife can prepare quickly.”
“It is not well for me to spend time in eating until after Nathan Beman is relieved from his charge.”
“What have you to do with that young Tory, if it is true that you come from Ethan Allen?” and now the captain began to show signs of being suspicious.
“I will tell the whole story, beginning with the capture of Ticonderoga – ”
“So the fort has been taken by our people!” Captain Baker cried joyously as he clasped the messenger by the hand with such force as to make the boy wince. “Tell me quickly! When was the work done?”
More than once before he had come to the story of his and Nathan’s adventures was Isaac interrupted by the eager soldier; but after a certain time he succeeded in imparting all the information, and was rewarded by hearing the captain say:
“You showed rare good sense in leaving the prisoners outside the settlement, for while we in Sudbury are with the colonists in their task of teaching the king a much-needed lesson, there are some who might have tried to work mischief had you applied to them asking the location of my dwelling. Wait here until I can summon a few of the Green Mountain Boys, who have been awaiting word from Ethan Allen, and we’ll soon relieve you of the Tories.”
Captain Baker ran out, not stopping for a reply, and while he was absent his wife insisted on Isaac’s eating such food as she had already prepared, until it seemed to the boy that he would not need anything more for twenty-four hours.
Then six men, each armed with a musket, arrived, and were ushered into the house, and Isaac was called upon to tell once more of how Ticonderoga had been captured, after which the party set out to find the prisoners.
Corporal ’Lige’s recruit acted the part of guide, and in less than an hour the three Tories, having been given a liberal supply of cornbread, were being marched back on the trail toward the captured fort.
Both Isaac and Nathan believed it was their duty to accompany the prisoners; but Captain Baker insisted that they remain at his home in order to gain the repose which was needed, promising that they should arrive at Ticonderoga nearly as soon as if they had gone with the company escorting the Tories.
Therefore it was the boys remained, well content with the work they had performed, and not until the morning of the twelfth of May was the return journey begun.
Then the wind was blowing gently from the southward, and Nathan said mournfully:
“We have of a surety lost the chance of going to Crown Point, for the hunter will be up and doing this morning, and is likely well on his way by this time.”
Overhearing his words the captain added:
“Ay, lad if he didn’t get there yesterday, which I misdoubt, you may count that he started before daybreak this morning; but you can have the satisfaction of knowing that save for your work, his task might not be so easy.”
“Think you he can surprise the garrison?” Isaac asked.
“I see no reason why it should not be done, especially after your capture of the Tories, for thus far Colonel Allen has succeeded in keeping his movements a secret, at least from the people in this section of the country, and why may you not say the same of Crown Point?”
To the surprise of the boys no less than twenty men were assembled in front of Captain Baker’s house by the time breakfast had been eaten, and on making inquiry Isaac learned that these were all of the Green Mountain Boys who had been ordered by their leader to rendezvous at Sudbury until summoned elsewhere.
The company, under command of Captain Baker, took up the line of march over an old trail through the woods, marching to a point on the shore of the lake nearly two miles further down from where the boys had landed, when they came from the fort.
There, snugly hidden in the thicket ready for just such an emergency as had already come, were found four stout boats, each capable of carrying not less than a dozen men, and after all were embarked and the little fleet pushed off from the shore, it appeared quite formidable.
Each craft boasted of a sail, and with the wind from the southward there was no need of labor at the oars, therefore this portion of the journey promised to be most pleasant.
“This is different from what we expected when Master Wentworth marched us in front of his musket,” Isaac said in a tone of content, and his comrade replied:
“We got out of a small hole in fine style.”
It was when they were midway from the point of embarkation to Fort Ticonderoga that young Beman cried excitedly, pointing toward that shore which they had just quitted, where could be seen two small boats laden with men who were pulling into a cove as if seeking shelter:
“It looks to me as if those fellows are wearing red coats!”
It was the first intimation Captain Baker had that there were others in the immediate vicinity, and instantly he gave word for the boats to be hauled around for the purpose of learning who these strangers were.
Hardly had this maneuver been executed when one of the men announced positively that young Beman was right in his conjecture.
“They are most likely Britishers, who escaped from Ticonderoga, or have come from Crown Point on their way to St. John in search of reinforcements,” Captain Baker cried excitedly, and orders were given for the men to take to the oars.
Then ensued a chase which was quickly ended, owing to the precaution taken by the Britishers themselves.
They had put into the cove hoping to escape detection, and it proved to be a trap for them.
No sooner were the boats arrived off this place of refuge than Captain Baker gave orders for them to be strung out in line, thus cutting off all hope of escape by water, and in his own craft pulled near to where the two boats, manned by seven soldiers, were drawn up as if prepared to do battle.
It was soon evident they understood well the truth of the old adage that “discretion is the better part of valor,” for immediately Captain Baker called upon them to surrender, they threw their arms into the bottom of the boat in token of submission.
Nathan was most grievously disappointed. He had fancied there might be a skirmish, or at least an exchange of shots, for until the morning when Ticonderoga was taken so readily he had believed the king’s soldiers to be invincible, and even now he was not prepared to see them surrender to a force little more than four times their number.
The prisoners readily answered the questions put by the captain.
They were from Crown Point, and having learned of the surrender of Ticonderoga had been dispatched by the sergeant in command of the garrison, for reinforcements.
They stated, in addition, that it was not believed those who had taken Ticonderoga would push on to Crown Point immediately, consequently plenty of time remained in which that post might be reinforced. Therefore it was the sergeant in command had not hesitated to weaken his small garrison by thus sending seven men on a mission which might more readily have been accomplished by one.
“There is yet time for us to do Seth Warner a good turn,” Captain Baker cried sufficiently loud for all his men to hear. “It is more than likely the garrison at Crown Point will hold out when the Green Mountain Boys demand its surrender, believing reinforcements are, or speedily will be, on the way. Now, instead of stopping at Ticonderoga, our plan is to push directly on to the fort, and when it is known that we have captured the messengers I reckon the fortification will be surrendered with but little parley.”
Although the captain had thus spoken as if making a suggestion, his men understood that his words were little short of a command, and after transferring the prisoners the fleet was gotten under way.
Thanks to the freshening wind the boats were soon making good time in the race to overtake the force led by Seth Warner.
“And it is to be Crown Point for us, after all!” Nathan cried exultantly, whereat, hearing the words, Captain Baker asked:
“What is your name, lad?”
“Nathan Beman from Shoreham.”
“So? I knew your father was on the right side; but understood that you and your mother were hardly to be trusted.”
“I cannot say anything for mother; but since I have seen the king’s soldiers surrender so readily I am with the Green Mountain Boys and those who share their opinions.”
“When you are so nearly with them as to enlist, come to me, lad, and I will give you a musket in the best company that can be found this side of Cambridge.”
Isaac looked at his new friend reproachfully, and the latter said with a laugh:
“I know all you are thinking; but when I enlist, and it ain’t certain but that I shall do so soon if the people continue to hold out against the king, I propose to set my name down for that company to which you belong.”
“Do so when we go back to the fort,” Isaac cried gleefully, “and side by side you and I will see many a brave adventure.”
“But the trouble is we may see more than will be pleasing, though I truly believe I shall enlist.”
“And Corporal ’Lige shall teach us both a soldier’s duty.”
This proposition apparently did not meet with favor, for Nathan at once changed the subject of the conversation by inquiring regarding the probable condition of affairs at Crown Point, after which the boys listened to the conversation of their companions as they spoke of Lexington and Concord, and of what should be done to avenge the murders committed there.
