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

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.

And now it came to pass that these two lads were most grievously disappointed in their anticipations concerning the capture of the fort.

Probably each had in his mind the thought that he was to see somewhat of war, more at least than had been witnessed at Ticonderoga; but it was not to be.

As the little fleet approached the point, Warner and his men were just disembarking.

Although Captain Baker’s party was but a mile away at that time, when they gained the shore the garrison had been surrendered without the firing of a gun, and the booming of the cannon told that again were the “imitation soldiers” successful in their efforts to teach his majesty a lesson.

One hundred and fourteen cannon, of which sixty-one were fit for service, were among the spoils on this morning, and after having made up a list of such goods as were found in the fort, Seth Warner did the two lads the great favor of sending them to Colonel Allen with the news of the bloodless victory.

“Go you on ahead, lads,” Captain Baker said when the boys had been intrusted with the message. “I won’t spoil a good fortune by seeming to accompany you; but will linger here until you are well on the way, and after having given Ethan Allen the best news he could possibly receive at such a critical time, I very much question whether you may not ask whatsoever you will from him.”

Hurriedly the messengers departed in order that they might arrive well in advance of Captain Baker’s company, and when they were pulling down the lake, Isaac said thoughtfully:

“You heard what Captain Baker said, that Colonel Allen might grant anything we asked?”

“Yes, and I know what is in your mind this minute.”

“Name it then.”

“You think I am counting on asking him for money.”

Isaac’s face flushed and he made no reply.

“I might have done so a few days ago, but now I am coming around on the same track with father, and say that the colonists do right in resisting the king. If it so be he permits, I will enlist this day.”

And Nathan Beman kept his promise, even going so far as to desire Corporal ’Lige should stand sponsor for him when, the message having been delivered, Colonel Allen thanked them again and again for the cheering intelligence and asked what they would choose as their reward.

“Only the permission to enlist,” Nathan said, and the colonel stared at him in open-mouthed astonishment for several seconds, after which he asked with a laugh:

“Are you not the same lad who so thirsted for money that he refused to show the way into the fort unless first paid for his services?”

“Ay, sir; but I have come to think differently since then, and now I’m going for a soldier, because it looks to me as if the colonists would speedily worst the king.”

“Whereas a few days ago it appeared to you that the boot was on the other foot?”

“I did not think farmers could be turned into soldiers, sir.”

“You may readily believe it now, lad, more especially since you have seen how easy it is for one who was almost a royalist to become a good American, and now I am speaking of yourself. Enlist wherever you will, and I will take it upon myself to see that both you lads rise in the service as rapidly as you shall deserve.”

THE END