Part 20 (1/2)

”It won't do to have any doubt about it,” Peter said. ”We must go round and have a look at it.”

”We shall have to cross the river,” Harold remarked.

”Ay, cross it we must,” Peter said. ”That hill's got to be inspected.”

They withdrew into the wood again and made a circuitous deviation till they came down upon the river, two miles above Ticonderoga. They could not reach the water itself, as a road ran along parallel with it and the forest was cleared away for some distance. A number of men could be seen going backward and forward on the road.

Having made their observations, the scouts retired again into a thick part of the forest and waited till nightfall.

”How are we to get across?” Harold asked Peter. ”It's a good long swim, and we could not carry our muskets and ammunition across.”

”Easy enough,” the scout said. ”Didn't you notice down by the road a pile of planks? I suppose a wagon has broke down there, and the planks have been turned out and n.o.body has thought anything more about 'em.

We'll each take a plank, fasten our rifle and ammunition on it, and swim across; there won't be any difficulty about that. Then, when we've seen what's on the top of that 'ere hill, we'll tramp round to the other end of the lake. I heard that the army was to advance half on each side, so we'll meet 'em coming.”

When it was perfectly dark they left their hiding place and crossed the clearing to the spot where Peter had seen the planks. Each took one of them and proceeded to the river side. Peter, Harold, and Jake divested themselves of some of their clothes and fastened these with their rifles and ammunition to the planks. To the Indians the question of getting wet was one of entire indifference, and they did not even take off their hunting s.h.i.+rts. Entering the water the party swam noiselessly across to the other side, pus.h.i.+ng their planks before them. On getting out they carried the planks for some distance, as their appearance by the water's edge might excite a suspicion on the part of the Americans that the works had been reconnoitered.

After hiding the planks in the bushes they made their way to Sugar Hill, as the eminence was called. The ascent was made with great circ.u.mspection, the Indians going on first. No signs of the enemy were met with, and at last the party stood on the summit of the hill. It was entirely unoccupied by the Americans.

”Well, my fine fellows,” laughed the scout, ”I reckon ye've been doing a grist of work, and ye might jest as well have been sitting down quietly smoking yer pipes. What on arth possessed ye to leave this hill unguarded?”

In point of fact General St. Clair, who commanded the Americans, had perceived that his position was commanded from this spot. He had only 3000 men under him, and he considered this number too small to hold Ticonderoga, Mount Independence, and Sugar Hill. The two former posts could afford no a.s.sistance to the garrison of a fort placed on Sugar Hill, and that place must therefore fall if attacked by the British. On the other hand, he hoped that, should the attention of the English not be called to the importance of the position by the erection of works upon it, it might be overlooked, and that General Burgoyne on his arrival might at once attack the position which he had prepared with so much care.

Having ascertained that the hill was unoccupied, Peter proposed at once to continue the march. Harold suggested to him that it would be better to wait until morning, as from their lofty position they would be able to overlook the whole of the enemy's lines of defense and might obtain information of vital importance to the general. Peter saw the advantage of the suggestion. Two of the Indians were placed on watch, and the rest of the party lay down to sleep. At daybreak they saw that the delay had been fully justified, for they had now a view of the water which separated Ticonderoga from Mount Independence, and perceived that the Americans had made a strong bridge of communication between these posts.

Twenty-two piers had been sunk at equal distances, and between them boats were placed, fastened with chains to the piers. A strong bridge of planks connected the whole. On the Lake Champlain side of the bridge a boom, composed of great trees fastened together with double chains, had been placed. Thus, not only had communication been established across the stream, but an effectual barrier erected to the pa.s.sage of the fleet. Fully satisfied with the result of their investigations, the party set out on their return.

CHAPTER XII.

THE SETTLER'S HUT.

Before starting they stood for a minute or two looking over the forest which they were to traverse. To Harold's eyes all appeared quiet and still. Here and there were clearings where settlers had established themselves; but, with these exceptions, the forest stretched away like a green sea.

”Tarnation!” Peter exclaimed. ”We'll have all our work to get through safely; eh, chief?”

The Seneca nodded.

”What makes you say so?” Harold asked in surprise. ”I see nothing.”

Peter looked at him reproachfully.

”I'm downright ashamed of ye, lad. You should have been long enough in the woods by this time to know smoke when you see it. Why, there it is curling up from the trees in a dozen--ay, in a score of places. There must be hundreds of men out scouting or camping in them woods.”

Harold looked fixedly again at the forests, but even now he could not detect the signs which were so plain to the scout.

”You may call me as blind as a bat, Peter,” he said with a laugh, ”but I can see nothing. Looking hard I imagine I can see a light mist here and there, but I believe it is nothing but fancy.”

”It's clear enough to me, lad, and to the redskins. What do you say, chief?”

”Too much men,” the Seneca replied sententiously.