Part 30 (1/2)
”An admirable suggestion! So it shall be done.”
”Ay, Forest, and shoot anyone who attempts to leave the fort, whether friend or foe.”
”You are very stern, Arnold.”
”These times demand sternness.”
CHAPTER XVII.
CROWN POINT.
”Colonel, an army is approaching.”
Ethan Allen at once thought that a regiment of English was about to try and wrest the fort from him.
He was agreeably disappointed when he saw that the men were his own Green Mountain Boys, led by Seth Warner.
Warner had been doing good work in Vermont, and, finding it advantageous to join his chief, he had marched his men to Ticonderoga.
A warm welcome was accorded the captain and his men, and Allen at once gave the command of the operations against Crown Point to Seth Warner.
The fortifications at Crown Point were erected at a cost of ten million dollars, and up to that time had never a shot been fired from them.
Trusting to the strength of the stone barracks and the extensive earthworks, England had kept only a small force at the fort, and at the time of the capture of Ticonderoga only a sergeant and twelve men composed the garrison.
Seth Warner was delighted at the honor conferred upon him by his chief.
Ethan Allen had a reason for keeping as strong a garrison at Ticonderoga as possible, for he feared that Delaplace might try to escape and perhaps recapture the fort.
Arnold was surly. He thought that Allen had lost confidence in him, but Allen reasoned the matter with his Connecticut hero, and satisfied him that no insult was intended.
Crown Point is about eleven miles north of Ticonderoga. The town itself lies six miles away from the fort.
Seth Warner started on his march, his men highly elated at the prospect of winning renown.
When about halfway they were met by a man dressed in the garb of a monk.
He carried a crucifix and a long staff.
His hair was white, and a long beard, which reached nearly to his waist, was as white as driven snow.
Waving his staff above his head, he called to the soldiers to stop.
Warner had no great liking for monks, though he was honest enough to respect every man's religion.
”What is it you would have, good father?” asked Warner.
”In the name of the ever true and good, I crave your a.s.sistance, and, if you will grant it, I will give you my blessing, which is better than rubies and more valuable than gold.”