Part 10 (1/2)
Allen returned his half-drawn sword to its scabbard and said bluffly: ”For the sake of the cause I agree to this.” The Connecticut colonel sullenly a.s.sented, and the three columns moved briskly along the sh.o.r.e, led by the two colonels marching side by side, till, through the branches of the budding trees, the leaders saw close before them the walls of Ticonderoga, looming dark and vague in the gray of the morning.
CHAPTER XVI-TICONDEROGA
A halt was silently signalled, and Job, the skilfullest scout of all this band of woodsmen, was sent forward to reconnoitre. Silently, as a ghost, his tall figure melted into the obscurity of dawn, and presently appeared, out of the blur of shadows, bearing whispered tidings that all was quiet within the Fort, and only one sentinel carelessly guarding the open wicket of the main entrance.
A whispered word of command drifted back along the ranks and the troops moved forward. They mounted a slight declivity and advanced to the right toward the gate. Now the sentinel could be seen pacing his beat; now the white cross-belts and the facings of his uniform made out, and still he maintained his deliberate pace, unconscious of the enemy, while, perhaps, his thoughts were far away in the green fields of merry England, where the hawthorn was blooming and the lark singing ”at heaven's gate.”
The heads of the files were close upon him when his wandering thoughts were suddenly recalled. Too much surprised to challenge or call an alarm, he levelled his fusee at Allen's towering figure and pulled the trigger. The life of the bold chieftain hung for an instant in the trembling balance of fate, but not a spark followed the stroke of the flint. The guard turned and fled through the open wicket with Allen and Arnold, side by side, close upon his heels. After them came Nathan; and the crowding files of men swarmed through the narrow gate in an impetuous rush, and, guided by the boy, onto the parade. This was enclosed on three sides by lofty stone barracks. Here they caught a last glimpse of the flying sentry dodging into a bombproof, like a woodchuck into a hole. Another sentinel made a bayonet thrust at Nathan, when Allen's sword fell quick as a thunderbolt upon the man's head in a downright blow that must have cleft the skull, had it not glanced on a metal comb that held his hair in place.
The a.s.sailants quickly formed in two ranks, facing outward upon the east and west lines of barracks, and gave three cheers that made the gray walls ring with quick, rebounding echoes.
”Quick, my boy, show me the commandant's quarters,” said Allen, and his guide led to a flight of outer stairs arising to the upper story of the south barracks. Ascending them, Allen shouted:
”Come forth, commandant, come forth.” But receiving no answer he thundered on the door with the pommel of his sword and shouted still louder:
”Come out of your hole, you d.a.m.ned old skunk,” and thereupon the door was drawn a little ajar. Allen flung it wide open, and disclosed the bewildered face and undignified figure of Captain Delaplace, clad only in his s.h.i.+rt and nightcap, with his breeches in his hand. Behind him stood his night-gowned wife, her pretty face pale with alarm. For a moment the captain gaped at his unceremonious visitor.
”Who are you and what do you want?”
”I want the Fort and all it contains. Surrender, instantly.”
”Surrender? Is this a mad joke or treason?”
”Neither; but honest men claiming their own. Surrender.”
”In whose name? By whose authority?” asked Delaplace, a.s.sured of the earnestness of the summons.
”In the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress.”
”I know no such authority.”
”Sir, do you deny the authority of the King of Kings? And Congress seemeth to have some power here this morning. Waste no more time. We are four to your one. Do you surrender?”
”I see no choice. But it consoles me that you rebels will hang for this.”
”You are welcome to the consolation of the hope, but it gives me no uneasiness and I run no new risks. I am Ethan Allen. You may have heard of me and have l.u.s.ted for the shekels the sons of Belial offer for my head. But get on your clothes and parade your men without arms. Madam,”
bowing low to the lady, ”pardon the intrusion, but my business is urgent. Permit me to close the door.” So doing he awaited the reappearance of the commandant.
”This is a pretty kettle of fish,” the chopfallen captain groaned.
”Courage, my dear; this handsome giant has something of the manners of a gentleman, and will not let a lady be maltreated by his rebel band.”
”Oh, William, the Fort surprised, and we prisoners, and not a blow struck for defense.”
”There could be no defense with such numbers. Well, there's no use crying over spilt milk. Did you see that pet cub of yours with the big rebel? What did I tell you?” said the captain, putting the finis.h.i.+ng touches to his hasty toilet.
He rejoined Allen and proceeded to the parade, where, presently, he mustered his little force without arms and formally delivered them to the captors, who marched them away to their quarters under guard. Two days later, with an armed escort, they were on their way through the wilderness to Connecticut, and Nathan saw the last of the lady of the Fort.