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

At times it was really painful to force one’s way through the tangled foliage, while now and again the boys found themselves floundering over swampy land; but Nathan made no complaint because he was responsible for having taken such a course, and Isaac hardly dared protest lest his companion should be angered.

“I still maintain that it was better to come this way than travel two miles in vain,” Nathan said as he threw himself upon the ground, and Corporal ’Lige’s recruit ventured to suggest mildly:

“I’d rather walk three miles on the shore than one here, where a fellow is obliged to fight his way through.”

“Perhaps you know this country better than I do, and would take the lead?”

“Not so. You left Ticonderoga as guide, and it would not be seemly in me, who am a stranger here as well as a lad unaccustomed to this sort of warfare which is now being conducted, to do other than follow your lead; but – ”

The remark which was intended to soothe the irritation in the guide’s breast was not concluded, for Isaac was interrupted by the sudden and unexpected appearance of three men, who came upon the boys as if from an ambush.

“Hullo!” Master Beman cried carelessly as if something in the way of a salutation was expected from him.

Instead of replying to this hail the two lads were seized roughly, and without a word the strangers, taking possession of the musket, began searching the messengers’ clothing as if expecting something of value or importance would be found.

“Look here! What are you about?” Nathan cried angrily, while Isaac submitted in silence, for he understood that these three might be enemies to the cause. “What do you mean by handling me in this shape?”

“Better keep your tongue between your teeth, young Beman,” one of the men said in a surly tone. “When we ask for information there’ll be time enough for you to wag it so freely.”

Surprised at having been thus recognized, and heedless of the warning, Nathan continued:

“Who are you? I never saw you before! What right have you to handle me in this fashion?”

“The right of any of his majesty’s subjects, for in these times it is well to overhaul every rebel one runs across.”

“I’m no rebel!” Nathan cried, now exhibiting signs of alarm.

“Your father is, which amounts to the same thing,” the man replied, as, after having satisfied himself the lad had nothing concealed about his person, he rose to his feet. “Why are you abroad to-day?”

“How long since is it that a lad may not move about as he wishes?”

“Since rebellion first showed its head in these colonies. Now, answer my question, or it will be the worse for you!”

Isaac, thoroughly alarmed, had made no resistance either by word or movement when the stranger searched him, and although ignorant, as he had often said, of warfare, he understood now full well that they were fallen into the hands of enemies, who would not hesitate at the taking of human life in order to compass their ends.

Therefore he remained stretched upon the ground as when the men first came upon them, so terrified that it was almost impossible either to move or speak.

Young Beman was frightened, but not to such an extent as to prevent him from displaying anger, and instead of replying to the question he attempted to rise to his feet.

A blow delivered with unnecessary force sent him headlong to the ground again, and his captor said warningly:

“Have a care what you are about, Nathan Beman, for we are not disposed either to bandy words or waste much time on such as you, who, having professed friendship for those in the fort, was ready to betray them.”

Now, Nathan’s fears were as great as Isaac’s; but he made one more effort at asserting himself, and began by telling a lie.

“What have I done at the fort? I am but just come from my father’s house.”

“Take that for the falsehood, and this for believing us to be fools, who can be deceived by such as you,” the man replied as he viciously kicked the boy twice. “You have but just come from Ticonderoga, and must have been sent by the rebels who captured the fort.”

“What reason have you for saying that?” Nathan asked in a more subdued tone.

“First, the fact of your being here, and secondly because your comrade spoke, while we were within hearing, of your having been sent from Ticonderoga.”

Nathan shot an angry glance toward Isaac as if Corporal ’Lige’s recruit alone was to blame for this unpleasant interruption to the journey; but he ventured no reply lest further chastisement might follow.

“Tell me to whom you are sent, and have a care in the replying, for we are not minded to waste much time upon such as you.”

Nathan was beginning to understand that he was wholly in the power of an enemy, whom he could not readily deceive, and also believed that it might be painful for him if the answer was delayed.

He was not so devoted to the cause as to be willing to suffer in its behalf, and, therefore, said surlily:

“We were going to Captain Remember Baker at Sudbury.”

“Who sent you?”

“Colonel Allen.”

“Where is the message you are carrying?”

“He gave us none save by word of mouth.”

“Repeat it, and be careful lest you make the mistake of telling another lie.”

“There is nothing in it of importance or interest to you. It was simply that Captain Baker should come at once to Ticonderoga.”

“Then the fort was taken last night?”

“I thought you knew that?” Nathan cried in surprise, now understanding that he had divulged what it was most important should have been kept a profound secret until Crown Point had been captured.

“We heard that the rebels were marching toward the fort; but could not get there in time to warn the commandant.”

“Why was it you made prisoners of two boys if you were not knowing to all that has taken place?” Nathan asked, his curiosity getting the better of his fears.

“We took the chance that you could give us the desired information, because it was not reasonable old Beman’s son should be in this section unless on business of his father’s, and in these times one can well guess what that business might be. Therefore, having heard you floundering through the thicket, we drew near to listen to such conversation as you might indulge in.”

“Are you going to waste time explaining our purpose to that young cub, Jason Wentworth?” one of the men asked impatiently, and he who had been addressed replied with a laugh:

“We are not in as much haste now as we were half an hour ago, Ezra Jones. Captain Baker will not get the message, and while the wind holds in this quarter I’m allowing the rebels won’t reach Crown Point before we do.”

“They will if we loiter here all day. Truss up the lads, so they can do no mischief, and let us be off.”

“Would you leave them here in the thicket, Ezra Jones?”

“Why not?”

“They might starve to death, and while I’m willing to serve the king in all things, it is not my intent to be thus barbarous.”

“They can make themselves heard if any one passes by on the trail,” the third man replied very carelessly, and Ezra added quickly: