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

“Better that than remain here wasting time in talk.”

Matthew White was of the opinion that it would be wisest to make the journey afoot rather than take the risk of being overhauled by the “rebels;” but to this Master Wentworth would not listen, and, he evidently being the leader of the party, carried his point.

The two men set out, and immediately after their departure Jason Wentworth ordered his prisoners back into the underbrush a short distance from the shore, where he stood guard over them, and at the same time could keep close watch for the return of his companions.

CHAPTER IX. A BOLD STROKE

Isaac’s heart beat hard and fast when he and Nathan were thus left with but a single man to guard them, for he believed the time had come when they might succeed in turning the tables, because surely it would be easier to overpower one than three.

In this, however, he soon came to understand that he was mistaken.

Had either of the others been left on guard it is possible something might have been done; but Jason Wentworth was not a man to be caught napping, and while he seemingly directed his gaze out over the waters, at the slightest movement of either of the prisoners he was on the alert against an attempt at escape.

Twice had Isaac changed his position in order to make certain the man was keeping close watch upon them when his attention was apparently directed elsewhere, and each time he saw Master Wentworth’s musket raised that it might be ready in case a bullet was needed to check the flight of his captives.

“You had better not try that again,” the man said warningly when Isaac shifted his position the third time for no other reason than to make himself more comfortable. “In a case like this your lives count as nothing, and while I am unwilling to leave you to starve in the woods, I shall not hesitate to kill either or both, therefore do not make any feint at giving me the slip lest my patience should become exhausted.”

After that Isaac was exceedingly careful, as was young Beman, to remain silent and motionless.

While Corporal ’Lige’s recruit was ready to encounter serious danger in order to accomplish his ends, there was no idea in his mind of risking life needlessly when there was nothing to be gained.

Young Beman lay face downward, as he had thrown himself when the halt was called, giving no heed to the conversation between his comrade and Master Wentworth, and Isaac believed young Beman intended for him to understand that he would take no part in an effort to effect their release.

An hour passed and nothing had been heard from the two who had gone in search of a boat.

It surely seemed as if they must have met with some mishap, and a great hope sprang up in Isaac’s breast.

When thirty minutes more had passed Master Wentworth’s face gave evidence of the anxiety which had come upon him, and he looked toward his prisoners with such an odd expression that Isaac Rice trembled, fearing the man was beginning to believe it would be better to do with them as his friends had suggested.

Then, when it seemed impossible for Jason Wentworth longer to control his impatience, Master White returned as when he departed, and having the appearance of one who had walked far and rapidly.

“You found no boat?” Master Wentworth said interrogatively, and the man replied, as he seated himself wearily near by the prisoners:

“I do not believe there is one this side of Crown Point. Most likely the rebels took good care to gather in every craft that was to be found within half a dozen miles of here.”

For the first time since the little party came to a halt did Nathan evince any interest in what was going on around him, and now he partially turned as if to speak.

Isaac, believing he was on the point of telling what he knew regarding the seizure of boats, covered the boy’s mouth with his hand, for he was not minded to give the enemy any information.

Master Wentworth observed the movement, and evidently would have demanded an explanation, but for the fact that at this moment Ezra Jones came up through the thicket, instead of along the shore.

His report was much like Master White’s.

The boat he had expected to find near the trail leading to Sudbury was missing, and he had continued on nearly two miles further, but without avail.

Again did hope come into Isaac’s desponding breast.

The boy had believed Master Jones would surely find the craft in which he and Nathan had crossed the lake; but fortune favored the “rebel” cause in that respect at least, for the man must have turned about, when, by continuing on a very short distance further, he would have come upon that for which he was searching.

“We must go on foot,” Master Wentworth said after a short pause, “and the sooner we set out the better.”

“It’s all very well for you, who have been resting here, to say that,” Jones replied petulantly. “I’ve been making a road through the thicket for a matter of five miles or more, and don’t propose to move again until after I’ve had a breathing spell.”

“Why didn’t you come back by the shore, as you went?”

“Because there are a hundred pair of eyes watching this side of the lake. I could see the rebels on the opposite shore before I gained the trail, and then it was necessary to keep well hidden in the bushes. Even though I had found a boat, it is doubtful if I should have been allowed to pull up this way, for Seth Warner and Ethan Allen are much too keen to let any one pass who is headed in the direction of Crown Point.”

“They are waiting for the wind to die away before setting out to take the fort, and if we would save it to the king it is time to be about the work,” Master Wentworth said half to himself, but his comrades gave no heed to the words.

Then ensued a long time of silence, and Isaac was well content, for each moment of delay lessened the danger, as he believed.

Thanks to the indolence of Masters White and Jones, it was nearly nightfall before they were ready to begin the journey, and then the latter intimated that he had recovered from his fatigue.

“If we fail to give the warning in time, you and White can take the fault to yourselves,” Master Wentworth said angrily, after which he ordered the prisoners on in advance once more.

“They have begun to quarrel among themselves, and perhaps our time will come before morning,” Isaac whispered to Nathan as they pushed on in advance, and young Beman appeared more willing to listen than when the subject was first broached; but yet he made no reply.

An hour later night had fully come, and the flying clouds so completely obscured the sky that it was difficult for the travelers to make their way even along the shore where was nothing, save here and there a point of rocks, to impede the progress.

More than once did the boys walk directly into the water, and twice Master White fell headlong over a fallen tree, despite all efforts to the contrary, and then it was Jason Wentworth who proposed a halt.

“We are not making two miles an hour at this rate,” he said in the tone of one who is offended with his companions. “We may as well stop where we are until it is light enough for us to see the way.”

Nathan and Isaac came to a halt immediately, and, ordering them to keep close by his side, the leader of the party sought for a camping-place amid the shrubbery.

It was not possible to make any choice selection while it was so dark that one could not distinguish objects a dozen paces in advance, and at the first cleared space sufficiently large to admit of the men stretching out at full length, Master Wentworth made his preparations for the night.

He ordered the boys to lie down; covered them with four or five saplings, and on the ends of these he and Master White laid themselves in such manner that the first movement made by the prisoners must awaken the captors.

It was the Indian method of guarding captives; but, owing to the absence of robes or blankets with which to cover the ends of the saplings, those who lay on the outside had a most uncomfortable bed.

Isaac, still on the alert for any advantage, observed, rather by sense of hearing than of sight, that Master Wentworth kept his musket close beside him, while the other two leaned their weapons against the bushes.

It seemed to Corporal ’Lige’s recruit as if Nathan Beman had finally come to understand that escape might yet be possible, for the latter prodded his comrade with his elbow from time to time, as if to prevent him from falling asleep, and Isaac returned the pressure with vigor.

Then, when it appeared as if fully an hour had passed, the heavy breathing of the men told that they were fast asleep, and Nathan whispered cautiously:

“These fellows ain’t so smart as I’d counted on. I’ve heard father tell how he outwitted the savages when they had him in the same kind of a trap, an’ I can work this if you’re ready.”

“Begin at once; there is no time to lose.”

Then it was that young Beman breathed loudly as if wrapped in profound slumber, and tossed about restlessly, all the while pressing against Master White.

Isaac did not understand the purpose of such maneuver, but he was content with knowing that his comrade had at last consented to make an effort toward escape.

More than once Master White partially awakened, and grumbled because of Nathan’s restlessness; but at the same moment he unconsciously moved aside slightly, and each time he did this the prisoners were so much nearer liberty.

Then came the time when Nathan whispered: