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

The prisoners readily answered the questions put by the captain.

They were from Crown Point, and having learned of the surrender of Ticonderoga had been dispatched by the sergeant in command of the garrison, for reinforcements.

They stated, in addition, that it was not believed those who had taken Ticonderoga would push on to Crown Point immediately, consequently plenty of time remained in which that post might be reinforced. Therefore it was the sergeant in command had not hesitated to weaken his small garrison by thus sending seven men on a mission which might more readily have been accomplished by one.

“There is yet time for us to do Seth Warner a good turn,” Captain Baker cried sufficiently loud for all his men to hear. “It is more than likely the garrison at Crown Point will hold out when the Green Mountain Boys demand its surrender, believing reinforcements are, or speedily will be, on the way. Now, instead of stopping at Ticonderoga, our plan is to push directly on to the fort, and when it is known that we have captured the messengers I reckon the fortification will be surrendered with but little parley.”

Although the captain had thus spoken as if making a suggestion, his men understood that his words were little short of a command, and after transferring the prisoners the fleet was gotten under way.

Thanks to the freshening wind the boats were soon making good time in the race to overtake the force led by Seth Warner.

“And it is to be Crown Point for us, after all!” Nathan cried exultantly, whereat, hearing the words, Captain Baker asked:

“What is your name, lad?”

“Nathan Beman from Shoreham.”

“So? I knew your father was on the right side; but understood that you and your mother were hardly to be trusted.”

“I cannot say anything for mother; but since I have seen the king’s soldiers surrender so readily I am with the Green Mountain Boys and those who share their opinions.”

“When you are so nearly with them as to enlist, come to me, lad, and I will give you a musket in the best company that can be found this side of Cambridge.”

Isaac looked at his new friend reproachfully, and the latter said with a laugh:

“I know all you are thinking; but when I enlist, and it ain’t certain but that I shall do so soon if the people continue to hold out against the king, I propose to set my name down for that company to which you belong.”

“Do so when we go back to the fort,” Isaac cried gleefully, “and side by side you and I will see many a brave adventure.”

“But the trouble is we may see more than will be pleasing, though I truly believe I shall enlist.”

“And Corporal ’Lige shall teach us both a soldier’s duty.”

This proposition apparently did not meet with favor, for Nathan at once changed the subject of the conversation by inquiring regarding the probable condition of affairs at Crown Point, after which the boys listened to the conversation of their companions as they spoke of Lexington and Concord, and of what should be done to avenge the murders committed there.

And now it came to pass that these two lads were most grievously disappointed in their anticipations concerning the capture of the fort.

Probably each had in his mind the thought that he was to see somewhat of war, more at least than had been witnessed at Ticonderoga; but it was not to be.

As the little fleet approached the point, Warner and his men were just disembarking.

Although Captain Baker’s party was but a mile away at that time, when they gained the shore the garrison had been surrendered without the firing of a gun, and the booming of the cannon told that again were the “imitation soldiers” successful in their efforts to teach his majesty a lesson.

One hundred and fourteen cannon, of which sixty-one were fit for service, were among the spoils on this morning, and after having made up a list of such goods as were found in the fort, Seth Warner did the two lads the great favor of sending them to Colonel Allen with the news of the bloodless victory.

“Go you on ahead, lads,” Captain Baker said when the boys had been intrusted with the message. “I won’t spoil a good fortune by seeming to accompany you; but will linger here until you are well on the way, and after having given Ethan Allen the best news he could possibly receive at such a critical time, I very much question whether you may not ask whatsoever you will from him.”

Hurriedly the messengers departed in order that they might arrive well in advance of Captain Baker’s company, and when they were pulling down the lake, Isaac said thoughtfully:

“You heard what Captain Baker said, that Colonel Allen might grant anything we asked?”

“Yes, and I know what is in your mind this minute.”

“Name it then.”

“You think I am counting on asking him for money.”

Isaac’s face flushed and he made no reply.

“I might have done so a few days ago, but now I am coming around on the same track with father, and say that the colonists do right in resisting the king. If it so be he permits, I will enlist this day.”

And Nathan Beman kept his promise, even going so far as to desire Corporal ’Lige should stand sponsor for him when, the message having been delivered, Colonel Allen thanked them again and again for the cheering intelligence and asked what they would choose as their reward.

“Only the permission to enlist,” Nathan said, and the colonel stared at him in open-mouthed astonishment for several seconds, after which he asked with a laugh:

“Are you not the same lad who so thirsted for money that he refused to show the way into the fort unless first paid for his services?”

“Ay, sir; but I have come to think differently since then, and now I’m going for a soldier, because it looks to me as if the colonists would speedily worst the king.”

“Whereas a few days ago it appeared to you that the boot was on the other foot?”

“I did not think farmers could be turned into soldiers, sir.”

“You may readily believe it now, lad, more especially since you have seen how easy it is for one who was almost a royalist to become a good American, and now I am speaking of yourself. Enlist wherever you will, and I will take it upon myself to see that both you lads rise in the service as rapidly as you shall deserve.”

THE END