ng of the English enterprise.

Still there was no question but that the fort must be attacked, and
as the Rangers came in with the news that the French had broken up
and deserted a camp they had hitherto held at some sawmills on the
river, a little way from the fort, a detachment of soldiers was
sent to take possession of this place. This having been done, and a
bridge thrown over the river by an able officer of the name of
Bradstreet, the army was moved up, and encamped at this place prior
to the assault of the fort. Rogers and his Rangers had reconnoitred
the whole place, and were eager to tell their tale.

Fort Ticonderoga occupied a triangular promontory, washed upon two
sides by the waters of Lake Champlain and the river-like extremity
of Lake George. The landward approach was guarded by a strong
rampart of felled trees, which the soldiers had formed into a
breastwork and abattis which might almost be called musket-proof.
So at least Rogers and his men had judged. They had watched the
French at their task, and had good reason to know the solid
protection given to the men behind by a rampart of this sort.

He was therefore all eagerness for the cannon to be brought up from
the lake.

"The artillery will make short work of it, General," he said, in
his bluff, abrupt fashion. "It will come rattling about their
heads, and they must take to the walls behind, and these will soon
give way before a steady cannonade. Or if we take the cannon up to
yonder heights of Rattlesnake Hill, we can fling our round shot
within their breastwork from end to end, and drive the men back
like rabbits to their burrow; or we can plant a battery at the
narrow mouth of Lake Champlain, and cut off their supplies. With
the big guns we can beat them in half a dozen ways; but let our
first act be to bring them up, for muskets and rifles are of little
use against such a rampart as they have made, bristling with spikes
and living twigs and branches, which baffle assault as you might
scarce believe without a trial."

Rogers spoke with the assurance and freedom of a man used to
command and certain of his subject. He and Lord Howe had been on
terms of most friendly intimacy, and the young Brigadier had
learned much from the veteran Ranger, whose services had been of so
much value to the English. He would never have taken umbrage at
advice given by a subordinate. But General Abercromby was of a
different order, and he little liked Rogers' assure