ad, you hold to that opinion, an' I'll have my own, an' 'twixt
the two of us I reckon he won't be able to do any mischief. His father
is a proper kind of man; holds to it that the colonists are right in
making war against the king, and stands ready to do all he can in
furtherance of the cause. Therefore if this young jack-a-napes holds
himself too high an' mighty in the mornin' we shan't be wholly in his
power."

When day dawned, however, Corporal 'Lige had no reason to complain of
Nathan.

The lad showed himself of the mind to earn the six shillings, and now
that he was at home, appeared less suspicious of his companion's
intentions.

Perhaps this was due in part to the fact that his father, well knowing
what the visitors would have, took it upon himself to give the guide
positive instructions, and at an early hour Nathan set out accompanied
by Master Phelps.

It was his intention that Isaac should be one of the party; but to this
the farmer made decided objections, insisting that more than one
stranger might cause suspicion, and therefore it was that Corporal 'Lige
and his pupil remained quietly at the farm until noon of that day, when
the delegate from the Connecticut Assembly returned well pleased with
what he had seen.

In a private conversation held with the corporal he reported that strong
though the fortification was, the walls were in a state of great
dilapidation; few, if any, precautions taken against surprise; military
discipline was hardly known, and the sentinels in particular were remiss
in their duty.

Master Phelps had no difficulty in making such investigations as he
chose, and declared that in his opinion, providing the garrison could be
taken by surprise, there was nothing to prevent a capture of the fort.

However, in order that all this might be effected, boats were necessary,
and there was not a sufficient number on the shores near about to convey
one-tenth of the men in Colonel Allen's command.

"It is well you have come with me," Master Phelps said to the corporal,
"for while I am returning, you and the lad, accompanied by the farmer,
shall set about seizing all the boats which may be found in this
vicinity, having due heed to your movements, however, lest you proceed
so far in the direction of Crown Point as to arouse suspicions in that
quarter. Work as expeditiously as is in your power, for the troops will
arrive here not later than midnight, and it is absolutely necessary
there be