ntruders than shutting the outer door, he marched down
the street with such a swagger as he evidently believed befitting a
soldier.

Isaac followed meekly at his heels, troubling his head not one whit
because he lacked a uniform, but believing he shared to a certain degree
in Corporal 'Lige's gorgeousness and martial bearing.

The two came to a halt outside the inn, standing stiffly at "attention,"
and there they remained until Master Phelps was forced to go out and bid
the old man enter, that the formality of signing the rolls might be gone
through with, after which Isaac Rice was duly entitled to call himself a
militiaman.

CHAPTER II.

A SECLUDED CAMP.

When these raw recruits departed from the town--Corporal 'Lige insisted
that they did not march--they were followed for several miles by nearly
all the men and boys in the vicinity.

The old man was greatly exercised because Colonel Easton, who now
assumed command, allowed such an unsoldierly proceeding as that his
troops should walk arm in arm with their friends, each in his own manner
and at his own convenience.

Had the corporal been invested with the proper authority he would have
had these raw recruits marshaled into ranks and forced to step in
unison, carrying their muskets at the same angle, and otherwise
conforming themselves to his idea of soldierly bearing--all this he
would have had them do; but whether he could have brought about such a
condition of affairs is extremely problematical.

"I allowed Colonel James Easton came somewhere near bein' a soldier,
even though he is only a militiaman," the corporal said in a tone of
intense dissatisfaction to Isaac as the two marched solemnly side by
side in the midst of their disorderly companions, "and I did think we
could set out from here and capture Ticonderoga, if all hands were
willin' to put their shoulders to the wheel; but I take back that
statement, lad, and am sorry I ever was so foolish as to enlist. I ought
to have known better when I saw the crowd that was signin' the rolls."

"Why, what's the matter, corporal?" and Isaac looked around in surprise,
for until this moment he had believed everything was progressing in
proper military fashion.

"Matter?" Corporal 'Lige cried angrily. "Look around and see how these
men are comportin' themselves, an' then you'll know. Here are them as
should be soldiers, seein's they've signed the rolls, mixed up with
citizens till you couldn't tell one f