reserve for Col. Arnold and
myself. When you reach the other side, remember that there must not be
a sound. No word must be uttered, no fire made, but let every man lie
in the long grass and wait for orders."

A crew was selected for each boat, and the work of transporting the
little army across the lake was commenced.

The men pulled steadily and noiselessly across the waters of the
beautiful lake which the Indians called "Troquois," [Transcriber's
note: Iroquois?] and the early French settlers, who objected to
honoring the explorer, Samuel de Champlain, "Mere les Iroquois," and
still later, "Iracosia."

It was slow work, and the men asked permission to swim across, but
Allen was afraid the swim would be too exhausting.

When day broke the work had to cease, for the men at the fort would
have seen the boats and been put on their guard.

Arnold looked at the handful of men and predicted failure.

Allen counted the men and found eighty-three.

That was the strength of his little army.

It seemed absurd to think of attacking one of the strongest fortresses
on the continent with such a handful of men.

True, the garrison was small, but it was intrenched behind strong
walls, a well-filled moat and a line of breastworks carefully designed,
and improved bastions.

Allen called all his men together and addressed them.

"It is for your country that you will risk your lives," he said, "and
while you take care not to run into needless danger, remember that only
the daring will succeed. If we enter the fort, as we shall undoubtedly
do, set up a shout which shall make the garrison think we have eight
hundred instead of eighty men. Be brave, and the victory will be ours."

A thrill of excitement made every heart beat fast; cheeks glowed with
pleasure, heads were borne erect with pride, and the few men looked
invincible.

Allen and Arnold led the way; they never were in the rear.

When close to the fort they made a dash and gained the gateway.

"Stand back!" exclaimed the sentry.

He raised his musket to fire, but Allen knocked it on one side.

"Are you mad? Do you want to die?" he asked.

"Better die than be craven," answered the English soldier, bravely.

Allen had seized him round the waist and thrown him to the floor; he
picked himself up and ran into the fort, closely followed by the
mountaineers.

Suddenly the Green Mountain Boys set up such a shout as few garrisons
had ever heard.

"We are insi