of Americans was swelled from hour to hour
by new recruits.

To camp at night was a small matter to these hardy pioneers. The scouts
sent out upon either flank acted as hunters and fresh meat was abundant.
Besides, every man was fairly supplied with provisions brought from
Castleton. Inspired by the energy of Ethan Allen the column rapidly
approached the shore of the lake. While some miles away, however, the
group of officers riding ahead of the main body, suddenly descried a
tall woodsman striding through the forest toward them. "Who is this
chap, Major?" demanded Allen of his friend Warner. "Had I not sent 'Siah
Bolderwood to watch Old Ti like a cat at a rathole, I'd declare this to
be he."

"And so it is, Colonel!" returned the other. "Something of moment must
have sent our lengthy friend this way, for he is a man who knows how to
obey orders," and he spurred forward to meet the footman.

"Wall, Captain," was 'Siah's greeting, squinting around the horseman at
the long column of marching men, "you look like you had a slather of
folks yonder. I guess there'll be something in the wind around Old Ti
'fore long, hey?"

"And how is it you are not there, Bolderwood?" demanded Warner.

"Wall, I got an idee into my noddle an' leavin' Smith and Brown to watch
Old Ti, for it might run away 'fore ye git there, ye know, I trotted
down this way ter see the Colonel. Ev'rything is safe there so fur, but
there's one thing we've neglected."

"What is that, Bolderwood?" cried Allen, riding up and hearing this last
sentence.

"Why, Colonel, although I count you as purty near ekal to 'most
anything, an' them fellers behind ye seemed armed to deal with any foe,
still I calkerlate you ain't expectin' ol' Champlain ter open for ye to
pass over dry shod, hey?"

Allen smote his thigh with his gauntleted hand and the expression on his
face changed. "Right, 'Siah! I can't forgive myself for my
thoughtlessness. We must have boats--and plenty of them--to cross to the
fort."

"That's what struck me last night, Colonel. So I left the others ter
watch the fort--an' a sarpint that wriggled into aour han's
yesterday--and come kitin' down here for orders."

"A serpent, 'Siah?" said Warner. "Who is it?"

"One o' them Yorkers, an' one that I've not had my eyes on--let alone my
hands--for a good many months. An' I see a chap behind you there that'll
be some interested in meeting the rascal, too."

'Siah had looked past the officers and, in