one at all!"

The bold courage of their leader inspired the handful of men with actual
belief in the successful outcome of the attack. There were no doubts
expressed during the voyage across the lake. But when the landing was
made, at the foot of the bluff on which the fort was built, the east was
already streaked with pink. The dawn of the tenth of May, 1775--a day as
marked in American history as any which we celebrate--was at hand. Less
than a hundred patriotic Green Mountain Boys had disembarked from the
boats under the shadow of Ticonderoga. With the rising of the sun their
presence would be discovered by the garrison of the fort, and once
warned of their approach, the British could easily defend the works from
any attack of infantry. Circumstances seemed to presage at that moment
the defeat of the cause and utter humiliation of the participators in
the proposed attack.

The boats had left the shore and were no longer to be descried, for a
light fog covered the water. There was no retreat. To hide this party on
the New York shore of the lake would be impossible. There were too many
Tories about. Allen turned to his men. His voice was low, but intense,
so that not only those around him, of which Enoch was one, but those at
a distance heard every word uttered.

"Friends! we have come here for a single purpose. It is to advance upon
yonder fortifications and capture them. We already outnumber the
garrison; I have certain information upon this point. But our companions
await on the other shore to be transported to this spot and join in our
glorious work. In the east, however, is a warning we can all read.
Before our friends can join us it will be day. We shall be observed
here; the garrison will be called to arms; our opportunity be lost. So,
my brave companions, we cannot wait.

"I shall attack the fort at once. I force no man to an act which caution
forbids. If any of you doubt, fall out of the ranks and make good your
escape. But I am going forward and those who trust in God and to my
leadership will advance at once!" He drew his sword and advanced a long
stride before the column of anxious patriots. "Forward!" he cried, and
inspired by the same spirit which animated their gallant leader, every
Green Mountain Boy obeyed the command. They would have cheered, but the
moment for anything of that kind was not opportune. The rising mist
scarcely concealed the fortress above them.

With Colonel Arnold by his side the