Corporal 'Lige's Recruit: A Story of Crown Point and Ticonderoga

by James Otis

  CHAPTER V.

  NATHAN BEMAN.

  In his fear and trouble it seemed to Isaac as if this stranger mightrender him some valuable assistance.

  It was as if he stood alone amid the recruits, now that Corporal 'Ligehad been claimed, so to speak, as leader of the Pittsfield faction, andthe lad needed some one to whom he could appeal for advice.

  Therefore it was that while the new-comer was staring about him as ifdistracted by the tumult, Isaac approached in the most friendly manneras he asked:

  "Are you a recruit?"

  "What do you mean by that?"

  "Do you belong to the soldiers here?"

  "Do you call these soldiers?" the stranger asked almost contemptuously.

  "Well, if they ain't, what do you call them?"

  "They look to me like a crowd of folks what was goin' to have a fightpretty soon."

  "That's jest what I'm afraid of. Say, do you live near here?"

  "No, I came from Shoreham. We heard there was a crowd comin' to takeFort Ticonderoga, an' seein's how they didn't get along very fast, Ithought I'd come an' hunt 'em up. Do you count yourself a soldier?"

  "I did when I left Pittsfield; but I've kind'er got over that feelin'now. What's your name?"

  "Nathan Beman."

  "Mine's Isaac Rice."

  "What made you come out with a crowd like this?"

  "All the folks 'round our way was enlisting, and they said it was theduty of everybody to fight against the king. Besides that the corporalwas going, an' he agreed to put me through in great shape."

  "Who's the corporal?"

  "That's him over there with the red coat on."

  "Do you allow an old chap like him could put anybody through in verygreat shape?"

  "You mustn't talk like that about Corporal 'Lige where anybody will hearyou. Why, he's a regular soldier; fought under General Abercrombie in'58, an' I reckon if it hadn't been for him the king's troops would havegot it terrible bad."

  "An' that's about the way they did get it."

  "Well, Corporal 'Lige is here now, an' it'll be different. Did you eversee the fort?"

  "See it? Why, I'm over there pretty near very week. Our folks sell eggsan' chickens an' such truck to the garrison, an' I know the place jestlike I do my own home."

  "Do you s'pose we can take it?"

  "There seems to be a sight of you here; but I shouldn't want to make aguess till after I'd seen whether there's going to be a row among allhands or not. Father says when thieves fall out honest men get theirdue."

  However frightened Isaac might be, he was not disposed to allow any boyof his own size to call the members of this army thieves, even thoughthey were in a state of insubordination, and forgetting all his fears hedemanded sternly:

  "Who are you calling thieves?"

  "Now, you needn't get so huffy, 'cause I didn't mean anything," Nathanreplied quietly, and yet with no show of alarm; "but father is alwayssayin' that, an' I s'pose it means--well I don't know what, except thatall hands of you are fightin' here, an' it looks like as if CaptainDelaplace would get the best of it."

  "Who's he?"

  "The commandant of the fort, of course."

  "Well, see here, Nathan, it begins to look as though there was goin' tobe a row for a fact, and I hoped you lived close by so I could go toyour house till it was over."

  "But you're a soldier, ain't you?"

  "Not much of one."

  "Well, if you've enlisted, a fight is right where you belong," andNathan appeared to think this settled the matter beyond any argument.

  "I ain't so certain of that; but even if I do belong in a fight I shan'tstay in one. It seems like as if Corporal 'Lige had turned me off, an'all he's thinking about is helping our crowd get the best of theStockbridgers."

  "Well, there ain't anything very dangerous here yet awhile; suppose wewait an' see how things turn? I don't care overmuch for fightin' myself;but that's no reason why I shouldn't want to know whether there's likelyto be a row or not."

  Isaac admired the courage of his new acquaintance and immediatelyadopted him as a protector, taking up his position a pace or two in therear of Nathan as he watched the threatening movements.

  The recruits from Pittsfield and vicinity were standing in close orderwith the corporal at their head, evidently ready for whatever turn mightcome in affairs.

  Some of them retained their weapons; but the majority appeared to havemore confidence in their fists, and with arms bared to the elbow wereawaiting the word which would precipitate them upon the small body fromStockbridge who guarded the treasure.

  This last detachment had either learned of the advice given by Corporal'Lige, or scented danger because they were so few in numbers as comparedwith the other two factions, and were standing shoulder to shoulderready to resist an expected attack.

  A short distance away the Green-Mountain Boys remained strictly bythemselves; but not giving any sign of taking part in the lawlessproceedings. So long as Ethan Allen was considered the head of theexpedition they were satisfied to stand aloof from any brawl.

  As has been said before, the leading officers were nowhere to be seen;some of the better informed declared they were in the shelter near bywhich had been used as their quarters during the night, and with ColonelArnold were discussing the question of superiority in rank.

  Corporal 'Lige hesitated to give the word which should precipitate theriot.

  He had been elevated to the position of leader and perhaps theresponsibility weighed heavily upon him, for certain it is that afteradvising what should be done, he evinced a disposition to retire fromwhat might be the scene of a conflict.

  "Look here, old man, we're ready to do as you have said. Now give theword and lead us on to those recruits. We'll soon find out what they'remade of," one of the men said as the corporal turned toward the rearmuch as though intending to join Isaac and Nathan:

  "Yes, give the word. This is your plan, and we're ready to carry it outas you have said!"

  "Fair an' easy; fair an' easy, comrades," Corporal 'Lige saidsoothingly. "A good general doesn't depend wholly on his plan until he'smade certain of the enemy's position. You don't allow that we can rushin hilter-skilter an' hope to work our purpose, eh?"

  "Why not? There are only a dozen of them to near fifty of us."

  "But look at Colonel Allen's regiment."

  "Well, what of them? They are not in this quarrel, for their commanderis leader of the expedition so far."

  "No, they are not in it," the corporal said; "but what assurance have wethey won't take a hand as soon as we begin operations? Don't you allowthey know what the Stockbridge men brought with them?"

  "Why, everybody in camp knows that."

  "Then do you suppose they're goin' to stand by idly while we take themoney and munitions?"

  The men began to murmur among themselves, and Corporal 'Lige appearedwell satisfied that they should thus consume the time; but before manyminutes had passed one and another spoke derisively of the old man,asking what his plan was good for if he didn't dare carry it out, or whyhe had not made mention of what Colonel Allen's men might do in event ofhis suggestion being acted upon?

  At first the corporal was not minded to take heed of these disparagingremarks; but as the clamor increased he was forced to defend himself,and made answer sharply:

  "The plan was good, and the only one likely to succeed. When I got thatfar with it you jumped to the idea that it should be worked out at once.Now all the while I was keeping my eye fixed on Colonel Allen's men,tryin' to make up my mind what they'd do when we struck the first blow,and I haven't decided yet."

  "You're a coward! You claimed to be an old soldier, and to know more ofwarfare than any one in this encampment, not excepting the commanders,but yet you don't dare lead fifty men against a dozen!"

  "If I don't dare it isn't because I'm afraid of bodily injury; but Ican't afford to stake my reputation as a soldier where the chances arelikely to be so heavy against us. It's one thing to h
ave a good plan,an' just as important to know when to carry it out. If we hang togetheran' are ready to take advantage of the first opportunity that comes,then we'll be showing our strength; but not by rushing in hilter-skilterlike a crowd of boys primed for a rough-an'-tumble fight."

  Corporal 'Lige's argument was evidently considered a good one, for atonce the outcries which had been raised against him died away, the menyet remaining in position as if ready to act upon any suggestion hemight make.

  "I don't reckon there's goin' to be much trouble 'round here after all,"Nathan said in a tone of disappointment, and Isaac gave vent to a sighof relief. "It strikes me that old man crawled out of a pretty smallhole."

  "Do you mean to say he wouldn't dare do what the men wanted?"

  "Well, he would be a pretty poor stick if he didn't. There's four ofthis crowd to one of that. What I allow is he's afraid of the officers,and if this is any kind of a military company he's got good cause to be,accordin' to the way things run up to the fort. There you wouldn't hearprivates tellin' who should command 'em, an' who shouldn't, else they'dfind themselves in trouble."

  At this moment a great shout went up from the Green-Mountain Boys, andas the two factions who had stood facing each other ready for theencounter glanced around quickly, they saw Colonel Ethan Allenapproaching.

  Then the Stockbridge men set up a shout, for Colonel Arnold stepped toAllen's side as if of equal rank, and the Pittsfield detachment remainedsilent, because Colonel Easton was walking in the rear of these twoofficers.

  "It looks as if our colonel had given in, an' wasn't countin' onstandin' up for his own rights," Corporal 'Lige said mournfully. "Letone of you run over there an' tell him what we're ready to do. Say we'llbegin the scrimmage as soon as he gives the word."

  This order was obeyed, and the little troop watched the messenger as heapproached the colonel, and, without so much as touching his cap by wayof salute, spoke earnestly during a few seconds.

  Then Colonel Easton was seen to shake his head decidedly, and the manreturned to his fellows looking thoroughly ashamed.

  "What's the matter?" Corporal 'Lige asked sharply.

  "He says if we had any idea of our duties as soldiers we should be lessready to advise and more eager to obey."

  "There's a good deal of sense in that," the corporal said thoughtfully;"but at the same time I claim matters are in such shape that we'rejustified in making the proposition. When a body of men have got acommander what won't stand up for himself, it's time the rank and filetook the matter in hand."

  "Is that what you call good soldiering?" Nathan Beman asked shrilly, andIsaac clutched his new friend by the arm frantically for it alarmed himthat any one should dare ask such a bold question of the corporal.

  The old man turned around angrily; opened his mouth as if to speak, andthen, repenting of his purpose, faced the on-coming officers once more,much as if to say that such a question from such a questioner was notworthy of regard.

  The group of officers advanced until they were standing at equaldistances from each of the three factions, and Colonel Allen said,speaking slowly and distinctly, looking at the forces from Stockbridgeand Pittsfield:

  "It is no secret that you men are disgruntled because I have been chosencommander of the expedition. You are enlisted as militia from theprovince of Massachusetts and as enroled men have no voice in choosing acommander. Therefore I propose to make no explanation of the matter; buthave taken this opportunity to address you in order to say that, by theadvice and with the consent of the others in command, those of you whocannot obey such orders as may be given regardless of who is the leader,had best return home from this point. It shall not be counted againstyou as deserters, for the names of those who are unwilling to servecheerfully will be stricken quietly from the rolls, without any mentionwhatever, dishonorable or otherwise. Colonel Arnold presents himselfwith due authority from the province of Massachusetts to take command ofany troops not exceeding four hundred which may be raised for thepurpose of attacking Fort Ticonderoga. Under all the circumstances hehas decided to wave his claim of rank and act as volunteer until thepurpose for which we have advanced be accomplished. Now, then, those ofyou who cannot obey my orders, step to the right."

  The Green-Mountain Boys began to raise shouts of approval, but theircolonel checked them by saying sternly:

  "Silence in the ranks! Let no man dare give voice to his approval ordisapproval of what may occur in this encampment!"

  It was as if Colonel Easton believed some of his men might takeadvantage of the opportunity, and stepping quickly to the side of Allen,he said:

  "Lads, when the question came up last night as to who should lead thisexpedition, I cast the first vote for Colonel Allen. He is a soldier ofmuch experience and great ability. It is my earnest desire that he takeupon himself the responsibility of directing our movements, andwhatsoever he orders shall be performed by me faithfully and promptly."

  Colonel Arnold made no attempt to address his men, and the threeofficers stood in silence several moments, after which Allen said:

  "Because none of you have signified your desire to be relieved from theenlistment, we will suppose all are willing to go forward, and from nowout there can be no excuse for insubordination or hesitation."

  This said, the officers withdrew once more, and now that their colonelwas no longer there to check them the Green Mountain Boys set up a shoutof triumph, which was answered by derisive yells from Corporal 'Lige'stroop, and apparent indifference by the men from Stockbridge.

  "I reckon I may as well go home now," Nathan said in a low tone toIsaac. "There don't seem to be any chance of a row because the men aregoing to give in easy enough; but I'd like to see 'em find their wayinto the fort. It ain't so easy as they're countin' on."

  "Who is this boy, Isaac?" Corporal 'Lige asked as he stepped toward thelads, apparently glad of an opportunity to disengage himself from thosewho had shown they were ready to obey his commands.

  Isaac gave such explanation as was within his power, and the old manasked, addressing Nathan:

  "What do you know about Fort Ticonderoga?"

  The boy made reply much as he had to Isaac, and the corporal questionedhim sharply:

  "Have you been allowed to roam over the fortification at will?"

  "There was no reason why I shouldn't. I know all the boys who live inthe fort, an' after I finished what I went for, who'd stop us from goin''round?"

  "How many soldiers are there in the place?"

  "Somewhere about fifty, I should think."

  "Women and children?"

  "Yes, 'most twice as many, I reckon, though I never counted 'em."

  "And you say you know all the ins and outs of the fort?"

  "Look here, how many times do you want me to tell you? Of course I do;but what's that got to do with you?"

  Nathan spoke in such a disrespectful tone that Isaac literally trembledlest the corporal should fall upon him in his wrath.

  "Wait you here till I come back, an' see to it that you don't move fromthis spot."

  The corporal gave this command in his sternest tones, and withoutwaiting for a reply hastened off in the direction where the officers haddisappeared, while Nathan stood looking at his new acquaintance inmingled surprise and bewilderment.

  "Now, what does that old man mean when he tells me to wait here? Whatright's he got to order me 'round?"

  "Don't get disgruntled," Isaac said imploringly. "I tell you he's agreat soldier, and you'll see that his order means something, 'cause thecorporal don't make foolish talk."

  "Then, what was it I heard when I come up here an' he was tellin' themen what to do, but backed down after findin' they were ready to followhim?"

  "That part of it was all right. The time hadn't come for him to carryout his plans, and he explained it. Couldn't you hear him?"

  "I heard what he said; but that didn't deceive me."

  Then Isaac explained with many a detail why the old man was the ablestsoldier in the encampment
, and while he was trying to convince theskeptical Nathan, Corporal 'Lige returned, looking very important andmysterious.

  "You're to come with me," he said tapping Nathan on the shoulder.

  "Where?" the boy asked sharply.

  "I said you were to come with me."

  "Well, you may say it again before I go. I want to know what you'rethinkin' of doin'. I ain't one of these make-believe soldiers that canbe ordered 'round by such as you."

  During an instant the corporal glowered at the boy as if of a mind tochastise him for his too familiar words, and then Isaac interposed tosave his new-found friend from what he feared would be most severepunishment.

  "He'll go with you, Corporal 'Lige; don't be angry with him. You seehe's a stranger here, an' doesn't understand what----"

  "I understand enough not to go till I know what he's about," Nathancried angrily, wrenching himself free from Isaac's detaining grasp andleaping back a few paces.

  The corporal clapped his hand to his side as if to raise a sword, andthen realizing that he had no such weapon, said in a remarkablyconciliatory tone:

  "I told Colonel Allen that you were well acquainted with the interior ofthe fort, and he would speak with you a few moments."

  "Well, if you'd said that in the first place I would have been willing;but when you jumped down on me as if I was one of these recruits, Iwasn't goin' to stand it."

  "If you are willin' to come, follow me."

  "Am I to go with you?" Isaac asked pleadingly, and the corporalhesitated an instant before replying:

  "Yes, lad, I don't reckon it'll do any harm, and it may give you aninsight into the way we manage military affairs."