Faith wished that she was grown up. Then, she was sure, she would dare to tell this stranger of the way up the cliff to the unguarded entrance. “He could go up this evening, and then he could tell Colonel Allen all about it,” she thought, and before dinner was over she had resolved to find a way to tell him. But after a talk with Mr. Scott the visitor had declared he must get a few hours sleep. He said that he had been on the trail since very early that morning, and must be off again soon after sunset.
“Run in the sitting-room, Faithie, and fix a cushion for Mr. Phelps,” said Aunt Prissy, and the little girl started obediently.
“I’ll tell him now,” she resolved, and as the tall man followed her she said quickly: “I know how you can get into the fort and no one see you. It’s a secret. I’ll show you. But Uncle Phil won’t let me if you tell him.”
“I’ll not tell him. You are a brave child. Tell me quickly,” responded the tall stranger.
“There’s a canoe under the big willow at the bottom of the field——” began Faith, but he interrupted.
“Yes! Yes! I know. I am to cross the lake in it. But how can I get into the fort?”
“I could show you. I can’t tell you,” answered Faith.
“Then ’tis of small use. Harm might come to you, child,” he answered, stretching himself out on the long settle with a tired sigh.
Faith went slowly back to the kitchen. Here was the very chance she had so long hoped for, and this stranger would not let her attempt it.
All that afternoon Faith was very quiet. She walked across the fields to the shore and looked at the big willow tree where the canoe was concealed. She looked off toward Mount Defiance, and Mount Hope, rising clearly against the sky, as if standing sentinels for Fort Ticonderoga.