Again he was interrupted; but this time by cries expressive of satisfaction and good will.
“We were the ones who started the idea of taking the fort,” a recruit from Pittsfield cried, “and that being the case I hold we’ve got the right to say who shall lead us.”
“But the Green Mountain Boys won’t go except their colonel is in command,” another added, and a third cried:
“The men of Stockbridge will hold to Colonel Arnold, and won’t go on under another.”
“Well, I’ve heard all that before,” Corporal ’Lige said in a tone of fine irony. “If you have come to me to repeat the same story that has been goin’ ’round the encampment since daybreak, why then you are wastin’ your time. If you want my opinion so that this thing can be put right in short order, hold your tongues, an’ I’ll give it.”
“Let Corporal ’Lige finish.”
“He is soldier enough to know what should be done.”
“Go on, corporal, go on.”
This evidence of popularity was most pleasing to the old man, and smiling benignantly upon those nearest, he said, with the air of one who cannot be in the wrong:
“This is how it must be done: Let them as come with Colonel Easton, stick to him; the Green Mountain Boys shall hang to the tail of Colonel Allen’s coat, and the Stockbridge men may follow Colonel Arnold. That makes three bands of us. Now, mark you, lads, there are three sides to that ’ere fort—one apiece. Let us meet here at whatever hour you will, and then start on the minute, each troop taking a different course, an’ them who arrive first an’ capture the fortification, gets the credit.”