In a private conversation held with the corporal he reported that strong though the fortification was, the walls were in a state of great dilapidation; few, if any, precautions taken against surprise; military discipline was hardly known, and the sentinels in particular were remiss in their duty.
Master Phelps had no difficulty in making such investigations as he chose, and declared that in his opinion, providing the garrison could be taken by surprise, there was nothing to prevent a capture of the fort.
However, in order that all this might be 139 effected, boats were necessary, and there was not a sufficient number on the shores near about to convey one-tenth of the men in Colonel Allen’s command.
“It is well you have come with me,” Master Phelps said to the corporal, “for while I am returning, you and the lad, accompanied by the farmer, shall set about seizing all the boats which may be found in this vicinity, having due heed to your movements, however, lest you proceed so far in the direction of Crown Point as to arouse suspicions in that quarter. Work as expeditiously as is in your power, for the troops will arrive here not later than midnight, and it is absolutely necessary there be ready proper craft to convey them across the lake.”
Then Master Phelps, still holding to Nathan as a guide, set off to meet the force, which was believed to be rapidly approaching, 140 and the farmer said impatiently to the corporal:
“If it so be, sir, you count on carrying out the orders given ’twixt now and dark, it is time for us to be moving, for boats are not plentiful hereabout, and we shall have a long tramp before gathering as many as will carry your force across.”
CHAPTER VII. TICONDEROGA.
It was not necessary Farmer Beman should urge Corporal ’Lige to make haste in this matter which had been intrusted to him, for the old soldier understood full well how necessary it was that means of transportation for the troops should be at hand when the men arrived, and had good reason to believe that such task as was assigned him could not be readily performed.
He even showed himself more eager in the work than the farmer, for when the latter would have delayed in order to eat the noonday meal, the old man positively refused as he said:
“We can have dinner after Ticonderoga has 142 been taken, but until then there must be no thought of rest. Although as I understand, detachments are to be sent to Skenesborough and Panton, it is not positive they can get boats from there to this point in time, and we must act as if believing the matter of transportation depended wholly upon ourselves.”