His timorousness had fled before the thought that there might yet be a chance, he knew not how, of preventing the information of the fall of Ticonderoga from being carried to Crown Point.
The boy had in his heart just then what is commonly called courage, and his will was 200 good, at whatever cost to himself, to repair the mischief which had been done.
He had hoped to animate his companion to the same pitch, but the failure to do this did not discourage him, and while obeying strictly the orders given, he was keenly aware of everything which might be of benefit.
He heard the men discussing what they would do in case of a failure to find a boat near by where they gained the shore, and learned that in such an event one of them would return to the landing-place to get the craft of which they knew, with the idea that a single oarsman would not be molested while pulling leisurely up stream as if bent on business of his own.
He also understood that it was the purpose of his captors, after warning the garrison at Crown Point, to muster a force of Loyalists 201 from the immediate vicinity, and march into Sudbury with the idea of taking Captain Baker and his men prisoners before a second messenger should be sent from Ticonderoga.
There seemed little hope that such information could avail him, and yet he was in a certain degree elated because of having gained it.
On arriving at the shore of the lake, where the men had thought it possible a boat might be found, no craft of any kind was to be seen.
The wind still held strongly from the north, and Jason Wentworth announced in a tone of satisfaction:
“The rebels won’t get very far on their journey toward Crown Point this day, and I am mistaken if the wind doesn’t freshen after sunset.”
“It will be precious hard work for us to make our way against such a breeze,” Ezra Jones grumbled.