Captain Baker ran out, not stopping for a reply, and while he was absent his wife insisted on Isaac’s eating such food as she had already prepared, until it seemed to the boy that he would not need anything more for twenty-four hours.
Then six men, each armed with a musket, arrived, and were ushered into the house, and Isaac was called upon to tell once more of how Ticonderoga had been captured, after which the party set out to find the prisoners.
Corporal ’Lige’s recruit acted the part of guide, and in less than an hour the three Tories, having been given a liberal supply of cornbread, were being marched back on the trail toward the captured fort.
Both Isaac and Nathan believed it was their duty to accompany the prisoners; but Captain Baker insisted that they remain at his home in order to gain the repose which was needed, promising that they should arrive at Ticonderoga nearly as soon as if they had gone with the company escorting the Tories.
Therefore it was the boys remained, well content with the work they had performed, and not until the morning of the twelfth of May was the return journey begun.
Then the wind was blowing gently from the southward, and Nathan said mournfully:
“We have of a surety lost the chance of going to Crown Point, for the hunter will be up and doing this morning, and is likely well on his way by this time.”
Overhearing his words the captain added:
“Ay, lad if he didn’t get there yesterday, 235 which I misdoubt, you may count that he started before daybreak this morning; but you can have the satisfaction of knowing that save for your work, his task might not be so easy.”
“Think you he can surprise the garrison?” Isaac asked.