Hardly had this maneuver been executed 238 when one of the men announced positively that young Beman was right in his conjecture.
“They are most likely Britishers, who escaped from Ticonderoga, or have come from Crown Point on their way to St. John in search of reinforcements,” Captain Baker cried excitedly, and orders were given for the men to take to the oars.
Then ensued a chase which was quickly ended, owing to the precaution taken by the Britishers themselves.
They had put into the cove hoping to escape detection, and it proved to be a trap for them.
No sooner were the boats arrived off this place of refuge than Captain Baker gave orders for them to be strung out in line, thus cutting off all hope of escape by water, and in his own craft pulled near to where the two 239 boats, manned by seven soldiers, were drawn up as if prepared to do battle.
It was soon evident they understood well the truth of the old adage that “discretion is the better part of valor,” for immediately Captain Baker called upon them to surrender, they threw their arms into the bottom of the boat in token of submission.
Nathan was most grievously disappointed. He had fancied there might be a skirmish, or at least an exchange of shots, for until the morning when Ticonderoga was taken so readily he had believed the king’s soldiers to be invincible, and even now he was not prepared to see them surrender to a force little more than four times their number.
The prisoners readily answered the questions put by the captain.
They were from Crown Point, and having learned of the surrender of Ticonderoga had 240 been dispatched by the sergeant in command of the garrison, for reinforcements.
They stated, in addition, that it was not believed those who had taken Ticonderoga would push on to Crown Point immediately, consequently plenty of time remained in which that post might be reinforced. Therefore it was the sergeant in command had not hesitated to weaken his small garrison by thus sending seven men on a mission which might more readily have been accomplished by one.