There were only three small boats in which the men could be conveyed across the lake.
Usually there was quite a fleet of boats there, but the soldiers had taken most of the boats farther up the lake.
Arnold suggested the construction of rafts, but the felling of trees might make so much noise that the attention of the garrison might be called to it and the whole plan fail.
Men were sent up the shore to search for boats, while others were instructed to look for anything which could be utilized for rafts.
Half the night was wasted in the vain search, and some of the boys were discouraged.
Allen called the leaders together and asked the simple question:
"What shall we do?"
Let it not be thought that he hesitated. No, Ethan Allen never did that; he knew just what would be best, but he also knew that the men were more confident if they were consulted.
Eli Forest was the first to answer.
"It is impossible for us to cross, so I think it would be best to retire into the woods and fell trees, so that we might fashion rafts."