"How long would that delay us?"
"Not more than a week."
"What say you, Baker?"
"I do not like delay, yet—Ticonderoga is strong, and ten men could hold the place against a hundred."
"And you, Col. Arnold?"
"I am a soldier, and am ready to follow my superior. What he orders I shall loyally help to carry out."
"We will all do that," said Baker, half ashamed that he had shown any shadow of doubt about the advisability of attacking the fort.
"I know you are all true soldiers," replied Allen, "and I am ready to lead you against the fort. I think we can breakfast on the rations England has provided."
"Lead on and we will follow."
"Forest, do you pick the men in your company who have the strongest nerves and the pluckiest spirits to cross first; take the largest of the two large boats and get as many of the men over as possible."