A ROADSIDE ADVENTURE.
It was a daring thing to do, but Ethan Allen thought only of his country, and how to benefit the national cause.
The proclamation offering a large reward for him, dead or alive, was still to be seen on the public buildings of the towns and villages through which he passed.
Though every one knew him, for his identity could not be concealed, he was as safe as in his mountain home.
The people of New York were ready to cast in their lot with the colonies which had declared their independence, and, though nominally loyal to England, the Yorkers were only waiting an opportunity to openly throw off the yoke and declare themselves independent.
"The Hero of Ticonderoga," as Allen was called everywhere, was lionized by the people, though those in authority were compelled to appear as though they did not recognize him.
When Allen reached Albany he at once went to the Assembly Hall.
Marching up to the speaker's desk he said, in a loud voice:
"I am Ethan Allen, leader of the Green Mountain Boys, and I have come, not to surrender to you or to lower my claims to the lands in the New Hampshire grants, which we now call Vermont, but to ask you to listen to a plan by which our country may become a nation, free and independent."
"I propose that the assembly go into secret session to hear the Hero of Ticonderoga."