Jacques was telling a hunting story and raised his voice at a most exciting point, when the door was quickly opened and a dozen soldiers from the neighboring garrison sprang into the room and demanded the surrender of the party.
It was impossible to decline the unpleasant invitation, for at each head was a pistol.
As Allen raised his head and looked at the door, he saw the pseudo guide, grinning like a hyena, and in a voice which was very English the man emphasized his laugh by saying:
"Ha, ha, ha! trapped! I have followed Ethan Allen all the way from Ticonderoga, and waited until I could be sure he would be hanged. Now I denounce him as a spy!"
CHAPTER XXV.
DIPLOMACY.
"You denounce me?"
"Yes, I say that you are Ethan Allen, the man who surprised the garrison at Ticonderoga."
"Am I to understand that these soldiers have listened to the ravings of a creature like you?"