And it was just this kind of feeling which animated the men who followed Ethan Allen.
The British regiment charged the earthworks, and the Americans had all they could do to hold their position.
The slaughter was large in proportion to the number engaged, and Allen feared for the result.
But when the English began to retire he ordered his men to follow and challenge to another combat.
The enemy, seeing the move, turned and prepared to resist the charge of the Americans.
Then commenced a series of masterly feints which won renown for the Green Mountain hero.
His men fell back after the first volley, and the English pursued.
Again Allen rallied his men and charged the enemy, only to retreat as quickly as before.
Three times was this maneuver practiced, and each time the English were drawn nearer the strongest points of the line of circumvallation.
Montgomery saw, at first with surprise, the movements of his able coadjutor; then, when the object became apparent, he ordered his division to be in readiness, and after the third feint, with a loud shout the entire force of the Americans charged the English and pursued them into the town, slaughtering them like sheep.