In a week he had traversed the country as far as St. Ours, twelve miles south of Sorel, and had enlisted two hundred and fifty Canadians and had armed them.
He wrote to Montgomery, telling him of his success, and adding that he hoped to be with him in three days to take part in the assault on St. John.
The return march was commenced, and on the second day the advance guard encountered a regiment of Americans under command of Maj. Brown.
Allen was delighted to meet a brother officer, and regretted that he had sent half his men forward under command of Remember Baker.
Brown was sanguine and saw a chance of striking a great blow at the English power.
"Montreal," he said, "is defenseless, and, with your forces united to mine, we can capture it."
Allen fell in with the suggestion, and a plan was discussed.
The men had met on the east bank of the St. Lawrence, between Longueuil and Laprairie, and it was arranged that Allen was to cross the river in canoes a little north of the city, while Brown and the men under his command were to cross to the south, and, advancing from different directions, make themselves masters of the works and the garrison.
The difficulty of obtaining canoes delayed Allen.
He sent up and down the river to get boats, either by purchase or by force, but only succeeded in getting a very few.