"But, colonel, I——"
"We will have lunch."
"Eben, get onto the trail, my boy. Find out who those men are about a mile ahead of us, and report quickly. Take care you are not seen."
The boy started off in a direction which was at right angles with the road by which the men were camped.
Ethan Allen bade the men appear to eat, whether they were hungry or not.
He told them that he feared a surprise.
The mountaineers rather liked the idea of a fight, though the odds were against them.
Every man had his musket ready for use and awaited the order to move.
Eben returned and reported that there were twenty-two men, well armed and apparently waiting for the Vermonters.
"They are led by that man who wanted to fight you, captain."