Page 58 - A Hero of Ticonderoga

When the stranger had seen his jaded horse cared for and had come in, the
firelight revealed a man in the prime of life, of fine face and figure and of

military bearing, though he was clad in the plain dress of a civilian. He
proved a genial guest, and amused his companions with stories of his recent

journey to Canada, and of his home in Connecticut, and with relations of
the stirring events in that and the other colonies that portended a revolt
against the mother country. In turn he was interested in everything

pertaining to the New Hampshire Grants, the progress of the quarrel with
New York claimants, the temper of the inhabitants toward England, but,

particularly, was he curious about the condition of the adjacent fortress.
Concerning its garrison and the plans of the fortification he found Nathan
well informed.

"I like to remember such things about a place that has been so famous," the

stranger observed, as he made notes in a memorandum book.

"I would like to visit the fort sometime. How many men did you count the

last time you saw them parade, did you say?"

It was well into the night when the precious embers were covered and the
three betook themselves to sleep, with the wind roaring in the woods and
the snow driving gustily against the oiled-paper windows of the cabin.

When they awoke the storm was spent. Beneath the cloudless morning sky
the forest stood silent as the army of spectres that its snow-powdered trunks

resembled. After breakfast Job put on his snowshoes and led his guest to
the desired road to the southward settlements. This break in the winter
monotony was often dwelt upon by the fireside in the little log house. A

chance visit, if aught occurs by chance, yet it proved of vast importance.