Page 62 - A Hero of Ticonderoga

we’ll make enough. How many’ll your birch carry?"

"Six men that’s used to such craft, but not one lummax."

"Well, bring it along. Everything of the boat kind’ll be needed. Toombs
troubles me most. He’s on the fence, which means he ain’t to be trusted.
He’ll see our men a musterin’ an’ s’pect what’s up, an’ let the garrison know

some way. He and his Canuck has got to be watched."

"Easy done! We can tie ’em, neck an’ heels, an’ leave ’em to take keer o’
theirselves."

"Well, I’ll send a guard an’ see to that," Newton said as he hurried away to
warn other settlers of the projected enterprise.

Those left began to clean their weapons carefully and prepare to mould
some bullets. Job rehearsed his long disused manual of arms, in which he

found Nathan familiar through his close observation of the soldiers’ drill at
the Fort.

"You don’t want to aim that way," the old man said, when, at the command,
Nathan held his piece ready to fire with the butt end under his elbow.

"Lord, how I’ve heard Major Rogers swear to see the reg’lars wastin’ lead,
shootin’ int’ the tree tops wi’ the enemy fair afore ’em! Fightin’ hain’t no

foolin’. Aim to kill, jes’ as ye would at a pa’tridge. There--that’s the talk,"
when Nathan, following his instructions, laid his cheek to the stock and
flashed the priming at the breast of an imaginary foe.