Page 67 - A Hero of Ticonderoga

Peering through the overhanging branches, Job saw a group of red-coated
soldiers gathered on the other shore, and presently saw a boat putting out

from it.

"Looka here," said he sternly, as he cocked his piece and aimed upward; "I
don’t want tu be obleeged tu hurt you, but stop yer hollerin’ an’ come right
down."

"Me no onstan’, Ah tol’ you! Hello--." The lusty hail was cut short by the

report of the long smooth-bore. The Canadian’s cap went spinning from his
head, and he came scrambling down in a haste that threatened to leave half
his clothes behind.

"Ah comin’! Ah comin’! Don’t shot some more!" he cried in a voice

trembling with fright.

Job arrested his descent till his gun was reloaded; then, when his captive

slid to the ground, he quickly tied his hands behind with a fathom of cord,
one end of which he held. Then he removed the woolen sash from the

Canadian’s waist and bound it about his mouth.

A glance upon the lake showed the boat half-way across, and approaching

as fast as two pairs of oars could impel it. Job hurried his man into an
evergreen thicket some twenty yards away, and, leaving him tied to a tree

in charge of the hound, he stealthily returned to ascertain if possible
whether the nature of the alarm had been comprehended by the soldiers.
The boat drew rapidly toward the place where he lay concealed, and, at a

little distance, the occupants lay upon their oars while they held
consultation, so near that he could hear every word of it.

"Well, boys," said the sergeant in command, "whathiver it was, Hi don’t
hear nothink more of it. But Hi’ll ’ail the shore. ’Ello there, whathiver is the

row?" An answer was silently awaited till the echoes died away.

"Ah’t was some o’ thim Yankee divils huntin’ just," said one of the soldiers,
"and that’s all about it. Divil a word could I make out but the dog yowlin’