Page 71 - A Hero of Ticonderoga

Newton’s sons, who gleefully related how, with a jug of rum, they had lured
Skeene’s old negro with the coveted craft into their toils, as he was

voyaging homeward from Crown Point. It was capable of carrying
twenty-five persons and was a welcome prize. Though one by one, and in

little flotillas, boats continued to arrive, still, at two o’clock in the early
May morning, there were not enough to transport half the men gathered.
After brief consultation, it was determined that as many as possible should

at once cross to the other shore and there await the coming of the others in
the returning boats.

Embarkation began at once under the superintendence of Allen, Arnold,
and Warner. Nathan found himself with the first two in the leading boat,

Warner being left in charge of the party remaining on the eastern shore. At
a low word of command, the flotilla swept out of the flickering glare of the

fire into the darkness. It passed down the creek and was soon upon the lake,
heading for the other shore, being guided to the chosen landing by the
mountain peaks that loomed black against the western sky. The night was

windless. The shrill piping of hylas, the monotonous trill of toads, and the
rush of running brooks filled the air. Such sounds faded out as the middle

of the lake was reached, where nothing was heard but the light plash of
muffled oars, to rise again in increasing volume from the other shore.

As the last boat grounded on the shelving beach, Nathan was startled by the
loud, hollow hoot of an owl, uttered thrice, almost in his ear. A few

moments later there came, like an echo from the distant creek, the answer
to this preconcerted signal of safe arrival. The men quickly disembarked,
and the boats returned to those who, under Seth Warner, were eagerly

awaiting their turn.

Those who had made the passage tramped to and fro to stir their blood, for
there was a creeping chill in the night air. The first light of dawn was
stealing up the eastern sky, the woods and mountains showing in sharp

relief against it, yet no signs came to strained eyes and ears of the returning
boats.