Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1875-05-26
WOODSTOCK, VT WEDNESDAY, MAY 2G. 1875.

Lake Champlain in every direction
and its cold hard outlines of ding,
brick and stone loomed up before tn
Green Mountain boys like an DER
shadawing Goliah as they stood mute
ly awaiting their officers command.
Before leaving Shoreham for tn
margin Of the lake Allen applied to
farmer for a guide. While the ole
man was making his apologies auC
excuses, his young son, Nathan l}rc
man, came up and volunteered hi
assistance. Something in Aliens
heart went out responalvely to tho
boy, and, though young in years anC
slight in frame, the hero Of Ticonder-
oga accepted him as guide. Young
Nathan, withal, had been accustomed
to visit the fort, play with the chill
dren of the officers, and hence was
familiar with all its avenues and en-
frances.
1t was long after midnight--it was,
in fact, the morning Of the 10th OF
May, l7T5. No word had. yet reach.
cd Allen from the forces detailed to
seize boats at SEenesborough or Pan
ton, and the boats at Shorcham were
only sufficiently capacious to carry ov-
er eighty-three men.
The night was gradually giving
way. Through the eastern horizon
faint streaks Of coming day were
plainly dlscernibie. Delay was ruin
Gus discovery was death. Allen
ordered the eighty.three men to the
boats. They were instructed to make
no noise the clothes they wore upon
their backs were cut into shreds that
they might mutfle their oars. All
were embarked, and still the rear di-
vision Of the force was nowhere in
sight Allen, with handful of men,
must go alone. The course across the
river was painful f; had they been de-
tected one shell would have DESTROYED
them all. But they kept under the
shadow of the hill, with o5rs which
made no sound, and in a little while
gained the opposite bank.
They could see above them the
blacks mouths of the cannon, and they
knew that should these cannons speak
not one soul would be left to tell the
story of 1'iconderoga. Away up Il
bove them stood the fort, girded about
with earth works and bitches, and
guarded on one side with yigilAnt and
effective pickets. The odds we've
dreadful The future Of the men
hung suspended on Il thread. Allen
passed from man to man and to each
word Of courage. 1t was
not necessary, for every soul Of the
valiant eighty.three had come there to
win or to die. They were not rcgu
ars. They understood the risks be-
ore they joined in the enterprise.
AT last the line was ready to move
little line, but every man who helped
o make it up was a hero. 1t moved
Up the steep proclivity upon which
he fort stands, ana right underneath
he powder begrimed lips Of the hum
cry cannon. Bendict Arnold, keep
NC his word, followed closely by Al
ems side. But ahead cf both Of
hem, and apparently nnmindful of all
langer, clambercd their noble little
guide, the farmers son Nathan. The
nan moved stealthily and still not
tone rolled from their path, nor did a
wig snap underneath their feet They
carcely treathed, Each of the eigh-
y-three felt that success depended
olely upon him, and stole on hand
nd knees up the ragged heights as if
Ie was alone.
Daylight was more strongly dawn
ng. There could be no fuLther de-
az. The height was reached, and the
nep were only stones throw from
he enemy. No sooner had they
cached the height than Il sentinel, de
ecting them, uttered a cry Of warning;
hen pointed bis gun full at Ethan's
Allens heart and pulled the trigger.
'he gun missed fire, and the life of
he hero was spared. Another senti-
el made thrust at Colonel Easton
ut ere he could execute his inten-
ions, his head was cleft in twain by
be ponderous weight of Ethan Aliens
word.
The little farmer guide shouted TO
lllen to follow him under the covered
rchway, in the avenues Of which the
rst sentinel had fled. Allen did so,