Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-07-24
cAp1uRE on ErHAN ALLEN.
In His Attempt to take Montreal
With 10 Men.


the American revolution and the noble
men who were leaders in it. Among
them was Ethan Allen, who, on the 10th
of May, 1775, captured Fort Ticonderoga,
1Ll.. ~ - = - 5NEE-1-@, 800 a.. :,
the Americans complete masters of Lake
Champlain. In the autumn of the same
wear he was sent into Canada to rouse
the people of that country against the
British. He went second time at the
head of ITO men, with view of taking
Montreal. He was to be Joined by Col.
Brown, with larger force, but before
the latter could effect the junction, hav-
ing crossed the St. Lawrence, he was at
tackled, defeated, and the survivors of
his force and himself made prisoners.
The following vivid picture of this expe-
dition is taken from an old publication:
"Over with you, boys!' said old Ethan.
as boat, crowded with his men, pushed
off into the st. Lawrence. "Over with
ye and keep quiet, or yell have warm
work ont"
GAY, ay, curnelp' was responded from
the boat as it passed heavily through the
water. Ethan and the remainder of hit
band stood upon the bank, watchingthe
slow and toilsome progress, until 1t was
no longer discernible through the dark
ness of night. The dull sound of oars
was still heard, coming at intervals up
on the fitful, gusty night breeze.
''Well, boys" said Allen. as the sound
died away in the distance, Twelve got a
deYllish hard job before us, but we're
the size for it."
''Sartin, curnel," returned a six-foot
Green Mountain boy at his elbow. "You
may depend on the Varmonters. They
warn't born in the woods to be scared by
owls-but tell you what, don't like
these ERE Canady chaps. I'd give 'em
all for half their number of true-blue
Varmonters."
1.-THE devil you would" said Cana
dian, turning fiercely on the last speak
er. ''If it warn't for making a rumpus
I'd learn We better manners"
"Come on, and be darned to ye," said
the unblenching Vermonter. 81 could
lick dozen like ye."
1.-THE uplifted arm of the Canadian
was struck down by the powerful hand
of Allen. ''What?' he exclaimed, ''are
We for fighting? "Ye'll have enough of
that before morning; and you, Mike
Hunter" turning to his townsman, "let
me hear no more of your plaYering orr
and he clinched his determination
with an oath-"I'll knock you into the
river"
"Well, jist as you say, curnel," said
the Vermonter, somewhat mortified at
the rebuke of his commander, 'bur hang
me if l don't think Pm right, after all. ~
''Silence!" Numbered Allen.
1.-THE whole party knew the mood of
their commander, and an almost breath
less silence succeeded. In few mo-
ments the sound of oars was again heard,
and dark object appeared moving on
the river.
"Who goes THEREOF demanded Ethan
friend or enemyT
"Joe Cady," was the laconic answer,
The boat soon came to land, and Cady,
a stout, rough-featured fellow, stepped
from it leisurely. "Haye you got drop
of comfort for a body?" he inquired,
dropping his tobacco into the river.
'Helloa, there! Bring out the rum
BOTTLE" vociferated Allen.
He drank long and heartily, and hand
ed it to Cady, who in turn passed 1T to
his companions.
'Are you ready?" demanded Ethan.
SAY, ay, sartin!" was the quick re-
sporse of the company, who were exhil
arated by the draught they had just
taken.
Tumble in, then, all hands," said AL
len, seating himself in the boat, where
he was speedily followed by his men,
"Off, off, with ye," he commanded.
''Here's for Montreal, or turf jacketl''
"AmenP' was responded by dozen
voices, as the loaded boat ploughed
deeply into the river. A long silence
succeeded, broken only by an occasional
growl from old Ethan. He sat at the
head of the boat, upright and as firm as
pillar, the grim outline of his face just
visible in the starlight He had now
leisure to reflect cody on the hazard OF
his desperate enterprise, and, had the
light been stronger, his companions
might have witnessed the struggle of his
feelings as depicted on his rugged feat.
ures.
The boat grounded heavily on the OPP
posite shore. Ethan and his party left
in silence, and proceeded to join their
comrades. After few brief inquiries
Allen ordered sentinels to be posted be.
tween his party and the town, with or.
ders to intercept all who attempted to
pass or re-pass them. By this time the
sun was rising.
Impatience and anxiety became visible
in the countenance of Ethan. he strobe
rapidly backward and forward, now ours
ing such of his party as happened tc
cross his way, and then staring wildly
as the morning breeze brought to his cal
the murmer of the distant town, where
as yet no sign of alarm was visible.
A solitary individual was now seer
stealing round the eminence, behinC
which the party was stationed. He
proved to be one of their companions
who had just returned from the othel
side of the island.
The long strides of Allen were at once
checked. "What news from Brown?'
he demanded.
'He hasn't come yet" returned the
messenger.
''Not yetp' repeated Allen, in a ton,
in which disappointment and rage wer'
blended.
mo, curnel, and we've got into g
darned pretty klttle of fish, said thu
man. Them plaguey Montrealers viii
drive us clean into the river!'
go to the devil, you cursed scare
crowl" roared Ethan. II could handl
regiment of 'em myself"
Eyes, you could, s'pose," muttereC
the messenger, "but I've heard it salt
that Brag was a good dog, but Holdfas
was better"
-.