The Coolidge examiner., 1933-07-21
CHAPTER xlll-continued


in a treetop along the shore TO es-
innate the force. If you will trust
me in the matter l will get correct
information and arrange for relays
TO ride night and day until 1t
comes to your hand"
Il will commit 10 you this under
taking, for there is no man in
whose prudence. energy and good
judgment have greater conf
deuce," said the Chief. "YOu know
the northern road and many people
who live on II. You may prepare
your regiment to set out tomorrow
for Bennington, where you will re-
port to General Stark for duty"
The regiment set out with horses
following laden with bat baggage.
There are Illuminating entries in
Collins diary as to the northward
journey through Danbury and New
Milford.
Bought some leather and many
men resoled their boots by freight
and Amos put a new spoke in a
wagon wheel"
"At Danbury l cleaned Mr.. Dun
lanys watch"
AT New Milford | got a spoon
mold and cast twenty spoons after
we halted for a nights rest"
At Bennington the regiment be-
came a part of the big camp Of
rugged mountain men under Stark
Its march ended on q Sunday in
early June. While II waited for
the baggage wagons. officers and
men went TO hear the sermon and
Scripture reading. Rev. John Allen
OF Pittsfield, whom Colin had met
at the Red Cock tavern in Rhode
Island that night of the bloodless
duel. was preaching. He told the
story Of the quarrel with Conway
and quoted what the aide OF Wash
ington had said as to the sublime
patience OF the Commander In
Chief under encouragement
when the leaders Of humanity
decide TO leave the old road and
take new direction, there is much
hating and waiting" be said. The
lew way must be cleared Of an
cient prejudice. But do not forget
that the British have more trouble
in their way than we have. Cour-
age we need and then-patience-
divine. far-seeing. superhuman pa
tience We need the courageous
undying patience of ST. Paul. when
the Light of the World was flick
ering. Our Washington has it,"
Allen was surprised and delight.
ed when. after the service. Colin
shook his hand and introduced him
self. The fighting parson" became
n firm friend of the young colonel,
and Stark invited both of them TO
dinner. Aliens son was a mis-
slonary at a settlement near the lake
in the north.
''He will help you" said the par
son. Il will give you a letter to
him and a map of the road and
trails. think that the British are
now embarked. The Six Nations
have gathered near the head of the
lake 10 wait for them. think that
you had better be on your way"
Colin left his regiment in com
mand of the capable Major Humph
ries and set out on his northern
journey that Afternoon, stopping nj
log inn. when darkness fell. TO rest
his mare for the night. AS usual.
he 'hayed. Dated and strawed" her
with his own hand.
After three days in the saddle
he came TO the rude hamlet in a
deep valley near the lake where he
found the young missionary. The
British had not yet passed. Young
Allen. disqualified for military serv-
ice by lameness. was eager for any
chance TO help the great cause The
danger was that the big flotilla
might pass any chosen point in the
darkness of the night when a reck-
oning would be impossible. II was
bound to be a long. slow-moving
procession of sloops and bateaux.
Studying a map of the lake. they
chose two stations about ten miles
apart Allen would await the in.
vasion on q point near his home,
Colin on an island some ten miles
nOrthward
That evening, with his destina-
tion in view. Colonel Cabot set ont
for ii in small boat. 1t was a
lonely island covered thick with
pine. spruce and hemlo.k. Its south
ern end dwindled to narrow stone
point. Apart from the forest where
the land began to taper, stood the
stub of a loose hemlOck. Its upper
part. shattered by lightning. had
fallen in the wind. II now lay
splintered, decaying in the shall
lows. he concealed his boat in
bushes and lay down with his
blanket on carpet of pine
needles and had a restful sleep.
Al daylight he climbed some ten
feet to the ragged top of the stub
and found. as he expected. only a
shell of sound timber that en-