the elements were now all hushed, as if in the slumbers of death; while the deeply freighted crafts glided slowly on, impelled by the light dip of the feathery oars, which in the hands of the experienced and careful men who plied them, unitedly rose and fell as noiseless as the feet of fairies on beds of flowers.

At length the dark, massy walls of the fortress, looming up, and marking their broad outlines against the western sky, became discernible to the men. And yet, as they drew near these frowning walls, pierced by a hundred cannon, over which, for aught they knew, the lighted matches were suspended, awaiting but the signal to send their iron showers of death to every man of their devoted band, no misgivings, no weak relentings came over them; but at a moment like this, and that which followed at the onset, moments furnishing, perhaps, a more undoubted test of courage than those of the half frantic, half mechanical charges of the disciplined legions of Napoleon1 at the later fields of Austerlitz

1

1 Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of the French.

and Marengo,1 -at a moment like this, we say, their stout hearts, nothing daunted at the dangers before them, beat high and proudly at the thought of the coming encounter, and with stern determination gleaming in every eye, and with the low whispered words of impatience for the moment of action to arrive, they moved steadily on to their daring purpose.

Passing down obliquely by the works, they landed some distance to the north of them. The instant they touched the shore the troops leaped on the banks; and scarcely had the last foot been lifted from the boats before they were backed, wheeled, and on their return for another load, leaving those on shore to await in silence the arrival of a reënforcement from their companions left behind, before marching to the onset. Those companions, however, were not destined to share in the glory of this splendid achievement of the eighty Green Mountain Boys 2 who had landed; for in a

1 Austerlitz and Marengo, the scenes of two of Napoleon's famous battles.

2 Green Mountain Boys, a favorite name for the sons of Vermont.

few moments, to the dismay of Allen, the faint suffusions1 of dawning day became visible in the east.

Cursing the luck which had caused such delays, and chafing like a chained lion held back from his prey, that impetuous leader for a few moments rapidly paced the shore before his men, in an agony of impatience, now casting an eager look at the fort, still silent and undisturbed, now straining his vision. after the receding boats, which, to him, seemed to move like snails across the waters, and now throwing an uneasy glance at the reddening east, whose twilight glow, growing broader and brighter every instant, plainly told him that before another detachment of troops could arrive, his forces would be discovered, and the enterprise, in all probability, would thus be defeated.

Maddened at the thought, he stopped short in his walk, paused an instant, and brought his foot with a significant stamp to the ground, showing that his resolution was taken. And quickly calling out Jones and Neshobee, he dispatched them to go forward, 1 Suffusions, spreading of color.

cautiously reconnoiter1 the fort on all sides, and return as speedily as possible to report their discoveries. He then formed his men in three ranks and addressed them.

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You see, my friends and fellow soldiers," he commenced, pointing his sword toward the east, "that daylight will reveal us to the enemy before a reënforcement can possibly arrive. But can you, who have so long been the scourge of tyrants, bring your minds to relinquish this noble enterprise, and with it the proud name you have achieved, by turning your backs on the glorious prize, when it is now almost within your grasp?"

He paused for a reply; when "No! no! no!" ran through the lines in eager

responses.

"I see, I see, my brave fellows," resumed the gratified leader; "I see what you would do. I read it in your deeply breathed tones of determination, in your quick and short drawn respirations, and in your restless and impatient movements. But have you all well considered? I now propose

1 Reconnoiter, to look about.

to lead you through yonder gate; and I fear not to tell men of your stamp that we incur no small hazard of life in the attempt. And, as I would urge no man to engage against his own free will, I now give free and full permission to all, who choose, to remain behind. You, therefore, who will voluntarily accompany me, poise your guns."

Every man's gun was instantly brought to a poise, with motion which told with what good will it was made.

"God bless you, my noble fellows!" exclaimed Allen, proudly, and with emotion.

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'Courage like that " he continued, in tones of concentrated energy, "courage like that, with hearts of oak and nerves of steel like yours, must, will, and, by the help of the God of hosts, shall triumph! Come on, then! follow me, march while I march, run and rush when I set the example; and if I fall, still rush on, and over me, to vengeance and victory! To the right wheel! march!"