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A crew was selected for each boat, and the work of transporting thelittle army across the lake was commenced.
The men pulled steadily and noiselessly across the waters of thebeautiful lake which the Indians called "Troquois," [Transcriber'snote: Iroquois?] and the early French settlers, who objected tohonoring the explorer, Samuel de Champlain, "Mere les Iroquois," andstill later, "Iracosia."
It was slow work, and the men asked permission to swim across, butAllen was afraid the swim would be too exhausting.
When day broke the work had to cease, for the men at the fort wouldhave seen the boats and been put on their guard.
Arnold looked at the handful of men and predicted failure.
Allen counted the men and found eighty-three.
That was the strength of his little army.
It seemed absurd to think of attacking one of the strongest fortresseson the continent with such a handful of men.
True, the garrison was small, but it was intrenched behind strongwalls, a well-filled moat and a line of breastworks carefully designed,and improved bastions.
Allen called all his men together and addressed them.
"It is for your country that you will risk your lives," he said, "andwhile you take care not to run into needless danger, remember that onlythe daring will succeed. If we enter the fort, as we shall undoubtedlydo, set up a shout which shall make the garrison think we have eighthundred instead of eighty men. Be brave, and the victory will be ours."
A thrill of excitement made every heart beat fast; cheeks glowed withpleasure, heads were borne erect with pride, and the few men lookedinvincible.
Allen and Arnold led the way; they never were in the rear.
When close to the fort they made a dash and gained the gateway.
"Stand back!" exclaimed the sentry.
He raised his musket to fire, but Allen knocked it on one side.
"Are you mad? Do you want to die?" he asked.
"Better die than be craven," answered the English soldier, bravely.
Allen had seized him round the waist and thrown him to the floor; hepicked himself up and ran into the fort, closely followed by themountaineers.
Suddenly the Green Mountain Boys set up such a shout as few garrisonshad ever heard.
"We are inside," said Baker, exultingly.
"Ay, but not out," answered Forest, rather gloomily.
"Form into line!" shouted Arnold.
The men formed, facing the barracks, and were ready to fire should thegarrison show fight.
Allen left the command of the men in the hands of Arnold, while herushed to the quarters of the commandant.
Capt. Delaplace was asleep.
He had not heard the shout, though it was loud enough to wake the deadalmost.
A sentinel stood guard outside the commandant's door.
Allen placed a pistol at his head and ordered him to stand aside.
The man obeyed like one in a dream.
