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Montgomery was one of the most fascinating men who rallied to thestandard of the colonies.
He was an Irishman, the son of a member of the British parliament, andwas educated in Trinity College, Dublin.
In 1754 he obtained a commission in the army, and with his regimentcame to this country, and, although only eighteen years old, hedistinguished himself for personal bravery in many an action.
In 1760 he was with Gen. Wolfe, and became the adjutant of the regiment.
After distinguishing himself in the expedition against Havana andMartinique, he returned to England and stayed there nine years.
But he yearned for America, and so sold his commission and came to NewYork, where he married and took a leading part with the sturdy men whorefused to bow the knee to English tyranny.
When the Continental Congress was held Montgomery was a delegate, andhe pledged his sword in defense of the popular rights.
No wonder that Ethan Allen should be pleased with the Irishman. Theywere kindred spirits.
Montgomery asked Allen to tell him of the struggle of the Vermontersagainst the pretensions of New York.
Allen did so, but somewhat bitterly.
"Nay, my dear Allen, do not let that irritate you. We shall soon makecommon cause, and instead of the colonies we shall have a nation, andwe shall be citizens, not subjects."
"Citizens!" Allen repeated.
"Yes, mark me. If the colonies become a nation there will be a freegovernment based on equal rights, and none will be subject to another,but all be equal before the law."
Montgomery saw more clearly into the future than did even Washington.
When the Congress was over, and Washington commenced his work ofcreating an army, Allen returned home, somewhat disappointed.
He had expected a commission in the new army, but his name was passedover by Congress.
It was afterward proved that the omission was the result ofinadvertence, for it was supposed that he had a commission from thegeneral in command of the Colonials at Boston, and the order was madeconfirming all such commissions.
The summer was passing, and no action had been taken.
Allen was getting weary of the delay.
He could not understand why Boston had not been taken and the Englishdriven out. Then he heard that Benedict Arnold had received acommission, and was leading an army into Canada to attack Quebec.
In despair Allen left his home and crossed to Ticonderoga, determinedto offer his services to the Connecticut captain who was in command ofthe little garrison.
He was sitting on a gun on the day of his arrival on the scene of hisgreat exploit, when a boy, dirty, ragged and half starved, entered thefort and stood opposite Allen.
"Don't you know me, colonel?"
"Is that you, Eben?"
"Yes. I am Eben Pike, and right glad I am to see you."
"How did you enter? Where have you been?"
Eben did not answer. He was too weak. His body swayed, his limbstrembled, and he would have fallen had not Allen caught him.
As gently as a mother carries her child, the hero of Ticonderoga borethe half-famished boy into the barracks and asked that he shouldreceive attention.
The boy was undressed and washed, then little sips of beef tea weregiven him.
In an hour he showed signs of returning vitality, and they knew that hewould live.
