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"As early as you are ready to see it."
"Good! I would leave the best boiled dinner or get up at any hour ofthe night to see the moon rise. What do you think? Will there be anybears about a night like this?"
"Most likely."
"Then I will take my old musket; it may be handy to have."
A like reception Eben met with at Peleg Sunderland's and JamesBreakenridge's houses.
Within an hour thirty of the Green Mountain boys had gathered in thehome of their colonel, Ethan Allen.
"Boys, we are in for it this night. Remember that it is your own kithand kin that will be opposed to you. They are brothers, all theseYorkers, and we do not want to be the first to shed blood; but if theyfire, that will be our signal. By the great mountains! we will givetwo bullets for their one, and may victory be with the right!"
After giving instructions as to the mode of procedure, Allen told themhow he had heard the news.
"Never let any of the boys call Eben Pike a sissy any more. He has wonhis spurs as a true knight."
Had Ethan not cautioned the boys against loud talking, there would havebeen a rousing cheer given for the youthful hero.
"Whenever we have to distinguish our hero," said Allen, "we will callhim Eben Pike, the hero of Eagle's Bridge."
There is no doubt that Eben's face flushed when he heard the words ofpraise, but he could not speak a word, for his tongue seemed too largefor his mouth, and his heart would beat so rapidly that it made himbelieve he was going to choke.
It was Allen's plan to hide all the boys and appear as though he wasunarmed and unprepared when the sheriff came.
Seth Warner had returned to his colonel's house and reported that hehad made all arrangements for a speedy message if the sheriff fromAlbany went to his house first.
Eben had slipped out and had gone to reconnoiter.
It was unknown to Allen, or he would not have allowed the brave boy torun any more risks.
"Where is Pike?" he asked, as soon as he missed him.
"He went out a moment ago," answered Ira.
And in another moment he returned, the perspiration running down hischeeks.
"They are coming!" he almost shouted, so excited had he become.
"Where are they?"
"Less than half a mile."
"How many?"
"Twenty, at least."
"You did not see so many before."
"No; they have another sheriff with them."
"To your quarters, boys; and remember, not a sound until the signal.When I say, 'The moon has risen,' be ready; and when I say, 'It is atthe full,' fight like turkey cocks."
In another minute only Ethan and Ira were visible, and no one wouldhave imagined, from the appearance of the house, that others were inhiding, well armed to resist the foe.
Sheriff Merrit was the first to reach the house, and he signaled to hismen to come forward.
He rapped on the door, and Ethan opened it.
