ETHAN ALLEN 203 But the cloud overhanging the shores of Lake Champlain was but a shadow compared with the darkness of the storm brooding over the whole region south and east of it, and the battle of Lexington ended this local strife. Thenceforth, Ethan Allen was to bid defiance, not to a State, but to a nation. To him and his Green Mountain Boys came urgent appeals from leading pa- triots of the American Revolution for help and support in the coming struggle, and the answer was more than kindly assent and promise : it was prompt and vigorous action the first aggressive blow at the power of Great Britain, for the musket-shots that harassed the retreating red-coats from Concord were those of spirited defence rather than of deliberate attack. As the fortress of Ticonderoga had been the key of the position in the late French and Indian wars, the gain or loss of which meant either overwhelming victory or disaster, so now it was deemed of equal importance in the coming conflict, which inevitably would bring the British foe upon them from the North, along the same familiar war-path. The capture of this fort was a serious under- taking, for it was well garrisoned by a company of British soldiers, and thor- oughly equipped for vigorous defense. Only the keenest strategy and the most complete surprise would avail in the accomplishment of the task. But the experience and ability of Ethan Allen who had been unanimously chosen as leader was adequate to the occasion, and his plans were made with the greatest secrecy and skill. One of his men was detailed to gain admission to the fort on some pretext, and then by skilfully acting the part of a greenhorn full of foolish questions, to learn many important facts and necessary details. In addition, a lad was found thoroughly familiar with the interior of the garrison, who would serve as guide, and on the night of May 9, 1775, 270 American pa- triots appeared on the shore opposite Fort Ticonderoga, which was on the west or New York side of Lake Champlain. A day or two previous a small force of men had been despatched secretly to points above and below this spot in quest of boats, which failing them, in this emergency only 83 of the 270 men could be accommodated in the limited num- ber at hand. Spring lingers long in this latitude, and the night, clear and cold, was giving way to dawn when the brave leader and his little vanguard of heroes resolved to attack without further re-enforcement. According to military prec- edent, he first harangued his followers.
- ' Friends and fellow-soldiers, you have for a number of years bee,n a scourge
and a terror to arbitrary power. Your valor has been famed abroad and ac- knowledged, as appears by the advice and orders to me from the General Assem- bly of Connecticut to surprise and take the garrison now before us. I now pro- pose to advance before you and in person conduct you through the wicket gate ; for we must this morning either quit our pretensions to valor, or possess our- selves of this fortress in a few minutes. And inasmuch as it is a desperate attempt, which none but the bravest men dare undertake, I do not urge it on any contrary to his will. You that will undertake voluntarily, poise your firelock ! " . Needless to state, the firelocks were all " poised " whatever that may be
