“My boy could not hold a more honored position. I leave him safe in the hands of General Washington--and of God.” When, after seven more days of horseback riding, Jonas Golden arrived at his own door in Shirley, he was met by his maiden sister with the words: “Disappointed again! So it wasn’t our John at all? I tell you, you’ll never see that boy again.” But Mr. Holden held out his hand to the boy’s mother. “My dear,” he said, “John is the happiest boy in the Continental Army.” It took a long time to tell the story of the journey; of his reception at Washington’s headquarters; of his finding the boy; of his growth, improvement, and popularity; of his close adherence to the principles of right and truth which they had taught him; and of the great Commander’s praise of their son. But at last the father said: “Have I done right in leaving him there?” “Just right,” said the mother. * * * * * John Holden returned to his parents when the war was over and lived to a good old age. And his name may be seen, for the searching, even now, on the books at Washington, as a pensioner of 1776. ETHAN ALLEN AND THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS[I] By WASHINGTON IRVING The story of the capture of Fort Ticonderoga by the Robin Hood of the New Hampshire Grants. As affairs were now drawing to a crisis, and war was considered inevitable, some bold spirits in Connecticut conceived a project for the outset. This was the surprisal of the old forts of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, already famous in the French war. Their situation on Lake Champlain gave them the command of the main route to Canada; so that the possession of them would be all-important in case of hostilities. They were feebly garrisoned and negligently guarded, and abundantly furnished with, artillery and military stores so much needed by the patriot army. This scheme was set on foot in the purlieus, as it were, of the provincial Legislature of Connecticut, then in session. It was not openly sanctioned by that body, but secretly favored, and money lent from the treasury to those engaged in it. A committee was appointed, also, to accompany them to the frontier, aid them in raising troops, and exercise over them a degree of superintendence and control.