Isaac gave such explanation as was within his power, and the old man asked, addressing Nathan: "What do you know about Fort Ticonderoga?" The boy made reply much as he had to Isaac, and the corporal questioned him sharply: "Have you been allowed to roam over the fortification at will?" "There was no reason why I shouldn't. I know all the boys who live in the fort, an' after I finished what I went for, who'd stop us from goin' 'round?" "How many soldiers are there in the place?" "Somewhere about fifty, I should think." "Women and children?" "Yes, 'most twice as many, I reckon, though I never counted 'em." "And you say you know all the ins and outs of the fort?" "Look here, how many times do you want me to tell you? Of course I do; but what's that got to do with you?" Nathan spoke in such a disrespectful tone that Isaac literally trembled lest the corporal should fall upon him in his wrath. "Wait you here till I come back, an' see to it that you don't move from this spot." The corporal gave this command in his sternest tones, and without waiting for a reply hastened off in the direction where the officers had disappeared, while Nathan stood looking at his new acquaintance in mingled surprise and bewilderment. "Now, what does that old man mean when he tells me to wait here? What right's he got to order me 'round?" "Don't get disgruntled," Isaac said imploringly. "I tell you he's a great soldier, and you'll see that his order means something, 'cause the corporal don't make foolish talk." "Then, what was it I heard when I come up here an' he was tellin' the men what to do, but backed down after findin' they were ready to follow him?" "That part of it was all right. The time hadn't come for him to carry out his plans, and he explained it. Couldn't you hear him?" "I heard what he said; but that didn't deceive me." Then Isaac explained with many a detail why the old man was the ablest soldier in the encampment, and while he was trying to convince the skeptical Nathan, Corporal 'Lige returned, looking very important and mysterious. "You're to come with me," he said tapping Nathan on the shoulder. "Where?" the boy asked sharply. "I said you were to come with me." "Well, you may say it again before I go. I want to know what you're thinkin' of doin'. I ain't one of these make-believe soldiers that can be ordered 'round by such as you." During an instant the corporal glowered at the boy as if of a mind to chastise him for his too familiar words, and then Isaac interposed to save his new-found friend from what he feared would be most severe punishment. "He'll go with you, Corporal 'Lige; don't be angry with him. You see he's a stranger here, an' doesn't understand what----" "I understand enough not to go till I know what he's about," Nathan cried angrily, wrenching himself free from Isaac's detaining grasp and leaping back a few paces.