Corporal 'Lige had been assigned to the task of overhauling the goods in the warehouse for the purpose of making out a list of the same, and it was to him that Isaac, followed by Nathan, went for information. "Forming in line, eh?" the old man asked as, wiping the perspiration from his face, he went outside to have a look around, and instantly he noted the preparations which were making, turned back to his work as if it was of but little concern. "What is the meaning of that, corporal?" Isaac suggested. "Are we going back without having stayed here a single day?" "There will be no turnin' back, lad, until the work is finished, and the fort at Crown Point yet remains to be taken. I allow Seth Warner is goin' to tackle that job, which won't be a difficult one, since it is said there are not above a dozen men in the garrison." "Suppose you an' I go with 'em?" Nathan suggested, now no longer eager to demand money for his services; but, fired by what he had seen, and burning to participate in new conquests. "What do you say, corporal?" Isaac asked, feeling that it was necessary to gain the old man's permission before he could join in the adventure. Again Corporal 'Lige went to the door of the warehouse, looking about him with the air of a weather-prophet, after which he replied in a careless tone: "I don't reckon it makes any difference whether you lads are here or sailin' 'round the lake, therefore if Seth Warner gives his permission, you may go so far as I am concerned; but it'll be only a question of whifflin' from one point to another, for while the wind holds in this direction I'm allowin' none of the force will reach Crown Point." "The wind is likely to haul 'round after sunset, so let us take our chances," Nathan whispered, and Isaac was not loth to embark. Therefore the two started across the parade-ground for the purpose of speaking with the old hunter--Seth Warner--when Captain Herrick, who had just made his report of the night's work at Skenesborough, halted the boys by saying: "I reckon you two lads are the ones Colonel Allen would speak with at once? You will find him in the commandant's quarters." "He is most likely thinkin' of payin' me for comin' over last night," Nathan said as the two turned to obey the command, "and I have made up my mind not to take money for the service." Isaac looked at his companion in surprise, and the latter added almost shame-facedly: "I reckon father was right when he said every one in the colonies should do all he could in this cause, and, besides, it looks to me as if the king's troops would speedily get the worst of it." Young Beman was not unlike many in the neighborhood who in after-days were royalists or patriots as the cause of freedom grew weak or strong. However, Nathan had no opportunity to refuse a payment of money for his services, for when the lads stood before Colonel Allen, the latter said in a tone of command, and yet with the air of one asking a favor: