e captain's caution; but he did
not think it wise to give such a desire words, and by his silence
signified that he was ready to do whatsoever his instructor should deem
to be for the best.

The rations served these volunteers who proposed to reduce the forts at
Ticonderoga and Crown Point ere they yet knew a soldier's duties were
not generous, and he who, from a desire to avoid seeming greedy, delayed
in applying for them, generally found himself without food, save he
might be so fortunate as to beg some from his more provident companions.

Corporal 'Lige was exceedingly friendly to his stomach; he made it a
rule never to allow modesty to deprive him of a full share of whatever
might be served out, therefore it was he had drawn rations for himself
and Isaac almost before the troops came to a halt, and the hindermost
were yet marching into camp, weary and travel-stained, when he said to
his small comrade:

"There is nothing to keep us here longer, and the sooner we are at a
goodly distance from these silly youngsters who fancy that the taking of
a musket in their hands makes them soldiers, the better I shall be
pleased."

Isaac gave token of willingness to continue the march by shouldering his
weapon once more, and the two set off, attracting no attention from
their companions-in-arms, each of whom had little thought save to
minister to his own comfort, for this soldiering was rapidly becoming
more of a task and less of a pleasure-tour than had been at first
supposed.

Not until he was fully a mile from the foremost of the main body did the
corporal give any evidence of an intention to halt, and then he showed
remarkably good judgment in his selection of a camping-place.

At the edge of a small brook about fifty yards from the main road over
which they had been traveling, he threw down his knapsack, and announced
in a tone of satisfaction that they would spend the night there.

"It is not too far away, and yet at such a distance that we shall not be
forced to listen to the gabbling of those geese," he said as he set
about building a small campfire in order to prepare the food he had
procured. "Make yourself comfortable, Isaac Rice, for it is a soldier's
solemn duty to gain all the rest he can."

"Do you think we shall be safe here?" the boy asked almost timidly, for
it seemed little short of a crime to question any proposition made by
the corporal.

"Safe, lad? What's to prevent? If you keep your ears open fo