st sign of retreat, unless I order it, shoot the
leader; that will prevent the others from running. It is harsh, but
necessary. Now remember that our country depends on us for victory.
We must prove ourselves worthy. Address your companies and inspire
them with courage. Let each man do his duty."

There was a magnetism about Allen which won respect and obedience.

"Do you not think he blundered?" an officer once asked another about
the great Napoleon.

"Blundered? Perhaps he did. But if he ordered me to cut off my hand I
would do it. He owns me body and soul."

And it was just this kind of feeling which animated the men who
followed Ethan Allen.

The British regiment charged the earthworks, and the Americans had all
they could do to hold their position.

The slaughter was large in proportion to the number engaged, and Allen
feared for the result.

But when the English began to retire he ordered his men to follow and
challenge to another combat.

The enemy, seeing the move, turned and prepared to resist the charge of
the Americans.

Then commenced a series of masterly feints which won renown for the
Green Mountain hero.

His men fell back after the first volley, and the English pursued.

Again Allen rallied his men and charged the enemy, only to retreat as
quickly as before.

Three times was this maneuver practiced, and each time the English were
drawn nearer the strongest points of the line of circumvallation.

Montgomery saw, at first with surprise, the movements of his able
coadjutor; then, when the object became apparent, he ordered his
division to be in readiness, and after the third feint, with a loud
shout the entire force of the Americans charged the English and pursued
them into the town, slaughtering them like sheep.

Allen advised forcing an entrance into the town, but Montgomery knew
that the enemy would have every advantage, and that success was very
doubtful.

He preferred to wait, and by strengthening his position compel the
garrison to surrender.

The afternoon saw the white flag floating over both fort and
earthworks. The emblem of peace meant that both sides wished to care
for the wounded and bury the dead.

It is a strange feature of civil war, and the war between the English
and the Americans might be so called, that when the flag of truce is
hoisted the men of both sides are ready to fraternize.

It was so in this instance before St. Johns.

Men who had been aiming a