struck down by Allen, and begged for quarter. It was
granted on condition of his leading the way instantly to the quarters of
the commandant, Captain Delaplace, who was yet in bed.

Being arrived there, Allen thundered at the door, and demanded a
surrender of the fort. By this time his followers had formed into two
lines on the parade-ground, and given three hearty cheers.

The commandant appeared at the door half-dressed, the frightened face
of his pretty wife peering over his shoulder. He gazed at Allen in
bewildered astonishment.

"By whose authority do you act?" exclaimed he.

"In the name of the Continental Congress!" replied Allen, with a
flourish of his sword, and an oath which we do not care to subjoin.

There was no disputing the point. The garrison, like the commandant,
had been startled from sleep, and made prisoners as they rushed forth
in their confusion. A surrender accordingly took place. The captain
and forty-eight men who composed his garrison were sent prisoners to
Hartford, in Connecticut.

And thus without the loss of a single man, one of the important forts,
commanding the main route into Canada, fell into the hands of the
patriots.

WASHINGTON AND THE COWARDS

BY WASHINGTON IRVING (ADAPTED)

During the evacuation of New York by Washington, two divisions of the
enemy, encamped on Long Island, one British under Sir Henry Clinton, the
other Hessian under Colonel Donop, emerged in boats from the deep wooded
recesses of Newtown Inlet, and under cover of the fire from the ships
began to land at two points between Turtle and Kip's Bays.

The breastworks were manned by patriot militia who had recently served
in Brooklyn. Disheartened by their late defeat, they fled at the first
advance of the enemy. Two brigades of Putnam's Connecticut troops,
which had been sent that morning to support them, caught the panic, and,
regardless of the commands and entreaties of their officers, joined in
the general scamper.

At this moment Washington, who had mounted his horse at the first sound
of the cannonade, came galloping to the scene of confusion. Riding in
among the fugitives he endeavored to rally and restore them to order.
All in vain. At the first appearance of sixty or seventy redcoats, they
broke again without firing a shot, and fled in headlong terror.

Losing all self-command at the sight of such dastardly conduct,
Washington dashed his hat upon the ground in a transport of rage.

"Are t