and privation. They would have to
make long marches; to sleep on the ground; to endure great fatigue;
brave the cold of winter, wrapping themselves in their blankets at
night, and lying down with the snow for their bed.

Although the hardships would be so great, Robert Rogers had no
difficulty in obtaining all the men he wanted. The settlers had suffered
so much from the enemy that they were eager to take their revenge. There
was a fascination in the service. How stirring the thought of stealing
through the woods, making roundabout marches, shooting a deer or bear,
eating the nice steaks, lying down to sleep beneath the trees; up again
in the morning, coming upon the French and Indians unawares, pouring in
a volley, killing the savages or taking them prisoners, and returning in
triumph!

Major Rogers chose as lieutenant the man who had knocked the Indians
about, right and left, when called upon to run the gauntlet--John Stark,
who could follow a trail as well as any Indian, who was always cool and
collected, and as brave as a lion. The men were called Rangers. They
wore green frocks, and besides their rifles each man had a long knife
which he could use in a close fight. They wore boots and leather
leggings, and each man carried his rations--bread and cold corned
beef--in a bag.

The ice on Lake George was thick and strong in March, 1757, when the
Rangers, seventy-four in number, with iron spurs on their feet, several
days' rations in their bags, their blankets rolled upon their shoulders,
marching in single file, with trailed arms, Major Rogers at the head,
and John Stark in the rear, started from Fort William Henry.

They made their way over the gleaming ice for two days, but on the third
day they left the lake, put on their snow-shoes, entered the woods,
marched past Ticonderoga, and came out upon the western shore of Lake
Champlain, discovered a party of French, with horses and sleds, on their
way from Ticonderoga to Crown Point. Stark, with a part of the Rangers,
made a dash and captured seven prisoners. He did not see another party
of French around a point of land in season to capture them. They escaped
to Ticonderoga, and gave the alarm.

Major Rogers knew that a large party of French and Indians would be sent
out from Ticonderoga to intercept him, and at once started to return.

It was a rainy day. The snow was damp and heavy. "We will go to our last
night's camp, and dry our guns," said Major Rogers.

Th