Page 25 of The Hero of Ticonderoga; or, Ethan Allen and His Green Mountain Boys

"No, I come from New Hampshire."

"So did I. I used to live in Concord. Ever in Concord?"

"Many times," answered Eben.

"Then we ought to be friends. Looking for work?"

"Partly. My folks want a good grant somewhere, and I'm looking aboutfor one."

"There aren't many good places now; most have been taken. They do saythat a man called Ethan Allen is round stirring up the people so thathe may get them their lands free."

"So I have heard."

"But some say that he wants the lands for himself."

"How is that?" asked Eben, innocently.

"

Why, I have heard a man say--he came from Fort Ticonderoga--that ifAllen can get his way there will be a fight. Then he will surrenderand will recognize York, and as a reward will get the best farms."

"It's a----"

Eben was about to give the boy a piece of his mind, but checked himselfin time.

"It's a what?" asked the lad.

"Very unlikely story, I was about to say, but thought that I would not."

"Why?"

"Because a man who would think such a thing about Col. Allen is notworth contradicting."

"Oh, that is it. So you believe in this man, Allen?"

"I do."

"So does father. He says that he will stick by him as long as he has ahand to hold a gun."

"What is your father's name?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Only he might help me to find a good piece of farm land which I couldget by applying."

"So he might. Well, my father is Ezekiel Garvan--Old Zeke, they callhim round about. Glad to see you when you are near. See, that is ourhouse over yon, where the smoke is rising up from among the trees."

"And what is your name?" asked Eben.

"I am called Zeb; it is short for Zebedee. What is your name?"

Incautiously he answered, truthfully:

"Ebenezer Pike is my name."

The boys separated, and Eben returned to the camp, feeling pleased withhimself to think he had found a good friend, as he never doubted oldZeke would be.

Zeb stood watching Eben for a time, and then he too returned home.