Page 72 of The Hero of Ticonderoga; or, Ethan Allen and His Green Mountain Boys

"In the forest."

In a lower voice he said:

"There are three houses just ahead, and I am sure I saw a redcoat atone of the doors."

Did the Canadian hear him, or did he judge by intuition?

"Did you see the houses?" he asked Eben, and the question wastranslated.

"Yes, and I saw a man with a red coat."

"That is good; my brother has got home. He always wears a red shirt.I am so glad."

And to prove his joy he began singing loudly, and through the treescame back the echo of the refrain.

"That is Jacques; I should know his voice wherever I heard it," saidthe Canadian, resuming his singing as soon as he had uttered the words.

"Please turn back," pleaded Eben.

"You silly fellow, what harm can we come to?"

Although Allen spoke lightly he whispered to his followers to havetheir pistols ready in case of a surprise.

All saw the houses, poor, miserable dwellings they were, too, but suchas were often met with in the woods of Canada.

"Here we are!" cried out the Canadian, "and monsieur shall soon see theskins. Will he pay a good price for them?"

"Yes, if they are what I require."

"They will be."

There was no sign of life at the house, though the guide called:

"Jacques--Jacques!"

"Where can he have got to? Enter, monsieur, and I will find the manwho has the skins."

Allen, followed by the others, entered the house, which seemed toconsist of one room and an extension kitchen downstairs, and a roomupstairs.

In a few minutes a man dressed in a red shirt entered, and said hisbrother had sent him to entertain them, as he would be detained gettingsome skins he believed the messieurs wanted.

Everything seemed so quiet and innocent that even Eben was inclined tothink he had been unjustly suspicious.

But while Jacques chattered--and he did so rattle along that it wasquite impossible for anyone to get in a word--there was a movementoutside which was ominous had Allen but known it.

Jacques was telling a hunting story and raised his voice at a mostexciting point, when the door was quickly opened and a dozen soldiersfrom the neighboring garrison sprang into the room and demanded thesurrender of the party.

It was impossible to decline the unpleasant invitation, for at eachhead was a pistol.

As Allen raised his head and looked at the door, he saw the pseudoguide, grinning like a hyena, and in a voice which was very English theman emphasized his laugh by saying:

"Ha, ha, ha! trapped! I have followed Ethan Allen all the way fromTiconderoga, and waited until I could be sure he would be hanged. NowI denounce him as a spy!"

CHAPTER XXV.

DIPLOMACY.

"You denounce me?"