country.

There was many a scene like that which you see in

the engraving.

8. One mother fitted out her elder son with a fowling-piece and slugs made out of her pewter spoons. Her younger boy was only sixteen. For him she had nothing but an old rusty sword. Giving him this, she dashed away a tear, and bade him follow his brother. Beg or borrow a sword, my child," she said; or you will find one. Some coward, I dare say, will be running away. Then take his gun and march forward."

9. At Barn'-sta-ble, the only child of a farmer joined a company that was about to march to Cambridge. As they passed the father's house on leaving the village, he came forth and said: "God be with you all, my friends! and, John, if you, my son, are called into battle, take care that you behave manfully, or else let me never see your face again." This was the spirit

produce? Describe the scene represented in the engraving.-S. What story is told of a mother and her two sons ?-9. Relate the incident at Barnstable.

1775]

THE GREEN MOUNTAIN BOYS.

87

everywhere. Twenty thousand patriots were soon in arms around Boston.

LESSON XXIX.

CAPTURE OF TICONDEROGA.-ETHAN ALLEN.

1. The spirit of resistance was not confined to New England. In Virginia, the governor thought it prudent to take refuge on a British vessel. The governors of North and South Carolina were also obliged to flee. Just a month after the battle of Lexington, a meeting was held at Charlotte, North Carolina. The people there went so far as to declare themselves independent of the King, and said they would maintain their freedom with their lives. This was the first Declaration of Independence.

2. Ticonderoga, an important fort on Lake Champlain, was garrisoned by British soldiers. Ethan Allen and his brave Green Mountain Boys resolved to capture this post. The Green Mountains are in Vermont; and the hardy pioneers of this region called themselves Green Mountain Boys. They assembled on the shore of the lake, opposite Ticonderoga, without the garrison's suspecting that any foe was near.

3. One of the party went to the fort, pretending to be an awkward country boy, who wanted to be shaved. After learning all he could about the place, he returned to his companions. In the night they commenced crossing, but there were not boats enough to carry all the men over. As daylight approached, Allen, not daring to wait for any more, led his men up to the fort. As he drew near, a sentinel snapped his gun at the party; but it missed fire. He then ran into the fort to raise an alarm, closely followed by the Americans.

1. Where, besides in New England, was the spirit of resistance shown? What took place in Charlotte, North Carolina ?-2. Where was Ticonderoga situated? Who resolved to capture it? Why were Ethan Allen's party called Green Mountain Boys? Where did they assemble ?-3. How did they obtain information about the fort? Give an account of the crossing. What took place

4. The frightened soldiers leaped from their beds, but it was only to find themselves prisoners. The commanding officer rushed to the door of his quarters in his night-clothes, followed by his wife. Allen, pointing to his men, bade him surrender. "By what authority," he asked, "do you command it?" "In the name of the great Jehovah and the Continental Congress," was Allen's reply. There was no help for it. The fort was surrendered, with its stores, powder, and cannon-all of which were much needed by the patriots.

5. Ethan Allen soon after planned an invasion of Canada. Trying to take Montreal, he was himself taken by the British. They put him in irons, and sent him over to England. Here he

was in danger of being hanged as a rebel. It was more than two years before he was released. Sent from place to place as a prisoner, he was half starved, and treated with insult and cruelty.

6. On one British ship he was treated with kindness, and well did he repay it. There were a number of American prisoners on board, and some of them formed a plan to kill the captain and seize on the ship and a large sum of money which it contained. Having won over a number of the crew, they tried to get Allen to join them. But he indignantly refused, and told them he would peril his life in defence of the captain who had treated them all so well. Owing to his threats and persuasions, they gave up the plan.

7. Ethan Allen was as honest as he was brave. He once gave his note for one hundred and fifty dollars to a person whom he owed. When it became due, he could not pay it. He was sued, and employed a lawyer to get the matter put off till he could raise the money. He was utterly surprised when his lawyer rose in court and denied the signature of the note. Rushing up to him, he cried: "Sir, I didn't hire you to come here and lie.

as they approached the fort ?-4. What did the soldiers find, when they leaped from their beds? What passed between Allen and the commander? What was the result? 5. What did Ethan Allen soon after plan? What success did he meet with? What did the British do with him? How was he treated?-6. Tell how he once repaid the kindness of a British captain.-7. Relate an anec

1775]

ETHAN ALLEN.

89

That's a true note. I signed it, and I'll pay it. I want no shuffling. All I want is time." He obtained the time he wanted, and the note was paid.

8. The very day on which Ethan Allen took Ticonderoga (May 10th, 1775), the Continental Congress met the second time at Philadelphia. They prepared for war in earnest. A large amount of paper money was issued. George Washington, of whom we heard before in the French and Indian War, was elected commander-in-chief. He hastened to Cambridge, near Boston, to take command of the patriots there assembled. Before he arrived, however, a large number of fresh troops from England had reached Boston, and an important battle had been fought.

1. In June, 1775, (before Washington had taken the chief command), ten thousand British troops lay in Boston. Nearly twice as many Americans had gathered around the city. But they were poorly armed, and many of them had never been in battle. Hearing that the British intended fortifying Bunker Hill, the American general determined to be beforehand with them. Accordingly, that same evening, he sent Colonel Prescott, with one thousand men, to take possession of Bunker Hill, and throw up a breastwork of earth for its defence.

2. The men worked silently with their pick-axes and spades all night. They heard the British sentinels at Boston cry "All's

dote showing Allen's honesty.-8. What took place the same day on which Ticonderoga was captured? What preparations were made by Congress? Who was elected commander-in-chief? To what place did Washington hasten? What took place before Washington reached Cambridge?

1. In June, 1775, how many British troops lay in Boston? How many Americans had gathered around the city? What movement was contemplated by the British? In view of this, what was done by the American general? — 2. What was accomplished by the Americans during the night? What did the

well!" But the British did not hear them, and the next morning were amazed to see a strong intrenchment commanding the city. A battle was resolved on. The flower of the British army was sent to dislodge the Americans, and the British ships in the harbor opened a fire on the hill. The roofs and steeples of Boston and the country around were filled with anxious spectators.

3. Twice the British troops charged up the hill. The Americans had been ordered to wait till they saw the whites of the enemies' eyes, and then to fire low and not waste their powder. They obeyed the order, and twice the British veterans recoiled before them. Fresh troops were then brought up, and a third attack was made. Unfortunately, the powder of the Americans They received the British with stones and

now gave out.

British see in the morning? What measures were taken by the British ?3. Give an account of the battle of Bunker Hill. Near what place did the battle