It was evident that Colonel Allen came nearer Nathan's standard of a soldier than Corporal 'Lige, for he stood in a respectful attitude before the officer as if recognizing the latter's right to question him.
"Is your father alive?" the colonel asked.
"Yes, sir; he owns a farm up on the lake."
"How often have you visited the fort within the past year?"
"Mostly twice a week, sir; never less than once."
"Then you are sufficiently well acquainted with the troops to be able to gain admission at any time?"
"Yes, sir; father sells a lot of truck there, an' I mostly carry it over."
"We heard it said there was a lot of soldiers marchin' up this way, and I didn't have much of anything to do, so come down to have a look at 'em."
"Is it generally known near about where you live that troops are marching toward the fort?"
"I don't think so, sir. Simon York, a trapper, told father, and it was agreed between them that nothing should be spoken about it lest the news get out."
"Do you know how many soldiers there are in the fort now?"
"Hark you, lad, are you minded to do a service for those who would strike a blow against the king?"
"I suppose that would depend on what it was, an' how much I'd make out of it," Nathan replied cautiously.
"Then you are not of the mind to do anything toward establishing the independence of the colonies--it is simply a question of shillings and pence?"
"Well, sir, perhaps it is something like that," Nathan replied, growing confused. "Father thinks since the news came from Concord and Lexington that all the provincials ought to turn to and show their mettle; but mother says so long as the king's troops buy truck and pay good prices for it, it is our business to see that we don't take the bread and butter out of our own mouths."
"I understand; yours is what might be called a divided household," and Colonel Allen looked around with a smile at his companions.
"I guess I don't know what you mean by that, sir; but things our way are about as I have told you."
Corporal 'Lige glowered at the boy who thus unblushingly announced that he measured his patriotism by its value in money, and Isaac wondered that a lad so young could talk thus pertly to one as high in authority as was Colonel Ethan Allen.