Guns for General Washington Read Online Free PDF

called piraguas. The barges and bateaux, fitted with sails, would carry the heavy cargo. The frisky piraguas were just right for scouting and communication.
    Three hectic days flew by as men were chosen, boats fitted out, and cannons dragged down to the Ticonderoga dock. Henry, carrying his scribbled notes, went over the list with the fort commander. “We’re taking fifty-nine pieces, altogether,” he said. “Thirty iron cannons, thirteen of brass, and sixteen mixed guns—mortars, howitzers, and co-horns.” The cargo also included a large barrel of thirty thousand flints and twenty-three boxes of lead bars. The flints were for the army’s flintlock muskets, and the lead would be melted down for bullets.
    Soon every box, barrel, and cannon was ready for the boats. Hurrying along the dock as the loading began, the brothers looked at each other with tense faces. They had been much too busy to think; now it was as if they suddenly realized what lay ahead. They were about to move sixty tons of metal cargo through the cruelest weeks of winter, across three hundred miles of wild country—a dangerous, rugged trip people told them could not be done.
    William wiped his nose and tried hard to smile. Henry cleared his throat and slowly scratched his chin. Then he roused himself, grinned, and patted Will on the shoulder. “No turning back now, little brother, so let’s get started. We’ve a fair way to go—and the general is waiting.”

7
Trouble on the Lake
    Loading the flat-bottoms took time. First, each gun had to be dismantled, then the heavy parts had to be lashed together. The loaders also had to carefully balance the weight in each vessel. Henry’s team was just what he wanted—a group of tough, muscular men who were used to hardship and danger. He had also hired some local boatmen who knew the lake well.
    By midafternoon on December ninth everything was loaded. At last the sails were raised and they started south. William rode in the first barge, the others following behind. For himself, Henry chose a fast piragua with a good pilot, so he could range up and down among the moving vessels.
    Groaning under their loads, the boats crept through the gray water while Will nervously tested the wind. Luckily it was strong, whipping briskly from the northeast and filling the little sails. Even with their loads the boats moved steadily, and Henry hoped to make the thirty-three-mile voyage in just a few days. November had been a terribly cold month and thick ice had formed on both shores of the lake. Here and there, big jagged ice chunks were piled up like miniature white mountains. But there was an open channel right down the center.
    Watching with sharp eyes, Will guided the flotilla through this middle passage. He was flattered that Henry had picked him to lead the way, but he was nervous as well. It was a big responsibility; also, some of the men were a good bit older than he was and might resent taking his orders.
    As dusk closed in, Henry decided to find a place to stop for the night. Leaving the boats, he sailed on ahead. Suddenly he heard a splintery crash and muffled shouts!
    Henry turned the piragua and raced back to the convoy.
    â€œWhat happened?” he shouted.
    â€œIt’s my fault!” his brother wailed. “Blast me for my fool carelessness!”
    In the growing darkness, Will had begun to daydream. He’d allowed his barge to drift and it had run aground on hidden rocks. The damage wasn’t serious, but the barge was leaking and would need repairs. Two bateaux came alongside and cargo was shifted from the damaged scow. Several men, daring the frigid water, went over the side onto the rocks and managed to shove the boat free. Henry’s pilot led the convoy to a sheltered cove called Sabbath Day Point. Luckily it was fairly free of ice. The men ran the leaky barge up on shore, and the others dropped anchor nearby.
    Fires were quickly built so the