his success, otherwise, could scarcely have been doubtful. But the
victory of Bennington would never have been achieved but for the
decided and energetic movement of Vermont, which alone secured the
cooperation of New Hampshire, or, at least insured victory, when,
otherwise, no battle would have been rewarded. And that essential
movement of Vermont would never have been made but for the bold and
characteristic project of Ira Allen.

All this, to be sure, is but supposition; but who can gainsay its
truthfulness?




CHAPTER II.

"Say what is woman's heart?--a thing
Where all the deepest feelings spring;
And what its love?--a ceaseless stream,
A changeless star--an endless dream--
A smiling flower, that will not die--
A beauty and a mystery!"


While the scenes last described were occurring at Manchester, in the
Council of Safety, whose secret and unforeseen action was about to be
felt in the remotest corners of the state, an athletic, well-formed,
though plainly-dressed young man, whose fortunes, in common with those
of hundreds around him, were suddenly and unexpectedly to be affected
by the movements of that body, might have been seen, in the evening