with wounds; burning straw and sulphur failed to dislodge her, and at last the farmers found themselves under the disagreeable necessity of sending one of their number into the cavern or abandoning the chase. Putnam offered to go and stripping off all superfluous garments, he crawled into the cave. After ascertaining by the light of a birch-bark torch the whereabouts of the wolf, whose fiery orbs glared upon him out of the darkness, he was drawn out so hurriedly that he was severely cut and bruised. Loading his musket carefully, he went in again and shot the wolf. After being drawn out he went in a third time and emerged dragging the creature out by the ears. When the northern approaches to New York were in danger of French invasion. Putnam's eagerly offered services were accepted, and with the rank of captain he followed MajorGeneral Phineas Lynch. During the next two years he was companies into the command of General Webb. One sultry night that summer Putnam and a soldier named Durkee were scouting in the vicinity of Fort Ticonderoga. The deceptive arrangement of the enemy's camp-fires betrayed the young men into the very midst of the encampment. In the shower of bullets which followed their escape Durkee was wounded, and upon reaching a temporary place of safety, Putnam generously offered him his canteen of rum, but it had been tapped by a bullet and was empty. When Putnam examined his blanket he found no less than fourteen bullet holes in it. PUTNAM'S PLOW. (Now in possession of A. E. Brooks, Hartford.) a prominent member of a band of Rangers and the comrade on many occasions of the famous Rogers. At one time when returning to a hidden party of his men, a Frenchman met Rogers, whose gun unfortunately missed fire. The soldier drew a knife, and but for Putnam's timely aid, the career of the Ranger might have been ended then and there. The captain killed the man with a blow from the butt-end of his musket and escaped with Rogers. Although the angry guards followed for no little distance, no lives were lost. In the spring of 1756 Rogers and Putnam were transferred with their respective The next year General Lyman succeeded Webb and the Rangers were stationed on an island off Fort Edward. One morning a company of Provincials escorted by fifty British regulars were cutting timber and fell into an ambuscade. After the greater part of their number was slain the rest fled in dismay. Lyman, fearing lest the safety of the garrison should be jeopardized, called in the outposts and closed the gates. But Putnam was not the man to look calmly upon the slaughter of his friends. Calling his men about him, he rushed to the rescue, although Lyman peremptorily ordered him 260 to return. Amid cheers of encouragement the little band dashed into the fight; the tide was turned, and the baffled savages retreated in disorder. The hero of the hour, Putnam was received with joyous demonstrations when he returned to the fort; even Lyman privately commended the generous motives which had caused the young Ranger to disobey orders. of barracks nearest the magazine in flames. Every effort was put forth to quench the flames, but in vain. Putnam and his men being apprised of the danger, crossed on the ice and gave their assistance. Although the danger of an explosion was imminent, and all expected momentarily to be blown into eternity, officers and men worked gallantly. From his position on the roof, Putnam poured bucket after 66 HORSE-NECK." GENERAL PUTNAM'S RIDE AT (From an old print) There are brave men who fear some one form of danger and shrink from it, but Putnam seems to have possessed a nature singularly free from fear; always mindful of the force of example, he invariably took the post of danger in every expedition. In the winter of 1758, when Colonel Haviland took command at Fort Edward, Putnam and his Rangers were still on Roger's Island. One mild February morning a cry of fire alarmed the garrison, and turning out they found the row bucket of water upon the devouring flames. He only descended when the buildings fell but a few feet from the magazine. In spite of his severe wounds he ran again to the place of most danger, and amid flames and smoke, sparks and cinders, he dashed water upon the magazine until the fire was under control. His exposure and burns made him an invalid for a month. The young captain was usually rendered. extremely impatient at any loss of good ing from a visit to Fort Miller, and as he was going to his boat he was surprised by a large body of Indians, some in the woods about him, and some in their canoes. The young man saw that the chances or land and water were equally bad, so springing into his boat, he allowed himself to be carried down among the rocks and dangerous currents where the savages dared not follow. His escape from them was indeed miraculous. The next year, 1757, his bravery was rewarded with the rank of major. bullets, and at one time a young Indian amused himself by throwing his tomahawk within an inch of the captive's head. The Rangers repulsed Molang, but the Indians carried off their prisoner when they retreated. Upon reaching the depths of the forest, Putnam's captors separated from their French allies, and after some preliminary tortures they decided to burn the unfortunate officer at the stake. Accordingly he was tied to a tree, fagots were piled about his feet and fired, but scarcely had the wood begun to crackle 262 in the heat when a thunder shower came STATUE OF PUTNAM AT BROOKLYN, CONN. deroga, and from there to Montreal. Here another prisoner, Colonel Peter Schuyler, interested himself in the ragged, wounded soldier, and by his influence procured an exchange for him. In 1759 his worth was again recognized and his rank became that of lieutenantcolonel. His last exploit in the French and Indian war was in 1760 near Fort Oswegatchie. The approach to the fort was guarded by two twelve-gun schooners, concerning which General Amherst had expressed the wish that some one would Putnam take those infernal schooners." Putnam offered to do it. Amherst, at first incredulous, reflected on the native ingenuity of the Yankee officer and finally authorized At the close of the war Putnam went At the very outset of the trouble which caused the Revolution, he stood out boldly and conspicuously as an upholder of liberty. In August of 1774, when Gage had not quite shut up Boston, Colonel Putnam rode over from the Neck with one hundred and thirty sheep sent as a gift from Brooklyn parish. During his visit in Boston he was the guest of Doctor Warren. Gage informed Putnam complacently that five thousand veterans could march across the continent without hindrance. The reply he received voiced the public sentiment admirably-"Ay, if they behaved properly, and paid as they went. But if they showed the least hostility, the |