Part 11 (1/2)
”If we do not placate Allen he will make terms with New York.”
”But would Tryon agree to terms?”
”The Yorkers would make Allen deputy-governor, and Allen could take all the land west of the Connecticut over with him.”
”What would you have me do?”
”Send for Allen; make him a deputy in the mountain district; give him more power than any other man in the district, and then tell Gov. Tryon to capture Allen if he can.”
”Your advice may be good; I will think over it and will decide before I see these men on the morrow.”
CHAPTER VII.
AN AMBUSCADE.
The energetic governor of New York had a spy present during the interview between the Green Mountain leader and the governor of New Hamps.h.i.+re.
Tryon had made up his mind to use his influence--and it was great--to have England amalgamate the two colonies and make him the ruler of the consolidated district.
In fact, he had already planned a scheme by which all of New England should be federated under his lead, thus creating a vice-gerency in the New World which should be all-powerful.
To carry out this plan he hoped to embroil the governor of New Hamps.h.i.+re with the mountaineers, and thus, by creating dissensions, show to England that a strong hand was needed.
When his trusted deputy heard from the spy the result of the interview between Allen and the governor, he called his aids together and asked their advice.
”Wentworth will give that fellow Allen all he asks,” he said, ”and our mission will be a failure.”
”Cannot we capture this rebel and carry him over the border?”
”If we could we should be masters of the situation.”
”Then we will do it.”
”How?”
”Leave that to me. You must not know anything about it or it will compromise you.”
”But, Edwards, unless I know the details how can I advise the governor or prove to him that it was justifiable?”
”That is the very thing you must not do until Allen and perhaps his men are in New York Colony. Then you can boldly say: 'Here is the rebel; hang him!'”
That evening, when the mountaineers were smoking their pipes in front of the inn, a man strolled leisurely along the street and looked at Allen and Warner, who were talking together.
He retraced his steps and stared at the men, hoping that they would resent the impertinence; but Allen did not notice him and Warner only smiled to himself.
”Can you tell me where I shall find a man they call Ethan Allen?” asked the man, after pa.s.sing and repa.s.sing several times.
”I have the right to bear that name,” answered Allen.