Part 24 (1/2)
”We shall meet the foe. We shall cross swords with the hirelings of a tyrant. Our arms will be triumphant, for justice is with us, and G.o.d will bless our swords. To-morrow we march to Ma.s.sachusetts, to join our brothers there, and all the world shall ring with the doings of the Governor's Guards of Connecticut.”
He fired his men with enthusiasm, and they were ready to follow him to death, if need be.
Arrived at Cambridge, he was received warmly, but so was John Stark and his New Hamps.h.i.+re militia, and equally well did he find the men of Ma.s.sachusetts greet Nathaniel Greene and his militia from Rhode Island.
Arnold had expected a greater enthusiasm. In his heart he had fancied himself appointed general of the army of the Provincials, and therefore he was hurt when he learned that he was only one among many.
”The king insulted me,” he said, as he paced the floor, ”the tories did not care for me, and now these Provincials treat me as if I were one of them, instead of being---- Well, what is it, Eli?”
Sergt. Eli Forest, of the Governor's Guards, entered the room.
”Captain, I have just heard that one Ethan Allen has undertaken to capture Ticonderoga, for which our governor has offered a thousand dollars for expenses.”
”Well?”
”Would it not be well for us to join with Col. Allen----”
”Eh?”
”Do not think me rash, captain, but you have given me permission to speak as I think.”
”So I have, Eli, and for the sake of our old college days and the good times we shared, you can always speak your mind to me.”
”Then, captain, I thought that this man, Allen, knew nothing of fighting save a sheriff's posse, and you could become the general and lead the men to Ticonderoga and then to Crown Point, and who knows, you might drive the English back into Canada, and, joining with the French, compel England to sue for peace, and you could name your own terms.”
”Talk, talk, talk! How easy it is to talk, Eli, but how different is action. Go; when I have thought over your suggestion I will let you know my decision.”
Eli Forest had the most implicit confidence in Benedict Arnold. As boys they had gone to the same school, and when they left school they entered college and graduated at the same time. During all those years Eli had always looked upon Arnold as a superior being. When the men were enrolled as guards Eli felt that the height of his ambition was reached, for, with Arnold as captain, the guards would rival any military body in the country.
Arnold was as fond of his friend as he could be of anyone; he gave him greater freedom of speech, and listened to him when others would have been treated very cavalierly.
When Benedict Arnold was alone he showed by every line on his face how pleased he was with the suggestion made by his old-time friend.
”It is the opportunity of my life. What does Ethan Allen know about war? He is a country farmer, and can fight a sheriff's posse, and perhaps a few soldiers in his mountains; but to take Ticonderoga? Bah!
He will fail unless I help him, and then the glory shall be mine.”
Arnold walked quickly up and down the floor, his hands clinched, his face lighted up with ambitious fire.
”Yes, the glory shall be mine,” he continued, ”and once let me have Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and then---- Ah! what then?”
He crossed to the window and looked out.
John Stark was marching past at the head of his st.u.r.dy New Hamps.h.i.+re boys, and the people cheered.
”If I hold Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains I can dictate my own terms. I shall hold the key to the situation. Canada can be mine, and Ma.s.sachusetts will be glad to make terms with me. If I fail to make good terms with the colonies I can go to England and say: 'You will be driven out of America unless I say stay, and I shall not say that unless you give me----' Well, what now?”
The orderly entered and told Arnold that he was wanted at the headquarters of the Provincial army at once.