Part 25 (1/2)
”Martha saw them,” said Baker, ”and she declared that their leader was a man who was noted for being a great loyalist in New Haven.”
”So! Let all the men be ready in case of emergency, and do you see that they are well prepared for attack!”
”I shall see to it.”
”Does Mistress Martha feel tired after her long journey?”
”No; she very naively says that she was tired until she was met by Eben, and from that time her weariness ceased.”
”Natural, very. Eben felt that way also, and his face was as red as a turkey gobbler's comb when he entered here.”
In less than an hour Lieut. Eli Forest approached the camp, bearing a white flag.
He asked to be admitted to the presence of Ethan Allen.
”Col. Allen, this gentleman craves an interview.”
”Capt. Baker, I shall be pleased to confer with him.”
Eli was rather surprised at the courtesy shown by Ethan and Baker to each other. He had been led to believe the Mountain Boys to be a lot of uneducated, boorish farmers.
He, a college graduate, knew that he was in the presence of his equals.
”I am commissioned by my superior, Col. Arnold, to ask you to favor him with an audience.”
”Might I ask who I am speaking with?”
”I have the honor to be lieutenant of the Connecticut Guards. I am Eli Forest.”
”Tell Col. Arnold that I shall be pleased to see him, and, believe me, I am proud to have met Lieut. Forest.”
When Forest returned to Arnold he found the New Haven colonel very anxious.
”Well, what says the farmer?”
”He may be a farmer, but he is a well-educated gentleman.”
”You don't mean----”
”We have been deceived. You will find that he is our--my equal.”
”So much the better; I shall win the surer.”
In the camp of the mountaineers the center of attraction was Martha Baker. Many of the Bennington boys knew her, though she had greatly improved during her stay at New Haven.
She sought the presence of Col. Allen and besought him to be careful of his treatment of the guardsman of New Haven.
”If it is Benedict Arnold who is coming, he means you no good,” she said, very earnestly; ”my friend in New Haven knew him well, and she was certain that he was in favor of England.”
”Thank you, Martha; I will know how to deal with him. I am glad that you have told me.”
Benedict Arnold lost no time in seeking an audience with Ethan Allen.