Part 34 (1/2)
Ethan Allen, mountaineer, farmer, amateur soldier, as Arnold had called him, proved to be the superior of the polished Yale graduate.
Arnold retired to his quarters, feeling very glum.
Allen sent for Seth Warner. He wanted some one on whom he could rely.
He told Warner what had happened, and the honest Vermonter suggested that Arnold should be placed under arrest and tried by court-martial.
But such a course Allen would not countenance. He felt that Arnold was not dangerous, and that he could afford to leave him to his own conscience.
”I hear that cannon and ammunition was about to be s.h.i.+pped to New Haven?”
”Yes, colonel; most of the spoil was to be sent there. We all thought that it was by your order.”
”Zounds, man! I never heard of it until young Eben told me just now.”
”We all thought that he was obeying your instructions, and, therefore, why should we come and tell you?”
”That is so. Do not allow one gun to leave the fort.”
Eben entered the room, and was out of breath.
”What is it, Eben?”
”If you please--I--have--news----”
”What is it?”
”I--have been--across--the lake. I----”
”Sit down and get your breath; you will be able to talk plainer. No danger threatens us?”
”No--I--don't think so.”
Eben fanned himself and gradually became calmer. But he was so eager to tell his news that he could not wait long enough to be quite coherent.
”News from Boston,” he jerked out; and at once Ethan Allen was as much excited as Eben.
”What news? Who brought it? Quick, Eben; don't you see how anxious I am to hear all about it?”
”All the English army has landed at Boston, and they have hanged the men we loved. At least, I think so; I was in so great a hurry that I did not wait to hear all.”
”Who brought the news?”
”No one yet. They are riding like the mischief, but I jumped in my boat and paddled across, and then ran like the wind to be first. They are here now.”
Two men were admitted into the presence of Ethan Allen and Seth Warner.
After the usual salutes and the presentation of a short letter from Sam Adams, telling Allen that he could believe all the men told him, they were asked to tell their story.