The Hero of Ticonderoga; or, Ethan Allen and His Green Mountain Boys

by John De Morgan

  CHAPTER XIII.

  BENEDICT ARNOLD.

  "At last I see my way to a position. They said I was a ne'er-do-well.We shall see!"

  The speaker, a fine, handsome-looking man, paced the floor of a smallroom in Cambridge.

  It was one week after the battle of Lexington.

  He was restless; every muscle in his body seemed to quiver withexcitement.

  Anyone looking at him would prefer him as a friend rather than anenemy, for there was that in his face which betokened strong passion.

  He was ambitious. For the gratification of that ambition he wouldsacrifice anything, even honor.

  He had been brought up as a merchant, and had splendid opportunities inhis native Colony of Connecticut for success, but he was restless, andwanted a fame greater than he could obtain as a merchant.

  He had suggested the formation of a company of militia, to be calledthe "Governor's Guards," and had also hinted that they should rival theroyal guards of England in appearance and attire.

  The governor was pleased with the suggestion, for he loved display, andcommissioned Benedict Arnold to put into effect his suggestion, and totake the rank of captain.

  Arnold cared less for the career of a merchant than ever.

  He designed a uniform which should outshine even the famous Life Guardsof London in splendor.

  Buckling on a sword, he would pose before a mirror and salute his ownreflected image in the glass.

  Gathering around him a number of well-connected young men, men of goodfigure and tall in stature, he proceeded to impress upon them his ownimportance, and made them believe that all the honor of their positiondepended upon his favor.

  Arnold was a favorite, and so the young men of New Haven accepted hisauthority and became the willing followers of Capt. Arnold.

  The governor threw a wet blanket on his scheme when he told him that ifthe guards wanted uniforms they must purchase them, for the funds ofthe colony could not be used for such a purpose.

  Arnold had to moderate his gorgeousness and accept a much plaineruniform for his guards.

  The company was formed, and drill commenced. The young captain showedthat he knew more about the manual of arms than he did of mercantilepractices.

  The militia grumbled at the harshness of the discipline, but a fewwords from their captain won them over.

  When the war commenced Arnold was a strong royalist, or tory.

  He wanted the guards to be recognized by England as a part of the royalforces. In fancy he saw himself driving the "rebels" into the soundand being sent for to London to receive the thanks of the king inperson; he imagined himself promoted to the rank of general, andperhaps made life governor of one of the colonies.

  But the airy castles he built fell to the ground when he was bluntlytold that the king could do without his "guards," and that when therewas need of soldiers the king could provide them.

  From that moment Arnold resolved on throwing in his lot with the verymen he had asked permission to shoot down. He became a "rebel."

  When the news of the battle of Lexington reached New Haven he clappedhis hands and became more excited than he had ever known himself to be.

  He called his guards together, and in an impassioned speech bade thembe ready to march against the English, and win freedom for their nativeland and honor and renown for themselves.

  He denounced the king.

  He ridiculed the parliament.

  The tories were treated to such an outburst of eloquent denunciationthat, had any of them heard him, they would have trembled.

  "Guards! soldiers of the nation! I salute you. To you is intrusted abanner which must ever be kept in the front of the battle. Some of usmay fall, but, if we do, our names shall be writ on our country'shistory in imperishable letters. To those who survive no honor will bebegrudged, no reward will be too ample for a proud country to bestow.

  "We shall meet the foe. We shall cross swords with the hirelings of atyrant. Our arms will be triumphant, for justice is with us, and Godwill bless our swords. To-morrow we march to Massachusetts, to joinour brothers there, and all the world shall ring with the doings of theGovernor's Guards of Connecticut."

  He fired his men with enthusiasm, and they were ready to follow him todeath, if need be.

  Arrived at Cambridge, he was received warmly, but so was John Stark andhis New Hampshire militia, and equally well did he find the men ofMassachusetts greet Nathaniel Greene and his militia from Rhode Island.

  Arnold had expected a greater enthusiasm. In his heart he had fanciedhimself appointed general of the army of the Provincials, and thereforehe 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 didnot care for me, and now these Provincials treat me as if I were one ofthem, 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 tocapture Ticonderoga, for which our governor has offered a thousanddollars 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 tospeak as I think."

  "So I have, Eli, and for the sake of our old college days and the goodtimes we shared, you can always speak your mind to me."

  "Then, captain, I thought that this man, Allen, knew nothing offighting save a sheriff's posse, and you could become the general andlead the men to Ticonderoga and then to Crown Point, and who knows, youmight 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 isaction. Go; when I have thought over your suggestion I will let youknow my decision."

  Eli Forest had the most implicit confidence in Benedict Arnold. Asboys they had gone to the same school, and when they left school theyentered college and graduated at the same time. During all those yearsEli had always looked upon Arnold as a superior being. When the menwere enrolled as guards Eli felt that the height of his ambition wasreached, for, with Arnold as captain, the guards would rival anymilitary body in the country.

  Arnold was as fond of his friend as he could be of anyone; he gave himgreater freedom of speech, and listened to him when others would havebeen treated very cavalierly.

  When Benedict Arnold was alone he showed by every line on his face howpleased he was with the suggestion made by his old-time friend.

  "It is the opportunity of my life. What does Ethan Allen know aboutwar? He is a country farmer, and can fight a sheriff's posse, andperhaps 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, hisface lighted up with ambitious fire.

  "Yes, the glory shall be mine," he continued, "and once let me haveTiconderoga 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 sturdy New Hampshireboys, and the people cheered.

  "If I hold Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains I can dictate my ownterms. I shall hold the key to the situation. Canada can be mine, andMassachusetts will be glad to make terms with me. If I fail to makegood terms with the colonies I can go to England and say: 'You will bedriven out of America unless I say stay, and I shall not say thatunless you give me----' Well, what now?"

  The orderly entered and told Arnold that he was wanted at theheadquarters of the Provincial army at once.

  "Tell the council that I--will not---- I mean I will not delay."

  Once more alone, he showed his restlessness.

  "They order me--me!--Capt. Benedict Arnold! Well, let me join Allenand his Green Mountain Boys, and I shall do t
he ordering, or my starhas dimmed its luster."

  One hour later he called together his guards and told them that theywere to be ready to march at a moment's notice.

  "A soldier's first lesson is that of obedience," he said to them, "andI am going to try you in many ways. In the expedition we are about toundertake I shall only be of the same rank as yourselves. Obey whoevermay be your commander, but be ready to accept me as your leader at anytime."

  Eli, on behalf of the guards, promised that whatever Arnold might orderit would be their pleasure to obey.

  "Sergt. Eli Forest, stand forward."

  Eli obeyed and saluted.

  "Lieut. Percival has obtained leave of absence. He will join the armyin Cambridge when that leave expires. The grade of lieutenant is animportant one, and I appoint you, Eli Forest, first lieutenant of theGovernor's Guards."

  Eli thanked his chief for the new honor, and Arnold had bound him stillcloser to him.