CHAPTER XXXIII.
BEVERLY ROBINSON'S OFFER.
As though the colonies had not enough work on hand in fighting thegreat power of Britain, they must needs quarrel among themselves, or atleast New York picked a quarrel with New Hampshire over the title toVermont.
Vermont was more than ever determined to remain independent of eitherNew Hampshire or New York, and Ethan Allen admired the sturdy spirit ofhis mountaineers.
He was urged to take command of the Green Mountain forces, and heconsented, writing Gen. Washington and telling him how he regretted thenecessity of staying at home instead of entering the army ofemancipation.
Washington replied in a friendly letter, reminding him that he deserveda rest after his trials, and also telling him that a man's first dutywas to his own people and country.
Acting on this letter, Allen applied to the Congress for the admissionof Vermont into the Confederation of States; but the rivals of New Yorkand New Hampshire were too powerful in the councils of the new nationfor Allen, and Vermont remained outside, a debatable territory.
Ethan Allen was sitting by the great, open fireplace in his house oneevening in the early fall, when a visitor was announced.
"You have forgotten me, Col. Allen?"
"I do not remember having had the pleasure of your acquaintance."
"I am Beverly Robinson."
"Indeed! Ah, now I remember. May I ask what brought you here?"
The tory did not like the brusque question, but he was a diplomat andfenced ably.
"I have heard of your prowess on the field and of your sufferings incaptivity, and I have felt that, though we differ in politics, we arechildren of the same mountains and ought to be friends."
"If you are loyal to Vermont, differences of opinion will not affectme."
"Spoken like the brave man I knew you to be."
"Did you come here to tell me this?"
"Partly, and more especially to discuss the future of Vermont."
"Ah!"
"Yes; we are in a strange predicament. We have cut loose from themother country, and the new country will not have us."
"That is one way of looking at the matter."
"Is it not the true one?"
"It may be."
"Well, why not pledge ourselves to remain neutral?"
"To remain neutral?"
"Yes. If we were to call a convention and pass a resolution to theeffect that in the war between England and the colonies--I beg pardon,States--Vermont would remain absolutely neutral, we should be in a goodposition."
"In what way?"
"England would protect us against New York, and we could protectourselves against New Hampshire."
"And you would ask me to make terms with England?"
"Why not? You do not believe that Washington will succeed. He cannot.England will triumph. The best men feel that it will be so. BenedictArnold told me it was only a question of time and terms."
"Indeed!"
"Yes; he knows that all Washington is fighting for now is to get thebest terms he can from Great Britain."
"Arnold told you this?"
"Well, no, not exactly in those words. But let me carry toheadquarters your pledge of neutrality."
"Mr. Robinson, you may be honest in this, but I am afraid you are beingmade a tool of some designing person. Carry this back with you"--Allenstood up and folded his arms defiantly, as he said: "Tell England thatEthan Allen will never be neutral, never make terms with England, butwill fight her power as long as he lives! Good-day, and never enter myhouse again as the agent of England."
Beverly Robinson retired second in the contest. Allen had won.
Though the tory had failed, he felt a respect for Allen, who had beenso bold and courageous, and, though Allen never knew it, he was themeans of saving Vermont from any attacks of the British.
Allen served his State and defended it against enemies without andwithin. He lived to see it recognized as a State, free and independent.
He also witnessed, with shame, the treachery of Benedict Arnold, andwas glad that he had never recognized the traitor as a man of honor.
In the annals of the Revolution the name of Ethan Allen will ever shineconspicuously, and, though he fought but few battles, and remained inthe army but a few months, England hated the mention of his name, andlooked upon him as one of the men who fired the hearts of the Americansand encouraged them in the demand for freedom.
In the hearts of his countrymen he will ever be held in the highestestimation, and all ages will greet the Green Mountain Boy as the "Heroof Ticonderoga."
THE END.
The Hero of Ticonderoga; or, Ethan Allen and His Green Mountain Boys Page 33