THE RIVAL COMMANDERS
At this time Benedict Arnold was thirty-five years of age, a restless,
ambitious man who had sought frequently for an opportunity to
distinguish himself in life, but who had never been willing to pay the
world's price for real success. He looked for a short-cut to power and
fortune, and because of his impatience of restraint and the small
chances of promotion, he had once deserted from the British army. When
the Revolution broke out he was living in Hartford, Connecticut, where
his business was that of druggist, and where his reputation was not of
the most savory among the more respectable merchants of the town. His
character, however, contained those elements of recklessness and
personal daring which stand for bravery with many people, and he was
something of a hero in the eyes of his thoughtless associates.
It seemed a peculiar fatality that both Arnold and Allen, coming from
the same colony, should go to Bennington and be thrown together at just
this time. It was a great moment in Ethan Allen's life; the time was
likewise pregnant with the elements which so influenced the after
existence of Benedict Arnold. Ethan Allen's mind was filled with a
desire to help the Grants, and despite the military glory he craved, he
entered into the scheme for the capture of Ticonderoga with a real hope
of assisting the patriot cause. He was, indeed, a patriot from the
bottom, ready to sacrifice his own interests as well as his life for the
general good. Arnold saw in this rising of his fellow-Americans the long
sought chance to distinguish himself and gain that power and influence
which his nature craved. He saw in the proposed expedition to
Ticonderoga a quick road to prominence. For him to see this chance was
to grasp it.
Having no following of his own he planned to seize the troops gathered
at Castleton and thus have his name go before the Continental Congress
as the leader of the expedition. If it was successful the honor would be
his; if it failed, his name would be quite as prominent and the affair
might gain him advancement which he could hope for in no other way. He
had no thought nor care for the men who, after weeks of toilsome effort,
had gathered the little army together. Their feelings in the matter, or
their standing with their followers, did not enter into his
calculations.
That, indeed, was the secret of Benedict Arnold's life. He never thought
of others. He was ever for self. As a boy we read that he was cruel to
those smaller and weaker than himself, being the "bully" of the school
and of the town in which he lived. He was ever utterly reckless of his
reputation and his greatest pleasure seemed to be found in some form of
malicious mischief. Personally, however, he did not lack boldness and
physical courage. It is told of him that, being dared by other boys, he
once seized the arms of a waterwheel and followed its revolutions half a
dozen times, being completely submerged in the millrace at every turn.
The danger to a handful of illy-armed troops attacking a fortress like
Ticonderoga appealed strongly to the man's reckless daring.
Although Allen and Warner came from the same colony as the newcomer,
neither knew nor recognized Arnold as he approached the group of
officers at this important moment. But Arnold was not a man who could be
for long ignored. His military bearing, his dress, and the hauteur of
his countenance attracted the attention of the three leaders. "Sir,"
said Allen, courteously, "you evidently have some communication to make
to us?"
"I have, sir," replied Arnold, calmly. "But not having the pleasure of a
personal acquaintance with you----"
"I am Colonel Allen, commander of this expedition," interrupted the
other, brusquely. "This is Colonel Easton; this Major Warner. What is
your desire?"
"I am Colonel Benedict Arnold," said the newly arrived officer, "and
bear a commission from the Massachusetts Committee of Safety with
authority to take command of the troops here gathered, or which shall be
gathered, and proceed against Forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point," and he
drew the commission from his pocket and presented it to the company.
Allen's ruddy face paled for an instant and his eyes flashed. "Do I
understand you aright?" he exclaimed, and his voice was sharp enough to
be heard by many of the troops near by. "You have come to take command
of these men?" and his gesture took in the lines of waiting patriots.
"I have, sir. There is my commission."
Allen's wrath got the better of his politeness and he struck the
offending paper from Arnold's hand. Warner stooped hastily and secured
it. He and Easton examined the document with angry scrutiny. Both had
given way with cheerfulness to Ethan Allen's superiority in the matter;
but this affront was personal to them as well as to their beloved
leader. Allen, with his arms akimbo and fire flashing from his eyes
faced the suave and cold intruder. "Sir!" he exclaimed, "I do not care
to see your commission, nor do I acknowledge your authority. I bear a
commission from a higher court and recognize an authority higher still."
"What do you mean, Colonel Allen?" demanded Arnold, for the moment
fearing that the Green Mountain leader had indeed received some
appointment from the Continental Congress, perhaps, which would
invalidate his own.
"I mean, sir, that my authority is based upon some slight precedence in
this matter--a prior claim which dates back some years now, Colonel
Arnold. I have led some of these men in defending their homes on more
than one occasion and by their free act of will they have made me their
leader now."
"Your commission, sir? Where is it?" inquired Arnold, cool again, upon
finding that his antagonist's rights were based upon a matter of
sentiment.
"It is there, sir!" cried Allen, furiously, turning and pointing to the
lines of waiting men. "It is there, sir,--writ on the hearts of those
Green Mountain Boys. And a higher commission than any Committee of
Safety can seal."
The words were heard by the files of waiting troops and already they had
begun to murmur. That their beloved leader should be displaced by any
person--no matter how high his office--was more than distasteful to
them. At once they were in revolt.
"Ethan Allen forever!" arose the cry. "We'll not march without he
commands us!" and more than one threw down his arms. Arnold found
himself facing the possibility of marching upon Ticonderoga alone, for
the mutiny seemed general.
"Sir, sir!" exclaimed Warner, in anxiety, addressing Arnold. "You see
the feeling of these true-hearted men. No person can come here and take
command of them in this way. We are not regular troops. We are banded
together for the good of all, but we do not yet acknowledge the
authority of a sister colony. We desire to be a commonwealth of our own
here in the Grants and have already been disturbed enough by usurpers
from outside. Reconsider this, I beg of you. For if you persevere the
expedition must fail and that which might result in great good to our
struggling brethren, will end in harm because of this folly."
Arnold, if ambitious and unfeeling, already saw that he was beaten. He
was not obstinate enough to do that which would be sure to redound to
his own hurt and discredit. He had not expected such opposition, for he
did not know the veneration in which the Green Mountain Boys held Ethan
Allen. Now, seeing himself undone, he did that which for the time
endeared him to all. His countenance cleared; a frank emotion played
upon his features and advancing a step toward Ethan Allen he said in a
clarion voice, heard by all:
"Colonel Allen, you have precedence here after all. I was mistaken in my
premises. Give me a musket and let me march in the ranks. I shall be
proud to be led by so gallant a commander."
Instantly a volley of cheers broke out among the soldiery, and Allen
who, above all men, could appreciate such generosity, offered his hand
cordially. "Egad, sir!" he cried, "you are a man after my own heart.
When there are so many jealous cattle running about the woods, it is a
pleasure to meet with a man. Give me your hand, Colonel Arnold! There is
glory enough in this campaign for all, and you shall share the command
with me, if you will."
He turned then to his followers. "Men of the Green Mountains!" he cried,
"we are to march at once. Fall in! And with your courage and the help of
Jehovah we shall succeed in our undertaking. To your places, gentlemen,"
to the minor officers, "and Colonel Arnold and I will lead you."
Amid cheers the column moved forward into the forest and took up its
line of march toward the shore of Lake Champlain. Never had the Green
Mountain wilderness echoed to the tread of such a body of men. And they
were worth more than a passing glance for they represented the spirit
which made the American Revolution one of the greatest struggles of the
ages. Like the campaigns of Joshua of old, the battles of the American
yeoman with the trained military of King George proved that, when guided
by the God of Battles, the weak can overcome the strong. These men,
fighting for their homes and firesides, were inspired with a confidence
that overcame even impossibilities. They possessed a faith in their
cause and in their leader like that which threw down the walls of
Jericho and defeated the allied armies of Canaan.
Even had De la Place and his garrison been informed of their approach,
and of their numbers, he would doubtless have laughed at the possibility
of their successfully attacking his fortress. And one there was among
the Green Mountain Boys who feared that news of the expedition had
already gone to the British commander. Upon his return from the Otter,
Enoch Harding had sought and obtained an audience with Colonel Allen,
and to him had related his adventure with the Yorker whom he believed to
be his deadly enemy, and told his suspicions regarding the man's
business in the region. But Ethan Allen was not to be shaken in his
confidence, or in his intentions.
"I have an honest man at Ticonderoga now, Master Harding," he said. "If
spies were through the country we should hear of them from other
sources. But you did right to come to me with this, and if Simon Halpen
falls into our hands I will hang him for his past offenses, if not for
this attempt on your life."
The appearance of the American troops was welcomed along the route with
acclamation. Many settlers, knowing the course the army would take, had
waited to join it as it passed their own doors. Shopkeepers and
mechanics left their work and fell into the ranks; the farmer left his
plow in the furrow, seized his rifle, and joined his neighbors; a
woodsman who was "letting sunlight" into the gloom of the virgin forest,
hid his axe under a fallen log and with a deadlier weapon on his
shoulder followed in the train; the hunter on the trail of the
frightened buck saw the column coming through the forest road and
allowed his prey to escape while he turned his attention to matters of
graver moment. Thus the army of Americans was swelled from hour to hour
by new recruits.
To camp at night was a small matter to these hardy pioneers. The scouts
sent out upon either flank acted as hunters and fresh meat was abundant.
Besides, every man was fairly supplied with provisions brought from
Castleton. Inspired by the energy of Ethan Allen the column rapidly
approached the shore of the lake. While some miles away, however, the
group of officers riding ahead of the main body, suddenly descried a
tall woodsman striding through the forest toward them. "Who is this
chap, Major?" demanded Allen of his friend Warner. "Had I not sent 'Siah
Bolderwood to watch Old Ti like a cat at a rathole, I'd declare this to
be he."
"And so it is, Colonel!" returned the other. "Something of moment must
have sent our lengthy friend this way, for he is a man who knows how to
obey orders," and he spurred forward to meet the footman.
"Wall, Captain," was 'Siah's greeting, squinting around the horseman at
the long column of marching men, "you look like you had a slather of
folks yonder. I guess there'll be something in the wind around Old Ti
'fore long, hey?"
"And how is it you are not there, Bolderwood?" demanded Warner.
"Wall, I got an idee into my noddle an' leavin' Smith and Brown to watch
Old Ti, for it might run away 'fore ye git there, ye know, I trotted
down this way ter see the Colonel. Ev'rything is safe there so fur, but
there's one thing we've neglected."
"What is that, Bolderwood?" cried Allen, riding up and hearing this last
sentence.
"Why, Colonel, although I count you as purty near ekal to 'most
anything, an' them fellers behind ye seemed armed to deal with any foe,
still I calkerlate you ain't expectin' ol' Champlain ter open for ye to
pass over dry shod, hey?"
Allen smote his thigh with his gauntleted hand and the expression on his
face changed. "Right, 'Siah! I can't forgive myself for my
thoughtlessness. We must have boats--and plenty of them--to cross to the
fort."
"That's what struck me last night, Colonel. So I left the others ter
watch the fort--an' a sarpint that wriggled into aour han's
yesterday--and come kitin' down here for orders."
"A serpent, 'Siah?" said Warner. "Who is it?"
"One o' them Yorkers, an' one that I've not had my eyes on--let alone my
hands--for a good many months. An' I see a chap behind you there that'll
be some interested in meeting the rascal, too."
'Siah had looked past the officers and, in the very front rank, caught
sight of his young friend Enoch. The latter waved his hand to the tall
woodsman and Bolderwood, knowing that discipline was lax on the march,
beckoned Enoch forward. "Come here, youngster, and hear what news I've
got for ye," he cried. But Allen caught at the matter instantly, and
understood to whom Bolderwood referred by his appellation of "the
serpent."
"You mean to say you've got Simon Halpen?" he asked.
"That's the identical sarpint, Colonel," declared the ranger. "We caught
him tryin' ter cross to Old Ti and thought it was best, under the
sarcumstances, ter keep him close till this leetle business is over.
What he was doin' riskin' his carcass on this side of the line is more'n
I can tell----"
"The boy was right, Major!" exclaimed Allen, turning to Warner. "Harding
met the fellow while he was stirring up our folks in the Otter country
last week. He thought he was up to some rascality then, and the fellow
did try to take his life."
"Tried it again, did he?" cried 'Siah, as Enoch approached. "Is that so,
Nuck?"
Enoch repeated his adventure with the murderous Halpen. "If I'd knowed
this," the ranger declared, "I'd saved the grub the scoundrel is
eating."
"We'll make an example of him when we reach the lake, 'Siah," declared
the leader of the Green Mountain Boys. "But now for this other matter.
It is most important. Every bateau within reach must be secured."
"I know where there are three of 'em. And there may be others down the
lake furder."
"You shall have charge of this, Bolderwood!" the commander cried. "I
make you our captain of scouts. Take any reasonable number of men with
you and hurry ahead. Every moment is precious."
"Good!" said the ranger. "With Smith and Brown I won't need but eight or
ten more. And I'll begin by taking young Nuck here. He's a good oar."
"Take whom you wish. We depend on you," replied Allen, and within the
hour the ranger and his party, including Enoch Harding, set off on their
mission ahead of the more slowly moving army.