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"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.
