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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."
