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CHAPTER XVI.
THE TEMPTATION.
Capt. Delaplace was fretful and soured by his defeat.
"If it had been in open fight," he said, "I should not have cared somuch; but to be caught in a trap, it is enough to make a man killhimself."
He was speaking to Benedict Arnold, and that patriot was ready tolisten almost gloatingly to the story.
Arnold was a peculiar man; he was kind and sympathetic, yet was readyto rejoice over the sufferings of the fallen.
Allen had asked Arnold to spend a portion of the day with the defeatedofficer, so that he might be more consoled, for company is alwayssoothing.
Delaplace was a diplomat; he had imbibed the idea that every man hadhis price; in other words, that every man could be influenced for oragainst a cause by bribery in some form or other.
Being a quick reader of character, he saw that Arnold was ambitious,and he at once began to wonder whether ambition would lead him to befalse to Allen.
"You have treated me very kindly," he said to Arnold, "and I shallreport to my superiors, though----"
He paused, and there was a world of meaning in that sudden silence.
"Why do you hesitate? I know what you would say."
"Do you?"
"Yes; shall I tell you?"
"If you please."
"And you will tell me whether I am right?"
"On my honor as a soldier and a gentleman."
"You were about to say that such a recommendation would not even be aplea in mitigation of the death penalty if I should fall into the handsof the English."
Again there was silence.
"I am answered. Your silence proves that I am right. You need notthink I am offended. I know I should be treated as a rebel, not as aprisoner of war."
"And, knowing this, you joined these men against the rule of yoursovereign?"
"I knew that if the colonists failed the leaders would be hanged; ifthey succeeded they would found a new nation, and the chances wereworth risking."
"Did you not think that England has a large army and a strong navy ather back?"
"Yes, and I knew it had strong forts; this is one of them."
"You sneer! I admit that England behaved scurvily in allowing me tohave so few men."
"Nay, nay, captain. Fifty men, if they felt an interest in their work,could hold this fort against an army."
"You are the victor and so have a right to rebuke me. But do not thinkEngland will allow the colonies to be independent."
"Perhaps not, but at any rate the colonies will have won respect forthemselves."
"But the leaders will be hanged."
"So let it be."
