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It was wrong of him to do so.
There was a temporary hesitation, but in a few seconds of time thatpassed.
"Captain, you have dishonored yourself by suggesting treason, and Ihave dishonored myself in listening. Know this: I have given myallegiance to the cause of the Provincials, and I will rise or fallwith them."
"Be it so. I shall live to see you hanged as a rebel."
Arnold bowed very low in acknowledgment of the kindly expression ofopinion.
"Thank you, Capt. Delaplace. I have no wish to see you hanged, butshould the English hang even a private in our ranks, I should have nohesitation in hanging you with my own hands."
Questionable sentiments on both sides, but Arnold felt strongly at thattime, and expressed himself as he thought.
He left the room and called the sergeant on guard.
"Double your guard. If Capt. Delaplace escapes I shall hold youresponsible, and your neck will feel the effects of a tightened noose."
It was a blunt way of speaking, but Arnold never was very courteous tothose of lesser rank.
"I hate that man," Arnold soliloquized, "and yet--well, the die iscast. I might have risen to a proud distinction had I remained loyalto the king, but I have not, and so my lot is with the colonists, andmay they win, or our lives are of but little value. How couldDelaplace get the ear of the king? Zounds! I believe it was only totempt me into disloyalty to the colonies that he made the proposition."
His soliloquy was interrupted by the entrance of Eli Forest.
"Colonel, your advice is needed. Col. Allen wishes to confer with you."
"I will be with him immediately. Ah! here he is. You honor me toomuch, Gen. Allen."
"Nay, we are on equal footing, my dear Arnold. I wanted to consultwith you about two things. We must secure Crown Point, that is asettled fact, and we must maintain our possession of this fort. Now,what shall we do with the prisoners?"
"Keep them well guarded and wait until some of our men fall into thehands of the enemy, and then act with them as they do with us."
"Perhaps that will be the wisest plan. I had thought of liberatingthem on parole."
"It would be madness."
"You think so?"
"I am sure of i
t. In the eyes of these men we are rebels and outlaws,and their parole would not prevent them from bringing the whole forceof the English against us."
"You are right. Will you appoint the guard?"
"Let Forest have charge of the prisoners and the fort."
"An admirable suggestion! So it shall be done."
"Ay, Forest, and shoot anyone who attempts to leave the fort, whetherfriend or foe."
"You are very stern, Arnold."
"These times demand sternness."
CHAPTER XVII.
CROWN POINT.
"Colonel, an army is approaching."
