AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Yes, and I was thinking of asking you to retire, as your plebeianconduct with the men is apt to injure discipline, and so demoralize thesmall army."
"You are very considerate."
"It is my duty. I shall take care that your bravery shall beacknowledged."
"Thank you!"
"I must confess that for one who has had no military training you havebehaved wonderfully well. The thanks of Connecticut will be awarded toyou in due season, and I will see that whatever personal expense youmay have been put to shall be reimbursed to you out of the amount votedby the assembly."
"And I suppose you wish the Green Mountain Boys to leave the same timeyou desire me to go?"
"No, we have need of men. I shall call them all together and ask themto volunteer as soldiers in the new Continental army, and the officersshall retain the rank they hold at present."
"You have developed the plan very fully."
"Yes, and believe me, Mr. Allen, that I only wish that I could ask youto volunteer; you see yourself that it would be impossible."
"Yes, it would."
"Having been the commander, it would be humiliating for you to accept alower rank, and besides, the men might think you had a right to givegeneral orders, and thus there would be confusion."
"You are right."
"When can you be ready to leave?"
"I do not know."
"What do you say to the first of June?"
"It depends."
"On what? I will give you an escort."
"When I leave I will arrange for my own escort, should I need one. Butit was not of that I was thinking."
"Of what, then?"
"The return of the messengers from New Haven."
"That need not bother you. The report will be made to me, ascommanding officer."
"Will it?"
"Certainly, so you can arrange to leave on the first of the month."
"Thank you."
"That is settled, then?"
"Is it?"
"Yes. I am very glad, for I have had a very unpleasant task."
Allen had remained so calm that Arnold was deceived.
He staggered like a drunken man when Allen turned on him, and, in toneswhich could not be misunderstood, said:
"I have heard all you have to say, and I now tell you that in the nameof the Great Jehovah I shall remain here as long as I please, or untilthe general of the Continental Congress removes me, and, what is more,I shall remain in command, and if you dare to interfere with me or mycommand, by the Great Jehovah I will send you to Philadelphia in irons!You are removed from all responsibility until further orders. Go, or Imay forget myself!"
