er
brother. Eben had fulfilled the task and wished the distance had been
several times as far; but a few miles from the camp he had seen the
regiment of guards on the march, and at once thought it his duty to
report.

Remember Baker entered the presence of Ethan Allen and listened to the
story told by Eben.

"Martha saw them," said Baker, "and she declared that their leader was
a man who was noted for being a great loyalist in New Haven."

"So! Let all the men be ready in case of emergency, and do you see
that they are well prepared for attack!"

"I shall see to it."

"Does Mistress Martha feel tired after her long journey?"

"No; she very naively says that she was tired until she was met by
Eben, and from that time her weariness ceased."

"Natural, very. Eben felt that way also, and his face was as red as a
turkey gobbler's comb when he entered here."

In less than an hour Lieut. Eli Forest approached the camp, bearing a
white flag.

He asked to be admitted to the presence of Ethan Allen.

"Col. Allen, this gentleman craves an interview."

"Capt. Baker, I shall be pleased to confer with him."

Eli was rather surprised at the courtesy shown by Ethan and Baker to
each other. He had been led to believe the Mountain Boys to be a lot
of uneducated, boorish farmers.

He, a college graduate, knew that he was in the presence of his equals.

"I am commissioned by my superior, Col. Arnold, to ask you to favor him
with an audience."

"Might I ask who I am speaking with?"

"I have the honor to be lieutenant of the Connecticut Guards. I am Eli
Forest."

"Tell Col. Arnold that I shall be pleased to see him, and, believe me,
I am proud to have met Lieut. Forest."

When Forest returned to Arnold he found the New Haven colonel very
anxious.

"Well, what says the farmer?"

"He may be a farmer, but he is a well-educated gentleman."

"You don't mean----"

"We have been deceived. You will find that he is our--my equal."

"So much the better; I shall win the surer."

In the camp of the mountaineers the center of attraction was Martha
Baker. Many of the Bennington boys knew her, though she had greatly
improved during her stay at New Haven.

She sought the presence of Col. Allen and besought him to be careful of
his treatment of the guardsman of New Haven.

"If it is Benedict Arnold who is coming, he means you no good," she
said, very earnestly; "my friend in New Haven knew him well, and she
was cert