ain that he was in favor of England."

"Thank you, Martha; I will know how to deal with him. I am glad that
you have told me."

Benedict Arnold lost no time in seeking an audience with Ethan Allen.

"I have come from Cambridge," he said, "with but one object in view."

"I shall be very pleased to hear your project, if you care to confide
it to me."

"I heard of your fame"--Ethan bowed--"and I felt that if there was to
be any great work accomplished, Col. Ethan Allen was the man to make it
apparent."

Arnold had spoken with great deference. "I was appointed colonel by
the Provincial Council; but when I heard that Ethan Allen and his Green
Mountain Boys were about to attack Fort Ticonderoga, I thought that I
could serve my country best by offering myself and my guards to him,
and I ask no other favor than to be allowed to enlist under your banner
as a private soldier."

"My dear colonel, I cannot think of such a thing."

"On no other terms would I consent. My men are all well drilled and
are ready to join you under the same conditions."

"Let us meet on equal terms; we will jointly command."

"No, Col. Allen; in military matters there should be no divided
authority. I will serve under you, and if you wish my advice I shall
be ready to give it, but I will not accept a share in the command."

The interview was a long one.

Ethan Allen was completely fascinated with Arnold. He believed that if
there was a genuine patriot in the colony it was he.

Arnold, having recovered from his surprise at finding Allen an educated
man, conceived a liking for him and resolved to act squarely in all his
dealings with him.

Arnold was better read in history than the mountaineer, and he knew the
history of Ticonderoga as well as he knew the later history of New
Haven.

"The French knew what they were doing when they fortified Ticonderoga,"
Arnold remarked, when the strength of the fort was being discussed.

"Tell me all you know about it, will you not?"

"My dear Allen, I am always at your service. You remember--but no, you
would be too young; we were but boys then--but in 1755 Gen. William
Johnson was ordered by the British to drive the French from the shores
of Lake Champlain. Johnson had a fine body of men, three thousand four
hundred in number, including a body of friendly Mohawks. Oh, those
Mohawks! They are fighters, every one of them. I wish we had a
thousand of them with us."

"We do not need them."