ve felt that, though we differ in politics, we are
children of the same mountains and ought to be friends."

"If you are loyal to Vermont, differences of opinion will not affect
me."

"Spoken like the brave man I knew you to be."

"Did you come here to tell me this?"

"Partly, and more especially to discuss the future of Vermont."

"Ah!"

"Yes; we are in a strange predicament. We have cut loose from the
mother country, and the new country will not have us."

"That is one way of looking at the matter."

"Is it not the true one?"

"It may be."

"Well, why not pledge ourselves to remain neutral?"

"To remain neutral?"

"Yes. If we were to call a convention and pass a resolution to the
effect that in the war between England and the colonies--I beg pardon,
States--Vermont would remain absolutely neutral, we should be in a good
position."

"In what way?"

"England would protect us against New York, and we could protect
ourselves against New Hampshire."

"And you would ask me to make terms with England?"

"Why not? You do not believe that Washington will succeed. He cannot.
England will triumph. The best men feel that it will be so. Benedict
Arnold told me it was only a question of time and terms."

"Indeed!"

"Yes; he knows that all Washington is fighting for now is to get the
best terms he can from Great Britain."

"Arnold told you this?"

"Well, no, not exactly in those words. But let me carry to
headquarters your pledge of neutrality."

"Mr. Robinson, you may be honest in this, but I am afraid you are being
made a tool of some designing person. Carry this back with you"--Allen
stood up and folded his arms defiantly, as he said: "Tell England that
Ethan Allen will never be neutral, never make terms with England, but
will fight her power as long as he lives! Good-day, and never enter my
house again as the agent of England."

Beverly Robinson retired second in the contest. Allen had won.

Though the tory had failed, he felt a respect for Allen, who had been
so bold and courageous, and, though Allen never knew it, he was the
means of saving Vermont from any attacks of the British.

Allen served his State and defended it against enemies without and
within. He lived to see it recognized as a State, free and independent.

He also witnessed, with shame, the treachery of Benedict Arnold, and
was glad that he had never recognized the traitor as a man of honor.

In the annals of the Revol