nd despite the military glory he craved, he
entered into the scheme for the capture of Ticonderoga with a real hope
of assisting the patriot cause. He was, indeed, a patriot from the
bottom, ready to sacrifice his own interests as well as his life for the
general good. Arnold saw in this rising of his fellow-Americans the long
sought chance to distinguish himself and gain that power and influence
which his nature craved. He saw in the proposed expedition to
Ticonderoga a quick road to prominence. For him to see this chance was
to grasp it.

Having no following of his own he planned to seize the troops gathered
at Castleton and thus have his name go before the Continental Congress
as the leader of the expedition. If it was successful the honor would be
his; if it failed, his name would be quite as prominent and the affair
might gain him advancement which he could hope for in no other way. He
had no thought nor care for the men who, after weeks of toilsome effort,
had gathered the little army together. Their feelings in the matter, or
their standing with their followers, did not enter into his
calculations.

That, indeed, was the secret of Benedict Arnold's life. He never thought
of others. He was ever for self. As a boy we read that he was cruel to
those smaller and weaker than himself, being the "bully" of the school
and of the town in which he lived. He was ever utterly reckless of his
reputation and his greatest pleasure seemed to be found in some form of
malicious mischief. Personally, however, he did not lack boldness and
physical courage. It is told of him that, being dared by other boys, he
once seized the arms of a waterwheel and followed its revolutions half a
dozen times, being completely submerged in the millrace at every turn.
The danger to a handful of illy-armed troops attacking a fortress like
Ticonderoga appealed strongly to the man's reckless daring.

Although Allen and Warner came from the same colony as the newcomer,
neither knew nor recognized Arnold as he approached the group of
officers at this important moment. But Arnold was not a man who could be
for long ignored. His military bearing, his dress, and the hauteur of
his countenance attracted the attention of the three leaders. "Sir,"
said Allen, courteously, "you evidently have some communication to make
to us?"

"I have, sir," replied Arnold, calmly. "But not having the pleasure of a
personal acquaintance with you----"

"I am Colonel Allen,