commander of this expedition," interrupted the
other, brusquely. "This is Colonel Easton; this Major Warner. What is
your desire?"

"I am Colonel Benedict Arnold," said the newly arrived officer, "and
bear a commission from the Massachusetts Committee of Safety with
authority to take command of the troops here gathered, or which shall be
gathered, and proceed against Forts Ticonderoga and Crown Point," and he
drew the commission from his pocket and presented it to the company.

Allen's ruddy face paled for an instant and his eyes flashed. "Do I
understand you aright?" he exclaimed, and his voice was sharp enough to
be heard by many of the troops near by. "You have come to take command
of these men?" and his gesture took in the lines of waiting patriots.

"I have, sir. There is my commission."

Allen's wrath got the better of his politeness and he struck the
offending paper from Arnold's hand. Warner stooped hastily and secured
it. He and Easton examined the document with angry scrutiny. Both had
given way with cheerfulness to Ethan Allen's superiority in the matter;
but this affront was personal to them as well as to their beloved
leader. Allen, with his arms akimbo and fire flashing from his eyes
faced the suave and cold intruder. "Sir!" he exclaimed, "I do not care
to see your commission, nor do I acknowledge your authority. I bear a
commission from a higher court and recognize an authority higher still."

"What do you mean, Colonel Allen?" demanded Arnold, for the moment
fearing that the Green Mountain leader had indeed received some
appointment from the Continental Congress, perhaps, which would
invalidate his own.

"I mean, sir, that my authority is based upon some slight precedence in
this matter--a prior claim which dates back some years now, Colonel
Arnold. I have led some of these men in defending their homes on more
than one occasion and by their free act of will they have made me their
leader now."

"Your commission, sir? Where is it?" inquired Arnold, cool again, upon
finding that his antagonist's rights were based upon a matter of
sentiment.

"It is there, sir!" cried Allen, furiously, turning and pointing to the
lines of waiting men. "It is there, sir,--writ on the hearts of those
Green Mountain Boys. And a higher commission than any Committee of
Safety can seal."

The words were heard by the files of waiting troops and already they had
begun to murmur. That their beloved leader should be displ