Page 69 - A Hero of Ticonderoga

CHAPTER XV

--LEADERS AND GUIDE

Even while Nathan watched Gabe and his master depart into the forest
southward, he became aware the assemblage was moved by some new

object of interest. Turning, he saw Colonel Allen and another gentleman,
eagle-eyed, eagle-beaked, in handsome military dress, talking angrily in the

midst of an excited group. At length Allen turned his passionate face
toward the men and called in a loud voice:

"Men, fall in for a moment. Here," waving his hand toward his companion,
as the men rapidly fell into line, "is Mr. Benedict Arnold. He bears a

colonel’s commission from the Connecticut Committee of Safety, and
claims the right to command you to-night. Men of the Green Mountains,
whom do you follow--Arnold or Allen?"

"Allen, Allen," came in response, loud and decided.

The chosen chief turned a triumphant smile upon his rival, who strode away
in silence of restrained passion. Soon returning, however, he addressed

Allen in a clear, steady voice:

"Sir, I submit to the will of these men, but let me be a volunteer in this
glorious enterprise. The Green Mountain Boys and their famous leader are
too generous to refuse this."

Allen, touched at a vulnerable point, grasped the speaker’s hand heartily

and answered:

"Indeed, so brave a man as I well know you to be, is most welcome, and, by

the Great Jehovah, if the men don’t object, you shall be second in
command."

A shout of approval went up from the men, who gathered around their
camp fires again, while Allen and Arnold, together with Warner, walked