He crossed to the window and looked out.
John Stark was marching past at the head of his sturdy New Hampshire boys, and the people cheered.
"If I hold Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains I can dictate my own terms. I shall hold the key to the situation. Canada can be mine, and Massachusetts will be glad to make terms with me. If I fail to make good terms with the colonies I can go to England and say: 'You will be driven out of America unless I say stay, and I shall not say that unless you give me——' Well, what now?"
The orderly entered and told Arnold that he was wanted at the headquarters of the Provincial army at once.
"Tell the council that I—will not—— I mean I will not delay."
Once more alone, he showed his restlessness.
"They order me—me!—Capt. Benedict Arnold! Well, let me join Allen and his Green Mountain Boys, and I shall do the ordering, or my star has dimmed its luster."
One hour later he called together his guards and told them that they were to be ready to march at a moment's notice.
"A soldier's first lesson is that of obedience," he said to them, "and I am going to try you in many ways. In the expedition we are about to undertake I shall only be of the same rank as yourselves. Obey whoever may be your commander, but be ready to accept me as your leader at any time."
Eli, on behalf of the guards, promised that whatever Arnold might order it would be their pleasure to obey.