He staggered like a drunken man when Allen turned on him, and, in tones which could not be misunderstood, said:
"I have heard all you have to say, and I now tell you that in the name of the Great Jehovah I shall remain here as long as I please, or until the general of the Continental Congress removes me, and, what is more, I shall remain in command, and if you dare to interfere with me or my command, by the Great Jehovah I will send you to Philadelphia in irons! You are removed from all responsibility until further orders. Go, or I may forget myself!"
CHAPTER XIX.
NEWS FROM BOSTON.
Benedict Arnold had found his master.
This man, whose ambition was colossal, had imagined that the Green Mountain farmer would quail before him and surrender the command.
Arnold's ambition was plausible. What could a farmer know of military affairs? True, Arnold had been a merchant, but then he had studied at Yale and had made military subjects his special forte, and he had been complimented by soldiers of high repute.
Then, had not the English Capt. Delaplace told him he should be a general, and if he remained with the colonies he should have the command of all the forces the young nation could put into the field?
All this had made him believe himself a great man.