But he had encountered a greater.
Ethan Allen, mountaineer, farmer, amateur soldier, as Arnold had called him, proved to be the superior of the polished Yale graduate.
Arnold retired to his quarters, feeling very glum.
Allen sent for Seth Warner. He wanted some one on whom he could rely.
He told Warner what had happened, and the honest Vermonter suggested that Arnold should be placed under arrest and tried by court-martial.
But such a course Allen would not countenance. He felt that Arnold was not dangerous, and that he could afford to leave him to his own conscience.
"I hear that cannon and ammunition was about to be shipped to New Haven?"
"Yes, colonel; most of the spoil was to be sent there. We all thought that it was by your order."
"Zounds, man! I never heard of it until young Eben told me just now."
"We all thought that he was obeying your instructions, and, therefore, why should we come and tell you?"