ng on the field and giving orders until he
dropped dead? That was a true hero, if you like. Then note the
difference. Dieskau was wounded three times and would not retire. He
sat on a tree stump and refused to be carried off the field. A
renegade Frenchman who had joined the English went up to him to make
him a prisoner. Dieskau was about to hand the man his watch as a token
of surrender, but the Frenchman, thinking the general intended to draw
a pistol, fired, and the brave commander dropped, mortally wounded.
But though the victory was with the English, it was dearly purchased.
The French were not disheartened, for they reinforced Crown Point and
seized Ticonderoga, which they fortified."

"Is Ticonderoga so very strong?" asked Allen, who had listened so
attentively to the historical narrative told by Arnold.

"Yes. Abercrombie for four hours stormed it. Column after column
dashed with great bravery against the breastworks, but only to meet
with failure. Abercrombie could have returned with a larger army and
heavier guns, but he did not. He had fifteen thousand men, while the
French had not more than eight thousand on the outside. In 1759 the
French, being hard pressed, dismantled the fort and the English walked
into it. It cost the English eight million pounds to repair, enlarge
and strengthen it."

"And in a few days it will be in our possession."

"I hope so."

"It must be."

"Have you sent out any scouts to find its strength?"

"Yes, one--a boy named Ebenezer Pike."

"A boy?"

"Yes, a boy that I would back against all the men I ever saw."

"He may betray you."

"Col. Arnold, that makes three times you have expressed a fear of some
one betraying our cause. Do not do it again, or I may----"

Allen paused. He did not wish to give offense.

"What? Speak out, man!"

"I may doubt you. I always was taught to think that a suspicious
person was to be feared."

"Ha, ha, ha! Allen, do you see that sun?"

"Of course."

"It shines for all?"

"Yes."

"It is always constant? It never refuses to shine?"

"No."

"Then do not doubt me until that sun ceases to be constant and true."

CHAPTER XV.

THE HERO OF TICONDEROGA.

Arnold appeared to agree with every suggestion made by Allen, and no
man could be more pleasant.

Not one atom of distrust of Arnold was to be found in the whole of the
mountaineer's mind.

Certainly he had no reason for it save the strong distrust manife