CHAPTER II
I
It has been said with more truth than poetic fancy that the descent toAvernus is easy. It may be said, too, with equal assurance, that onceGeneral Arnold had committed himself to treachery and perfidy, his storybecomes sickening, and in the judgment of his countrymen, devoid of noelement of horror whether in its foul beginnings or in its wretched end.Once his mind had been definitely committed to the treacherous purpose,which loomed like a beacon light before him in the shaping of hisdestiny, his descent to the depths of degradation was rapid and fatal.The court-martial, together with its subsequent reprimand, had beenaccepted by him with the greatest animosity. From that hour his thirstfor vengeance knew no restraint. One thing alone was necessary to hisevil plans: he must secure an important command in the Continental Army.
Some time before he had asked for a change of post, or at least for agrant of land with permission to retire to private life, but this wasunder the inspiration of a motive of an entirely different nature. Nowhe had specifically asked for a command in the army, adding that his legwas quite healed and that he was fit physically for field duty. Inentering this demand, he was actuated by a different motive--the motiveof George Monk, the Duke of Albemarle, the Commander-in-chief of theforces of three kingdoms.
It is true that Washington had been devoted to him and remained faithfulto him until the very end. To reprimand his favorite General was apainful duty. But it was performed with delicate and genuine tenderness.His Excellency had promised to do whatever lay within his power toenable his beloved General to recover the esteem of his fellow-men andhe was glad to furnish him with every opportunity of effecting real andlasting service. He wrote him at once offering him leave of absence.Congress then ordered "That the sum of $25,000 be advanced to MajorGeneral Arnold on account of his pay." Finally a general order wasissued by the Commander-in-chief himself appointing General ArnoldCommander of the Right Wing of the American Army. The restoration solong awaited was at length achieved.
Arnold at once began to make preparations for his departure from thecity. His privateering ventures had been cleared up, but with profitsbarely sufficient to meet his debts. Mount Pleasant, his solepossession, had already been settled on his wife. His tenure of officehad been ended some time before, and whatever documents were destinedfor preservation had been put in order pending the arrival of hissuccessor.
The plan for his defection had been evolved by him with elaboratedetail. Never had the time been more opportune for the execution of apiece of business so nefarious. The country was without what could becalled a stable form of government. It was deprived of any recognizedmeans of exchange because of the total depreciation of the Continentalcurrency. The British had obtained possession of the great city of NewYork and were threatening to overrun the country south of theSusquehanna. Newport was menaced and the entire British fleet wasprepared to move up the Hudson where, at West Point, one poorly equippedgarrison interposed between them and the forces of General Carleton,which were coming down from Canada. Washington was attempting to defendPhiladelphia and watch Clinton closely from the heights of Morristown,while he threatened the position of the enemy in New York from WestPoint. In all the American Commander had no more than four thousand men,many of whom were raw recruits, mere boys, whose services had beenprocured for nine months for fifteen hundred dollars each. Georgia andthe Carolinas were entirely reduced and it was only a question of timebefore the junction of the two armies might be effected.
Clinton was to attack West Point at once, in order to break down the onebarrier which stood between his own army and the Canadian. Learning,however, of the rapid progress of events on the American side and moreespecially of the proposed defection of General Arnold, he suddenlychanged his plan. He determined to attack Washington as soon as Arnoldhad been placed in command of the right wing of the main army. Thelatter was to suffer the attack to be made, but at the psychologicalmoment he was to desert his Commander-in-chief in the field, and soeffect the total destruction of the entire force.
This was the plan which was being turned over in his mind as he sat onthis June afternoon in the great room of his mansion. He was again cladin his American uniform and looked the warrior of old in his blue andbuff and gold. Care had marked his countenance with her heavy hand,however, and had left deep furrows across his forehead and down thesides of his mouth. His eyes, too, had lost their old-time flash andvivacity, his movements were more sluggish, his step more halting. Thetrials of the past year had left their visible tracings on him.
He sat and stroked his chin, and deliberated. In his hand he held aletter, a letter without date or address or salutation. It had beenbrought to him that day by messenger from the city. He understood itperfectly.
He looked at it again.
"Knyphausen is in New Jersey," it read, "but, understanding Arnold isabout to command the American Army in the field, Clinton will attackWashington at once. The bearer may be trusted.
"ANDERSON."
II
"It is either Westminster Abbey for me or the gallows," he remarked tohis wife that evening when they were quite alone.
"You have no apprehensions, I hope."
"There's many a slip----" he quoted.
"Come! Be an optimist. You have set your heart on it. So be brave."
"I have never lacked courage. At Saratoga while that scapegoat Gatessulked in his tent, I burst from the camp on my big brown horse and rodelike a madman to the head of Larned's brigade, my old command, and wetook the hill. Fear? I never knew what the word meant. Dashing back tothe center, I galloped up and down before the line. We charged twice,and the enemy broke and fled. Then I turned to the left and orderedWest and Livingston with Morgan's corps to make a general assault alongthe line. Here we took the key to the enemy's position and there wasnothing for them to do but to retreat. At the same instant one bulletkilled my good brown horse under me and another entered my leg. But thebattle had been won."
"Never mind, my dear, the world yet lies before you."
"I won the war for them, damn 'em, in a single battle, andsingle-handed. Lord North knew it. The Rockingham Whigs, with Burke astheir leader, knew it and were ready to concede independence, havingbeen convinced that conciliation was no longer practicable or possible.Richmond urged the impossibility of final conquest, and even Gibbonagreed that the American colonies had been lost. I accomplished allthat, I tell you, and I received--what?--a dead horse and a woundedleg."
There was a flash of the old-time general, but only a flash. It wasevident that he was tiring easily. His old-time stamina had abandonedhim.
"Why do you so excite yourself?" Peggy cautioned him. "The veins arebulging out on your forehead."
"When I think of it, it galls me. But I shall have my revenge," hegloated maliciously. "Clinton is going to attack Washington as soon as Ihave taken over my command. I shall outrival Albemarle yet."
"We may as well prepare to leave, then."
"There is no need of your immediate departure. You are not supposed tobe acquainted with my designs. You must remain here. Later you can joinme."
"But you are going at once?"
"Yes, I shall leave very soon now. Let me see." He paused to think. "Itis over a week now since I was appointed. The appointment was to takeeffect immediately. I should report for duty at once."
"And I shall meet you----"
"In New York, very probably. It is too early yet to arrange for that.You will know where I am stationed and can remain here until I send foryou."
While they were still engaged in conversation, a sound became veryaudible as of a horseman ascending the driveway. A summons at the doorannounced a courier from the Commander-in-chief to Major General Arnold.The latter presented himself and received a packet on which had beenstamped the seal of official business. He took the document andwithdrew.
It proved to be an order from His Excellency transferring the command ofMajor General Arnold o
n account of physical disability, which would notpermit of service in the field, from the right wing of the American Armyto Commander of the fortress at West Point. He was ordered to report forduty as soon as circumstances would permit and was again assured of HisExcellency's highest respect and good wishes.
He handed the letter to Peggy without a word. He sat in deep meditationwhile she hastily scanned the contents.
"Tricked again," was her sole comment.
He did not answer.
"This looks suspicious. Do you think he knows?"
"No one knows."
"What will you do now? This upsets all your plans."
"I do not know. I shall accept, of course. Later, not now, we candecide."
"This means that I am going too."
"I suppose so. I shall have my headquarters there, and while they maynot be as commodious as Mount Pleasant, still I would rather have youwith me. We shall arrange for our departure accordingly."
"You will, of course, inform Anderson of the change?"
"He will hear of it. The news of the appointment will travel fast enoughyou may be sure. Very likely Knyphausen will now be recalled from NewJersey."
"So perishes your dream of a duchy!" she exclaimed.
"No. West Point is the most important post on the American side. It isthe connecting link between New England and the rest of the colonies. Itwas the prize which Johnny Burgoyne was prevented from obtaining by me.It commands the Hudson River and opens the way to upper New York andCanada. It is the most strategic position in America, stored withimmense quantities of ammunition and believed to be impregnable. Withoutdoubt it is the most critical point in the American line."
"Bah! You need an army. Albemarle had an army. Marlborough had an army.Of what use is a fortress with a large force still in the field? It'sthe army that counts, I tell you. Territory, forts, cities mean nothing.It's the size of the army that wins the war."
"I know it, but what can I do?"
He conceded the point.
"Insist on your former post," she advised.
He thought awhile and began to whistle softly to himself as he tappedhis finger tips one against the other.
"Listen," she continued. "There is some reason for this transfer at theeleventh hour. Are you dense enough not to see it? Some one has reachedWashington's ear and whispered a secret. Else that order would neverhave been written."
"Washington believes only what is true. Always has he trusted anddefended me from the vilifications of my enemies, knowing that thesereports only emanated from jealous and unscrupulous hearts. My leg hascaused this change of command; I know it."
She looked at him in scorn. She could not believe he could be so simple.
"Your leg! What has your leg to do with it? Once you are astride yourhorse you are safe. And don't you think for one minute that Clinton is afool. He does not want you. I dare say if the truth were known, he hasno respect for you either. It is your command which is of value to him,and the more authority you can master, the more valuable you become.Then you can dictate your own terms instead of bargaining them away."
"It would realize nothing to attempt a protest. A soldier asks noquestions. Whatever I may be, I am still a soldier."
"As you will."
She shrugged her shoulders, and folded her arms.
"West Point it is," she observed, "but General Clinton may reconsiderhis proposition. I would not be too sure."
"I am sure he will be satisfied with West Point. With that post he mighteasily end the war. Anderson will write me soon again. I tell you I candictate to them now. You shall have your peerage after all."
"I am not so sure."
"Have it your own way. I know what I am about and I know where I stand.At first it was a question only of my personal desertion. The betrayalof an army was a later development. But I could not become a deserter ona small scale. I have been accustomed all my life to playing signalroles. If I am to sell myself at all, it shall be at the highest pricetogether with the greatest prize. I have only one regret, and that isthat I am obliged to take advantage of the confidence and respect ofWashington to render this at all possible."
"Don't let your heart become softened by tender condolences at thisstage. Your mind has been set; don't swerve."
He looked at her and wondered how she could remain so imperturbable.Ordinarily she burned with compassion at the sight of misery andaffliction. He could not understand for the life of him, how stoicallyshe maintained her composure throughout this ordeal. Plainly her heartwas set on one ambition. She would be a duchess.
But she did not know that he had maintained a continual correspondencewith Sir Henry Clinton, or that West Point had long since been decidedupon, as a possible contingency. Much she did know, but most of thedetails had been concealed from her. Not that he did not trust her, buthe wished her to be no party to his nefarious work.
And so he was not surprised that she expressed a genuine disappointmentover his change of command. In fact he had been prepared for a moremanifest display of disapproval. Perhaps it was due to the fact that shewas at length to accompany him which caused her to be more benign in herappreciation of the transfer. For he knew that she detested the cityand longed for the day when she might be far removed from it forever.
"You will, of course, make ready to leave Mount Pleasant?" he asked ofher.
"Assuredly. I shall acquaint mother and father with the prospect thisevening. They do not want me to leave. But I am determined."
"They should be here. It is not early."
"The ride is long. They will come."
III
The last night spent by the Arnolds and the Shippen family at MountPleasant was a happy one. The entire family was in attendance and theArnold silver was lavishly displayed for the occasion. American viandscooked and served in the prevailing American fashion were offered attable--hearty, simple food in great plenty washed down by quantities ofMadeira and sherry and other imported beverages.
Toasts and healths were freely drunk. After the more customary ones tothe "Success of the War," to the "Success of General Washington," to the"Nation" there came the usual healths to the host and the hostess, andmore especially to the "Appointment of General Arnold." The ceremonieswere interspersed with serious and animated conversation on thepolitical situation and the chances of the army in the field. Throughoutthe entire meal a marked simplicity, a purity of manner, and frankcordiality was manifest, all indicative of the charming and unaffectedhomelife of the Americans.
"Miss Franks would have been pleased to be with us," announced theGeneral as the company awaited another service.
"Could you believe it, General," said Mrs. Shippen, "not once have weheard from that girl since she moved to New York," and she set her lipsfirmly. "That is so unlike her; I cannot understand it."
"But you know, Mother," explained Peggy, "that the mail cannot bedepended upon."
"I know, my dear, but I think that she could send a line, if it wereonly a line, by messenger if she thought enough of us. You know it wasat our house that she met the friends with whom she is now engaged."
"Our mail system is deplorable," Mr. Shippen remarked. "Only yesterday Ireceived a letter which apparently had been sent months ago."
"I can understand that very readily," Arnold rejoined. "Often lettersare entrusted to travelers. At times these men deposit a letter at someinn at the cross-roads for the next traveler who is bound for the sameplace as the epistle. It often happens that such a missive remains formonths upon a mantelpiece awaiting a favorable opportunity. Then againsheer neglect may be responsible for an unusual delay. I myself haveexperience of that."
This explanation seemed to satisfy Mrs. Shippen for she dropped thesubject immediately. The mode of travel then occasioned a criticalcomment from her until she finally asked when they intended to leave forWest Point.
"Very likely I shall leave before the week is out," replied Arnold. "Itis most important that I assume command at once. We shall prepare todep
art tomorrow."
They talked far into the night, the men smoking while the ladiesretired to the great drawing-room. Peggy played and sang, and took hermother aside at intervals for conference upon little matters whichrequired advice. At a late hour, after taking affectionate leaves, thefamilies parted. Peggy and her husband now abandoned themselves to theirdestiny--to glorious triumph or to utter ruin.
They closed the door upon their kinsfolk and faced the situation.Westminster Abbey or the gallows loomed before them.
IV
Late that same evening, alone before his desk, General Arnold penned thefollowing ambiguous letter to John Anderson. West Point it was. That wassettled. Still it was necessary that General Clinton be appraisedimmediately of the change of command together with some inkling of themilitary value of the new post. The business was such that he dared notemploy his true name; and so he assumed a title, referring to himselfthroughout the note in the third person. The meaning of the message, heknew, would be readily interpreted.
Sir:--On the 24th of last month I received a note from you without date,in answer to mine; also a letter from your house in answer to mine, witha note from B. of the 30th of June, with an extract of a letter from Mr.J. Osborn. I have paid particular attention to the contents of theseveral letters. Had they arrived earlier, you should have had my answersooner. A variety of circumstances has prevented my writing you before.I expect to do it very fully in a few days, and to procure you aninterview with Mr. M--e, when you will be able to settle your commercialplan, I hope, in a manner agreeable to all parties. Mr. M--e assures methat he is still of opinion that his first proposal is by no meansunreasonable, and makes no doubt, that, when he has a conference withyou, you will close with it. He expects when you meet you will be fullyauthorized from your House and that the risks and profits of theco-partnership may be fully and clearly understood.
A speculation might at this time be easily made to some advantage withready money, but there is not the quantity of goods at market which yourpartner seems to suppose, and the number of speculators below, I think,will be against your making an immediate purchase. I apprehend goodswill be in greater plenty and much cheaper in the course of the season;both dry and wet are much wanted and in demand at this juncture. Somequantities are expected in this part of the country soon.
Mr. M--e flatters himself that in the course of ten days he will havethe pleasure of seeing you. He requests me to advise you that he hasordered a draught on you in favor of our mutual friend, S--y for 1300,which you will charge on account of the tobacco.
I am, in behalf of Mr. M--e and Co., Sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, Gustavus.
To Mr. John Anderson, Merchant, New York.
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