_Arnold_. I understand you, Colonel Leslie. There was a crisis like this in New Jersey last winter, I know, when our people were flocking to the royal standard, as they are now, and a few fiendish outrages on the part of the foe changed the whole current in our favor. It may be so now, but meanwhile-- _Leslie_. Meanwhile, this army is the hope of the nation, and must be preserved. We are wronged, Sir. Have we not done all that men could do? What were twenty pitched battles to such an enemy, with a force like ours, compared with the harm we have done them? Have we not kept them loitering here among these hills, wasting the strength that was meant to tell in the quivering fibres of men, on senseless trees and stones, paralyzing them with famine, wearying them with unexciting, inglorious toil, until, divided and dispirited, at last we can measure our power with theirs, and fight, not in vain? Why, even now the division is planning there, which will bring them to our feet. And what to us, Sir, were the hazards of one bloody encounter, to the pitiful details of this unhonored warfare?--We are wronged--we are wronged, Sir. _Arnold_. There is some policy in the plan you speak of,--certainly, there is excellent policy in it if one had the patience to follow it out; but then you can't make Congress see it, or the people either; and so, after all, your General is superseded. Well, well, at all events he must abandon this policy now,--it's the only chance left for him. _Leslie_. Why; howso? _Arnold_. Or else, don't you see?--just at the point where the glory appears, this eastern hero steps in, and receives it all; and the laurels which he has been rearing so long, blow just in time to drop on the brow of his rival. _Leslie_. General Arnold,--excuse me, Sir--you do not understand the man of whom you speak. There is a substance in the glory he aims at, to which, all that you call by the name is as the mere shell and outermost rind. Good Heavens! Do you think that, for the sake of his own individual fame, the man would risk the fate of this great enterprize?--What a mere fool's bauble, what an empty shell of honor, would that be. If I thought he would-- _Arnold_. It might be well for you to lower your voice a little, Sir; the gentleman of whom you are speaking is just at hand. [_Other officers are seen emerging from the woods_.] _3d Off_. Yes, if this rumor holds, Lieutenant Van Vechten, your post is likely to become one of more honor than safety. Gentlemen--Ha!--General Arnold! You are heartily welcome;--I have been seeking you, Sir. If this news is any thing, the movement that was planned for Wednesday, we must anticipate somewhat. _Leslie_. News from the enemy, General? _Gen. Schuyler_. Stay--those scouts must be coming in, Van Vechten. Why, we can scarce call it news yet, I suppose; but if this countryman's tale is true, Burgoyne himself, with his main corps, is encamping at this moment at the Mills, scarce three miles above us.