In less than an hour Lieut. Eli Forest approached the camp, bearing a white flag. He asked to be admitted to the presence of Ethan Allen. "Col. Allen, this gentleman craves an interview." "Capt. Baker, I shall be pleased to confer with him." Eli was rather surprised at the courtesy shown by Ethan and Baker to each other. He had been led to believe the Mountain Boys to be a lot of uneducated, boorish farmers. He, a college graduate, knew that he was in the presence of his equals. "I am commissioned by my superior, Col. Arnold, to ask you to favor him with an audience." "Might I ask who I am speaking with?" "I have the honor to be lieutenant of the Connecticut Guards. I am Eli Forest." "Tell Col. Arnold that I shall be pleased to see him, and, believe me, I am proud to have met Lieut. Forest." When Forest returned to Arnold he found the New Haven colonel very anxious. "Well, what says the farmer?" "He may be a farmer, but he is a well-educated gentleman." "You don't mean----" "We have been deceived. You will find that he is our--my equal." "So much the better; I shall win the surer." In the camp of the mountaineers the center of attraction was Martha Baker. Many of the Bennington boys knew her, though she had greatly improved during her stay at New Haven. She sought the presence of Col. Allen and besought him to be careful of his treatment of the guardsman of New Haven. "If it is Benedict Arnold who is coming, he means you no good," she said, very earnestly; "my friend in New Haven knew him well, and she was certain that he was in favor of England." "Thank you, Martha; I will know how to deal with him. I am glad that you have told me." Benedict Arnold lost no time in seeking an audience with Ethan Allen. "I have come from Cambridge," he said, "with but one object in view." "I shall be very pleased to hear your project, if you care to confide it to me." "I heard of your fame"--Ethan bowed--"and I felt that if there was to be any great work accomplished, Col. Ethan Allen was the man to make it apparent." Arnold had spoken with great deference. "I was appointed colonel by the Provincial Council; but when I heard that Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys were about to attack Fort Ticonderoga, I thought that I could serve my country best by offering myself and my guards to him, and I ask no other favor than to be allowed to enlist under your banner as a private soldier." "My dear colonel, I cannot think of such a thing." "On no other terms would I consent. My men are all well drilled and are ready to join you under the same conditions." "Let us meet on equal terms; we will jointly command." "No, Col. Allen; in military matters there should be no divided authority. I will serve under you, and if you wish my advice I shall be ready to give it, but I will not accept a share in the command." The interview was a long one.