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"We are prisoners of war."
"Not any more than we were, but you bound us with cords, and you mustsubmit to the same treatment."
"It is an outrage."
"Very likely you think so, but you should do to others as you wouldthey should do to you. The example was set by you, not me."
Turning to his men, Allen ordered them to convey the prisoners to thecamp by the lake, and added:
"Shoot anyone who attempts to escape."
The order was unnecessary, for the Yorkers were too much frightened tothink of escaping.
When the camp was reached Ethan Allen gave orders for the Garvans,father and son, to be arrested and brought to the camp.
Peleg Sunderland told how the rescue had been accomplished, but when hegave Zeb's version of the affair Allen shook his head and told hisfriends of the arch treachery of the elder Garvan, whatever his sonmight say to the contrary.
Before morning Zeke Garvan and his hopeful son, Zeb, were prisoners atthe camp of the Mountain Boys.
Zeke expected to be shot, and whimpered like a child.
His son, Zeb, was brave, and showed that death had no terrors for him.
There was a sort of bulldog courage about him which won the admirationof even his enemies. He faced the Mountain Boys with a defiance whichseemed to mean:
"What are you going to do about it?"
When Allen asked him why he had been so treacherous, he laughed asthough the question was a good joke.
"I worsted the enemy, didn't I?"
"What do you mean?"
Zeb screwed up his mouth as though about to whistle, then suddenlychanged and burst into another laugh.
"Come, my boy, we do not make war on boys, so tell me your motive."
"Shall I?"
"It will be for your advantage, and your father----"
"Don't mention him. Let every tub stand on its own bottom, my fatheralways taught me. Talk about me, if you like, but leave dad alone."
"Then, for your own sake, tell me why you did it. Did others promptyou?"
"I don't know what you mean by prompt, but if you mean did anyone tellme to do it, I say no. I thought of it all by myself, and I made abargain with father, which he didn't keep; but he was a long timebefore he saw it as I did."
"Tell all your story, and leave the rest to me."
"Well, you see, father wanted money----"
"Ah! so money stands before country?"
"Let me tell my story."
"Go on, I will not interrupt you again."
"You had better not if you want to hear what I have to say. I saidfather wanted money, and as the Yorkers wanted you, and offered a bigsum of good money for your capture, why, I suggested to father that heget the reward. Now, don't wince; wait until you have heard all. So Igot father to agree, and then you were invited to supper. I had gonefor the soldiers, and there you were trapped as nicely as any bear inthe mountains. Well, when you were secured I put up dad to ask when hewould get the reward, and he was told he would have to go to Albany forit, and I found that he could get the reward even if you were rescued,so I wanted to make myself solid with the boys, and I came and toldthem which way you would be taken, and how to rescue you. So if youwill let us go we shall get the reward, but the Yorkers won't get you."
