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In vain the man cried for mercy.
Allen could never forgive treachery.
The Green Mountain Boys hurried to cut sticks from the trees which grewby the lake, and each submitted his stick to Allen, who rejected quitea number because they were too large.
Zeke was stripped and tied to a tree, his hands above his head. Thefirst man was called to administer his stroke, when Zeb, who had beenstanding, listening to the decision, rushed forward, and placinghimself between his father and the mountaineer, said:
"Strike, but not father. Let me bear the punishment, for it was all myfault, it was all my doing."
"Stand aside."
"I will not."
"Drag him away," commanded Baker.
Two of the mountaineers stepped up to the boy, who had clasped his armsaround his father's waist.
He held on so tightly that to drag him away they must hurt him.
Baker ordered the men to whip him until he loosed his grasp, but Allenstopped the execution of this order.
"Stop! Boy, you have won. I thought you were bad at heart, but I seeyou love your father, and for your sake I remit the punishment."
Zeb fell on his knees and clasped Allen's legs.
"Bless you! If anyone ever says a word against you in my hearing heshall die, that he shall."
"Release the prisoner."
When Zeke was free Allen ordered him to give up the paper signed by thesoldiers.
"And lose my reward?"
"Yes; I will not allow you to be rewarded for treachery."
Garvan had no option in the matter, and so he gave up the document,which certified that he was entitled to the reward for the capture ofEthan Allen and Remember Baker.
Zeb pleaded hard to be allowed to join the Mountain Boys, and Allenconsented provisionally that he should stay in the camp and hold noconversation with his old companions.
"I am afraid you acted foolishly," said Baker. "Others will follow thefarmer's example."
"I think not. Mercy never yet failed; sternness often leads todisaster. I am satisfied with what has been done."
In this, as in many other instances, Ethan Allen, rebel though he wascalled, outlaw as he was decreed to be, showed the largeness of hisheart.
"We shall have to break camp. It is possible others besides those whohave been liberated will know of our nearness and profit by it."
"Where shall we go, colonel?"
"To Middlebury. We will not secrete ourselves, but openly show that weare in the field to oppose New York in its pretensions."
CHAPTER XII.
THE OPENING OF THE WAR.
The people of Middlebury welcomed Allen and his Green Mountain Boyswith enthusiasm.
They knew that their only chance of maintaining their lands--landswhich they had reclaimed and made valuable--was by assisting Allen inhis crusade against the pretensions of New York.
