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"And you think I am this escaped prisoner! Well, what do you want todo with me? for I am too weak to oppose your silly whim."
"I am going to take you to my house, and when you get strong you shallgo just where you please."
"You mean this?"
"I do; and I tell you that if we could liberate Col. Ethan Allen wewould, for he is wanted just now; Carolina means to be free andindependent, so it does."
Eben did not attempt any resistance; in fact, he was too weak to opposehis discoverer, so he allowed himself to be lifted on the man'sshoulder and be carried to a cabin on the other side of the wood.
Here he was tended as well as if he had been among relatives or hisfriends of the Green Mountains.
After a few days he was strong enough to go out, and he walked down tothe beach and saw the vessel from which he had escaped lying at anchor.
But he saw something more--something which made his blood run cold.
As he was returning he saw five trees growing on the banks of the rivernear the cape, and from each tree there dangled a human body.
On closer inspection he found--what he had dreaded to find--that thebodies were those of some of his fellow prisoners.
"Come away, my boy," said his new friend. "Those men gave their livesfor a sacred cause, and I wish every Carolinian could see and knowthem. It is a good thing for us that the cowardly tories hanged them,for every one hanged means a surer vengeance."
"It is horrible! Will they dare to serve Col. Allen so?"
"I don't think so, but they may. What are your plans?"
"I want to find the army of America and get the men to liberate Col.Allen."
"Praiseworthy, but we shall have a weary tramp before we reach thepatriots. Things have changed and many difficulties will confront us."
"You say 'us,' as though you were going?"
"Where you go, so shall I."
Once more the two walked down to the beach, and Eben gave a cry of painas he saw the war ship slowly sailing away.
CHAPTER XXXII.
HOW ENGLAND TREATED PRISONERS OF WAR.
After Eben had escaped the captain of the war ship was furious.
He found out that five of the prisoners shared the same room with theescaped one, and he closely questioned them about the escape. Theyrefused to speak a word; perhaps they knew nothing, but their mouthswere closely sealed.
Orders were given to take the five prisoners to the shore and hang themin such a conspicuous place that the rebels might see them and takewarning.
This cruel and uncivilized act was carried out by men who loathed thework, but who had to obey the orders of their superior.
Fearing that unpleasantness might ensue from the order, which, when toolate, the captain regretted, orders were given to sail north, and EthanAllen was taken to New York, where he was landed and thrown into aprison cell.
While it was a change to be on land, the treatment was more severe.
Every indignity was heaped upon the unfortunate prisoners by the torieswho ruled the city.
There was but one gleam of sunshine in the hero's life.
He often heard news of the outside world.
A Congress had been called, and its deliberations were of vitalimportance.
