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Zeb spoke with such a feeling of exultation that Allen had to laugh.
"So you tried to please both
parties?"
"Well, yes; but if ye don't get the money we shan't be pleased with theresult."
"Have you told me the truth?"
"Of course I have, and I am itching to get the reward so that I maylaugh at the enemy."
"And try to play the same prank again."
"No, I want to join you; I am tired of home. My, won't the Yorkers bemad at having to pay the money and not get you anyway?"
"They will not pay the reward."
"Then I'll fight until they do."
Allen called a council of the boys and asked what should be done withthe prisoners.
"Hang them all, every one of them," was the advice of Peleg Sunderland.
"I say, keep them as hostages, and if any of our men are caught, dealwith the Yorkers as they deal with our men," said Baker.
"And I think," remarked Allen, slowly and with great deliberation,"that we ought to liberate the soldiers, who only did as they wereordered, and punish Farmer Garvan."
"Let us leave the whole matter to the colonel."
"Good! he is always right."
This course was adopted, and Allen accepted the trust.
He ordered the soldiers to be brought before him, and then addressedthem, telling them how some had counseled hanging, but as they werefellow-Americans it was resolved to liberate them, because they hadonly obeyed orders.
He expressed a wish that they would go back to their own colony andtell the Yorkers that the men of the mountains would never give uptheir lands while one of them remained alive.
The officer in charge spoke for his men.
He thanked Allen for his merciful conduct, and declared that the dutyhad been distasteful, but that as soldiers they must act withoutquestion.
After the Yorkers left the camp, Allen ordered the farmer to be broughtbefore him.
"Farmer Garvan," he said, "you have been guilty of the greatest crimeit is possible for a man to commit. You offered hospitality, and then,like Judas, you betrayed those who trusted you. Your offense is worse,seeing that you are a grantee of New Hampshire. By all the laws of waryou ought to be hanged----"
"Spare me!" whined the farmer.
"You did not spare me, but for the sake of a little money would havecondemned me to death. You are a coward, or you would meet your fateboldly. A man who risks so much should not cry out for mercy when hisrascality fails. I will not hang you----"
"Thank you. Heaven----"
"Stay! Do not call Heaven into a defense of treachery. I order thatyou be stripped and receive one hundred lashes on the bare back, suchpunishment to be meted out to you in accordance with the laws laid downby the convention at Bennington."
Garvan fell on his knees and with uplifted hands prayed for mercy.
"It will kill me, I know it will. Oh, spare me, and I will serve you,I----"
"Each of my men will give you a stroke with a good, strong oaken orbeechen stick, and may the punishment teach you that treachery neverpays."
