Part 21 (1/2)
”So you tried to please both parties?”
”Well, yes; but if ye don't get the money we shan't be pleased with the result.”
”Have you told me the truth?”
”Of course I have, and I am itching to get the reward so that I may laugh 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 be mad 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 with the 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, deal with 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 were ordered, 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 addressed them, telling them how some had counseled hanging, but as they were fellow-Americans it was resolved to liberate them, because they had only obeyed orders.
He expressed a wish that they would go back to their own colony and tell the Yorkers that the men of the mountains would never give up their 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 duty had been distasteful, but that as soldiers they must act without question.
After the Yorkers left the camp, Allen ordered the farmer to be brought before him.
”Farmer Garvan,” he said, ”you have been guilty of the greatest crime it 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 Hamps.h.i.+re. By all the laws of war you ought to be hanged----”
”Spare me!” whined the farmer.
”You did not spare me, but for the sake of a little money would have condemned me to death. You are a coward, or you would meet your fate boldly. A man who risks so much should not cry out for mercy when his rascality fails. I will not hang you----”
”Thank you. Heaven----”
”Stay! Do not call Heaven into a defense of treachery. I order that you be stripped and receive one hundred lashes on the bare back, such punishment to be meted out to you in accordance with the laws laid down by the convention at Bennington.”
Garvan fell on his knees and with uplifted hands prayed for mercy.