Part 58 (1/2)

”Praiseworthy, but we shall have a weary tramp before we reach the patriots. 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 pain as he saw the war s.h.i.+p slowly sailing away.

CHAPTER x.x.xII.

HOW ENGLAND TREATED PRISONERS OF WAR.

After Eben had escaped the captain of the war s.h.i.+p was furious.

He found out that five of the prisoners shared the same room with the escaped one, and he closely questioned them about the escape. They refused to speak a word; perhaps they knew nothing, but their mouths were closely sealed.

Orders were given to take the five prisoners to the sh.o.r.e and hang them in such a conspicuous place that the rebels might see them and take warning.

This cruel and uncivilized act was carried out by men who loathed the work, but who had to obey the orders of their superior.

Fearing that unpleasantness might ensue from the order, which, when too late, the captain regretted, orders were given to sail north, and Ethan Allen was taken to New York, where he was landed and thrown into a prison 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 tories who ruled the city.

There was but one gleam of suns.h.i.+ne in the hero's life.

He often heard news of the outside world.

A Congress had been called, and its deliberations were of vital importance.

The tories talked about it in Allen's presence.

They denounced men whose names Allen had not heard before, but who were becoming prominent. But they also talked of Sam Adams and John Hanc.o.c.k, of Patrick Henry and George Was.h.i.+ngton, and then they told each other that it was seriously proposed to create a new nation out of the colonies and declare the independence of the colonies.

All this was glorious news to the prisoner, and he listened in silence, afraid that his joy, if known, would prevent further conversation in his presence.

One hot, stifling day in July there was considerable commotion in the prison, and Allen knew that something more than the ordinary had caused the excitement.

How anxiously he waited to hear the news!

How tedious the hours pa.s.sed before the change of guards gave the desired few minutes for conversation.

At last the hour came!

”The Declaration of Independence has been signed!”

”You do not mean it? The rebels would never dare!”