a sacred cause, and I wish every Carolinian could see and know
them. 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 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 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 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 shore 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 sunshine 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
Hancock, of Patrick Henry and George Washington, 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 pre
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