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 Hampshire. 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.

"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 or
beechen stick, and may the punishment teach you that treachery never
pays."

In vain the man cried for mercy.

Allen could never forgive treachery.

The Green Mountain Boys hurried to cut sticks from the trees which grew
by the lake, a