nd each submitted his stick to Allen, who rejected quite
a number because they were too large.

Zeke was stripped and tied to a tree, his hands above his head. The
first man was called to administer his stroke, when Zeb, who had been
standing, listening to the decision, rushed forward, and placing
himself between his father and the mountaineer, said:

"Strike, but not father. Let me bear the punishment, for it was all my
fault, it was all my doing."

"Stand aside."

"I will not."

"Drag him away," commanded Baker.

Two of the mountaineers stepped up to the boy, who had clasped his arms
around his father's waist.

He held on so tightly that to drag him away they must hurt him.

Baker ordered the men to whip him until he loosed his grasp, but Allen
stopped the execution of this order.

"Stop! Boy, you have won. I thought you were bad at heart, but I see
you love your father, and for your sake I remit the punishment."

Zeb fell on his knees and clasped Allen's legs.

"Bless you! If anyone ever says a word against you in my hearing he
shall die, that he shall."

"Release the prisoner."

When Zeke was free Allen ordered him to give up the paper signed by the
soldiers.

"And lose my reward?"

"Yes; I will not allow you to be rewarded for treachery."

Garvan had no option in the matter, and so he gave up the document,
which certified that he was entitled to the reward for the capture of
Ethan Allen and Remember Baker.

Zeb pleaded hard to be allowed to join the Mountain Boys, and Allen
consented provisionally that he should stay in the camp and hold no
conversation with his old companions.

"I am afraid you acted foolishly," said Baker. "Others will follow the
farmer's example."

"I think not. Mercy never yet failed; sternness often leads to
disaster. I am satisfied with what has been done."

In this, as in many other instances, Ethan Allen, rebel though he was
called, outlaw as he was decreed to be, showed the largeness of his
heart.

"We shall have to break camp. It is possible others besides those who
have been liberated will know of our nearness and profit by it."

"Where shall we go, colonel?"

"To Middlebury. We will not secrete ourselves, but openly show that we
are in the field to oppose New York in its pretensions."

CHAPTER XII.

THE OPENING OF THE WAR.

The people of Middlebury welcomed Allen and his Green Mountain Boys
with enthusiasm.

They knew that their only