Part 14 (1/2)

Lot and Enoch stood with other young men within ear-shot and heard many remarks which plainly showed the affiliation of the sheriff and his friends to the Tory cause; and the party had dined so well that they were not particularly careful to modulate their voices so that others in the vicinity who might be of a different mind, should not overhear them.

The sheriff was a pompous man who, when he spoke, commanded the attention of all about him. The dignity of his office rode him hard and his companions deferred to him almost servilely, for at that day such an officer was held in great reverence, especially by the King's adherents.

”These malcontents who would question the right of the King to govern them, should be punished, every man Jack of them!” the sheriff declared, looking about fiercely at his auditors. ”I care not who they are, nor how high they stand. That Dr. Warren and Mr. Otis of Boston are gentlemen of education and position I grant ye; but they should feel the heavy hand of the law nevertheless--yes, sir! And some of these fellows who have gone to Philadelphia and are making such a rumpus there--they should be taught their place!”

”That they should, Master Sheriff!” cried one of his supporters.

”The King's men treated that Otis just right some months back,” growled another--a man who sat back in the shadow of the high mantel and wore a cloak, the high collar of which half m.u.f.fled his face. At the speech of this one Enoch, who had been dragging at the sleeve of his companion to get him away, ceased this and pushed forward himself. Something in the tone of the last speaker's voice had attracted his attention and he strove to see his features.

”They should be whipped--every man Jack of them!” cried the sheriff, repeating his favorite expression.

”Better let Ethan Allen and his boys beech-seal them, eh, Sir Sheriff?”

cried some Whig on the outskirts of the group, and a laugh was raised among those of like feeling.

”We shall settle that villain Allen--we shall settle him, sir!” declared the sheriff, angrily. ”The Honorable Court will punish these fellows who retain their lands without proper authority from the King and our Governor. There will be an overturn in these Grants ere long--mark my word, sir!”

”The dogs should be driven back to Ma.s.sachusetts and Connecticut--where they came from,” growled the man with the cloak.

”That's true!” exclaimed several of the group.

”Aye, and the time approaches when it may be done,” cried the sheriff.

”But what think you Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, 'Member, and the rest of the boys will be doing, Sir Sheriff?” demanded the same Whig who had before spoken.

”They'll be clapped into Albany jail--that's what will become of them!”

declared the sheriff.

”And a right good place for them,” said he of the cloak. Enoch was still maneuvring to get a sight of this man, but the shadow of the high mantel was cast across his face. All the boy could see was the gleam of his eyes as he turned with an angry gesture toward the audience. ”The boldness of these outlaws is astonis.h.i.+ng.”

”That Allen appears to have many followers,” suggested a mild mannered man beside the sheriff.

”He is a bully; they fear him!” declared the former speaker, vigorously.

”How is that, John Norton?” cried the Whig, who evidently was a bold man to so flout the sheriff and his friends. ”You know Colonel Allen personally. Should you call him a bully and say that he governs men by fear?”

”Not I!” exclaimed the innkeeper. ”And saving your presence, sheriff, it would be a man of some stomach who would dare say that to Ethan Allen's face. As for these same Green Mountain Boys, it is not fear that keeps them together.”

”I tell you they are a set of masterless villains!” cried the dark man, turning angrily about so that at last the collar of his cloak fell back.

”They should be driven out of the colony and their houses burned to the ground----”

Suddenly he stopped. His harsh voice died to a whisper and his astonished companions looked at him in amazement. For a moment he seemed to have been frozen in his chair, and their eyes following his glance fell upon the white and angry face of Enoch Harding who had pushed through the ring of listeners. ”And it is you who would set the torch to their homes!” exclaimed the youth, his voice shaking. ”You already have one count of the kind against you, and if you ever come to Bennington again there'll be more than a beech-sealing awaiting you--you villain!”

Some of the crew sprang up in astonishment, and some in anger. ”Who is that bold rascal, landlord?” demanded the sheriff. ”Bring him here.”

But Lot had fairly dragged the angry Enoch to the door and now pushed him out of the inn. ”What's the matter with you, Nuck?” he demanded.

”D'you want to get us all into trouble?”

”That's Simon Halpen!” exclaimed Enoch, panting with excitement. ”I'd have flown at his throat in another moment.”