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."