"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.