Page 37 - A Hero of Ticonderoga

Graves pretends to own this pitch by right of purchase under York
government. Other than them I do not recognize any among this crew who

have been ’Warned.’ Now, friend Beeman, tell us your story."

Seth told what had passed between him and the surveyor, and then Nathan
was called to relate his meeting the party in the woods, which he did in a
straightforward manner, except for his boyish bashfulness.

"Now, you have it all. Felton and Graves are here, as you see, in

prosecution of their unlawful business, as the testimony of this boy and his
father shows. In further proof whereof, see the surveyor’s instruments here
in view. What say you, men of the Grants, are they guilty or not guilty?"

"Guilty," said the various voices.

"What shall be their punishment? That they be chastised with the twigs of
the wilderness?"

There was general affirmative response, some answering loudly, others

faintly and hesitatingly. Then Job Carpenter stepped forward, and, making
a military salute, said:

"I don’t go agin these men a gittin’ what they desarve, but I don’t want to
have them skinned. Their skins hain’t worth a-hevin’ only for their selves,

and I hate to see white men whipped like dogs. If they was Injins I wouldn’t
say agin it. But, bein’ they hain’t, I move they hev jest nine cuts o’ the Blue
Beech apiece."

"Forty, save one," was the customary award in such cases, and there were a

few dissenting voices, but the milder punishment was finally agreed upon.

If the two men under sentence felt any gratitude for the mitigation of the

severity, they expressed none. Graves maintained a sullen silence, though
his vengeful scowl expressed as much hatred of the prosecutors of the

informal trial as did the storm of oaths and abuse that Felton let forth upon
them in intermittent gusts.