CHAPTER X.
ZEB'S DOUBLE DEALING.
"Scoundrel!" shouted Baker.
Allen was dignified even under such trying circumstances. He calmlywaited the pleasure of the soldiers, knowing that resistance wasuseless; but Remember Baker was impetuous, and would have fought evenagainst such odds if he had not been overpowered.
"Have you any cords?" asked the young officer.
"Ay, faith I'll get the strongest cords that ye ever saw," exclaimedZeb.
"You young imp, it was you who betrayed us," Baker said, bitterly.
"Yes, you are right. You see, I bear you no ill will," said the youngscoundrel, "but money is useful, and they perhaps won't hang you, andif they do--well, you've got to die sometime, and you might as wellmake us comfortable by your death----"
Zeke was a little ashamed of his part in the transaction, though he hadbeen ready enough to adopt his son's suggestion. But now that the deedwas done, he would not allow the prisoners to be insulted by Zeb, andthe boy's unfeeling remarks were cut short by a vigorous kick on hisnether part which completely lifted him off the floor.
"You said you'd never--hit--me," he blubbered.
"I never said I'd never kick you, and I'll kick all I want to, youyoung rascal!"
"No, you won't," the young hopeful retorted.
"Yes, I will, and if you don't get those cords in a brace of shakesI'll make you so you won't sit down for a month."
Zeb knew enough of his father to be sure that he meant what he said, sohe hurried to the barn, and soon returned with some strong rope, withwhich the two prisoners were securely bound.
The boy was a shrewd fellow, and as bad as any that lived in thoseparts. His father had not half the quick wit possessed by Zeb.
"Dad, get the reward," he whispered.
"Ay, who will pay me the reward?" he asked the officer.
"I will certify that you are entitled to it, and you can get it fromAlbany any time."
"Ay, so I must needs trudge to Albany. Must I go with the prisoners?"
"No, you have nothing to do with them now; they are in my care."
"So if they get away----"
"But they cannot get away."
"But if they did?" Zeb persisted.
"That would be my loss. You and your father have earned the reward."
"Where shall you keep them to-night?" asked Zeke.
"I shall take them to---- Well, never mind where; it will make nodifference to you."
"No, I suppose not."
Zeb overheard this conversation and determined to profit by it.
He felt sore, both physically and mentally.
He felt that his father had not kept to the meaning of his oath, andhad evaded it by kicking instead of striking, which to Zeb was just asbad.
"I might just as well have let him hit me," he soliloquized; "he laughsnow; perhaps he will not when I am through."
He ran, and none could go faster when he liked to exert himself, anddid not rest until he was in sight of the Mountain Boys' camp.
Then he halted.
He needed to be cool.
"Zebedee, my boy, now you can make or mar your life. Which are yougoing to do?"
He thought for a moment and chuckled to himself as he defined,mentally, his plan of action.
Peleg Sunderland was in command in the absence of the colonel and Capt.Baker, and to him Zeb asked to be conducted.
But the sentinel refused.
"You haven't got the word, and I will not let anyone pass; no, not eventhe colonel himself without it."
"But I have important news."
"Of course you have."
"You do not believe me?"
"Yes, I do. I know all you can tell me, so there!"
"Have you anyone here called Eben Pike?"
"Perhaps we have, perhaps we haven't."
"Do not be sassy or----"
"You'll march away from this or I'll shoot; them's my orders."
Zeb saw that the man would not allow him to pass, and he was at hiswits' end to know what to do.
As good fortune would have it, who should pass but Eben.
"Eben, I want you."
"Is that you, Zeb?"
"It is."
"What do you want?"
"You."
"What for?"
"Come here and I will tell you."
The sentry warned Eben not to pass out of the lines, but the youngscout took no notice.
"Well, what is it?"
"Come a little farther away and I will tell you."
Eben knew not what fear was, though that was saying a great deal. Oneof the kings of Spain once sent for a man who was heard to say that hedid not know the meaning of fear.
"My good man," said the king, "they tell me that you were never afraid."
"That is true, your majesty."
"And you do not know what fear is?"
"That also was true."
"Did you ever put your hand into a wasps' nest?"
"No, your majesty."
"Then never again say you do not know what fear is."
Eben might find something of which he would be afraid, but he had notdone so up to that time.
When the two boys had got some distance away, Eben asked:
"Well, what have you to tell me?"
"Where is Col. Ethan Allen?"
"I do not know."
"Where is Capt. Baker?"
"I do not know."
"I do."
"Well, what of that?"
"When I last saw them they had some good strong cords bound round theirlimbs, and a Yorker was holding a gun at their heads."
"Prisoners?"
"It looked very like it."
"Where are they? Tell me all you know."
"Not much; the news is worth something."
"How much do you want?"
"How much what?"
"Did you not say you wanted to sell the news?"
"No; but, now you mention it, I might do so. Take me to the fellow whocommands the boys."
"Will you tell him?"
"I came to do so, only that fellow with the gun would not let me pass."
"I will take you to Lieut. Sunderland."
"Lead on; I am ready."
Eben conducted the boy to Sunderland, and to him Zeb told a mostwonderful yarn.
It was so plausible that he was complimented on his patriotism, andrewarded by the faithful lieutenant as well as his purse would permit.
Zeb trusted to the inspiration of the moment for most of his narrative.He told how his father was a loyal Vermonter, and in the fullness ofhis heart had invited Allen and Baker to a late supper, and in theirhonor had prepared boiled pig's head and cabbage, and that while theywere eating supper some soldiers burst open the door and took allprisoners. Zeb said his father was released on condition that he wouldfind ropes to bind Allen and Baker. Thinking that he could be ofservice to the colonel by remaining at liberty, he consented, and thensent Zeb to the Mountain Boys' camp.
Zeb embellished the story in many ways, but he was so good astory-teller that every word he uttered was believed.