Page 14 of The Hero of Ticonderoga; or, Ethan Allen and His Green Mountain Boys

"To me?"

"Yes, from the governor."

"A message from Gov. Wentworth is always welcome."

"It may not be so in this case. I will explain. An application hasbeen made for your extradition by the governor of New York."

"Indeed! And what have I done?"

"You are charged with killing a king's officer and robbing him ofcertain documents which bore the seal of the Colony of New York."

"Of both of which crimes I am innocent."

"And so the governor thinks, but he has commanded me to explain that itis necessary that you return with me to Concord, there to satisfy thecourt of your innocence."

Ethan looked at Eben, and the youth made a sign to convey that theinformation he had given was correct and that treachery was intended.

"And if I decline to go?"

"You will not decline."

"I may."

"You must not."

"I may do so; what then?"

"Then I shall order you into arrest."

"And take me by force to Concord, and from thence to Albany?"

"If the governor so orders."

"Then go straight back to the governor and tell him that, with all duerespect to him and his authority, I will not go until I am ready, andthat if you attempt to arrest me I shall resist by force. I am a freeman, and by the grant signed by the governor I am free from arrestunless the local tribunal so orders, and you cannot get any justice inall the Green Mountains to order me into arrest. So go back and learnthat Ethan Allen can take care of himself."

"But that is treason."

"Call it what you like. I shall defend myself when the time comes, andwill never submit to tyranny, even from the governor of New Hampshire,nor the king himself."

"But I must do as I am bade."

"Try to do so, you mean. Let me tell you that Ethan Allen is in theright, and the governor is in the wrong, and I defy you and all thepower at your back."

CHAPTER VI.

BEFORE THE GOVERNOR.

Mr. Talbot knew not what to do.

Had he lived in the days of the electric telegraph he would have usedthe wire to obtain instructions. But in those days only a horse was athis disposal, and that was a slow means of travel.

He knew that he must act as he thought best.

If he offended the governor he might be removed from his position anddisgraced.

If he offended the mountaineers they might make terms with New York,and New Hampshire might lose all the debatable land.

There was a degree of sturdy independence shown by the mountaineerswhich, while commendable, was slightly awkward at times.