ot overhear them.
The sheriff was a pompous man who, when he spoke, commanded the
attention of all about him. The dignity of his office rode him hard and
his companions deferred to him almost servilely, for at that day such an
officer was held in great reverence, especially by the King's adherents.

"These malcontents who would question the right of the King to govern
them, should be punished, every man Jack of them!" the sheriff declared,
looking about fiercely at his auditors. "I care not who they are, nor
how high they stand. That Dr. Warren and Mr. Otis of Boston are
gentlemen of education and position I grant ye; but they should feel the
heavy hand of the law nevertheless--yes, sir! And some of these fellows
who have gone to Philadelphia and are making such a rumpus there--they
should be taught their place!"

"That they should, Master Sheriff!" cried one of his supporters.

"The King's men treated that Otis just right some months back," growled
another--a man who sat back in the shadow of the high mantel and wore a
cloak, the high collar of which half muffled his face. At the speech of
this one Enoch, who had been dragging at the sleeve of his companion to
get him away, ceased this and pushed forward himself. Something in the
tone of the last speaker's voice had attracted his attention and he
strove to see his features.

"They should be whipped--every man Jack of them!" cried the sheriff,
repeating his favorite expression.

"Better let Ethan Allen and his boys beech-seal them, eh, Sir Sheriff?"
cried some Whig on the outskirts of the group, and a laugh was raised
among those of like feeling.

"We shall settle that villain Allen--we shall settle him, sir!" declared
the sheriff, angrily. "The Honorable Court will punish these fellows who
retain their lands without proper authority from the King and our
Governor. There will be an overturn in these Grants ere long--mark my
word, sir!"

"The dogs should be driven back to Massachusetts and Connecticut--where
they came from," growled the man with the cloak.

"That's true!" exclaimed several of the group.

"Aye, and the time approaches when it may be done," cried the sheriff.

"But what think you Ethan Allen, Seth Warner, 'Member, and the rest of
the boys will be doing, Sir Sheriff?" demanded the same Whig who had
before spoken.

"They'll be clapped into Albany jail--that's what will become of them!"
declared the sheriff.

"And a right good place for them,"