is treason and a hanging matter of itself, for which he, and fifty
others in this quarter, ought, in justice, to be dealt with without
benefit of the clergy.--What say you, Squire Haviland?"

"I agree with you fully," replied the squire. "But to return to Judge
Chandler's communication: what steps have you taken, if any, in order
to sustain the court in the threatened emergency?"

"Why, just the steps that Chandler knew I should take--sent off one
messenger to Brush, there on the ground at Westminster; another to
Rogers, of Kent; and yet another to a trusty friend in Guilford,
requesting each to be on, with a small band of resolute fellows; while
I whipped over to Newfane myself, fixed matters there, and came round
to Bennington to enlist David Redding, and a friend or two more; as I
did, after I arrived, last night, though I was compelled to leave them
my sleigh and horses to bring them over, which accounts for my begging
a passage with you. So, you see, that if this beggarly rabble offer to
make any disturbance, I shall be prepared to teach them the cost of
attempting to put down the king's court."

"Things are getting to a strange pass among these deluded people, that
is certain. I cannot, however, yet believe them so infatuated as to
take this step. But if they should, decided measures should be
taken--such, indeed, as shall silence this alarming spirit at once and
forever."

"I hope," observed Miss Haviland, who had been a silent but attentive
listener to the dialogue, "I hope no violence is really intended,
either on the part of the authorities or their opponents. But what do
these people complain of? There must be some cause, by which they, at