free according to the old feudal tenure.

The Assembly upon hearing this could hold out no longer. They were
forced by the clamour of public opinion to strike out the debated
and debatable clause from the long-contested bill, and immediately
it was passed into law by the Governor.

"Ay, they have come to their senses at last--when it is well nigh
too late!" spoke John Stark, with a touch of bitterness in his
tone. "They will furnish money now; but what can be done with the
winter just upon us? For six months we must lie idle, whilst the
snow and ice wrap us round. Why was not this thing done before our
settlements were destroyed, and when we could have pushed forth an
army into the field to drive back the encroaching foe, so that they
would never have dared to show their faces upon our border again?"

Charles looked up with burning eyes.

"What say you? Six months to wait? That will not do for me! My
blood is boiling in my veins; I must needs cool it! If these
laggard rulers, with their clumsy methods, cannot put an army in
the field before the spring, surely there are men enough amongst us
to go forth--a hardy band of woodsmen and huntsmen--and hunt and
harry, and slay and destroy, even as they have done!"

"That is what the Rangers do!" cried Stark, with kindling eyes; "I
have heard of them before this. The Rangers of New England have
done good work before now. Good thought, good thought! Why not form
ourselves into a band of Rangers? Are we not strong and full of
courage, seasoned to hardship, expert in our way with gun or axe?