bestial looking idiot, drivelling and gibbering, and reeking with
filth, was made to kiss her. No other penalty could have been devised
at once so crushing to the victim, and so fully commending itself to
the popular sense of justice.

There were about ten or fifteen of the released debtors whose homes
were in or about Stockbridge, and as they could not walk any
considerable distance, it was necessary to provide for their
transport. Israel Goodrich and Ezra Phelps, as well as other
Stockbridge men, had driven down in their carts, and these vehicles
being filled with straw, the Stockbridge prisoners were placed in
them. Israel Goodrich insisted that Reuben Hamlin and George Fennell,
with Prudence, should go in his cart, and into it were also lifted
three or four of the friendless prisoners, who had nowhere to go, and
whose helpless condition had stirred old Israel's benevolent heart to
its depths.

"The poor critters shell stay with me, ef I hev tew send my chil'n tew
the neighbours ter make room fer em," he declared, blowing his nose
with a blast that made his horses jump.

With six or seven carts leading the way, and some seventy or eighty
men following on foot, the Stockbridge party began the march home
about two o'clock. Full half the men who had marched down in the
morning, chose to remain over in Barrington till later, and a good
many were too drunk on Bement's free rum to walk. Most of Paul
Hubbard's ironworkers being in that condition, he stayed to look after
them, and Peleg Bidwell had also stayed, to see that none of the
Stockbridge stragglers got into trouble, and bring them back when he
could. Abner walked at the head of the men. Perez rode by Israel