He was hauled downstairs by the heels pretty
roughly, and shoved and buffeted about somewhat, but the people having
now passed into a comparatively exhilarated and good-tempered frame of
mind, he underwent no further punishment, that is in his person. But
that was saved only at the expense of his pocket, for the men insisted
on his going behind the bar and treating the crowd, a process which
was kept up until there was not a drop of liquor in his barrels, and
scarcely a sober man in the village. Mrs. Bement, meanwhile, had been
caught and held by some of the women, while one of the prisoners, a
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.
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