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
Goodrich's cart. They went on slowly, and it was five o'clock when
they came in plain view of Stockbridge. The same exclamation was on
every lip.
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