{"id":"01KG8AKNJSK1C14X5SV8WC6PAD","cid":"bafkreihhasog5yucorhrc6uo7gu2qsslxxmznthj4ym2b2i6jxxy2c6yzy","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":6573,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:05.591Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 3","source_file":"01KG89J1DKC9HHJRKY25JZBEXW","start_line":6498,"text":"Staggering away, with a snapped spine, he muttered something about its\r\nbeing beneath his dignity to bandy further words with a low-lived\r\nrebel.\r\n\r\n“Come, come, Colonel Allen,” here said a mild-looking man in a sort of\r\nclerical undress, “respect the day better than to talk thus of what\r\nlies beyond. Were you to die this hour, or what is more probable, be\r\nhung next week at Tower-wharf, you know not what might become, in\r\neternity, of yourself.”\r\n\r\n“Reverend Sir,” with a mocking bow, “when not better employed braiding\r\nmy beard, I have a little dabbled in your theologies. And let me tell\r\nyou, Reverend Sir,” lowering and intensifying his voice, “that as to\r\nthe world of spirits, of which you hint, though I know nothing of the\r\nmode or manner of that world, no more than do you, yet I expect when I\r\nshall arrive there to be treated as well as any other gentleman of my\r\nmerit. That is to say, far better than you British know how to treat an\r\nAmerican officer and meek-hearted Christian captured in honorable war,\r\nby ——! Every one tells me, as you yourself just breathed, and as,\r\ncrossing the sea, every billow dinned into my ear, that I, Ethan Allen,\r\nam to be hung like a thief. If I am, the great Jehovah and the\r\nContinental Congress shall avenge me; while I, for my part, shall show\r\nyou, even on the tree, how a Christian gentleman can die. Meantime,\r\nsir, if you are the clergyman you look, act out your consolatory\r\nfunction, by getting an unfortunate Christian gentleman about to die, a\r\nbowl of punch.”\r\n\r\nThe good-natured stranger, not to have his religious courtesy appealed\r\nto in vain, immediately dispatched his servant, who stood by, to\r\nprocure the beverage.\r\n\r\nAt this juncture, a faint rustling sound, as of the advance of an army\r\nwith banners, was heard. Silks, scarfs, and ribbons fluttered in the\r\nbackground. Presently, a bright squadron of fair ladies drew nigh,\r\nescorted by certain outriding gallants of Falmouth.\r\n\r\n“Ah,” sighed a soft voice, “what a strange sash, and furred vest, and\r\nwhat leopard-like teeth, and what flaxen hair, but all mildewed;—is\r\nthat he?”\r\n\r\n“Yea, is it, lovely charmer,” said Allen, like an Ottoman, bowing over\r\nhis broad, bovine forehead, and breathing the words out like a lute;\r\n“it is he—Ethan Allen, the soldier; now, since ladies’ eyes visit him,\r\nmade trebly a captive.”\r\n\r\n“Why, he talks like a beau in a parlor, this wild, mossed American from\r\nthe woods,” sighed another fair lady to her mate; “but can this be he\r\nwe came to see? I must have a lock of his hair.”\r\n\r\n“It is he, adorable Delilah; and fear not, even though incited by the\r\nfoe, by clipping my locks, to dwindle my strength. Give me your sword,\r\nman,” turning to an officer:—“Ah! I’m fettered. Clip it yourself,\r\nlady.”\r\n\r\n“No, no—I am—”\r\n\r\n“Afraid, would you say? Afraid of the vowed friend and champion of all\r\nladies all round the world? Nay, nay, come hither.”\r\n\r\nThe lady advanced; and soon, overcoming her timidity, her white hand\r\nshone like whipped foam amid the matted waves of flaxen hair.\r\n\r\n“Ah, this is like clipping tangled tags of gold-lace,” cried she; “but\r\nsee, it is half straw.”\r\n\r\n“But the wearer is no man-of-straw, lady; were I free, and you had ten\r\nthousand foes—horse, foot, and dragoons—how like a friend I could fight\r\nfor you! Come, you have robbed me of my hair; let me rob your dainty\r\nhand of its price. What, afraid again?”\r\n\r\n“No, not that; but—”\r\n\r\n“I see, lady; I may do it, by your leave, but not by your word; the\r\nwonted way of ladies. There, it is done. Sweeter that kiss, than the\r\nbitter heart of a cherry.”\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 3"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJJRT3BSKR423BGDM4MS8","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1DKC9HHJRKY25JZBEXW","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AKNJVMNFJK8A2Y731D2KY","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AKNK1WXNPPCVV82HYX7T5","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:11.865Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:18.319Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}