About nine o'clock in the morning
Thar wuz better times in this ` ere province o ' Massachusetts Bay , under the pine tree flag , than this dum Continental striped rag hez ever fetched , or ever will , I reckon . '' The dismay which the news of the extent and apparent irresistibleness of the rebellion produced among those attached to the court party in Stockbridge , corresponded to the exultation to which the people gave themselves up . Nor did the populace lose any time in giving expression to their bolder temper by overt acts . About nine o'clock in the morning , Deputy Sheriff Seymour , who had not ventured to return to his house , was found concealed in the corn-bin of a barn near the burying-ground . A crowd instantly collected and dragged the terrified man from his concealment . Some one yelled : `` Ride him on a rail , '' and the suggestion finding an echo in the popular breast , a three-cornered fence rail was thrust between his legs , and lifted on men 's shoulders . Astride of this sharp-backed steed , holding on with his hands for dear life , lest he should fall off and break his neck , he was carried , through the main streets of the village , followed by a howling crowd , and pelted with apples by the boys , while the windows of the houses along the way were full of laughing women .