That afternoon, Ethan found a place in the courtroom, along with about twenty other family members. The rest of the space was filled with armed militiamen, except for a fenced-off area within which the court proceedings were conducted. The trial proved to be a farce, with one of the high-court justices from New Bern obviously having decided the outcome in advance.

With the bound defendants lined up in front of the bench, the judge announced, “This is a case with hundreds of witnesses, including the governor and a number of state militia officers. I have a deposition from Governor Tryon, who has had to return to New Bern. Judge Fanning and senior militia officers who are here in the courtroom have corroborated his sworn statement. There has been clear evidence against the defendants, some of whom are known to have participated in the disruption of this same court last year.

“We have testimony from many witnesses that Assemblyman Herman Husband objected to the violence and even departed the clearing before the first shots were fired. He has been dismissed, but with a severe warning against further participation in assemblies that may lead to riotous behavior.

“The following named men have been found guilty of violating the Riot Act passed last year and are sentenced to be placed in stocks for two days, to be served only water and no food, and then to be given forty lashes.”

Ethan was relieved when Henry’s name was not called, but then noticed that some of the most widely recognized leaders of the Regulators had also not been sentenced.

The brothers exchanged glances while the eight men were led from the courtroom, and then the judge said, “These other six men have been proven guilty of sedition, of instigating violence that caused many deaths, and I must now close my afflicting duty by pronouncing on all of you the awful sentence of the law, which is that you, Henry Pratt . . .”

Ethan did not hear the other names, but held his breath until the judge continued, “. . . be carried to the place from whence you came, that you be drawn from thence to the place of execution, where you are to be hanged by the neck; that you be cut down while yet alive, that your bowels be taken out and burnt before your face, that your head be cut off, your body divided into four quarters, and this be at His Majesty’s disposal, and the Lord have mercy on your souls.”

There was an outcry in the courtroom, and the militia leveled their weapons while the judge pounded his gavel and shouted for order. When quiet was restored, he added, “The sentences will be carried out tomorrow at sunrise.” Under heavy guard, the condemned men were marched back to the jailhouse, unable to avoid looking at the nearby gallows.