Part 28 (2/2)
”You have treated me very kindly,” he said to Arnold, ”and I shall report to my superiors, though----”
He paused, and there was a world of meaning in that sudden silence.
”Why do you hesitate? I know what you would say.”
”Do you?”
”Yes; shall I tell you?”
”If you please.”
”And you will tell me whether I am right?”
”On my honor as a soldier and a gentleman.”
”You were about to say that such a recommendation would not even be a plea in mitigation of the death penalty if I should fall into the hands of the English.”
Again there was silence.
”I am answered. Your silence proves that I am right. You need not think I am offended. I know I should be treated as a rebel, not as a prisoner of war.”
”And, knowing this, you joined these men against the rule of your sovereign?”
”I knew that if the colonists failed the leaders would be hanged; if they succeeded they would found a new nation, and the chances were worth risking.”
”Did you not think that England has a large army and a strong navy at her back?”
”Yes, and I knew it had strong forts; this is one of them.”
”You sneer! I admit that England behaved scurvily in allowing me to have so few men.”
”Nay, nay, captain. Fifty men, if they felt an interest in their work, could hold this fort against an army.”
”You are the victor and so have a right to rebuke me. But do not think England will allow the colonies to be independent.”
”Perhaps not, but at any rate the colonies will have won respect for themselves.”
”But the leaders will be hanged.”
”So let it be.”
”Can you face the thought of death like that?”
”I can, for my country will be saved from a serfdom which no self-respecting nation should submit to.”
”If--mind, I say if, for I do not think there is the remotest chance--but if the colonies were successful, what could they do for you? I suppose you might be a governor, or something like that, with no salary to speak of, while if you had remained loyal to your king you might have a chance----”
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