Part 51 (1/2)
It was the captain's voice, and he knew well, for he had ordered every detail.
”They are here, captain.”
”Let them stand up.”
Allen rose with difficulty, and staggered as he tried to stand at ”attention.”
”Drunk, eh? Here, sergeant, see to it that this rebel does not have a drop of anything to drink for twenty-four hours.”
”Except water, captain?”
”I said not a drop of anything. He is drunk.”
”Please, sir, he has had nothing to----”
”Silence! Do you want to be ordered to the hold?”
The sergeant was silent, though his whole nature rebelled against such treatment.
The captain looked at Allen for a minute, then he asked:
”You were at Ticonderoga?”
”And I treated the prisoners with justice,” answered Allen.
The only reply was a vigorous kick from the officer's well-shod foot.
Allen bit his lips, but did not resent the affront.
He knew that it was done to provoke him so that his persecutors might have an excuse for inflicting some terrible punishment on him.
”See to it that these rebels do not sit down until I give permission.”
It was the parting order of the captain, and the sergeant blushed with shame as he heard the command.
When the officer left the deck Allen sat down.
”You must not do that, sir,” said the sergeant, kindly; ”you heard my orders.”
”I know, but I shall die unless----”
”Lie down, sir; I shall not stop you doing that. The orders were that you must not sit.”
Once more the two prisoners were lying down on their backs; the irons prevented their reposing on their sides.
By daylight the prisoners were nearly dead with thirst, but not a drop of water was allowed them.
The captain made his round of inspection at seven o'clock, and Allen asked if they were to be allowed to have anything to eat or drink.