"
"You respect your word, and have pledged yourself to
secrecy! What mean you, man, by this rhodomontade? To
whom can you have pledged yourself, and for what, unless
it be to some secret enemy without the walls? Gentlemen,
proceed to your duty: it is evident that the man is a
traitor, even from his own admission.--On my life," he
pursued, more hurriedly, and speaking in an under tone,
as if to himself, "the fellow has been bribed by, and is
connected with--." The name escaped not his lips; for,
aware of the emotion he was betraying, he suddenly checked
himself, and assumed his wonted stern and authoritative
bearing.
Once more the prisoner addressed the Governor in the same
clear firm voice in which he had opened his appeal.
"Colonel de Haldimar, I have no connection with any living
soul without the fort; and again I repeat, I am no traitor,
but a true and loyal British soldier, as my services in
this war, and my comrades, can well attest. Still, I seek
not to shun that death which I have braved a dozen times
at least in the ---- regiment. All that I ask is, that
I may not be tried--that I may not have the shame of
hearing sentence pronounced against me YET; but if nothing
should occur before eight o'clock to vindicate my character
from this disgrace, I will offer up no further prayer
for mercy.
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