Gradually the men, having completed
their unusual preparations, quitted the rampart, and the
flagstaff, which was of tapering pine, was left totally
unguarded.
The "Attention!" of Major Blackwater to the troops, who
had been hitherto standing in attitudes of expectancy
that rendered the injunction almost superfluous, announced
the approach of the governor. Soon afterwards that officer
entered the area, wearing his characteristic dignity of
manner, yet exhibiting every evidence of one who had
suffered deeply. Preparation for a drum-head court-martial,
as in the first case of Halloway, had already been made
within the square, and the only actor wanting in the
drama was he who was to be tried.
Once Colonel de Haldimar made an effort to command his
appearance, but the huskiness of his voice choked his
utterance, and he was compelled to pause. After the lapse
of a few moments, he again ordered, but in a voice that
was remarked to falter,--
"Mr. Lawson, let the prisoner be brought forth."
The feeling of suspense that ensued between the delivery
and execution of this command was painful throughout the
ranks.
Pages:
770
771
772
773
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
794