Every
eye was turned upon the colonel. He grew impatient under
the scrutiny, and demanded if the court, who meanwhile
had been deliberating, satisfied of the guilt of the
prisoner, had come to a decision in regard to his
punishment. An affirmative answer was given, and Colonel
de Haldimar proceeded.
"Reginald Morton, with the private misfortunes of your
former life we have nothing to do. It is the decision of
this court, who are merely met out of form, that you
suffer immediate death by hanging, as a just recompense
for your double treason to your country. There," and he
pointed to the flag-staff, "will you be exhibited to the
misguided people whom your wicked artifices have stirred
up into hostility against us. When they behold your fate,
they will take warning from your example; and, finding
we have heads and arms not to suffer offence with impunity,
be more readily brought to obedience."
"I understand your allusion," coolly rejoined Wacousta,
glancing earnestly at, and apparently measuring with his
eye, the dimensions of the conspicuous scaffold on which
he was to suffer. "You had ever a calculating head, De
Haldimar, where any secret villainy, any thing to promote
your own selfish ends, was to be gained by it; but your
calculation seems now, methinks, at fault"
Colonel de Haldimar looked at him enquiringly.
Pages:
774
775
776
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798