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"Sure and the skipper is as hot as a roast pertater," said Gilligan;"he thinks for sure that the rebels of Cork will take you all off theship by force, so he is going to put out to sea."
The _Solebay_ left Cork harbor that day and did not return.
After a long sail the shore of North Carolina was reached, and thehearts of the Americans beat high with hope.
The captain was almost amiable, but it was with a fiendish glee causedby the belief that the American prisoners were to be hanged on Americansoil.
"I want to see," he said, to Allen, "American trees bearing the bestfruit, and plenty of it."
"I am sure I re-echo your wish," answered Allen, whereupon the captainlaughed and declared that the fruit he meant was dead Americans hangingfrom the boughs.
For several weeks the _Solebay_ stayed at Cape Fear, and the prisonerswere treated with great harshness.
One morning their hopes were again raised by an order for all to appearon deck.
"Stand in line!" ordered the officer.
The men did so and the roll was called.
"Colonel Allen, step forward!"
It was the first time he had been addressed by his title, and allthought it meant an exchange at least.
"Now select fifteen of the most deserving men among your company, andorder them to stand out."
Allen selected the desired number.
"Thank you, Col. Allen. The fifteen will remain, the others can gobelow. The fifteen will be hanged to-morrow morning at sunrise. Ithank you in the name of his majesty for having selected the mostworthy."
CHAPTER XXXI.
A DARING SWIM.
"Coward!"
It was only one word, but that one word contained a wealth of contemptand scorn which made the officer tremble.
"Place those men in chains!"
The sergeant of marines saluted and gave the order to the remainingprisoners to return to their prison place.
Allen countermanded the order.
"Listen to me. I am a freeborn man, and, though a prisoner, I am aprisoner of war. I was promised fair treatment for myself and men ifwe would surrender at Quebec. Is this what you call fair treatment?"
"I am very sorry for you, Col. Allen; but, since I am a soldier, I amcompelled to obey orders."
"And who gave you such an order?"
"That I may not answer--as you ought to know, being a soldier yourself."
"Are these men to be hanged?"
"So I was ordered to say. I have only acted according to instructions."
It was the man that spoke, not the officer. His softened voice showedthat he had carried out a very distasteful order, and that his manhoodrevolted at it.
"Can I not make an appeal personally to the general commanding?"
