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"That would be impossible."
"Are these men to be hanged without trial?"
"Col. Allen, you are a brave man, and can face the worst. I am told,though I ought not to tell you, that the American rebels have gainedseveral advantages lately, and the British authorities are determinedto stamp out the rebellion; so----" He paused. The man was ashamed toutter what he had heard. Gathering courage from Allen's silence hecontinued: "We are told that no prisoners are to be treated asprisoners of war, but as outlaws and rebels, to shoot whom will beconsidered a meritorious act."
"And the object?"
"Can you not see? It is to strike terror into the rebels."
"So be it! But, mark me, I speak as a rebel, but also as a man, and Itell you that for every American hanged without due process of law, tenEnglishmen shall die. Do not mistake me! I shall be a free man again,and shall make England suffer. The leaders of the Americans, called byyou rebels, will know of this murder and will avenge it."
The British officer made no reply, but waved his hand to the sergeant,who removed the ill-fated fifteen.
By some chance Allen had omitted Eben's name from the fifteen, andwhile he regretted it at first, he was more than pleased now that theoversight had occurred.
When the prisoners were removed to their part of the lower deck, Ebenmanaged to get close to Allen.
"You don't think they will hang those?" he asked.
"I do not know, my boy. I think they are vile enough for anything."
"I heard that officer, who came aboard with dispatches, say that therewas a lot of the patriots close here."
"Of our people?"
"Yes."
"That accounts for it, then. They will hang the prisoners as an act ofdefiance."
"Colonel, I have an idea."
"What is it, Eben?"
"Come closer to me, for I must whisper very softly."
Eben managed so that his mouth was very close to Allen's ear, and thenhe told of his plan.
"I can slip over into the water when it is quite dark and swim to land;then I can make my way to the patriots and tell them the straits we arein."
"You could not reach the land."
"Not reach it? Why, colonel, have you forgotten how I swam across dearold Champlain and then back again?"
"I am not likely to forget that."
"Then I am sure I can do this little bit."
"But they will fire on you?"
"If they see me; and that is just what I am going to prevent."
"How?"
"Never mind that, colonel. Only give your consent and I will succeed,and I think I can save the lives of our friends."
"Eben, you are very brave. Can you bear to think of your fate?"
"I have thought of it. If we stay here we shall be hanged; if I failto reach land I shall drown, and I think I would rather drown than behanged. What say you, colonel?"
