"
"But he can telegraph--there must be some mistake--no such outrage is on
record in the history of nations--"
"My orders are peremptory."
"You shall not inflict on me and on my people through me this insult
worse than death. I will not submit to it!"
"I sincerely trust, sir," the Captain urged kindly, "that you will not
compel me to use force."
"I am a gentleman and a soldier, Captain Titlow," was the stern answer.
"I know how to die--" he paused and pointed to the sentinel who stood
ready. "Let your men shoot me at once--I will not submit to this
outrage!"
The prisoner backed away with his hand on a chair and stood waiting.
The Captain turned to his blacksmiths:
"Do your duty--put them on him!"
[Illustration: "'Do your duty--put them on him'"]
As the workman bent with his chain Davis hurled him to the other side of
the cell and lifted his chair.
The sentinel cocked and lowered his musket advancing on the prisoner who
met him defiantly with bared breast.
The Captain sprang between them:
"Put down your gun. I'll give you orders to fire when necessary."
He turned to the officer at the door:
"Bring in four of your strongest men--unarmed--you understand?"
"Yes, sir--"
The men entered, sprang on their helpless victim, bore him to the floor,
pinned him down with their heavy bodies and held him securely while the
blacksmiths riveted the chains on one leg and fastened the clasp on the
other with a heavy padlock.
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