ion he did not know.

After the first day the prisoners were allowed to have one meal a day,
for, as Prescott told Allen, he did not want to cheat the gallows.

The _Gaspee_ was bound for Quebec, and the prisoners were overjoyed at
the prospect of a change.

"It cannot be for the worse," said one of the Americans to Allen;
"therefore we shall be the gainers."

"I wish they would hang us right away," answered the hero of
Ticonderoga, "for I am tired of this life."

"We shall all be free----"

"Yes, when in our graves."

"Do not get downhearted, colonel; we have pulled through many a hard
row before now."

There was a consolation in having company, and the prisoners from the
other ships had been crowded on the _Gaspee_.

"March out the rebels."

All heard the order given, and each looked at his fellow with anxious
glance.

It might be a farewell to them. Who could tell?

The leg irons were unlocked and the prisoners marched up the
companionway to the upper deck.

As they reached the deck the fresh air was almost overwhelming, for
they had not breathed any for several days.

They were marshaled in line and awaited their doom.

Soon a bedecked officer appeared on deck accompanied by one of the most
villainous-looking seamen that ever stepped upon a deck.

"Are these all?" asked the English officer.

"Yes, general."

"Which is Ethan Allen?"

Allen was pointed out, and the gold-laced, red-coated officer raised
his pince-nez and looked at Allen as he would at any curiosity.

"Which is Eben Pike?"

The young scout was pointed out by the officer in charge, and he had to
undergo a similar inspection.

"And these are rebels? Well, well! England has nothing to fear if
this is a sample of those fighting against her. So you are Ethan
Allen? You are the man who broke into Ticonderoga? Well, well, well!
You achieved fame, but whether it will avail you much when you stand on
the gallows is for you to say."

The English officer had jerked out these sentences more to himself than
to the prisoners.

He turned to the villainous old salt by his side.

"What do you think of your cargo?"

"I'd rather have pigs."

"You show sense, but as you cannot have pigs you must take these. You
are under bonds to land them in England--how I don't care--only they
must have strength enough to stand upright on the gallows, for Jack
Ketch must not have too great a task."

The seaman chuckled.

"I've carried lots