man shot with rock salt."

"What do you mean?"

"Sufferin'," Solomon answered. "Kind o' riddled with thoughts o' you
an' I wouldn't wonder."

"Did you get a letter?" she asked.

"No. A young officer who was ketched an' brought here t'other day has
told me all 'bout him."

"Is the officer here?"

"Yes, ma'am," Solomon answered.

"I want to see him--I want to talk with him. I must meet the man who
has come from the presence of my Jack."

Solomon was visibly embarrassed. He was in trouble for a moment and
then he answered: "I'm 'fraid 'twouldn't do no good."

"Why?"

"'Cause he's deef an' dumb."

"But do you not understand? It would be a comfort to look at him."

"He's in this cell, but I wouldn't know how to call him," Solomon
assured her.

She went to Jack's door and peered at him through the grating. He was
lying on his straw bed. The light which came from candles set in
brackets on the stone wall of the corridor was dim.

"Poor, poor fellow!" she exclaimed. "I suppose he is thinking of his
sweetheart or of some one very dear to him. His eyes are covered with
his handkerchief. So you have lately seen the boy I love! How I wish
you could tell me about him!"

The voice of the young lady had had a curious effect upon that
nerve-racked, homesick company of soldier lads in prison. Doubtless it
had reminded some of dear and familiar voices which they had lost hope
of hearing again.

One began to groan and sob, then another and another.

"Ain't that like the bawlin' o' the damned?" Solomon asked. "Some on
'em is sick; some is wore out. They're all half starved!"

"It is dreadful!" said she, as she covered her eyes with her
handkerchief. "I can not help thinking that any day _he_ may have to
come here. I shall go to see General Howe to-night."

"To-morrer I'll git this 'ere boy to write out all he knows 'bout Jack,
but if ye see it, ye'll have to come 'ere an' let me put it straight
into yer hands," Solomon assured her.

"I'll be here at ten o'clock," she said, and went away.

Pinhorn stepped into the corridor as Solomon called to Jack:

"Things be goin' to improve, ol' man. Hang on to yer hosses. The
English people is to have a talk with General Howe to-night an' suthin'
'll be said, now you hear to me. That damn German King ain't a-goin'
to have his way much longer here in Boston jail."

Early next morning shells began to fall in the city. Suddenly the
firing ceased. At nin