I think old Beret is both; but plainly he
couldn't hurt a chicken, you can see that at a glance."
Farnsworth smiled, rubbing his side reminiscently; but he shook
his head.
"I'm sure it's puzzling, indeed."
Hamilton sat in thoughtful silence for a while, then abruptly
changed the subject.
"I think, Captain, that you had better send out Lieutenant Barlow
and some of the best woodsmen to kill some game. We need fresh
venison, and, by George! I'm not going to depend upon these French
traitors any longer. I have set my foot down; they've got to do
better or take the consequences." He paused for a breath, then
added: "That girl has done too much to escape severest punishment.
The garrison will be demoralized if this thing goes on without an
example of authority rigidly enforced. I am resolved that there
shall be a startling and effective public display of my power to
punish. She shot you; you seem to be glad of it, but it was a
grave offence. She has stabbed Barlow; that is another serious
crime; but worst of all she aided a spy and resisted arrest. She
must be punished."
Farnsworth knew Hamilton's nature, and he now saw that Alice was
in dreadful danger of death or something even worse. Whenever his
chief talked of discipline and the need of maintaining his
authority, there was little hope of softening his decisions.
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