From one of these apertures
Alice could see the straggling roofs and fences of the dreary
little town, while from the other a long reach of watery prairie,
almost a lake, lay under view with the rolling, muddy Wabash
gleaming beyond. There seemed to be no activity of garrison or
townspeople. Few sounds broke the silence of which the cheerless
prison room seemed to be the center.
Alice felt all her courage and cheerfulness leaving her. She was
alone in the midst of enemies. No father or mother, no friend--a
young girl at the mercy of soldiers, who could not be expected to
regard her with any sympathy beyond that which is accompanied with
repulsive leers and hints. Day after day her loneliness and
helplessness became more agonizing. Farnsworth, it is true, did
all he could to relieve the strain of her situation; but Hamilton
had an eye upon what passed and soon interfered. He administered a
bitter reprimand, under which his subordinate writhed in
speechless anger and resentment.
"Finally, Captain Farnsworth," he said in conclusion, "you will
distinctly understand that this girl is my prisoner, not yours;
that I, not you, will direct how she is to be held and treated,
and that hereafter I will suffer no interference on your part. I
hope you fully understand me, sir, and will govern yourself
accordingly.
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