The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1866-08-11
now Davis WAS PUrINlRoNs.
4 Brave, MaghaRimous aad Glorious
Achievement s2&f


clan Of the prisoner"
ssWeIl 2" said Davis, as they entered, slight
II raising his head. s ~ ~
81 have an unpleasant duty to perform,
sir said Captain Titlow and as he spoke
the senior blacksmith took the shackles from
his assistant.
Davis leaped instantly from his recruitment
attitude, flush passing over his face for =
moment aRd then his coHntenance growing
livid and rigid as death. 6
He gasped for breath, clatching his throat
with the thin fingers of his rigat hand, and
then recovering himself slowly, while bis
wasted figure lowered upto its full hight
now appearing to swell with indignation and
4heu to shrink with terror, as he glanced from
the Captains face to the shackles-he said
slowly and With q laboriag chest:
"My Godl you cannot have been sent to
iron me-"
NSuch are my orders, sir" replied the Off
Ger, reckoning the blacksmith to approach,
who stepped forward, unlocked the paddock
and preparing the letters to do their Office.
These letters were of heavy iron, probably
ive.eights OF an inch in thickness, and con-
rected together by a chain of like weight.
believe they are now in the possession OF
Major General Miles, and will form an inter-
ssting relic.
"This is too monstrous," groaned the pris-
oner, glaring hurriedly round the room, as if
for some weapon or means of self-destructioR.
81 demand, Captain, that you let nae see the
commanding officer. Can he pretend that
such shackles are required to secure the safe
custody of a weak old man, SO guarded and
in such fort as this I"
at could serve no purpose" replied Capt
Titlow "his orders are from Washington, as
raine are from him."
~But he can telegraph" interposed Davis,
eagerly sthere must be some mistake. No
such outrage as you threaten me with is on
record in the history of nations. Beg him to
telegraph and delay until be answers"
"My orders are peremptory," said the on
Ger, "and admit of no delay. For your own
sake, let me advise you to submit with pa
thence. As soldier, Davis, you know must
execute ORDERS"
"These are not orders for soldier shout
ed the prisoner, losing all control of himself.
"They are orders for a jailor--for hangman,
which no soldier wearing sword should &C
cept tell you the world willring with this
disgrace. The war is over the South is
conquered; have no longer any country but
America, and it is for the honor of America,
as for my own honor and life, that plead
against this degradation. Kill me! kill mel"
he cried passionately, throwing his arms
vide open and exposing his breast, "rather
than infict on me, and on my people through
me, this insult worse than DEATH"
GDo your duty, blacksmith, = said the c6i-
Ger, walking toward the embrasure as If not
caring to witness the performance. "It only
gives increased pain on all sides to protract
the interview"
At these words the blacksmith advanced
with the schackles, and seeing that the pris-
oner had one foot upon the chair near the
bedside, his right hand resting on the back
of it, the brawnY mechanic made an attempt
to slip one of the shackles over the ankle SO
raised but, as if with the vehemence and
strength which frenzy can impart even to
the weakest invalid, Davis suddenly seized
his assailant and hurled him half way across
the room.
.On this Captain Titlow turned, and seeing
that Davis had backed against the wall for
further resistance, began to demonstrate,
pointing out in brief, clear language, that
this course was madness, and that orders
must be enforced at any cost. "Why compel
rie,n said he, ito add further icdignity Of
personal violence to the necessity of your be-
ing ircued Z"
II am prisoner of war;" fercely retorted
Davis; 81 have been soldier in the armies
of America and know how to die. Only kill
me, and my last breath shall be blessing
on your head. But while have life and
strength to resist, for myself and my people
this thing shall not be DONE"
Hereupon Captain Titlow called in Ser
peant and file of soldiers from the next room
and the Sergeant advanced to seize the pris-
oner. Immediately Davis few at him, seized
his musket and attempted to wrench it from
his grasp.
OF course such scene could have but one
issue. There was a short, passionate scufle
In moment Davis was flung upon his bed
aAd before his four powerful assailants re.
moved their hands from him, the blacksmith
aud his assistant had done their work-ont
securing the rivet on the right ankle, an6
the other turned the key in the paddock OF
the left.
This done, Davis lay for moment as if il
stupor. Then slowly raising himself anC
turning round, he dropped his shackled fee
to the floor The harsh clank of the striking
chain seemed first to have recalled him to hi
situation, and dropping his faceinto his hand,
be burst into passionate food of sobbiug
rocking to and fro, and muttering at brie
intervals: "Oh, the shame? the shame! |"
On the oath, the Doctor found his patien
feverish and emaciated, suffering from grea
irritation of mind and body, and chroni
neuralgia which had destroyed the sight O
his right eye. Too weak to bear his shackles
they ware taken off in four or FIVE days h