The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1866-06-29


ct 'y tn black 'mlth of the fort and his
assistant, the latter carrying in his hand
the rattlng sha tkles. Mr. Davis was re-
cll"lng on his bel, fever'sh AMI weary
after slrrple,s night, the food tlaced
near him The previous day, still lying un-
touched OF It, tin plate near his bedside.
"Weh! said MIR Davis slightly raising
his head
II have an Important duty TO perform,
SIR, said Capt T,low, and as he spoke
the senior blacksmith tnok the shaokles
fr"m his assistant.
Davis !eapc instantly from hi, recual,
bent e'1i'ude, flush passing over his
face tor mnineHt, ant then his counte.
nance grew lvld aud rigid as death. He
gasped for breaih, clurching his throat
with the thin finger, OF his right hand,
AMI then recovering himself slowly, while
his wasted figure lowered up to its full
helsht-now appearing to swell with in
diguation and then to shrink with terror
as he glanced from the captains face to
the shackles--he said slowly with la
boring chest:
"My God ! You cannot have been sent
to iron me 2"
"Such are my orders, sir,'' replied the
"ticer, reckoning he blacksmith to ap.
preach, who stepped forward, unlocking
the paddock and preparing the letters to
do their Office. Tnesa letters were of
heavy iron, probably ive-eightI,s of an
inch in thickness, and connected together
by chain of like weight
"Thls is too monstr,us," groaued the
prisoner, glarlng hurriedly around the
room, as If for some weapon or means of
self destruction. demand. Captain, that
you let me see the commanding officer
Can he pretend that such shackles are re.
quired to secure the safe custody of u weak
old man, 50 guarded and in such fort as
this ?"
cit could serve no purpose" replied
Captain Titlow; "his orders are from
Washington as nine are from him"
''But he can telegraph interposed
Mr.. Davis eagerly, "there must be some
mist Ike. No such outrage as you threat
Ell me with is on record in the history
of nations. Big him to telegraph and
delay until lie answers "
"My orders are per,mptory,' said the
officer, "and admlr of no delay. For
your owu sake, let me advise you to sue
nit with patience. As soldier, Mr..
Davis, You know | must execute Or
ders "
"These are not orders for soldier"
shouted the prisoner, losing all control
of himself They are orders Tor jailer
for hangman, which 40 soldier wear
ing sword should accept! | tell you
the world will ring with this Disgrace
The war is over; the South is conquered
| have no longer any country but Ameri-
Ca, and it is for the honor of America, as
for my own honor aud life, that | plead
against this degradation. Kill me! kill
me he cried, pls,innately, throwing his
arms wide open and exposing his breast,
"rather than lnalct on me, and on my
people through NE, this insult worse than
death.
"Do your duty, blacksmith" said the
officer, walking towards the embrasuro as
if not caring to witness the performance.
at only gives increased pain IN all sides
to protract this interview
At these words the blacksmith advau.
ced with the shacklvs, and seeing that the
prisoner had one foot upon the chair near
his 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 tie weakest invalid, Mr.
Davis suddenly seized his assailant and
hurled him halfway across the room.
On this Captain Titlow turned and see-
ing that Davis had backed against the
wall for further resistance, began to re-
monstrate, pointing out in brief, clear
language, that this course was madness
aud that orders must be enforced at any
cost. "Why compel me- he said, "to
add the further iudignity Of personal
violence to the necessity Of your being
ironed p
81 am prisoner of war;" 6ercely re
torted Davis, II have been soldier in
the armies of America, and know how to
die. Only kill me, and my last breath
shall be u blessing on your head. But
while | have life and strength to resist,
for myself and for my people, this thing
shall not be done"
Heleupun Captain Titlow called in
sergeant and file of soldiers from the next
room, and the sergeant advanced to seize
the prisoner Immediately Mr.. Davis
flew Cd him, seized his musket, and at.
tempted to wrench it from his grasp.
Of course such a scene could have but
one issue. There was short, passionate
scuff1e. Iu a moment Davis was flung
upon his bed, and before his four power
full assailants removed their hands from
him, the blacksmith and his assistant had
done their work-one securing the rivet
on the right ankle, while the other turn
ed the key in the paddock on the left.
1t may here be stated, though out of