Page:Mistress Madcap Surrenders (1926).pdf/270

 Captain Freeman's gaze followed hers and, reading its meaning, he flushed angrily and turned impulsively to Captain Littell.

"Sir, have I your permission to deal wi' one o' the prisoners as I see fit?" he asked.

"Aye, sir!" responded Captain Littell.

"S-s-sir!" sputtered Simpson wildly.

No one paid the slightest attention. Every pair of eyes was fixed upon Hawtree's face who, aware of what was coming, looked at the floor in pretended unconcern.

"Hawtree"—Anthony Freeman spoke so sharply that involuntarily the rogue looked at him—"I charge ye briefly wi' being a spy, a traitor to New Jersey, a man who mistreats women and children, and a being no longer fit to live. I, therefore, sentence ye to immediate death by hanging!"

There was a breathless silence. Then, slowly, Hawtree's face turned to a dirty yellow, and there was an audible gasp from Simpson. Before any of the Tories could speak, however, Mehitable swept forward with her head up.

"Captain Littell," she said in a ringing voice, "I demand trial at Morris Town for this man Hawtree and a sentence not given in anger!"

Captain Littell, painfully embarrassed, glanced at the younger officer. Before he could speak, however, the other man bowed.

"May it please ye, sir, to do as the lady re-