So I only said:
"You're not going to be hanged. None of us are."
Both men laughed, and the slave said:
"Ye have not ranked as a fool--before. You might better keep
your reputation, seeing the strain would not be for long."
"It will stand it, I reckon. Before to-morrow we shall be out
of prison, and free to go where we will, besides."
The witty officer lifted at his left ear with his thumb, made
a rasping noise in his throat, and said:
"Out of prison--yes--ye say true. And free likewise to go where
ye will, so ye wander not out of his grace the Devil's sultry realm."
I kept my temper, and said, indifferently:
"Now I suppose you really think we are going to hang within
a day or two."
"I thought it not many minutes ago, for so the thing was decided
and proclaimed."
"Ah, then you've changed your mind, is that it?"
"Even that. I only _thought_, then; I _know_, now."
I felt sarcastical, so I said:
"Oh, sapient servant of the law, condescend to tell us, then,
what you _know_."
"That ye will all be hanged _to-day_, at mid-afternoon! Oho! that
shot hit home! Lean upon me.
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