Page 630 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

someone speaking. I know who that is.’ And forthwith took
from its pegs one of the bridles just described, and a pair of
handcuffs.
I followed him to one of the cells, which he opened, and
therein was a man lying on his straw mat, undressed, and
to all appearance fast asleep. Gimblett ordered him to get
up and dress himself. He did so, and came into the yard,
where Gimblett inserted the iron-wood gag in his mouth.
The sound produced by his breathing through it (which ap-
peared to be done with great difficulty) resembled a low,
indistinct whistle. Gimblett led him to the lamp-post in the
yard, and I saw that the victim of his wanton tyranny was
the poor blind wretch Mooney. Gimblett placed him with
his back against the lamp-post, and his arms being taken
round, were secured by handcuffs round the post. I was told
that the old man was to remain in this condition for three
hours. I went at once to the Commandant. He invited me
into his drawing-room— an invitation which I had the good
sense to refuse—but refused to listen to any plea for mercy.
‘The old impostor is always making his blindness an excuse
for disobedience,’ said he.—And this is her husband.