Page 631 - for-the-term-of-his-natural-life

CHAPTER IX. THE

LONGEST STRAW.

ufus Dawes hearing, when ‘on the chain’ the next day,
Rof the wanton torture of his friend, uttered no threat of
vengeance, but groaned only. ‘I am not so strong as I was,’
said he, as if in apology for his lack of spirit. ‘They have un-
nerved me.’ And he looked sadly down at his gaunt frame
and trembling hands.
‘I can’t stand it no longer,’ said Mooney, grimly. ‘I’ve
spoken to Bland, and he’s of my mind. You know what we
resolved to do. Let’s do it.’
Rufus Dawes stared at the sightless orbs turned inquir-
ingly to his own. The fingers of his hand, thrust into his
bosom, felt a token which lay there. A shudder thrilled him.
‘No, no. Not now,’ he said.
‘You’re not afeard, man?’ asked Mooney, stretching out
his hand in the direction of the voice. ‘You’re not going to
shirk?’ The other avoided the touch, and shrank away, still
staring. ‘You ain’t going to back out after you swored it,
Dawes? You’re not that sort. Dawes, speak, man!’
‘Is Bland willing?’ asked Dawes, looking round, as if to
seek some method of escape from the glare of those unspec-
ulative eyes.
‘Ay, and ready. They flogged him again yesterday.’

0 For the Term of His Natural Life