“I do.”
“I am.”
“That’s me.”
“Oh, spare us!”
Such were the unanimous answers of all, and in one breath.
“Ha! ha! you have answered at last, eh? Well, then, since there are no good nor brave men, but plenty of cowards, we’ll hang you altogether, for none of you deserve to live.”
Groans were now heard on all sides, and many repented not having answered before.
“If there had been only a few brave men among you I would have spared——”
“I’m brave! I’m brave!”
“I’ll do any mortal thing.”