"The execution took place at daybreak. I waited on the firing party. When the wretched Lirico was dealt upon, I passed round and gave the men to drink from a spirit keg which I had specially provided. Then, while they feasted upon the drugged spirit, I passed round and reloaded the muskets for what they thought the final butchery."
"Well, well, do not torture me, girl. Quick, tell me the end."
"Can you not guess?"
"No, no. Quick, tell me all."
"In loading the muskets I forgot the bullets."
"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed old Jack, half-hysterically. "I see it all now, brave girl."
"The rest was no easy task. As the men fired, they fell back in the grave and simulated death, as I had instructed them overnight; and now you can understand how I saw them in the grave and yet can prove that they live."
"I do. Girl, you are brave and good; I know not how to thank you for the lives of my poor boys."
"The night before their great trial, I exacted a solemn promise from them that they would follow me to a hiding place without the least offer of resistance."
"I begin to see. But how did you contrive—"