Jack’s lips whitened. He was little more than a lad, and the incredible attitude of this officer of the United States army, from whom he had the right to expect support, confounded him. He had yet to learn, as the country had yet to learn, that the United States army was then officered by many men who had gotten their positions by political influence and were totally unfitted for their work—men who were to bring disgrace and dishonor on the American flag.
Doggedly, Jack tried to protest. “The boy is white, lieutenant,” he interrupted. “You’ve only to look at him to see that. For the rest, this man is perverting the facts. He committed a wanton murder, and if it makes the Indians rise——”
“Let ’em rise and be d—d! Who cares whether they rise or not?” Mr. Hibbs hesitated a moment and then went on. “We’ve just got news from General Hull. He’s crossed into Canada and scattered the redcoats and the red devils. We’ll have all Canada in a month. And if any of the Injuns anywhere try to make trouble we’ll shoot ’em. And if any white-livered curs from the east try to make trouble we’ll shoot them, too. Wolf was a d— sight better man than you’ll ever be.”
Jack threw his head back and his jaw stiffened. The insults that had been heaped upon him made his blood boil. But he remembered that Mr. Hibbs was an officer in the army of his country and, as such, entitled to respect.
“Sir!” he said, almost gently. “I will not enter into comparisons or arguments. I have done what I thought was my duty. I am an American citizen and it is surely my duty, as it is yours, sir, to try to prevent friends from turning into foes——”
“My duty!” Mr. Hibbs broke in with a roar. “You’ll teach me my duty, will you? By God! We’ll see.” He swung round. “Officer of the guard!” he trumpeted.
“Sir!” An officer stepped forward.
“Call two men and take this young cub to the calaboose and flog him well. We’ll teach him to meddle in matters that don’t concern him.”
Flogging was common in those days. Privates in the army were flogged for all sorts of misdeeds.
The crowd surged forward. Beyond question its sympathies were with Hibbs and against Jack. The note of savagery in its snarl would have frightened most men.