"Threats—threats and big words. We know you, I say; we see through you. A place-seeker, who tried to lead that he might gratify his own cursed vanity. Now you are a pious prig and teach in the school and say your prayers, I dare say! Much good your leadership did—you with big patriotic words on your lips and an English girl in your mean heart!"
"Leave that, or I'll——"
"Do it—do it! D'you think I fear you? I'm leader now—leader of braver men than ever listened to you. Touch me, and a hundred men will break every bone in your body! A Yankee—you! I'll swear, if the truth was known, we should find you were leagued with Judas Leverett himself. Take that pill and swallow it, you canting humbug!"
Stark fell back and stared at his old companion.
"You!" he cried. "Bill Burnham to say that to me!"
He was silent and the other repeated his charge.
"I'll speak with you when you're sober then."
"And what will you say?" began the younger; but Stark turned from him; and at the same moment a peculiar whistle, used by his gang as a signal, told Burnham that he was wanted. Captain Short, with a bodyguard of armed troops, had appeared, and he desired to speak with a representative of the prisoners.
Burnham, with Ira Anson, stepped forward, and the rest of the mischief-makers stood in a group and watched them.
"Do you speak for these troublesome men?" asked the Commandant.