We did as we were told, at the same time I could not help wondering what worse could befall us, than a drum-head court-martial with hanging to follow.
I stopped behind Jill long enough to ask the officer this question:
“They won’t hang our little sister Mattie?”
“No, not likely, we’ll make much of her.”
He caught Mattie up as he spoke, and soon had her laughing and crowing like a mad thing as he galloped round the deck with her on his shoulder.
“They won’t hang Mattie,” I said to Jill.
“No,” said Jill, “that is one good thing.”
“Well, do you want to be hanged, Jill?”
“I don’t think I should like it much.”
“Well, nothing can save us, you know.”