“Have you silenced that d—d guard?” was asked.
“Yes, cut his wizzen. No danger. Hurry with the train of powder!”
“Gentlemen!” yelled Walker, “don’t go any further. I am not the man!”
“Quick—fire the train!” exclaimed a voice outside.
A flash was seen, and then another said:
“Curse it, the train has failed. Throw the torch among the shells, and then run!”
Walker waited to hear no more, but throwing himself with all his violence against the door, he set up a series of yells, which made the camp ring. In a moment steps were heard, the door was thrown open, and Walker, livid with fear, and frantic, staggered into the open air, gasping for breath. When he had sufficiently recovered his fright to listen, the commander of the squad said:
“The powder-plot has been discovered, sir. There is no further danger on that head. But you will return to your cell!”
This order Walker was compelled to obey, and he was again left in darkness, with feelings better imagined than described.