"I shall endeavour to merit to the fullest the kindly eulogy which Monsieur le President bestows upon me." The news of Stephens' sentence spread like fire. Some believed that the penalty would not be carried out, but others thought it would.
"If this prisoner is pardoned, people will treat the sentences of the provisional authorities as jokes. Riel must be aware of this; therefore Stephens is likely to suffer the full penalty." Several persons called upon the tyrant and besought him to extend mercy to the condemned man; but he merely shrugged his shoulders!
"This prisoner has been in chronic rebellion. He has set bad example among the prisoners, assaulted his keeper, and loaded the Government with opprobrium. I may say to you, Messieurs, however, that I have really nothing to do with the man's case. In this time of tumult, when the operation of all laws is suspended, the court-martial is the only tribunal to which serious offenders can be referred. This young man Stephens has had fair trial, as fair as a British court-martial would have given him, and he has been sentenced to death. I assume that he would not have received such a sentence if he had not deserved it. Therefore I shall not interfere. There is no use, Messieurs, in pressing me upon the matter. At heart, I shall grieve as much as you to see the young man cut off; but his death I believe necessary now as an example to the hundreds who are desirous of overthrowing the authority which we have established in this district." The petitioners left the monster with sorrowful faces.
"My God!" one of them exclaimed, "it is frightful to murder this young man, whose only offence is resistance to insult from his debased half-breed keeper. Is there nothing to be done?"
No, there was nothing to be done. The greasy, vindictive tyrant was lord and master of the situation. When Riel was alone, he began once more to walk his room, and thus mused aloud:
"I shall go down to his cell. Perhaps he may tell me where she is to be found."
"Yes," he was sure that he would succeed: "I shall get his secret by promising pardon; then I will spit upon his face and say, 'Die, dog; I'll not spare you.'" So forth he sallied, and made his way to the cell where the young man sat in chains.
"Well, malignant tyrant, what do you here? Whatever your business is, let it be dispatched quickly; for your presence stifles me. What dishonourable proposal have you now to make?"
"Monsieur Stephens, it seems to be a pleasure to you to revile me. Yet have I sought to serve you;—yea, I would have been, would now be, your friend."
"Peace; let me hear what it is that you now propose?"