"We will see whether you will come," said the colonel, as the men approached. I have an objection to bruises and undignified struggles; so I concluded to go.
"If you will kindly lead," I said, "I'll follow." I am happy to say that I retained my calmness and presence of mind.
"Come on behind him, Crothers, and you too, Turner," said the colonel. "We will take no more chances with him."
The two men closed up behind me, the colonel marched on before, and I was the convict in the middle. Thus we stalked back into Fort Defiance. Before I entered the door I saw Grace Hetherill looking from an upper window; her face expressed an alarm which I did not feel. I smiled at her in virtue of our brief comradeship of the morning, but she did not smile back: we had stalked out of view the next moment.
The colonel led the way to the little room or cell which I had occupied during the previous night, and showed me in, with scant—very scant—courtesy.
"It will be necessary to search you," he said. "We know not what further sketches or maps of Fort Defiance you may have concealed about you."
I think on the whole I am a tolerant man, but at this proposed indignity my stomach revolted.
"I will not submit to a search," I said. "You have no right to do such a thing."
"It is in perfect accordance with the laws of war," replied the colonel, very calmly. "Spies are always searched. I do not see upon what ground you base your protest."