The relief that Major Dale brought was not in food alone.
"And there's the coffee!" he announced. "Will one of you boys just let that stand on the stove in the captain's private room?"
Tom jumped to comply. He readily found the means of lighting the secret room, and soon found other conveniences, such as water and cooking utensils.
Captain Mayberry had not forgotten how to eat. He was "almost human," as Nat whispered to Dorothy.
"Here, guard!" called the major. "Fetch that coffee. Help yourself." This to the captain. "We eat according to rank this time."
Captain Mayberry seemed to smile. He took the cup of coffee—then the others raised their cups to drink a toast.
"To the Guards!" proposed the major. "Long life and happiness to the last of them!"
It was a strange sight—the cracked and broken cups that Tom had secured in the captain's quarters raised to drink the honored toast!
"And a merry Christmas to Captain Mayberry!" called out Dorothy.
Old Abe dropped his cup—spilled his coffee. He looked down ruefully at the puddle on the floor.