Depend on it, this will soon settle the other yards. One
example will be enough. A rough beginning will make a speedy ending."

"But these men," said Major Kelly sternly, and with evident disgust, "are
not rascals, they are not to be treated as _canaille_. The only crime
they are guilty of is fighting for their country. That they want to
escape, however foolish, is only natural. Of course they must be put
down, even if it should cost some lives: but I should prefer trying
milder measures first. What do you say, gentlemen?"

The other officers all fell in with their commander's idea: for, as a
rule, the majority of officers partake of the spirit of their chief
without any subserviency; and thus, as we so often find, a Colonel makes
or mars his regiment.

"Then we must have help from Peterborough," said the Major. "Take a
message from me, Captain Martin, to the officer in command there. Say
that I want all the men he can spare, and specially every troop of
yeomanry he can muster, for we may have to scour the country. My horse
shall be at the main gate in ten minutes--you know he is a good one; and
you, Captain, like a fair pace."

The gallant Captain smiled as he saluted, and in less than ten minutes he
was in the saddle and flying like a meteor along the road, for he was a
very Jehu.

The stone steps by which the officers mounted are still to be seen where
the main entrance was.

And what were the French and other officers doing all this time?

They had all along known of the intended outbreak, and urgent requests
had in some way been made to them that they would take part in it. But
with some few exceptions, they had positively refused. Not, however,
without much acrimonious debate. Those who were in favour of joining in
the mutiny were some captains of privateers, whose sense of honour was
not rendered more acute by their manner of life, and two or three army
officers of indifferent character, who had either abused their parole, or
never obtained it.

A night or two before the crisis, the dispute became very violent.

"What a shame," cried one of the malcontents, "that we, who are ready for
anything to get free, should be hindered by you careful and very
scrupulous gentlemen!"

"We are not hindering you," replied Villemet: "get out if you can
whenever you like. We heartily wish all the prisoners may get out. None
of us will interfere."

"But you will not help us: and not to help is to hinde