The night was close and sultry, and
the arched veranda, outside, further hindered the circulation of the
air. This was still heavy with the fumes of powder, creating an
intolerable thirst. Scarcely were the prisoners driven into their
narrow cell where, even standing wedged closely together, there was
barely room for them, than cries for water were raised.
"Tim, my boy," Charlie said to his companion, "we may say goodbye to
each other now, for I doubt if one will be alive, when the door is
opened in the morning."
On entering Charlie, always keeping Ada Haines by his side, had taken
his place against the wall farthest from the window, which was closed
with iron bars.
"I think, yer honor," Tim said, "that if we could get nearer to the
window, we might breathe a little more easily."
"Ay, Tim; but there will be a fight for life round that window, before
long. You and I might hold our own, if we could get there, though it
would be no easy matter where all are struggling for life; but this
poor little girl would be crushed to death. Besides, I believe that
what chance there is, faint as it may be, is greater for us here than
there. The rush towards the window, which is beginning already, as you
see, will grow greater and greater; and the more men struggle and
strive, the more air they require.
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