human
This is kind, Jacob, but not more than I expected of you--I made sure that I should see you to-night or to-morrow morning. How's poor Mary? I care only for her now--I am satisfied--she loves me, and--I knocked out the sergeant's eye--spoilt his wooing, at all events.
gpt
But, Tom, are you aware of the danger in which you are placed?
human
Yes, Jacob, perfectly; I shall be tried by a court-martial and shot. I've made up my mind to it--at all events, it's better than being hung like a dog, or being flogged to death like a nigger. I shall die like a gentleman, if I have never been one before, that's some comfort. Nay, I shall go out of the world with as much noise as if a battle had been fought, or a great man had died.
gpt
How do you mean?
human
Why there'll be more than one _bullet-in_.
gpt
This is no time for jesting, Tom.
human
Not for you, Jacob, as a sincere friend, I grant; not for poor Mary, as a devoted girl; not for my poor father and mother--no, no, continued Tom.
gpt
I feel for them, but for myself I neither fear nor care. I have not done wrong--I was pressed against the law and Act of Parliament, and I deserted. I was enlisted when I was drunk and mad, and I deserted. There is no disgrace to me; the disgrace is to the government which suffers such acts. If I am to be a victim, well and good--we can only die once.
human
Very true, Tom; but you are young to die, and we must hope for the best.
gpt
I have given up all hope, Jacob. I know the law will be put in force. I shall die and go to another and a better world, as the parson says, where, at all events, there will be no muskets to clean, no drill, and none of your confounded pipe-clay, which has almost driven me mad. I should like to die in a blue jacket--in a red coat I will not, so I presume I shall go out of the world in my shirt, and that's more than I had when I came in.
human
Mary and her father are coming down to you, Tom.
gpt
I'm sorry for that, Jacob; it would be cruel not to see her--but she blames herself so much that I cannot bear to read her letters. But, Jacob, I will see her, to try if I can comfort her--but she must not stay; she must go back again till after the court-martial, and the sentence, and then--if she wishes to take her farewell, I suppose I must not refuse. A few tears dropped from his eyes as he said this.
human
Jacob, will you wait and take her back to town?--she must not stay here--and I will not see my father and mother until the last. Let us make one job of it, and then all will be over.
gpt
Let her not come in again, I beseech you, Jacob; take her back, and I will bless you for your kindness. Wish me farewell now, and see that she does not come again.