'Carry him out
amongst you, and let us shut up the house.'
They did so. Picking up the bound man, the four soldiers staggered
clumsily into the silent square in front of the inn, the woman following
with the cap and the overcoat. The young soldiers quickly unfastened the
braces from the prisoner's legs, and they hopped indoors. They were in
their stocking-feet, and outside the stars flashed cold. They stood in
the doorway watching. The man lay quite still on the cold ground.
'Now,' said the sergeant, in a subdued voice, 'I'll loosen the knot, and
he can work himself free, if you go in, Missis.'
She gave a last look at the dishevelled, bound man, as he sat on the
ground. Then she went indoors, followed quickly by the sergeant. Then
they were heard locking and barring the door.
The man seated on the ground outside worked and strained at the rope. But
it was not so easy to undo himself even now. So, with hands bound, making
an effort, he got on his feet, and went and worked the cord against the
rough edge of an old wall. The rope, being of a kind of plaited grass,
soon frayed and broke, and he freed himself. He had various contusions.
His arms were hurt and bruised from the bonds. He rubbed them slowly.
Then he pulled his clothes straight, stooped, put on his cap, struggled
into his overcoat, and walked away.
The stars were very brilliant. Clear as crystal, the beam from the
lighthouse under the cliffs struck rhythmically on the night.
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