The other prisoners, who had watched the execution of their comrade with evident interest, made flattering remarks concerning the skill of the swordsman. The next to die smiled, and prepared himself calmly, stretching his neck as far forward as it was possible for him to do without losing his balance. I felt deadly sick, and could not bring myself to watch the succeeding decapitations, which were carried out with similar skill and expedition. The bodies of the condemned were handed over to their families, but their heads, attached to the top of a tall bamboo pole, were exposed at the entrance of the fort as an example to all rebels. The authorities had decided not to hurry on the trial of Linh-Nghi, in the hope that they would eventually succeed in obtaining information from him. He was interrogated during several days by the two mandarins, who failed, however, to extract the slightest indication of the strength of the enemy or the whereabouts of their positions. After the departure of these functionaries, our commander made several attempts, with the aid of Tho as an interpreter, to break through the reserve of the chieftain, but without success. The treatment accorded him was a humane one; his diet was unstinted, and his parents, an aged, white-haired couple, were allowed to visit him as often as they chose during the daytime. His wife--for so the woman whom we had found with him proved to be--remained constantly by him, and attended to all his wants. To one privation only was he submitted, and that was the want of opium. On this point our Captain was obdurate, and though Linh-Nghi, who was well supplied with money, offered to purchase the drug, his craving was not allowed satisfaction. To all his entreaties the same reply was given: "Speak! tell us what we ask of you, and you shall have opium--the very best--at our expense."