“Well, then, was Joram's attempt at suicide a real or a feigned one?” “Well, I should say it was a real one. I found him insensible and he did not come to for best part of a quarter of an hour.” “Open his cell.” “Joram, I am here from the Secretary of State to ask you some questions. Answer them truly and without fear. Some months ago you made an attempt on your life.” The prisoner shuddered and hung his head. “Don't be discouraged, Joram,” put in Mr. Eden kindly, “this gentleman is not a harsh judge, he will make allowances.” “Thank you, gentlemen.” “What made you attempt your life?” persisted Mr. Lacy. “Was it from religious despondency?” “That it was not. What did I know about religion before his reverence here came to the jail? No, sir, I was clammed to death.” “Clammed?” “Yes, sir, clammed and no mistake.” “North-country word for starved,” explained Mr. Eden. “No, sir, I was starved as well. It was very cold weather, and they gave me nothing but a roll of bread no bigger than my fist once a day for the best part of a week. So being starved with cold and clammed with hunger I knew I couldn't live many hours more, and then the pain in my vitals was so dreadful, sir, I was obliged to cut it short. Ay! ay! your reverence, I know it was very wicked--but what was I to do? If I hadn't attempted my life I shouldn't be alive now. A poor fellow doesn't know what to do in such a place as this.” “Well,” said Mr. Lacy, “I promise you your food shall never be tampered with again.” “Thank you, sir. Oh! I have nothing to complain of now, sir; they have never clammed me since I attempted my life.” Mr. Eden. “Suicide is at a premium here.” “What was your first offense?” asked Mr. Lacy. “Writing on my can.” “What did you write on the can?” “I wrote, 'I want to speak to the governor.'” “Couldn't you ring and ask to see him?” “Ring and ask? I had rung half a dozen times and asked to see him and could not get to see him. My hand was blistered, and I wanted to ask him to put me on a different sort of work till such time as it could get leave to heal.”