"Verily, 'tis your drum, by whose hands I have had a message heretofore. The chances of war have again brought him hither,--but now a prisoner!" "Gideon Greatbatch?" "The same. We have heard him, with many blasphemous allusions, liken himself unto that great one among the judges of Israel,--and truly he seems more fitted to wield the sword than the drum-stick!" "Your ladyship would perhaps indulge me with an interview. It might comfort him to see one from the camp." "Provided that no sinister design or advantage be lurking under this request. Yet am I speaking, I would fain hope, to a gentleman and a soldier." Moseley was conducted down a dark flight of steps, damp and slippery. The ooze and slime rendered his footing tedious and insecure. Soon he recognised the mighty voice of Gideon bellowing forth a triumphant psalm. Another stave was just commencing as the door opened, and the torch glared lurid and dismally on the iron features and grisly aspect of the captive. A pair of rude stocks, through which Gideon's long extremities protruded, stood in the middle of the dungeon. He scowled terrifically at the intruders; but suddenly resumed his exercise. "Still at thy devotions?" said Moseley; but the moody fanatic vouchsafed not to reply. "We must wait the finishing of this duty, I fear," said the captain, knowing that interruption would be useless. Silently they awaited the conclusion, when Gideon abruptly cried out-- "Captain Moseley, are ye, too, cast into this den of lions?" "I came hither on an embassage, and I have craved this visit ere I depart." "Hast furnished my breakfast?" inquired this stalwart knight from the enchanted wood. "I think your garrison be short of victual, or my"---- "Hold thy tongue, thou piece of ill-contrived impertinence," said the gaoler. "We have victual and drink too; but for such as thou art, it were an ill-bestowed morsel. I marvel what can have possessed my lady to keep thee alive!" The gaoler drew out from his provision bag a small dark-coloured loaf, which he threw at the hungry captive, who, to say the truth, had been half-starved since his imprisonment. Gideon was devouring it greedily without any further notice, when he suddenly cried out to his keeper-- "Where gat ye this coarse stuff? I would not say good-morrow to my dog with so crusty a meal." "It was tossed over the wall," replied the gaoler. "Our friends oft supply us that way with provision, captain. I picked it up as I came, and thought it was too good for thy dainty appetite." "Captain Moseley," said the hungry drummer, with great earnestness, "take this. Break it before thy brethren, and show them how vilely these Egyptian task-masters do entreat us in the house of bondage." There was something more than usually impressive in his manner. Moseley took the loaf as requested; and the gaoler, as if the object before him were beneath suspicion, exclaimed with a knowing look--