That spade that they wanted
me to dig my grave with was a good friend of mine."
"Where they made a mistake was not digging the grave themselves
and letting your hands stay tied," said Billy. "But here comes the
lieutenant."
Lieutenant Winter came along the line and greeted Tom warmly.
"Good work you did with that spade, Bradford," he said with a
twinkle in his eye. "It simply shows that in fighting it's the man
more than the weapon that counts. Well, you're safe with us again,
and I'm glad on my own account and for the sake of the regiment.
We couldn't afford to lose a good two-fisted fighter like you. As
soon as you've been to mess I'll want to see you again and
question you on what you've learned while you've been a prisoner."
He passed on to look after the captives and set a guard to
maintain order in the town. The ringleaders had been captured, and
the rest of the Spartacides were cowed and bewildered. And now,
encouraged by the presence of the Americans, the more decent
element of the community again asserted themselves and the rioters
either fled or went into hiding.
The company cook had been busy foraging, and soon had a hot
breakfast ready for the detachment, who after their long vigil in
the cold and darkness fell upon it like so many hungry wolves.
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