To them it mattered little
whether he had arrows in his hands, or had yielded himself an unarmed
prisoner. He knew the risk he ran in submitting, and he had probably
consulted his own character, rather than their benefit, in throwing away
his arms. They therefore pronounced the judgment of death against their
captive merely respecting the decree of their white allies, which had
commanded them to spare the torture.
So soon as this determination was known, the Commissioners of the
Colony hastened away from the spot with consciences that required some
aid from the stimulus of their subtle doctrines, in order to render
them quiet. They were, however, ingenious casuists; and as they hurried
along their return path, most of the party were satisfied that they had
rather manifested a merciful interposition, than exercised any act of
positive cruelty.
During the two or three hours which had passed on these solemn and
usual preparations, Conanchet was seated on a rock, a close but
apparently an unmoved spectator of all that passed. His eye was mild,
and at times melancholy; but its brightness and its steadiness remained
unimpaired.
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