Swindon.  You are aware, I presume, Mr. Anderson, of your obligations as a subject of His Majesty King George the Third.

Richard.  I am aware, sir, that His Majesty King George the Third is about to hang me because I object to Lord North’s robbing me.

Swindon.  That is a treasonable speech, sir.

Richard (briefly).  Yes.  I meant it to be.

Burgoyne (strongly deprecating this line of defence, but still polite).  Don’t you think, Mr. Anderson, that this is rather—­if you will excuse the word—­a vulgar line to take?  Why should you cry out robbery because of a stamp duty and a tea duty and so forth?  After all, it is the essence of your position as a gentleman that you pay with a good grace.

Richard.  It is not the money, General.  But to be swindled by a pig-headed lunatic like King George.

Swindon (scandalised).  Chut, sir—­silence!

Sergeant (in stentorian tones, greatly shocked).  Silence!

Burgoyne (unruffled).  Ah, that is another point of view.  My position does not allow of my going into that, except in private.  But (shrugging his shoulders) of course, Mr. Anderson, if you are determined to be hanged (Judith flinches), there’s nothing more to be said.  An unusual taste! however (with a final shrug)—!

Swindon (to Burgoyne).  Shall we call witnesses?

Richard.  What need is there of witnesses?  If the townspeople here had listened to me, you would have found the streets barricaded, the houses loopholed, and the people in arms to hold the town against you to the last man.  But you arrived, unfortunately, before we had got out of the talking stage; and then it was too late.

Swindon (severely).  Well, sir, we shall teach you and your townspeople a lesson they will not forget.  Have you anything more to say?

Richard.  I think you might have the decency to treat me as a prisoner of war, and shoot me like a man instead of hanging me like a dog.

Burgoyne (sympathetically).  Now there, Mr. Anderson, you talk like a civilian, if you will excuse my saying so.  Have you any idea of the average marksmanship of the army of His Majesty King George the Third?  If we make you up a firing party, what will happen?  Half of them will miss you:  the rest will make a mess of the business and leave you to the provo-marshal’s pistol.  Whereas we can hang you in a perfectly workmanlike and agreeable way.  (Kindly) Let me persuade you to be hanged, Mr. Anderson?

Judith (sick with horror).  My God!

Richard (to Judith).  Your promise! (To Burgoyne) Thank you, General:  that view of the case did not occur to me before.  To oblige you, I withdraw my objection to the rope.  Hang me, by all means.

Burgoyne (smoothly).  Will 12 o’clock suit you, Mr. Anderson?

Richard.  I shall be at your disposal then, General.