Robinson coiled himself up a little tighter, and hugged his hatred of all mankind closer, like a treasure that some one had just tried to do him out of.

As the chaplain came out of his cell he was met by Hawes, whose countenance wore a gloomy expression that soon found its way into words.

“The chaplain is not allowed to interfere between me and the prisoners in this jail.”

“Explain, Mr. Hawes.”

“You have been and ordered my turnkeys to relax punishment.”

“You forget, Mr. Hawes, I explained to you that they were acting without the requisite authority from you.”

“That is all right, and I have called them to account, but then you are not to order them either; you should have applied to me.”

“I see, I see!  Forgive me this little breach of routine where a human being’s sufferings would have been prolonged by etiquette.”

“Ugh!  Well, it must not occur again.”

“I trust the occasion will not.”

“For that matter, you will often see refractory prisoners punished in this jail.  You had better mind your own business in the jail, it will find you work enough.”

“I will, Mr. Hawes; to dissuade men from cruelty is a part of it.”

“If you come between me and the prisoners, sir, you won’t be long here.”

The new chaplain smiled.

“What does it matter whether I’m here or in Patagonia, so that I do my duty wherever I am?” said he with a fine mixture of good-humor and spirit.

Hawes turned his back rudely and went and reduced Robinson’s supper fifty per cent.

“Evans, is that sort of punishment often inflicted here?”

“Well, sir, yes.  It is a common punishment of this jail.”

“It must be very painful.”

“No, sir, it’s a little oncomfortable that is all; and then we’ve got such a lot here we are obliged to be down on ’em like a sledge-hammer, or they’d eat us up alive.”

“Have you got the things, the jacket, collar, etc.?”

“I know where to find them,” said Evans with a sly look.

“Bring them to me directly to this empty cell.”

“Well, sir,” higgled Evans, “in course I don’t like to refuse your reverence.”

“Then don’t refuse me,” retorted the other, sharp as a needle.

Evans went off directly and soon returned with the materials.  The chaplain examined them a while; he then took off his coat.

“Operate on me, Evans.”

“Operate on you, sir!”

“Yes!  There, don’t stand staring, my good man; hold up the waistcoat—­now strap it tight—­tighter—­no nonsense—­Robinson was strapped tighter than that yesterday.  I want to know what we are doing to our fellow-creatures in this place.  The collar now.”

“But, sir, the collar will nip you.  I tell you that beforehand.”

“Not more than it nips my prisoners.  Now strap me to the wall.  Why do you hesitate?”