Regimental Prisoners 1 4 7 



about. The handle of a broom-stick was put into their 

 mouths as a gag, and fastened behind their heads, and this 

 was not removed except to give them food and drink, and 

 then replaced. They were constantly visited, and asked 

 if they would agree to be quiet, but Thomas held out for 

 twelve hours before he gave in ; and Brown did not 

 succumb until twenty-four hours had elapsed. When, 

 however, they had once passed their word to be quiet, they 

 gave no further trouble whatever ; and the discipline they 

 had been subjected to had a most excellent effect upon the 

 wild spirits we were inundated with. 



When Brown came up for trial before the court- 

 martial, warned by previous experience, I took especial 

 precautions, for I felt sure that if he had a chance he 

 would " go for " the officers composing the court. Select- 

 ing four of the biggest privates in the regiment, men of 

 known determined character, for the escort, and placing 

 two on each side, I gave them orders that when the com- 

 mand was given to halt, the two men on the flanks were 

 to take a pace forward, and then to face inwards. A lane 

 was thus formed through which the prisoner must pass 

 before he could attack the court, and all had orders to 

 knock him down at once if he moved. Behind him a 

 picked sergeant was stationed with similar orders, and 

 guarded thus in every direction, he remained as peace- 

 able as a lamb. He was sentenced to be dismissed 

 from the service at the end of his punishment, and 

 we saw him no more; but before his departure he said 

 that an unfair advantage had been taken of him, for he 

 had fully made up his mind to attack the court until he 

 saw that it was absolutely useless for him to make the 

 attempt. 



