As it was past midnight, and they were all nearly
exhausted they allowed their curiosity to wait till the morrow, and,
without any questioning or speculation, fell fast asleep, most of
them remaining quiescent unfed late the following afternoon. When
they awoke they found a warm meal awaiting them, but no reply as to
the reason for their detention could be got out of the turnkey, who
seemed to think their question one of the greatest jokes ever
perpetrated within the precincts of that edifice. At last Fairfield
summoned the turnkey. There was something commanding in his tone
which bade the gaoler treat him with respect, and to his enquiry as
to whether he could see a lawyer the man replied that he could send
for one immediately, but would vouchsafe no information.
In a short time Councillor Quinn called in answer to Captain
Fairfield's summons, when the latter asked him to explain what
reason the authorities had for treating him in this fashion. The
eminent legal practitioner evidently thought this as great a joke as
did Mr. Fitzgerald, the turnkey, for he thrust his tongue in his
cheek, and remained silent. On Fairfield reiterating the question in
a stern tone he became more serious and said affably "My dear sir,
do you not know what you are arrested for?"
Fairfield then became angry and said "If I did, why would I send for
you to tell me? Is this your boasted Irish hospitality, in the
exercise of which you lock up every man who happens to be cast away
on your shores, and then laugh at him when he asks you a civil
question?"
On seeing that Fairfield had really lost his temper, the astonished
barrister said "Did you not command the party of armed men who were
captured last night in the harbor?"
"I commanded a crew of shipwrecked sailors, as also did my companion
in ill-treatment, Captain Westover.
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