Indeed we all became so attached to him that we hoped nobody would
ever claim him. And, as twelve months had passed, I gave up all hope
of ever hearing from Mrs. Fairfield again.
Fairfield had been confined in Pentenville, having been convicted on
a charge of felony-treason, and sentenced to five years' imprisonment.
His wife and, friends not having heard of his trial, no one was
present to bear testimony in his favor, and both he and his men
(many of whom happened to be Irishmen) were imprisoned. The Americans
claimed the protection of their flag, a covering which proved
sufficiently substantial to protect them, but the only flag which
could have been claimed by poor unfortunate George was the very one
he was accused of attacking.
As the British Government did not wish to deal harshly with Fenian
prisoners, or, as its enemies said, was afraid to trample any longer
on the Irish people, George Fairfield and his companions, in common
with many real Fenians, were liberated some years before the
expiration of their term of servitude. Fairfield at once sought his
late home, hoping to find his wife and child still alive, and
cursing his fate, which had cast him twice on the pitiless ocean,
only to be arrested and imprisoned as soon as he got to land.
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