The Tree That Saved Connecticut Part 13

Yes--yes--

w.i.l.l.yS

In your hands!

ANDROS

Sir! If you don't tell me where that charter is--

w.i.l.l.yS

What then, sir?

ANDROS

Do you see this oak tree?

w.i.l.l.yS

I'm not blind, sir.

ANDROS

I'll have you strung up--strung up in it, sir; I'll have you strung up in it!

w.i.l.l.yS

I should hate to have such a fine tree perverted to such a purpose, sir!

ANDROS

Ah! You would! Colonel Bligh! Colonel!

BLIGH [_distance_]

Yes, Governor!

ANDROS

Send me half a dozen soldiers and a stout rope!

BLIGH

Yes, sir!

ANDROS

Ah! Now perhaps we'll get something from you. Will you tell me or will you be hanged by your thumbs from that stout limb up there until you are ready to tell me where the charter is?

TREAT

Governor Andros, I fear you have forgotten yourself in your rage.

Master w.i.l.l.ys is ent.i.tled to a trial before any such punishment can be meted out to him.

ANDROS

Silence, or I'll have you strung up with him! Gad, sir, I'll fill this oak tree with stiff-necked rebellious Connecticut men, but I'll have that charter!

BLIGH

Here are your men, sir!

ANDROS

Good! One of you climb that oak tree. Here, you, Sergeant.

VOICE

Yes, sir!

ANDROS

Give him a hand there. [_sound of starting to climb the tree_] Have the men found anything in the house, Colonel?

BLIGH

Not a thing, sir!

WADSWORTH

Look here, sir.

ANDROS

Ah, Captain Wadsworth. Have you something to say?

WADSWORTH

I have, sir.

ANDROS

Speak out.

WADSWORTH

Tell those men to stay out of that tree and I'll tell you.