Tommy and one of the sailors had carried him his hammock, and a few
things from the ship's stores; and with this exception, they had but
little to eat for several days. Copeland had but a few days more to
remain, and, together with those who were with him, had exhausted
their means, in providing from day to day, during their
imprisonment. The poor woman who did their washing, a
generous-hearted mulatto, had brought them many things, for which
she asked no compensation. Her name was Jane Bee, and when the rules
of the jail made every man his own washerwoman, she frequently
washed for those who had nothing to pay her. But her means were
small, and she worked hard for a small pittance, and had nothing to
bring them for several days. They were forced to take the allowance
of bread, but could not muster resolution to eat the sickly meat.
Those who had suffered from it before, took it as a natural
consequence, looking to the time of their release, as if it was to
bring a happy change in their lives. But Manuel felt that it was an
unprecedented outrage upon his feelings, and was determined to
remonstrate against it. He knocked loudly at the door, and some of
the prisoners hearing it, reported to the jailer, who sent Daley to
answer it. As soon as the door was opened, he rushed past, and
succeeded in gaining the iron door that opened into the vestibule,
where he could converse with the Jailer, through the grating, before
Daley could stop him.
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