Theodore Winthrop

“ A single glance gave Major Skerrett these objects and impressions. He turned to the mistress of the house. She sat, baffled and glaring, held in the arm-chair by the two men.
“Madam,” said Skerrett gravely, “I regret that I must confine you. You have shown your power to do harm, and threatened more. I cannot take you with me for safety. If I left you free, you could start pursuit, and we should be caught and hung, as you desire. ”

“ Boys, tie her in the chair. So as not to hurt her now; but carefully, so that she cannot stir hand or foot. I hate to seem to maltreat a woman.”
They belted her and corded her fast in the chair. She wrestled frantically, and cursed them with unwomanly words, such as no woman should know.
“There you are, ma’am, fast!” says Galsworthy, drawing back. “You’re tied so you won’t feel it, and so you can’t hurt yourself or anybody else.”
Skerrett heaped up the fire to burn steadily and slowly. Then, with great tenderness of manner, he laid a shawl over Mrs. Brothertoft’s shoulders. ”

“ He had received the other party’s fire unscathed. Now his turn was come. He proudly covered his invisible antagonist with his pistol at full cock.
“Apologize, sir,” whispered Plato, “or —”
Here came his mistress’s loud scream for help.
Plato was petrified.
Mrs. Brothertoft rushed into the hall.
There was the negro, standing like a statue, holding forth a weapon to her hand. She seized it. Her sudden fright reacted into a sharp fury. She was fearless enough, this cruel virago. The touch of a deadly weapon made her long to be dealing death. She heard the scuffle in the dining-room. ”