I never saw you before, but have heard much of you. You are safe now. I shall have the hanging of you, and you may depend upon being well hanged!" To Colonel Thomas, weary, faint, hungry, and dispirited, answered: "Sir, I am a prisoner of war, and claim the treatment due to an officer." Soon afterwards two British officers called to see him, and to them he complained of Cunningham's manners. From them he received assur- -ance of kind usage. They staid until

991 103 a comfortable use room had been assigned for his use, and when they left told him he would soon be enlarged on parole. An excellent breakfast of coffee and chickens was then brought in, after partaking of which his spirits were restored, and he felt ready and anxious to be again confronted with his keeper. As if acquainted with his wishes, Cun- -ningham, in a very short time came to his room: "Colonel Thomas," said he, "I've been thinking that perhaps you'd prefer being shot. If so you had better apply to Sir Henry Clinton who perhaps may grant your request, although it will inter- -fere with my perquisites and deprive me of a very great pleasure. Colonel Thomas an- -swered thus: "Cunningham, you're an old villain, and if you ever fall into my hands, I will probably do myself the pleasure of hanging you!" He then ordered the Provost Marshal to leave the room at his peril. He was soon after this, taken [margin: 82]