to the commander, with a slight nod, saluting Lt. Crowe.

- What for? - Chris was amazed, - Wanted to enjoy her position?

“I spoke to her,” Liliana looked at North sympathetically, “I explained everything to her.”

- What exactly? - in a mocking tone asked the commander.

- Everything! “The black Amazon pulled the reins to set the horse down,” I told you and me — long-standing good friends, and nothing more. That you are madly in love with this lovely girl and are ready to sacrifice your life for her. That you will surely save her, because besides her you have no one. I told Dana about your first love.

- So what? - Chris shouted irritably.

“She understood me,” Lily shrugged. “And full of hope.” By the way, Wood is wandering in the square. He is waiting for you. Happily!

Liliana whipped her horse and quickly disappeared into the dark.

“Thunder pound me,” muttered the lieutenant. “If I understood something.” What kind of love?

“She did the right thing,” slapped North on the shoulder of the guy, “Let's go!”

Leaving the horses on the corner, they headed for the platform. The work was already finished, and the workers dispersed. At the scaffold, only two guards were strolling, chatting weakly among themselves.

“North, my friend,” Wood called nearby, “I'm here.”

“How did you get here at this hour?” Asked Crowe.

“Insomnia, young man,” the police chief grinned. “Insomnia.”

- Or rather? - Chris asked.

“Excuse me,” James straightened his hat, “There is a chance from this action to blow up the scandal and throw the governor into the sea.” Discuss?

The morning was overcast. The sky was dragged gray heavy clouds. It could start raining at any moment. People began to gather in the square. They stood in small groups and discussed their affairs, gazing indifferently at the scaffold. The clock on the main tower of the town hall showed a quarter to ten.

Chris North and James Wood settled down in a narrow alley, adjacent to the square from the side of the heavy gate, from which they were soon to withdraw the slave sentenced to death. This place was advised to be taken by the chief of police, so that citizens would not immediately notice their presence. And Dana would not be able to see the commander ahead of time.

“Throw a tantrum,” Wood explained, “Maybe the whole thing will fail.”

Chris knew that Dana was a bold girl and there would be no hysteria. In addition, this place where they were now was not visible from the balcony of the town hall, where the head of the city and the governor had already sat down with their son. Since Captain Brits has written off this unfortunate sailor ashore, Terence has been following his father all the time.

- Where is Mrs Liliana? - suddenly asked Wood.

- She was just missing here! - muttered commander.

“I don’t know, I don’t know,” the policeman shook his head. “I could add variety to our performance.”

Stealthily, a small man in a strict long coat came up to them and whispered something to Voodoo in his ear. He nodded in satisfaction, and the little man disappeared as imperceptibly as he appeared.

- Something happened? Asked Chris worriedly.

“Everything goes as it should,” James reassured him.

They stood a little longer.

- Chris! - The policeman touched his friend's hand, - What are you going to do next? Well, you will free your slave, take out of the city. So what is next? After all, you and she will find yourself outside the law.

“It doesn’t matter anymore,” answered North. “Let them catch if they so wish.” I will not go to bow to anyone.

“Well, yes, yes, yes,” Wood shook his head. “I thought so too.”

The clock struck ten times. The gates opened with a creak, and a group of drummers came out of them and stood in two lines, forming a wide corridor to the platform. There was a ringing of chains, and a whole procession emerged from a dark opening. At the head of this mournful group was a tall muscular executioner in a red cap with slits for the eyes. Behind him, two prison guards were leading a small dark-skinned girl on a leash.No clothes were on her. Her legs were chained in heavy shackles, which allowed her to take short steps. Hands were wound back and bound with a rough iron hoop. The neck was covered with a wide leather collar, from which two chains stretched to the hands of the guards.

Drummers began to beat a fractional rhythm. The procession went to the scaffold. Dana walked slowly, but the guards did not drive her. The executioner stopped in front of the stairs and turned around at the sentenced person. The slave woman looked up at him and suddenly smiled. A rumble ran through the crowd. The townspeople looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders. They did not understand that this fragile black-eyed girl was not afraid to die. In this execution, she saw only deliverance from slavery. Soon, very soon she will be free, and no one can call her a contemptible slave.

A man with a large scroll in his hands climbed onto the platform, groaning. Raising his hand and waiting for silence, he theatrically unfolded the parchment and began to read in a thin, cocky voice:

- Ladies and gentlemen! Citizens of the city! Listen to the verdict! Now the slave will be executed!

He made a short pause, looking around the eyes of all those present.

- This worthless slave ...

“It's time,” Chris said quietly and disappeared into the crowd.

Wood signaled his men to get ready. The performance has begun.

- ... Thus, having encroached on the life of one of the most respected people of our city. Having considered ...

Lieutenant Crowe raised his hand. A company of guardsmen entered the square from four sides to the square.

- ... It is sentenced to death by sitting on a stake! Enforcement sentence!

The executioner surprisingly easily jumped on the scaffold and extended his hand to help the convict climb the platform. At this time, the guards lined up around the scaffold, forming a triple ring around it. At the command of the lieutenant, they at once pulled out muskets from under their cloaks and sent them to the crowd.

The townspeople took this maneuver quite friendly. This has been done almost always. Indeed, among the public could be people who wanted to release the condemned to death.

The executioner has already extended his hand in order to catch the slave and set him down on a stake sticking out like a diabolical arrow.

- Stop! - someone's loud voice rang out.

The crowd became agitated, and Commander Christopher North rode out of the alley onto the square. He was wearing a full dress uniform and a wide-brimmed hat with a rich lush plume. To everyone's surprise, the guardsmen, having saluted, missed the commander to the dais.

Throwing the reins to one of the soldiers, he jumped onto the scaffold boards, which were freshly planted and unceremoniously pushed the executioner aside.

- Mister North! - I heard the raspy voice of the governor, - How do you understand? This is a violation of the law! I...

They did not give him an agreement. Wood's men grabbed him and Terence under the arms and dragged him off the balcony. The mayor of the city looked around nervously, but no one cared about this frail little man.

- The execution is canceled! - said the commander, - This girl is given life and freedom! Blacksmith here! Alive!

Having said this, Chris took out a shiny collar from behind his bosom, which was worn by his slave, and, swinging, threw him towards the balcony of the town hall. The crowd buzzed and swayed, but the guards closed the ranks again, closing the passage.

A stocky man appeared on the square, accompanied by a tall guy, his son. Having climbed onto the platform, they took out tools from a large wooden box and began to knock the chains off the girl’s legs and arms. They worked quickly, but carefully, and very soon, the iron was removed. Chris unbuttoned Dana's leather collar around his neck and threw it aside.

“Well, that's it,” he drew the girl to him, “Lieutenant!” Would you lend me your coat?

“Of course,” Crowe tugged at the ribbons and threw the cape over to North.

“I knew, master, that you would save me,” Dana whispered through her tears, wrapping her cloak around her.

“Do not call me your master again,” the commander asked, “You're free.”

Chris jumped into the saddle and sat down the girl next to him. At this time, a rich carriage entered the square and stopped in front of the town hall.An old, thin man in the uniform of a royal guard general emerged from a door that opened. He slowly climbed onto the platform and cast a scornful glance at the executioner. He considered the most faithful to leave the area.

Raising his hand, the man said:

“At the request of Her Majesty, the Senate sent a commission to establish the degree of guilt of the governor, Earl Eugene Billuoter, and forward it to the court to give explanations. In addition, the commission was instructed to understand the behavior of Terence Billwater and make the appropriate decision on the measure of punishment.

At this time, the policemen led the count and his son out of the town hall gates. Hearing the entire speech of an elderly general, these monsters did not even resist, but walked with their heads lowered. Seeing them, the crowd quieted down.

“As for Christopher North’s Komdor,” the envoy continued, “The High Military Council has been given the rank of colonel. Congratulations to you, Mr. North. I consider your actions lawful and justified. So continue to serve the Queen with the same zeal. And you, young lady, I want to congratulate you on your new birth and present an award for helping us to capture the cruel pirate Emmmanuel Gull.

Going to the horse North, he handed the girl a small box. Dana smiled gently and accepted the award. Chris briefly saluted the envoy and slowly left the square.

“Dana,” Chris whispered in her ear to the girl when they were on a quiet, deserted street. “Forgive me.” I...

“No, dear,” the girl looked up at him, “Mrs. Liliana told me everything.” This is all my fault. And I want to ask you.

“Anything you want,” North answered eagerly.

- Let's forget about it. And I give you my word never to be jealous. See how it all happened?

“Already forgot,” the colonel nodded his head.

- And who will now prepare your food, wash, clean the house?

“And we will hire a hard-working maid,” suggested North.

- No, my dear Colonel, - Dana pretended to pout, - I will not let any woman into the house anymore. I will take care of you myself. After all, nobody will do it better than me.

Chris hugged Dana tightly by the shoulders and kissed her lips. The girl did not mind, because now she was free and free to decide what to do and how to behave.

Soon a decree was issued on the abolition of slavery, and Christopher North and Dana were married. At the marriage the bride was given the name of Daniella North. A year later, they were born two twins: a swarthy boy, whom they named after Chris's father, and a white-skinned girl, named after her elder sister Dana.

They lived a long happy life. Daniella survived her husband by only a couple of years and was buried in the same cemetery near Chris's grave. Benjamin North Jr. followed in his father's footsteps, and Mara took up charity work and opened a hospital for the poor in the city. Mrs. Liliana helped her as best she could, conveying her healing experience.

Lieutenant Crowe took command of the naval and land forces from North. About the fate of the other characters in this story, alas, nothing is known.

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