The curious came about him and looked at him, but he did not see or hear.

He sat upon a stone, his gaze upon the river, following with his eyes, yet without consciously observing, the dark riverine population whose ways are hidden, who know only the law of the river and spend their lives in eluding pirates and brigands now, and yet again the peaceful porters of commerce.
To his mind, never a criminal in this land but less a criminal than he! For their standard was a standard of might the only right; but he--his whole life had been nurtured in an atmosphere of right and justice, had been a spiritual demonstration against force.

He was with out fear, as he was without an undue love of life.

The laying down of his life had never been presented to him; and yet, now that his conscience was his only judge, and it condemned him, he would gladly have given his life to pay the price of blood.
That was impossible.

His life was not his own to give, save by suicide; and that would be the unpardonable insult to God and humanity.