I had some conversation with a remarkably tall, military-looking man, who moved about awkwardly as if he was learning to walk upon stilts, or was lame in both legs, which I afterwards found to be the case.

He appeared friendly and intelligent, and gave me interesting information in relation to the inmates and economy of the establishment.
I learned from him that the bed nearest mine, within a few feet on the right hand, and the one beyond it, were occupied by two boys who were victims of a sad misfortune.

Their intense sufferings were the cause of the moans and murmurings I had heard during the night.

These boys were apprentices to the rope-making business, and a few days before, while spinning ropeyarns, with the loose hemp wound in folds around their waists, the youngest, a lad about fourteen years old, unwittingly approached an open fire, the weather being cold.

A spark ignited the hemp, and in a moment the whole was in a blaze.