By the wayside stood people curious to see him, and they joined
the procession as it passed along. Among them were some of his
comrades, to whom he sorrowfully nodded. Once or twice he lifted
his cap, the same flat one I had seen him in the first time. It
was evident that his comrades had a regard for him; and I saw,
too, some young women who were crying, and made no attempt to
conceal it. He walked along with his hands clasped at his breast,
probably praying.
We were all startled by the captain's loud and commonplace word of
command, "Attention!" as we reached the appointed place. A body of
soldiers stood drawn up in a hollow square, which closed in after
admitting the bailiff, the clergyman, the condemned man, and a few
besides, among whom was myself. A great silent crowd stood round,
and over their heads one saw the mounted figure of the sheriff in
his cocked hat. When the soldiers who came with us, having carried
out various sharp words of command, had taken their places in the
square, the further proceedings began by the sheriff's reading
aloud the death sentence and the royal order for the execution.
Pages:
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188