Delaware patriot & American watchman., 1828-08-12

4 soldier than on that occasion.
! . Not 50 his companion. All his senses appear
ed to be alive TO the terror of his situation. As
they marched in front Cf the garrison, dead si-
ience was observed: the soldiers were as fixed as
statues, and deep sorrow was depicted in every
countenancc. The solemn beat os the drum, and
The mournful nute nf the piercing fife, were re-
echoed by the most distant hills. Various and in
IeserIbabls feelings rushed in rapid succession
/ me. As gazed the extended and uEpeopled
waste around, and heard the only sound that pro-
ceeded from the garrison lazily booming over the
ice land plain felt to the fullest extent, the fact
that we were in the midst Of the wilderness. Igaz-
ed on my sorrow stricken Comrades till ! almost
4 ftnced that were beings Of another region. and
when my eyes fell upon those destined to die, the
execution seemed to me more terrible than delibe.
! rated and cold ,alouied murder. The responsible
lity waa appalling. 1t tire act Of few isolated
beings, and not the act OF the world. 1t was the
staying oi the sharer Of our dangers; one who was
bound to usby every socal tie; nay, by the indis
soluble link of privaton and misery. 1t struck me
as being more horrible than fratricde.
! The prisoners moved on in front of the line to-
wards the spot appointed for the execution. 1t was
beneath an old oak in the eastern corner of the
garrison. Every eye was ttrned towards them.
and sadness dimmed every eve. When they came
to the spot where the guard OF six was stationed,
/ they paused for moments Pierre gave me look
full Of meaning, and smiled. 1t was not in pride
Of affectation, nor yet in sc0rn oil mankind, but 1t
was smile OF se,eral benevclence one in which
the brightness Of his soul shone forth, like the
beams OF the sun when setting. Not 50 his COM
panion Terro, aud distress were depicted in his
cnnntenantc. lie looked at us as If supplcating
Tor mercy, and the look was mingled with the
th0Ught that We were to execute, and not tp
weigh the deed our hands were about to perpe-
trate. 1t was agony to behold him, and terrible
was the thought that vas about to shed the llood
81 my friend, Vt was not half painful as the idea
oi violently taking the life Of one who manifested
such terror at dying. Perric marked the agitation
oi h's comPanion; he seemed to read my feelings
too, and as they moved on he pronounced the word
" remembers his dog followed at his side, and
even to that hour he was not unnindiul of the af-
tecti0D of his dog.
lhey approached the old oak beneath which the
graves were dug and two rough collins placed. We
marched behind the prisoners to the solemn beat of
'he dram,and could not shake from my mind the
recollection that We had often marched side by side
TO more split stirring music.
we arrived at the spot and brief prayer was
Uttered, when Ferries companion was led to the
grave and desired 10 kneel upon the coffin. His
animal functions mad forsaken him he shooI. like
an aspen leaf and wept like child. There arc
some men who remain children in their feelings to
tue clnse ct lite whose minds have not grown in
TENS are controlled by the feebleness of the mind
Tie knelt and the cap was drawn over his eyes.
lhc music ceased, the sergeant gave the word of
Command, and the poor wretch snbbed audibly.
Pierre stood hard by with his arms folded, mute
spectator Of the painful sceEe. Not a sound pro.
ceeded from the soldiers, arrayed to witness the
fatal consequence OF INSTRUMENTATION. We passed
through the preparatory evolutions, the word
fire. was given. and the eserter fell dead across
the coffin, perforated by six wounds, each of which
would have been mortal. Pierre looked upon the
corpse, but bctraJ Jed no emotion lie stepped for
ward and stood beside the grave destined to re-
ceiye his own mortal remains. T.te sergeant would
have him kneel :" No,' he replied, ~ have always
met my enemies face to face, when they assumed
the most threatening attitude. and can do less to
my friends :" The Officer again urged him /" No.
if mast die you shall shoot me down and let me
die as soldier, and nnt as criminal " He stood
erect with his face towards Us, and his faithful dog
at his feet. l never behe.a him more calm and in
different than he appeared 20 te at this moment.
lie caught my eye and placed his right hand upon
his heart understood the motion. My brain
was on fire. Thought succeeded thought in rapid
succession, but nothing was distinct, for they pass
ed Oft without leaving an impression, even more
rapidly than flash Of lightning. was confu-
sion. ieit not what was passing; saw nothing but
the figure standing before me. and was complete
ly bewi'dered that was unconscious Of his being
my friend. The word was given. Every muscle
was braced with determination. | raised the mus.
ket deliberately to my shoulder; the only tlaught,
the only wish that entered mymnd at that moment,
to bit the marx. 1t seemed like an age be-
tween the words. take aim, and fire. At length
it was given. heard the report Of The muskets,
saw Pierre fall, but nothing more. Darkness came
over me; sank to the tn, ANA when awuke
found myself en- the straw in my tent and one
of the mess bathing my temples
inquired for Pierre
s. He is in his grave,' said the soldier.
"Dd he die in agony ?"
& Mo- th.s til