The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1836-02-26
THE SPANISH HEADSMAN.

en,
beheld feet of ships riding upon the waters and
ing the land. He costing IN his mind, with the
utmost rapidity of thought, the measures he in
stanty pursue, when his reflections interrupted
by hOarse, low voice, proceeding from breach in the
wall, al PAGES distance, above which human
head projected. He FASTENED to the spot, and ascer-
tanned TO be the orderly who in attendance upon
him at the chateau.
" Is il Won, COonelr'
"Itis."
@The beggars, below there, Sir are twisting about
like so many worms. | have been upon the watch,
and fastened TO make my report TO YOU"
"Speaki" said Victor Narchand.
Seeing man leave the ehaleau priviy, with a Ian
tern, resolved to follow him. for lantern and at this
hour, looked suspicious so stuck close TO him, he
crept thitherwards, and platform of the rock,
there, where my finger points, saw him approach
enormous pile Of faggols when -
A tremendous shout rose from the town beneath. A
wide and sudden blaze of light broke forth near him.
produced by the firing of straw and dry wood aad,
the instant, tie grenader he had been talking
with, received ball in his skull, and fell dead upon
the spot.
The cheerful sounds within the chateau walls were
hushed at A death-like silence regned around
for a moment and then were heard bIi for instant,
distant and heart piercing groans, of short conflict
ing agony; the report OF cannon doomed along the
surface of the Cold drops burst from the fore
head of the officer. He there alone, unarmed I'M
friended- His soldiers had al!-a persisted. He felt
himself degraded and dishenored being he would be
dragged before council of war; prisoner, and in
chains; all who could vndicate his zeal and prudence
of another world. With keen, rapid glance he
scanned the depth below and leaping the terrace
walk the point of casting himself into the abyss
when the slight shrek and convulsive grasp of some
one by his side restrained him.
"Fyl oh fly ~ whispered Clara almost GREATNESS
from agatien-" my brothers follow me-descend the
rock quicky-withOuI delay-there-that way-beow
you will find Juanitos horse. Begone-hasle-haste
there''-
She urged him forward with all her strength. Lost
and confused the young gazed Gu her for mo-
meat bur quickly yielding To the instinct OF selfpre
servaon which rarely deserts us, he eaped into the
park, and rushed EDWARDS in the direction pointed out
to him. The steps of persons in pursuit were heard
danger animated him TO speed; he hastily scrambled
down the rocks by paths before trOdden but by
goats. A shower Of musket balls whistled by him,
but with almost uncomfortable rapdity he gained the
valley. The horse there. He bounded its
back, and disappeared.
few hours brought him TO the headquarters of
General G~Nt@Tr who at breakfast with his staff,
and he was instantly admitted into the commanders
presence.
81 come to resign myself to DEATH" exclaimed the
Colonel, as he stood before the General, pale and bag
gard.
T" Sit down, Sir, and when yon are more composed,
will listen you; and the stern severity of his
tsnance, which truly indicated his wellknown, harsh,
unyleding character, somewhat abated as he wit
messed the emotion Of his visitor. As as he
able, Victor told his horrible tale and the downcast
looks and deep silence of his auditors the only
but expressive comment on his recital.
1t appears TO me, Sir, said the General al length
calmly, that you unior than criminal ;
YOU can hardly be deeaed responsible for the guilt of
the Spaniards and if the Marshal decide otherwise
shall not hesitate to acquii yoG. These words afford
ed but feeble consolation TO Victor who faeringy de-
nanded, But when the Emperor learns the report,
Smf"
alt is not impossible that he may order YOU to be
shot," observed the General in tone of Indifference;
shut Of that hereafter he added, rising and assuming
his bitter expression Of tone and FEATURE" Let
only think of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, deep,
deep and terrible, on these Spaniards"
In a short hour, entire regiment, with deaehments
of cavalry and artillery their march; the
head of which rode the General and Victor The troops
informed of the of their comrades, passed
wards with unreentag activity, actuated by feelings of
hate and fury. The villages ihroug h which their road
lay were already up in arms; but they were soon
duced obedience and in all of them, each tenth
was told off and shot,
By some unaccountabe fatality the English feet
manned lying and inactive, without communi-
eating with the shore; that the town of Menda
surrounded by the French troops without the slightest
show of resistance the part of the inhabitants who,
disappointed in the succour on which they had relied,
offered to surrender at discretion. Such
Immediately implicated in the massacre of the garrison
justly presumng that for their act the town would be
deyered up flames, and the entire population be put
TO death, by effort ct courage and self DEVOTION not
unfequent in the of the Peninsula offered TO become
their proper accusers. This unexpected and extraor
binary proposition acceded to by the General and
he engaged TO accord pardon to the rest Of the in
habants, and prevent the town being fired pillaged
by the incensed soldery. But, at the same time he
levied an enormous contribution the people; for the
payment OF which within twenty four hours, he COM
manded that The principal and wealthies residences
should be given as hostages into his hands, and in
exbly decreed that all the persons appertainng to the
chateau from the Marques to his lowest valet should