The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1845-06-21
Number 9o]

his arms folded, and was apparently ina
state of abstraction.
The drum was beat--the quarter oil
an hour had elspsed the soldiers began
gain TO separate the men from The wo.
men. 10 the confusion, the idiot boy
crepi up 10 the gypsy, and reused him
from his reverie by saying in half.
whisper, 'Ho, Sem or Grauo! stand last
on The line, and you are safe.
The stranger looked nlently for an
instant at the lad, who rubbed the palms
of his hands together, and glanced con
fdentIy towards the extremity OF
the line of men now almost formed.
The gypsy cohtrved 10 place himself The
last.
Silerce having been commanded and
ob,slued Nina said, This is the last mo-
ment t-con!ession or decimation.' No
answer, no sign.
Sergeant, do your duty said The gen.
sra.
Immediately q non-commissioned
officer began counting along the line.
On arriving at the tenth man, he was
made 10 stand forth. The sergeant
hen went on reckoning 10 like manner
Four more were thus selected. The
sergeant recommended counting. There
were but nine left, the gypsy being the
ninth. The rank was closed up again
aud five men were left standing abou, a
yard in front Of the others. An officer
and eight soldiers now marched into
the centre TO the plaza; and the villsger
who had The uneuviabe precedeucy in
this mou-nful selection, was led TO Inc
general, who thus addressed him;
Reveal the hiding place, and you are
4sfe. l should rejoice if your fe could
ne spared
'Senor, replied The prisoner, fine
young man, know it not
Nina rode 10 the front Of the line
Of villagers and sald, 'Will any Of you
confess, and save this youtbl
'The mortars did not pass through the
village, on their return said the men.
Nina then rode 10 tho rear, and ques-
toned the women.
'Gsnersl, general they sll shrieked
together, 'we know nothing of the NOR.
rars Spare him, spare him, be merci.
fuI, for the love of God!'
This reply-his appeal for mercy
he'd scarcely been sent forth, ere a
Young and beautiful woman rushed from
he group, and falling on her knees be-
lore Miua, exclaimed in implorng sc-
cents, Spare, oh spare my brother!
He was all yesterday in the mountains
cutting wood, and did no, return ill af.
ter nghrfall.'
'rbere is no remedy replied Mins,
unless The secret he disclosed
Five minutes after Mina's return TO
the spot where his staff were assembled
The young man was led 10 The wall of
house fronting tbs plaza; his arms were
pinioned, and handkerchief was tied
over bis face. He was then shot dead
by four soldiers; who oil shot at one at
The same instant Three more shared
4 similar fate, after every eueeavor Ito
induce them or the other villagers 10
give information concerning the NOR
la,S. They all met their fate with
heroic calmness and dignity. The fifth
was an old man. His anxious eyes had
followed each of his fellow cspIves 10
The death station. His own turn was
now at hand. There lay the bleeding
corpse Of his young companions, and
he wss Interrogated as they had been
to their execution. Il call
God 10 witness cried the aged man,
'hsr | know nothing Of The matter. |
confess to having been present when The
mortars passed through on their way
10 Elizondo. but | was not here when
they were brought back
otis true, 'us true, shouted The peo-
pie, forgetting, in the fearful excitement
If the moment, that they were condemn
ing themselves by this declaration.
Then save his life by coufessng,
answered Nina.
we have noughi to confess; Francis
co is innocent was The universal reply
10 which succeeded seEuchraI silence.
As he old man was Icing conducted