Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-05-19
, Blown Away.
Abopt halepsst o'clock the military begal


TO arrive. Gun after gun made its appearance
band took ND tbe position assigned to 1t. Ont
every gateway from the fort Europeans and ma
I tiyes were pouring on the espianade fn hundreds
and from the native town every alley, street
and lane were disgorgipg their thousands. Al
seemed ANXIOUS to behold two traitor Sepoys
| blewn into dark eternity. Their crime was
4 known, and the stern and compressed lips OF eV'
ery European present, told how we'll they de.
served their doom. The manner in which they
II had been detected in their nefarious designs was
subtle and complete, and reflected much credit
upon the deputy commissioner of police and bis
assistants. Three times had q merciful Provi-
dence defeated the plots of the mutineers by the
timely arrival of European troops from remote
colonies and while the fourth plot was being
brought to maturity, the two criminals were
seized. The times demanded that q terrible ex-
ample should be made, and the doom of the
men was speedy. As the hour of five
strnck the Stiffness became awful; every feeling
and faculty was strung to its utmost tension, anu
the beating of hearts became audible. The spec
tacle was one of quiet horror; there being none
of that excitement which is to be met with at a
public execution in any other part Of the world
The natives of India are not q demonstrative
EdCe, duu tuSJ iOOhS0 W. WisA oA SkfSssAS -
stolid indifference.
The handful of stern and determined Europe
ems had, moreover, oyerawed them, and there
was but onefeeng predominant-fear. Among
all the assembled thousands a murmur could mol
even be heard-a Whisper would almost have
broken the stiffness. The officers rode along The
lines resolved and silent. 80 nolseless was thelr
motion that even the champ Of their horses blIs
~. e. nm, fbsAa oar
While the clock was yet striking, the brlgadler
commanding the garrison rode in front Of tue
two executive guns, and it seemed for moment
as if all sound had died away. The sentence oi
the court martial was then read to the prisoners
in the Hindoostsni language, after which they
were ordered to prepare for DEATH They were
stripped of their regmental jackets and marched
between files of their European guard to the
lnuzzles of the two guns. The drill havildar,
one OF the two, was noble looking man, In the
noon of manhood, tall and stately. His rnien
was erect and dignifed, until the men vi The BOY
al Artillery laid hands ON him. Then he seem
ed TO feel that his hour, had come, shudder
shook bis frame, bis jaw fell, and his ivOry-whlte
teeth were disclosed. While the two men were
being bound, not syllable was uttered by the
assembled crowd, but rafting Of steel along
the line gave notice that the Eufield rifle was
being prepared for action As the word "Prime,"
and when the ominous click Of the clock fell up
on the ear, the 10th N visibly shook. 1t was
evident that they did not know but that the next
moment the rifles might be brought to shoulder
and leveed against their front.
simultaneously with the loading OF the in
fantry the guns to the right aud left OF the Grim
iuals were turned straight upon the native reg-
ments. They were loaded 10 tue muzzle with
canister aud grape, and the gunners stood by
the touch holes with their matches lighted
On the rainparts Of the fort four 6s FOUNDERS
were also land aud ready. BY this time the pris
oners We're secured 10 lhe two guns. There was
a moments pause, which was broken 10y Capt.
Bolton, OF the Royal Artillery, calling out with
loud voice, "Let all retire from the two guns,
except the two men with the port fires; ut the.
word Fire. apply the MATCH" There was prob
ably pause OF Two seconds duration then the
word "Ready !" was given by Captain Bolton
Tile gunuers took buta moment 10 blow up their
matches, but it seemed to be long, long time.
The two prisoners and the two artillerymen
stood as ilnmovable as statues. The awful still
ness was at length broken. The word Fire"
rang ont as clear as clarion note from the lips
Of Captain Bolton. Next moment the earth
shook as if volcano had opened at our feet
The guns were enveloped in thick clouds OF
smoke, through the white wreaths OF which lit
tie PARTICLES OF crimson color were falling thick
as snow flakes. The particles were the prison
ers blown into atoms.-Uickens' Househod
Words