The weekly Anglo-African., 1860-03-17

10 draw lots among yourselves, or to point
out those concerned in the outrage"
"But," continued the young man, "your
General has been misinformed No
French soldiers have visited our village
before you. There are also the villages
of Middle and Lower Waldorf, which lie
further down in the open valley. You
can soon satisfy yourself, sir, that this vii
lage is entirely innocent; and l entreat
you not to shed the blood of our harmless
people"
"There is no investigation said the
officer. II was ordered to proceed to Wal
dorf, and l am guided hither l will wait
till you make choice of ten men to be
sacrificed, but have no authority to do
more"
By this time the people learned the fate
in store for them. The women in tears
and appealing gestures crowded around the
officer, begging him to spare their sons and
husbands-the men stood silent, with
bloodless faces, and dumb, imploring eyes.
The scene was evidently painful to both
officer and soldiers, accustomed as they
were to the unmerciful code of war. They
were anxious to put an end to it and leave.
Finally Lieut. Lamotte consented to wait
while sergeant was despatched to head
quarters, accompanied by peasant to
show him the nearest way. A few lines
hastily penciled stated the facts in the case,
and asked for further Instructions
Meanwhile the inhabitants waited in a
state of suspense scarcely to be endured.
Lieut. Lamotte-who, as a thorough
Frenchman, soon wearied of "a painful emo
ton, and shaking it off at the risk of ap-
pearing heartless-said: 'The morning is
keen, and walk before sunrise does not
diminish the appetite-can you give us
some refreshments from your hidden sup
plies ?" At word from the young man,
many of the women brought together the
coffee they had prepared for their own
breakfast, with black bread, mugs of beer,
and small cheese or two-suhicient for
rough meal-of which the soldiers partook
with the usual laughing comments on "la
cuisine AAenadnde." The company of
victims looked on in silence, and more than
once muttered gloomily; we are feeding
our executioners."
Gwen if that should be true," said the
young man, ''it is but doing as Christ has
taught us. Whether or not we obtain
Christian charity from these men, let us
at least, show them that we are Chris
tiansr
This rebuke had its effect. A few of
the men assisted in entertaining the sol
diers, and the latter with their facility for
determination soon made themselves at
home. AS the stomach fills the heart also
enlarges, at is pity these men should be
shot by mistake"
1t was not long before the sergeant and
his guide arrived The former handed the
lieutenant note, which he hastily tore
open and read "Waste nc time in parley.
1t is Indifferent which village is punished;
an example must be made. Do your duty
and return instantly" So ran the pitiless
answer.
"Choose your men p said the lieutenant,
rising to his feet, and grinding his teeth to
keep down his faltering heart. But now
the lamentations broke out afresh. The
women chung around the men who were
dear to them, and many of the latter, over
come by the general distress, uttered loud
cries and prayers for mercy. The young
man knelt down in front of them, saying
to the officer, ~ do not kneel to you; but
l will pray to God that he will remove the
sin of slaughter from your soul"
AS the officer met his earnest eyes, full
of sublime calmness and courage, his
own filled with tears. He turned to his
men who stood drawn up in line before
him, but no word was spoken. Their
hands were in their proper places, accord
ing to drill regulations; and there were
drops on many cheeks which they could
not wipe away. There was silent ques-
ton in the officers eye-a silent answer in
theirs. The former turned hurriedly, beck
oned the young man to him, and whisper
ed, in an agitated voice;
"My friend, / will save you by strata
gem. Choose ten of your most courageous
men, place them in line before me, and
I will order my soldiers to shoot them
through the head. At the instant give
the order to fire, they must fall fiat on the
ground: nv soldiers will aim high, and no
one will be injured; as soon as the volley
is fired, will give the order to march; but
no one must stir from this place till we are
out of sight"
These words were instantly translated
to the people, but SO great was their panic,
that no one offered to move. The pastors
son then took his place, alone, in the va
cant seat before the line of soldiers, Il
offer myself" said he, "as one trusting in
God that we shall all be saved; and l call
upon those of you who have the hearts of
men in your bodies to stand beside me-"
Young Conrad, sturdy farmer, and but
newly bridegroom, joined-casting, as he
did so, a single encouraging look upon his
future wife, who turned deadly pale, but
spoke not a word. One by one, as men
who hal resolved to face death-for the
most of them had but trembling half conf
dence in their escape-eight others walked
out and took their places in line. The
women shuddered and hid their eyes; the
men looked steadily on in the fascination
of terror; and the little children in awed
but ignorant curiosity The place was as