The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-15

crash of our light cannon, followed al
most Immediately by the deeper detona-
ton Of the heavier guns from the citadel
The red sand in the glass began to fall
again and it's liberation seemed TO- unfet-
ter my paralyzed limbs. Barcheaded as
was, | rushed like one frantic along the
passage and down the stairs. The air
was resonant with the quick following
reports OF the cannon, and the long,
narrow street was iitfully lit up as if by
quick flashes of summer lightning. My
men were still standing where | had
placed them. Giving a quick word Of
command, marched them down the
street and out into the square. where
met Gen. Trelaway coming back from
his futile assault. Like myself, he was
bareheaded. and his white hair bristlca
with rage. His military countenance
was begrimed with powder smoke but
he spoke to me with notrace Of angei
in his voice.
Lieutenant sentore," he said. dis
perse your men,"
! gave the word to disband my men,
and then stood at attention before him.
Lieut.. Sentore." he said. in the same
level voice. return to your quarters
and consider yourself under arrest.
Await my coming there" l turned and
obeyed his orders. II seemed incredible
that the sand should still be running in
the hourgass for ages had passed over
my head since last / was in that room.
l paced up and down awaiting the com
ing of my chief, feeling neither fear nor
regret. but rather dumb despair In a
few minutes his heavy tread was on the
STAIR followed by the measured tramp
of file of men. He came into the room
and with him was sergeant and four
soldiers. fully armed. The general was
trembling with rage. but held strong
control over himself, as was his habit
ON serious occasions. Listen Sentore,
he said, why were you not at your
post?"
''The running sand in the hourglass"
Il hardly recognized my own voice on
hearing it,. stopped when but half eX-
hauSted. | did not notice its Interrupt
tion until it was too late
The general glanced grimly at the
hourglass The last sands were falling
through to the lower bulb. I saw that
he did not believe my explanation.
1T seems now to he in perfect work
ing order" he said ut last.
He strobe up to it and reversed it,
watching the sand pour for few mo-
ments, then he spoke abruptly:
Lieutenant Sentore, your sword"
l handed my weapon to him without
word. Turning to the sergeant, he
said:
Lieut. Sentore is sentenced TO death.
He has an hour for whatever prepara-
tions he chooses to make. Allow hin,
to dispose of that hour as he. chooses,
so long as he remains within this room
and hold converse with no one what
ever. When the last sands of this hour
glass are run, Lieut.. Sentore will stand
at the other end Of this room and meet
the death merited by traitors, laggards
or towards. DO you understand you4
duty, sergeant?"
Yes, general"
Gen. Trelawny abruptly left the room,
and we heard his heavy steps echoing
throughout the silent house and later
more family on the cobblestones of the.
street. When they had died away a deep
stiffness set i'll, | standing alone at one
end of the room, my eyes fixed on the
hOurglaSs, and the sergeant with his
four men, like statues Mt the other, also
gazing at the same sinister object. The
sergeant was the hrSt TO break the
silence.
Lieutenant" he said, do you wish
to write anything
He stopped short, being an unrcadyI
man, rarely venturing far beyond yes
and no.
Il should like to communicate with
one in this household" | said, but the
general has forbidden it, so all | ask isl
that you shall have my body conveyed
from this room as speedily as possible
after the execution"
VERY good, lieutenant" answered the
sergeant.
After that for a long time, no word
was spoken. / watched my life run red
ly through the wasp waist of the trans
parent glass; then suddenly the sand
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