Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-06-10
either side Of him. The prisoner, how

either side Of him. The prisoner. how
ever was not ready: and deep disgust
and scorn was shown on every face
when the warder appeared and stated
grimly that the prisoner was weeping
como I'm nino. and had begged one mo-
ment's grace. Weeping. indeed! A
pretty way for soldier of the Twenty
third to die. And men who had thought
privately that they would aim low III
the ley de fuga. hardened their hearts
coward did not deserve such treat
ment.
That the prisoner, barely visible IL
the gray dawn. was perfectly calm and
| composed when he did appear made no
difference to them; perhaps he mao
| mustered up some courage. after his
| weeping. but he had played the coward
! for all that, and a towards death was
no loss.
/ Out on the bare. swampy plains OF
San Geronimo. just where Mount Aus
| co rises up bleak and rock-covered, was
| the place of execution. The walk was
not long for the men, TO the sound OF
the muffied Marcia, but very dreary
There was hardly light enough to see
each others faces. and the trees and
cactus shrubs doomed up gray and
ghostly along the side OF the rocky
trail. AS for the condemned man.
though he might have played the part
OF a coward in the prison, there was no
sign of fear now. With quick, light
steps, almost out-distancing the regu-
lar pace OF the others. he walked out
bravely, as though going to another
decoration by 81 presidente. instead OF
to the death of murderer, Mt the
hands OF the very men with whom he
had fought at Matanzas, and Huelle
and other places, arm to arm, back to
back.
Here was the spot. And, with his
back to Ajusco. his feet sinking into
the damp ground. and the gray mist OF
the morning resting like pail about
him, the prisoner was allowed to stand
for moment, while the Captain made
brief address, concluding with the
statement that only because the prison
: er was a soldier the Flaw OF fire" would
be put into effect; when the word ''uno'
was pronounced he was to run for hii
'. life. On the craggy side OF Ajusco. ht
might find shelter. perhaps. "uno-
; dos--tres" would be counted; at tres
the squad would fire. Therefore HI
, would have to Observation-Disclosures, Coz
have mercy on his soul.
"Atencion" The soldiers stood OF
guard.
"Unow was counted slowly. The pris
oner stood stock stlll. and the maj
|, nearest swore that there was a smil'
on his face. "Dos.'-(Dios de Ia vida
, was he paralyzed. that he could no
run. even to save his lifeD-and at last
slowly. Tires! Fire.
, Motionless, Mortified, the men ha'
watched. Still the prisoner stood there
), head up and shoulders bnck. At tn
!. sound Of the "tres." however. musket
were lowered. and every hammer pull
a ed. Out Numbered the salute Of bullets
! n veritable hail Of them. and the soil
q tary, pathetic figure tottered. the
, reeled over, face downward, In tn
y damp grass Dead. Of course-hoy
: could It he otherwise? The Captai
should have looked to make sure, but h
wanted his breakfast and some cognat
2 merely glancing casually Mt the body
!. he gave the order to march. and wit
!. the marcia once more ringing out tn
o men tramped back through the light q
r the coming day to barracks and breal
}. fast. leaving the dead man alone on til
e plain.
It The next day Private Santiago Nj
reno himself. whom we have seen she
- and left dead on the San Geronim
!. plains. was there mt sunset pal
a crazed with grief. and holding In b
4 arms dead body in the uniform of
soldier, but with the sweet. peacefV
:, face OF a woman who had offered u
s. her life for friend. When the su
4 went down his llfeless form rename
p still clasping-even in death-the 9TH
Ia body that had been thought his.-Ss
Ia Francisco Argonaut.