The Irish standard., 1905-04-15
with straw. A stake driven through It's
collar into the earth. and crowned with

with straw. A stake driven through its
collar into the earth, and crowned with
an ancient, tall hat Of beaver, gave it a
backbone. An idea came to me. l
would rob the scarecrow and hide my
uniform. I ran out and hauled it over
and pulled the stufiing out of it. The
coat and trousers were made for
stouter man. l drew on the latter; fat
tening my figure with straw to fit
them. That done, l quickly donned
the coat. Each sleeve-end fell to my
fnger-tips, and it's grth would have
circled flour barrel and buttoned with
room to spare. But with my stuffing of
straw 1t came around me as snug at
the belt as the coat of bear. took
alarm as closed the buttons. For half
a minute I had heard drum-tap COM
ing nearer. 1t was the measured tap!
tap! tap-tap-tap! so familiar to me.
Now could hear the tread of feet COM
ing with 1t back of the hill. How soon
they would heave in sight was unable
to reckon, but 1 dared not run for
cover. So thrust my scabbard deep
in the soft earth, pulled down the big
beaver hat over my face, muf1led my
neck with straw, stuck the stake in
front Of me to steady myself, and stood
stiff as any scarecrow in Canada. Be-
fore I was done column, scarlet
coated, came out in the level beyond
the hillside. Through a hole in the
beaver could see them clearly. They
came on, rank after rank. They de-
plcyed, forming an open square, scar
let-sided, on the green turf, the gap to-
ward me. Then came three, walking
stiff1y in black coats, squad leading
them. The thing had taken for
white visor was blindfold. Their
heads were bare. could see now, they
were in shaclles, their arms behind
them. They were coming to their death
some of my unlucky comrades. God
pity them! A spy might as we'll make
his peace with heaven, IL he were
caught those days, and be done with
hope. Suspicion was enough to convict
on either side of the water that year.
AS my feet sank deeper in the soft
earth felt as if were going down to
my grave. The soldiers led them into
the gap, standing them close together,
backs to me. The squad drew off. The
prisoners stood erect, their faces turn
ing up little, as if they were looking
into the clear, blue sky. could see
them waver as they stood waiting. The
sharp-shooters advanced, halting as
they raised their rifles TO my horror.
l saw the prisoners were directly be-
tween me and them. Great God! was
l also Of that little company about to
die? But dared not move step.
stood still, watching, trembling. An
officer in shining helmet was speak
ing to the rilemen. His helmet seemed
to jump and quiver as he moved away.
Those doomed figures began to reel and
sway as they waited. The shiny bar
rels lifted little, their muzzles point
ing at them and at me. The corn
seemed to duck and tremble as it
waited the volley. A great black ball
shot across the sky in long curve, and
began to fall. Then came the word, a
flash of fire, cloud of smoke, q roar
Of rifles that made me jump in my
tracks. I heard bullets cutting the corn,
l felt the dirt fly up and scatter over
me, but was unhurt, a rigid, motionless
man Of straw. saw my countrymen
reel, their legs go limp as rags, their
bodies fall silently forward. The SOL
diers stood a moment, then q squad
went after the dead with litters. Form
ing In fours, they marched away as
they had come, their steps measured
by that regular rap! rap! rap-rap-rap!
Of the drum. The last rank went out
Of sight. moved a little and pulled
the stake, and quickly stuck it again,
for there were voices near. stood
waiting as stiff as a poker. Some men
were running along the beach; two
others were coming through the corn.
They passed within few feet Of me
on each side. l heard them talking
with much animation. They spoke Of