The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-02-23
Yashka Tells Story of Facing Firing
 Squad Russian Reign of Terror

orders and that I would be executed | later.
 Not the least interested spectator of the heated discussion was myself The off cers followed the argument breathlesly, | too. The soldiers grumbled. The forces of life and death struggled within me. Now the first would triumph. now the second. depending on the turn of the | quarrel.
 Nothing doingr' shouted Pugatchov, thrusting aside the order of the com mander in chief. Its too late for or ders like that! We will shoot her. Enough words,''
 At this moment I became aware of one of the two newly arrived commit teemen staring at me intently. He took couple of steps toward me, bent his head on the side, and nailed his eyes on me. There was something about that look that electrified me. As the man. who was a common soldier, craned his neck forward and stepped out of the group a strange silence gripped every body, so affected were all by the pain full expression on his face. Are y-o-u Y-a-s-h-k-a?" he sang out slowly.
 How do you know me?" I asked quickly, almost overpowered by pre- monition of salvation. Don't you remember how you saved
 
 was wounded in the leg and you dragged me out of the mud under fire? My name is Peter. I would have perished there in the water, and many others like me. if not for you. Why do they want to shoot you now?"
 "Because I am an officer,' replied.
 "What conversations are you holding here?" Pugatchov thundered. "She will have to be shot and no arguments.
 ol1nvp n shot my God-appoirted savior answered back firmly, and walked up to me, seized my arm, pulled me out of my place, occu- pying it himself.
 You will shoot me firstv' he exclaimed. "She saved my life. She saved many of our lives. The entire Fifth corps knows Yashka. She is a common peas- ant like myself and understands no poli- ties If you shoot her. you will have to shoot me first!'
 This tirade had a remarkably whole some effect on me. It also struck home in the hearts of many of the crowd
 Petrukhin went up, took place beside Peter and me, and declared:
 You will shoot me too, before you execute an innocent, sick woman!
 The soldiers were now divided. Some shouted: Let's shoot her and make an end of this squabble! What's the use of arguments?"
 Others were more human. "She Is nor of the ,bourgeoise, but common peasant like ourselves, they argued. And she does not understand politics. Perhaps she really was going to seek cure. She was not captured, but came to us herself, we must not forget"
 WEIRD PLACE FOR DEBATE
 For sometime the place turned into meeting ground. It was a weird situation for a debate. There were the hundreds of bodies scattered around us. There were the 20 of us in our undergarments awaiting death. Of the % only I had a chance for life. The remaining 19 stoicaliy kept themselves on their feet. No hope heaved their breasts. No miracle couio save them. And amid all this hundred Russian soldiers, quarter of an hour be- fore all savages now half of them with spark of humanity in their veins' were deliberating.
 The committee finally found their wits and took charge of the situation. Turning to Pugatchov they declared:
 "Now, we have an order here from the commander in chief, and it shall be obeyed We will take her away"
 They closed about me and was marched out of the line and off the field. Pugatchov was in a white rage, raving like madman, grinding his teeth. As we walked away, his inhuman voice roared:
 Fire at the knees.''
 volley rang out. Immediately crys and groans filled the air. Turning my head about, I saw the savages rush into the heap of victims with their bayonets, digging them deep into the bodies of my companions of a few minutes previous. ana crushing the last signs of life out of them with their heels.
 It was frightful, indescribably fright full The means were penetrating, blood-