Year: 1859




that had even married afterwards, and brought
up children; he was fully aware that the is.
sue of this terrible torture depended entirely
upon the dispositions of the men. Dreadful
reflection! Above all, he thought of the
shame, the disbonor-and his proud heart
was well nigh giving way.


On the evening previous to the punish
ment the second rifle 5attaiion of Kheren.
buIler infantry would hEve been unfit fos
service-the men were drunk. They had
got up a caroussI in joy and honor OF the
coming day. But in the morning they were
sober enough. The drums ceased to bea,
as soon as the prisoner arrived in the square;
his escort fell back. He stood alone near
the right wing OF the company. There
was dead silence; not respiration was
heard from all the thousands gathered on
spot. The commanding officer read the
sentence over to him for the second time
This done, be exhorted the men, according
to custom, to dispense with eli feelings oil
compassion ,and TO do their duty conformabIy
to the law. The colonel went through this
part of the formality in quick and hurried
manner, as il he were unwilling TO perform
IT.
in this instance there was no need whatev-
er for exhoriation. These preIiminaries be.
ing over the prisoner was delivered into the
hands of the provost.


When the latter tore off from his uniform
the golden lace and galoons-the marks of
his military rank-throwing them, together
with the gold medal, at his feet, the face OF
the unfortunate man became purple, and his
dark eyes flashed fire. When be was strip
ped of his coat and shirt, and placed at the
entry of the terrible street. through which
he had to pass. he became pale again. Two
soldiers went ahead of him; they marched
backwards, with their bayoness presented to
his breast so IS to force him TO keep meas
ure to a drum which brought up the rear
The drum was muffied; It's slow and dismal
beats sounded like the music of q funeral
procession. 5sEG 2al tsa45 sesaa
p When he received the first stroke his fea-
tures assumed the expression of pain, and
his irm-set lips quivered slightly. This was, },
however, the only sign of sensation. Cross
ing mis- arms over his breast, and pressing
his teeth close together, his proud face re-
msined henceforth immovable. His merci-





umph after all; they might slash his body in
pieces, but his proud and indomitable spirit
they could not break. The blows descended
with fearful violence upon him. After
the FIRST dozen blood came, but never did he
utter one single exclamation Of pain; never
not even with look-did he implore for
mercy. An expression of seorn and dis.
dain was deeply set on his face, as pale as
death When he had reached at last the
iefs wing of the company, his lacerated
back presented frightfni appearance
Even his most exasperated enemies might
well have been saiit6ed now; If il had but
been possible, the comnanding officer him
self would have interceded in his behalf; but
this was not even TO be thought of; The law
must have its course. They laced him right
about: he had to make the same way back
again.


There was one formality connected with
the punishment which was a cruel, barbar-
Gus and shameful mockery: the delinquent
had to thank his executioners for his tor
lures.


When the victim had arrived at the file
leader of the right wing of the company
and the dreadful execution was over at last.
he threw one last, long look. full of contempt
a, his tormeutors. Then he was seen stag
gering like drunken man towards the com
mandins officer. His eyes swollen with
blood, beamed with unnatural brightness;
his respiration was short and painful
Touching his head with his right hand, in
token OF military salute. he said in a voice
that came out OF his throat with rafting
sound. but that Was nevertheless distinctly
heard all over the place. Il have to thank
your honor for this exquisite punishment,
and fell dead.