As soon as the last had obeyed the summons, at a sign from the governor the eight Clawards were seized and bound in spite of all resistance. The murmurs of the spectators were soon repressed by the threatening aspect of a party of men-at-arms detached with that intention. In a few moments a lofty gallows was set up in the middle of the square, and a priest might be seen standing by the side of the victims. At the sight of the fell instrument of death, the wives, children, and friends of the unhappy men called aloud for mercy, and the masses of people swayed tumultuously to and fro. A mighty sigh, mingled with curses and cries for vengeance, burst from the crowd, and ran along its ranks like the growling of the thunder which precedes the storm.
Again a trumpeter came forward, sounded a blast, and made proclamation:
"Know ye all, that whosoever shall disturb the lawful execution of the justice of my lord the governor-general by seditious cries, or otherwise, shall be treated as an accomplice of these rebels, and an accessory to their crimes, and as such be hanged upon the same gallows."
Immediately the murmurs died away, and a death-like stillness fell upon the multitude. The weeping women lifted up their eyes to Heaven, and addressed their supplications to Him whose ear is ever operr to His creatures' prayers, though a despot's threats may seal their lips; the men, inwardly burning with rage and indignation, cursed their own impotence to help. Seven of the Clawards were brought up, one after another, to the gallows, and turned off before the faces of their fellowcitizens. The dismay of the terrified crowd changed into horror, their horror into desperation; as each fresh victim was thrust from the ladder, they averted their eyes or bowed their heads toward the ground, to avoid the spectacle of his dying struggles. To escape from the scene by flight was not allowed them, and the slightest appearance of movement among the throng was instantly repressed by the threatening weapons of the soldiery who barred the way.
Only one Claward now remained by the side of Messire de Chatillon: his turn was come, he had confessed himself, and was ready for the executioner; but still De Chatillon delayed to give the word. De Mortenay was earnestly soliciting the pardon of the aged man (for he it was), while Van Gistel, who bore him an especial hatred, was as earnestly representing that he was one of the very men who had been busiest in stirring up the. population against the garrison. At last, by the governor's command, the apostate thus addressed his countryman:
"You have seen how your fellows have been punished for their rebellious conduct, and you are yourself condemned to share their fate; nevertheless, the lord governor, out of regard for your gray hairs, is willing to deal graciously with you. He grants you your life, on condition that henceforth you bear yourself as a true and faithful subject of the French crown. Cry, 'France forever!' and you are pardoned."
With a bitter smile of mingled scorn and indignation, the aged patriot replied:
"Yes! were I such as you, I should do your bidding like a coward, and sully my white hairs by that last act of baseness. But God, I know, will give me grace to defy your threats and resist you to the death. You, vile traitor that you are, are not ashamed, like the reptile that tears its mother's entrails, to deliver over to the stranger the land that gave you birth and nourished you. But tremble for yourself; I have sons that will avenge me. You shall not die peaceably in your bed! and you know that the words of an expiring man fall not to the ground."
Van Gistel turned pale at this solemn denunciation. A terrible foreboding passed over his heart, and he repented already of his gratified revenge; for the dread of death is ever the strongest feeling in a traitor's soul. De Chatillon, meanwhile, had sufficiently read the old Claward's determination in his countenance.
"Well, what says the rebel?" he asked.
"Messire," answered Van Gistel, "he scoffs at me, and despises the mercy you ofifer him."
"Hang him, then!" was the stern reply.
The soldier who did the office of executioner now took the old man by the arm, and led him unresisting to the gallows.
The priest had given his final blessing, the victim had set his foot upon the first round of the ladder, and the rope was already about his neck, when suddenly a violent commotion showed itself in the crowd, which all the efforts of the soldiers were unable to subdue. Some strong impulse from behind seemed to be communicating itself to the multitude, driving some forward, others sideways against the walls of the houses, and a young man, with naked arms, and a countenance intensely agitated with rage and terror, forced his way through into the open space in front. Once clear of the obstruction of the throng, he cast a wild look round the square, and sprang forward with the speed of an arrow, exclaiming, "My father! my father; you shall not die!"
Even as he spoke the words he had reached the foot of the gallows; his cross-knife flashed aloft, and the next instant was buried in the heart of the executioner. With a single cry he rolled expiring on the ground, while the young Fleming seized his father in his arms, threw him upon his shoulder, and hastened with his sacred burden toward the crowd. For a moment the soldiers stood motionless with astonishment, like so many
