Then suddenly he would mutter softly, staring at the ground: "My darlings, my sweethearts!...

My darlings, my sweethearts! have pity....

My darlings!...

My sweethearts!" And it seemed again as if he were listening intently to his own voice.
As he said each word he would listen.
Then he would jump up and for a whole hour would curse continually.
He cursed picturesquely, shouting and rolling his blood-shot eyes.
"If you hang me--hang me!" and he would burst out cursing again.
And the sentinel, in the meantime white as chalk, weeping with pain and fright, would knock at the door with the butt-end of the gun and cry helplessly: "I'll fire! I'll kill you as sure as I live! Do you hear ?" But he dared not shoot.

If there was no actual rebellion they never fired at those who had been condemned to death.