Give him one minute of ghostly advice, and dispatch matters in the next.

I must proceed on the rounds .-- Soldiers, follow me!" The Provost rode on, followed by his guard, excepting two or three, who were left to assist in the execution.

The unhappy youth cast after him an eye almost darkened by despair, and thought he heard in every tramp of his horse's retreating hoofs the last slight chance of his safety vanish.

He looked around him in agony, and was surprised, even in that moment, to see the stoical indifference of his fellow prisoners.

They had previously testified every sign of fear, and made every effort of escape; but now, when secured and destined apparently to inevitable death, they awaited its arrival with the utmost composure.