The men had been ordered to refrain from any expression of excitement, and to assume, as far as possible, a look of quiet grief.

Behind the infantry were a number of mounted officers, among whom General Borodoff, the governor of the town and district, was pointed out to the midshipmen, and near the general, under a strong guard, the prisoner was standing.

All the insurgents, with the exception of those forming the first line, quietly fitted their scythes and bayonets to the handles and waited the signal.
Presently there was a movement behind the troops, who were drawn up six deep.

Then a man was seen mounting the scaffold followed by the priest, behind whom came the prisoner between two warders.

Just at this moment there was a stir in the crowd at the end of the square, and over the heads of the people a line of glittering bayonets could be seen coming down the street.