The command, "Ready, aim, fire!" was given, the volley discharged, and the prisoner fell off the stump.

He had not been killed.
It was the sergeant's duty to give the _coup d'etat_, should not the prisoner be slain.

The sergeant ran up and placed the muzzle of his gun at the head of the poor, pleading, and entreating wretch, his gun was discharged, and the wretched man only powder-burned, the gun being one that had been loaded with powder only.

The whole affair had to be gone over again.

The soldiers had to reload and form and fire.