With slow, and, it seemed, almost unwilling steps, the firing party entered the square, and were drawn up facing the prisoner, about ten yards distant.

The clergyman was now about to retire.

"Think, my son," he said, "on what I have told you, and let your hope be rested on the anchor which I have given.

You will then exchange a short and miserable existence here for a life in which you will experience neither sorrow nor pain.

Is there aught else which you can entrust to me to execute for you ?" The youth looked at his sleeve buttons.