Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 89: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

70 Alfred de Rosann. contend against the attacks of the soldiery. No muskets were dis- charged; but the bayonet was a powerful reasoner to compel the refrac- tory to a surrender; andas the circumference of the crowd of insurgents gradually became lessened, order would have been soon re-established through the efforts of the military, unaccustomed as those brave warriors were to a warfare where they were obliged to abstain from rigorous mea- sures as much as possible, had not the terrible screams of Edouard for a moment suspended all operations, and reduced both soldiers and galley- slaves to silence and transitory inactivity on the extremities of the mass of people thus condensed together, while a terrible massacre was being perpetrated in the middle, whither no bayonets had as yet forced an en- trance. The infuriate convicts of the centre seized hold of Edouard, and tossed him from one to the other, like a frail vessel hurled from billow to billow at the mercy of the winds. They then formed a small opening amongst them, and placed him in the midst, to respond to their interro- gatories. At first he answered not, being half dead with fear and the bruises he had received; but a violent blow from the rough hand of the spokesman speedily aroused him to a sense of his predicament, and drew prompt replies from his lips. It was as easy for him to refuse to obey, as for an infant to combat the will of a giant. ‘‘ You offspring of the devil,” began the spokesman, in the name of the rest, “answer me truly: was Francois guilty of the crime that sent him to the scaffold ?” ‘¢ No—no—he was innocent!’ screamed the youth, veiling his face with his hands, and sobbing bitterly. ‘¢ And who should have suffered in his place ?”’ ‘¢ [—myself—for I alone was culpable.” ‘ You murdered the inspector, villain ?” “T did—I did: oh! God, forgive me!” and Edouard’s agony was expressed in groans and sighs that would have excited the commiseration of any save his present auditors. ‘¢ And the broken knife ?” continued the interrogator sharply. ‘¢ Tt was borrowed for me, and I afterwards transferred the handle to Francois’ pocket.” ‘¢ As for the murder, I can understand that easily enough,” pursued the convict, who had taken upon himself the office of interlocutor, with a brutal affectation of jocularity; “but I scarcely comprehend how and wherefore you could become the executioner.” ‘¢ I was wearied, and afraid of your reproaches,’’ replied Edouard in a faint voice, “ for having given my testimony against one who was always kind to me: and the prospect of being exempt from labour, and of being apart from the other convicts, induced me to volunteer my services to the Governor.” “ Infamous wretch! it would do me good to cut your hard heart out of your body,” thundered the convict, accompanying his detestable speech with a severe blow on the youth’s cheek. That was the signal to his companions for a recommencement of their brutalities, and in a moment Edouard was again hurled from one to the other. It was then that his piercing screams thrilled so frightfully in the ears of the soldiers, and echoed around the gloomy prison. His limbs were dislocated in the demoniac sport—his yells were disregarded— COMRnIClooo SS (GO)