The Spanish Headsman. 43 



blaze of light broke forth near him, produced by the firing of straw and 

 dry wood : and, at the same instant, the grenadier he had been talking 

 with received a ball in his skull, and fell dead upon the spot. 



The cheerful sounds within the chateau walls were hushed at once. 

 A death-like silence reigned around for a moment; and then were heard, 

 but for an instant, distant and heart-piercing groans, as of a short con- 

 flicting agony : the report of a cannon boomed along the surface of the 

 ocean. Cold drops burst from the forehead of the officer. He was there 

 alone, unarmed, unfriended. His soldiers had all all perished. He felt 

 himself a degraded and dishonoured being ; he would be dragged before 

 a council of war, a prisoner, and in chains : all who could vindicate his 

 zeal and prudence were of another world. With a keen rapid glance he 

 scanned the depth below ; and leaping on the terrace walk, was on the 

 point of casting himself into the abyss, when the slight shriek and con- 

 vulsive grasp of some one by his side restrained him. 



" Fly ! Oh Fly !" whispered Clara, almost breathless from agitation 5 

 " my brothers follow me descend the rock, quickly without delay 

 there that way below you will find Juanito's horse begone 

 haste haste " 



She urged him onward with all her strength. Lost and confused, the 

 young man gazed on her for a moment j but quickly yielding to the in- 

 stinct of self-preservation, which rarely deserts us, he leaped into the park, 

 and rushed onwards in the direction pointed out to him. The steps of 

 persons in pursuit were heard, danger animated him to speed : he hastily 

 scrambled down the rocks, by paths never before trodden but by goats. 

 A shower of musket-balls whistled by him : but, with almost inconceiva- 

 ble rapidity, he gained the valley. The horse was there. He bounded 

 on its back, and disappeared. 



A few hours brought him to the head quarters of General G**t**r, who 

 was at breakfast with his staff: and he was instantly admitted into the 

 commander's presence. 



" I come to resign myself to death," exclaimed the Colonel, as he stood 

 before the General, pale and haggard." 



" Sit down, Sir," and when you are more composed I will listen to 

 you ;" and the stern severity of his countenance, which truly indicated his 

 well known harsh unyielding character, somewhat abated as he witnessed 

 the emotion of his visitor. As soon as he was able Victor told his horri- 

 ble tale : and the downcast looks and deep silence of his auditors were 

 the only but expressive comment on his history. 



" It appears to me, Sir," at length said the General, calmly, " that you 

 are more unfortunate than criminal ; you can hardly be deemed responsible 

 for the guilt of the Spaniards ; and if the Marshal decide not otherwise, I 

 shall not hesitate to acquit you. These words afforded but feeble con- 

 solation to Victor, who falteringly demanded, " But when the Emperor 

 learns the report, Sir ?" " It is not impossible he may order you to be 

 shot," observed the General, in a tone of indifference : " but of that here- 

 after,'* he added, rising and assuming his more bitter expression of tone 

 and feature. " Let us now only think of vengeance vengeance, deep, 

 deep and terrible on these Spaniards." 



In a short hour, an entire regiment, with detachments of cavalry and 

 artillery, were on their march ; at the head of which rode the General and 

 Victor. The troops, informed of the massacre of their comrades, pressed 



