THE EXECUTION OF CARL CADWALLER. 233 



there began to be some signs that something more 

 than common was going to take place, for half a dozen 

 dragoons, if such ragged-looking fellows as they were 

 could be called dragoons, rode up and cleared a space 

 big enough for a carriage to pass from the road to 

 the mound that I have named. 



In a few minutes two carriages, or vehicles with 

 hoods to them, drove up, and out of the first got 

 two men, who were dressed in black. One, a middle- 

 sized thick-set-looking fellow, bore in his hand a 

 long green baize or green cloth bag, and with this 

 he ascended the mound, and laid it on the ground, 

 within a couple of yards of the white wooden chair. 

 The other man in black remained standing where he 

 had alighted. 



As soon as the second carriage, which was escorted 

 by two dragoons on each side with drawn swords, 

 drew up, a person dressed as a clergyman got out, 

 and after him a short, thick-set man who, from his 

 pale and anxious face, it was not difficult to perceive 

 was the culprit. He was, as may be supposed, ashy 

 white, I may say, as pale as death ; but he bore 

 himself manfully, and walked with a firm step to 

 where the man who had got out of the first carriage 

 with the executioner, for he it was, stood. This man, 



