238 SPOXTS AND ANECDOTES. 



The anxiety that was depicted on all faces was 

 extreme, and there was no sound to be heard till 

 the headsman's sword gleamed in the sun and de- 

 scended like a flash of lightning on the neck of the 

 culprit ; there was then a sort of suppressed sound, 

 or moan of agony, which seemed to thrill through 

 every one present. I did not see that any of the 

 women fainted, which rather surprised me, for it was 

 not much of a sight for women. One of the dragoons 

 fainted and fell off his horse, and was removed till 

 he got right again, which he soon did. This was 

 the only instance that I heard of. 



The sound produced by the sword was a rather 

 peculiar one, and I can compare it to nothing but 

 such a sound as would be produced by holding up 

 a large mangold-wurzel, or an unripe pumpkin, and 

 cutting it through with a large round-of-beef knife. 

 It was a dull kind of ringing sound, if I may so 

 call it, that was very peculiar and difficult to imagine 

 unless heard. 



The neck of the man was remarkably short and 

 thick ; I do not think that I ever saw so thick a 

 neck on any man's shoulders before or since ; I feel 

 sure, however, that had it been double the size the 

 sword would have passed through it just as quickly 



