How do you do, captain?
This is a pleasanter occasion for you than our former meeting, isn't it?
I see your arm is still in a sling; that's because I bungled my work.
These good fellows will do theirs better-- won't you, lads?" He glanced round at the gloomy faces of the carabineers. "There'll be no need of slings this time, any way.
There, there, you needn't look so doleful over it!
Put your heels together and show how straight you can shoot.
Before long there'll be more work cut out for you than you'll know how to get through, and there's nothing like practice beforehand."
"My son," the priest interrupted, coming forward, while the others drew back to leave them alone together; "in a few minutes you must enter into the presence of your Maker.
Have you no other use but this for these last moments that are left you for repentance?
Think, I entreat you, how dreadful a thing it is to die without absolution, with all your sins upon your head.
When you stand before your Judge it will be too late to repent.
Will you approach His awful throne with a jest upon your lips?"
"A jest, your reverence?
It is your side that needs that little homily, I think.
When our turn comes we shall use field-guns instead of half a dozen second-hand carbines, and then you'll see how much we're in jest."
"YOU will use field-guns!
Oh, unhappy man!
Have you still not realized on what frightful brink you stand?"
The Gadfly glanced back over his shoulder at the open grave.
"And s-s-so your reverence thinks that, when you have put me down there, you will have done with me?
Perhaps you will lay a stone on the top to pre-v-vent a r-resurrection 'after three days'?
No fear, your reverence!
I shan't poach on the monopoly in cheap theatricals; I shall lie as still as a m-mouse, just where you put me.
And all the same, WE shall use field-guns."
"Oh, merciful God," the priest cried out; "forgive this wretched man!"
"Amen!" murmured the lieutenant of carabineers, in a deep bass growl, while the colonel and his nephew crossed themselves devoutly.
As there was evidently no hope of further insistence producing any effect, the priest gave up the fruitless attempt and moved aside, shaking his head and murmuring a prayer.
The short and simple preparations were made without more delay, and the Gadfly placed himself in the required position, only turning his head to glance up for a moment at the red and yellow splendour of the sunrise.
He had repeated the request that his eyes might not be bandaged, and his defiant face had wrung from the colonel a reluctant consent.
They had both forgotten what they were inflicting on the soldiers.
He stood and faced them, smiling, and the carbines shook in their hands.
"I am quite ready," he said.
The lieutenant stepped forward, trembling a little with excitement.
He had never given the word of command for an execution before.
"Ready--present--fire!"
The Gadfly staggered a little and recovered his balance.
One unsteady shot had grazed his cheek, and a little blood fell on to the white cravat.
Another ball had struck him above the knee.
When the smoke cleared away the soldiers looked and saw him smiling still and wiping the blood from his cheek with the mutilated hand
"A bad shot, men!" he said; and his voice cut in, clear and articulate, upon the dazed stupor of the wretched soldiers. "Have another try."
A general groan and shudder passed through the row of carabineers.
Each man had aimed aside, with a secret hope that the death-shot would come from his neighbour's hand, not his; and there the Gadfly stood and smiled at them; they had only turned the execution into a butchery, and the whole ghastly business was to do again.
They were seized with sudden terror, and, lowering their carbines, listened hopelessly to the furious curses and reproaches of the officers, staring in dull horror at the man whom they had killed and who somehow was not dead.
The Governor shook his fist in their faces, savagely shouting to them to stand in position, to present arms, to make haste and get the thing over.
He had become as thoroughly demoralized as they were, and dared not look at the terrible figure that stood, and stood, and would not fall.
When the Gadfly spoke to him he started and shuddered at the sound of the mocking voice.
"You have brought out the awkward squad this morning, colonel!
Let me see if I can manage them better. Now, men!
Hold your tool higher there, you to the left.
Bless your heart, man, it's a carbine you've got in your hand, not a frying-pan!