the present
occasion. An attempt to escape, on the part of the condemned, would
have been productive of much confusion, and was properly guarded
against.

'The condemned men displayed no unmanly fear. On the contrary, they
steadily kept step to the Dead March which the band played; yet the
certainty of death threw a cadaverous and ghastly hue over their
black features, while their singular and appropriate costume, and
the three coffins being borne before them, altogether rendered it a
frightful picture: hence it was not to be wondered at that two of
the European soldiers fainted.

'The mutineers marched abreast. The tall form and horrid looks of
Daaga were almost appalling. The looks of Ogston were sullen, calm,
and determined; those of Coffin seemed to indicate resignation.

'At eight o'clock they arrived at the spot where three graves were
dug; here their coffins were deposited. The condemned men were made
to face to westward; three sides of a hollow square were formed,
flanked on one side by a detachment of the 89th Regiment and a party
of artillery, while the recruits, many of whom shared the guilt of
the culprits, were appropriately placed in the line opposite them.
The firing-party were a little in advance of the recruits.

'The sentence of the courts-martial, and other necessary documents,
having been read by the fort adjutant, Mr. Meehan, the chaplain of
the forces, read some prayers appropriated for these melancholy
occasions. The clergyman then shook hands with the three men about
to be sent into another state of existence. Daaga and Ogston coolly
gave their hands: Coffin wrung the chaplain's hand affectionately,
saying, in tolerable English, "I am now done with the world."

'The arms of the condemned men, as has been before stated, were
bound, but in such a manner as to allow them to bring their hands to
their heads. Their night-caps were drawn over their eyes. Coffin
allowed his to remain, but Ogston and Daaga pushed theirs up again.
The former did this calmly; the latter showed great wrath, seeming
to think himself insulted; and his deep metallic voice sounded in
anger above that of the provost-marshal, {179} as the latter gave
the words "Ready! present!" But at this instant his vociferous
daring forsook him. As the men levelled their muskets at him, with
inconceivable rapidity he sprang bodily round, still preserving his
squatting posture, and received