venge first at all
events. Soldiers, take these two men, and put them in the centre, with
the others."

Vangilt pleaded and entreated in vain: at last, in his rage, he called
the general "a coward and a madman."

"Captain Vangilt, you will answer that at some other time," replied the
general; "at present we will carry our will into execution. Lead them
away."

Vangilt then covered his face with his hands, and all the other officers
showed signs of great disgust.

"Farewell, Vangilt," said I in French; "I thank you for your
interference, although you have not succeeded with the _scoundrel_."

"Take them away!" roared the general.

At that moment the report of musketry was heard in dropping shots.

"Well, if ever I saw such a bloody villain," said Cross. "Take that, at
all events;" continued Bob, shying his hat right into the general's
face. "I only wish it was a 32-pounder, you murdering thief."

The rage of the general may easily be imagined. Once more he gave his
orders, drawing his sword in a menacing way at his own soldiers, who now
forced us towards the part of the square where the other victims were
collected. As soon as we were there, they wanted to blind our eyes, but
that both I and Bob positively refused, and a delay was created by our
resistance. The musketry was now approaching much nearer; and a few
seconds afterwards the general gave the order for the party to advance
who were to execute the sentence.

The other prisoners kneeled down; but I and Cross would not; and while
we were resisting, the general repeated his order to fire; but the men
were confused with the advance of the enemy, and the impossibility to
fire while Cross and I not only resisted the soldiers, but held them so
fast, that had the party fired they must have shot them as well as us.
A cry "To arms" was given, and the troops all wheeled round in front to
repel the enemy. A loud hurrah was followed by an inpouring of some
hundred Cossacks, with their long spears who, in a few seconds charged
and routed the French, who retreated in the greatest confusion by the
different streets which led into the Grand Place.

"Hurrah! we are saved," cried Cross, snatching up a musket that had been
dropped by a soldier. I did the same, and pursued the retreating
French, till a bullet through my leg put a stop to my progress. I
called to Cross, who came to my assistance, and he helped me back to the
Grand Place, which was now clear of tr