ain the pikemen were forced to thrust back the surging
mass, and at last the soldiers did not hesitate to use their weapons
as the throng forced its way up to the very ropes surrounding the
scaffold. But now above the babel of tongues the great bell of the
Cathedral boomed out the hour of eleven. As its last note died away
the roar of voices gradually subsided, until it sunk into a dull
murmur of expectancy, but again it broke forth into a cheer as the
headsman ascended the stairs leading to the scaffold. This man was
popular with the rabble and noted for his dexterity and strength. As
the applause greeted him he recognized the homage rendered with a bow.
His was a gruesome figure, as, attired in the costume of the office,
his features concealed by a scarlet mask, he leaned easily upon the
handle of the glittering axe--and waited.

Soon four soldiers, under command of an officer, approached the door
of the inclosure and stood two on either side with halberds reversed.
A moment of breathless stillness followed; the portal opened and one
victim was led forth. Surrounded by guards he was solemnly conducted
to the foot of the steps leading to the block. Keyes, for it was he,
ascended without aid, and reached the platform. A murmur of
disappointment ran through the multitude as he came into view, for
they had supposed Fawkes would be the first to die.

The man for an instant stood quite still; he had been the first of the
little procession to reach the top, and seemed undecided which
direction to take, but only for a moment stood he thus; two of the
guards quickly approached and led him toward the center of the
scaffold. He knelt without assistance, laid his cheek upon the block,
his right shoulder resting in the notch fastened for its reception.
The soldiers retired. The headsman drew back, swiftly raised the axe
above his head, measured the distance with a practiced eye, and
struck.

The favorite of the rabble had again acquitted himself well. The head
of the victim fell on one side of the block, the quivering trunk
sinking to the floor upon the other. A cheer greeted the deed, then
silence once more fell upon the multitude. Some soldiers now appeared
carrying a box of sand. They quickly ascended the steps and scattered
its contents upon the wet boards. Having finished, one of the men
seized the head which still lay where it had fallen, fixed it upon the
point of his pike and stuck the weapon with its gruesome burden up