Alfred de Rosann by G.W.M. Reynolds — page 87: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

68 - Alfred de Fosann. of that party of galley-slaves that was nearest to the scaffold; and reproaches against Edouard, mingled with threats, issued from their ranks. The Governor called to order—the soldiers rattled their arms— and the sentries cast vigilant looks around—but the spirit which now influenced the convicts was not easily repressed: and in a moment the hitherto stifled shout of ‘“ Vengeance! vengeance on the murderer !” burst forth with appalling vehemence. It seemed as if a hundred thousand voices were concentrated together to chaunt forth the terrible chorus: the menaces, the supplications, the orders, and the entreaties of the Commissary, the inspector, and other authorities, were, in com- parison with that dread sound, as the scream of an infant on the strand of the boisterous ocean. Amidst the continued din of a thousand cries was soon heard the rattling of chains, and the clanking of the fetters of which the convicts endeavoured to disencumber themselves: and then a simultaneous rush towards the scaffold but too distinctly proclaimed the intention of the infuriate: mob. Edouard, who had hitherto remained upon the plat- form, now suspected that he was the cause of this disturbance—the object of that increasing ire; and, giving full vent to his terror in a loud scream, he hastily descended the steps, and sought protection by the side of the Governor. His disappearance from the scaffold of the guillotine was instantly noticed ; and another cry of extermination, which struck every ear, and which no one could mistake, issued from the enraged convicts, while the clanking of their chains still continued as a horrible chorus to the repeated shouts for blood. In five minutes the vindictive spirit, that had thus influenced the foremost rank of the shackled criminals, was disseminated throughout the whole; and the cries and the shouts became every instant more appalling. De Rosann, irresolute how to act, was dragged onwards with the rest: Belle-Rose whispered a word of hope in his ear—and they performed their utmost to add to the confusion. : The present position of all the various parties, passive or active, may be rendered comprehensible in one moment, if it be not already under- stood. The reader must picture to himself an immense arena, bounded by high walls or buildings on all sides, and entirely encompassed within by a military force. In the centre stood the scaffold, on which the criminal had been executed. Around that scaffold, filling up the vacancy between it and the ranks of soldiers, were the disordered squadrons of convicts, mixed pell mell together, all pushing towards one point, and moving on but slowly, because those nearest were afraid to show them- selves too prominently in the mutiny, if it can be so called, and were urged forward by the more daring mub behind them. At a little dis- tance from the scaffolding, a circle of spars and ropes had been con. structed to repress the advance of the convicts; and within those limits stood the prison authorities. Half a dozen sentries were placed at certain distances outside the feeble barrier, as an additional precaution against the rude pressure of a curious multitude. When the first rush was made towards the enclosure, these sentries assumed menacing attitudes, throwing their muskets in a horizontal position, and thus presenting their glittering bayonets to the bodies of the foremost of the mob. But the Governor perceived in a moment the COMRnIClooo SS (GO)