Under Fire: A Tale of the Shenandoah Valley — page 180: what you’re looking at

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

LOOKING INTO HIS OWN GRAVE. | 173 Four men stood within a few feet, with drawn te- volvers, ready to shoot him down at a moment’s ' warning, while the remainder of the squad not at work were formed in a circle near, with carbines in hand, as if anxious and aching for the murder to take place. soon the excavation seemed large enough, and of sufficient depth to suit the workers, and they paused and announced the first act in the wretched drama at an end. ‘We will now ring up the curtain on the next scene,’’-cried Colonel Trafton, meaningly. ee then waved his hand, ape a man advanced with Z a handkerchief to blindfold the prisoner. Captain Chetwood motioned him back. “Tet me die with my eyes open, at least!’ he cried. “Well, I’m not particular,’ grunted Colonel Traf- ton. In spite of the prisoner’s remonstrance, however, the Confederates bound his hands behind him, and then led him to a tree that stood on the verge of the shallow grave. “Your time has come, Captain Chetwood,’’ said Colonel Trafton, in a low tone. ‘‘We are in the rear of Early’s army, your men are in rapid flight, and it is absolutely impossible for help to come from any quarter. I hope you are resigned.’ ‘(This is murder; that is all I have to say.’? - ‘“‘T am sorry to see you so bitter,’’ answered the colonel, as he left the side of the doomed man and took his place beside his second officer. ” 3 eo . as elo) i} (al ofoYe) KS (eo)