He risked this fate. He will be shot at once. Captain von
Glahn will take charge of the execution of the court's sentence."
Fred passed through the minutes that followed as if he were in a dream.
It seemed to him that it was someone else who was led into the garden,
placed against a wall, and blindfolded. Von Glahn, a young officer, came
and stood beside him.
"The firing squad will be here at once," he said. "I am sorry. Is there
any message I can deliver for you?"
And then outside a bugle rang out, and there was a burst of wild,
frenzied yelling and the next moment a crash of firing.
CHAPTER XI
THE COSSACKS
Something fell against Fred, something heavy and warm. It was a full
minute before he realized that it was von Glahn, staggering, coughing.
He supported the German officer for a moment. Then they went down
together with von Glahn, still coughing terribly, on top. That saved
Fred's life. For over him now, for the next five minutes, there raged a
furious fight. Horses were all through the grounds; Fred heard them, and
the savage, unearthly cries of their riders. For the first minute there
was a good deal of firing.
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