The leading company of
the regiment began now to defile from the barrier-gate,
and was followed by the others, each successively
moving and halting according to the orders
of the Adjutant, so as to form three sides of an
oblong square, with the ranks faced inwards. The
fourth, or blank side of the square, was closed up
by the huge and lofty precipice on which the Castle
rises. About the centre of the procession,
bare-headed, disarmed, and with his hands bound,
came the unfortunate victim of military law. He
was deadly pale, but his step was firm and his eye
as bright as ever. The clergyman walked by his
side---the coffin, which was to receive his mortal
remains, was borne before him. The looks of his
comrades were still, composed, and solemn. They
felt for the youth, whose handsome form, and
manly yet submissive deportment had, as soon as
he was distinctly visible to them, softened the
hearts of many, even of some who had been actuated
by vindictive feelings.
The coffin destined for the yet living body of
Hamish Bean was placed at the bottom of the hollow
square, about two yards distant from the foot
of the precipice, which rises in that place as steep
as a stone wall to the height of three or four hundred
feet.
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