by his hunters, and the frightful novelty of the spectacle, which
for an instant restrained the fury of the troop. He perceived
this and temporized with them for a compromise.

"Gentlemen," said he, "I go to my death! I die with all my heart!
But let no one approach me or I shall shoot him--except this
gentleman," he continued, pointing to the executioner. "This
is an affair that concerns us alone and merely needs a certain
understanding between us."

This concession was readily accorded, for there was no one present
who was not suffering from the prolongation of this horrible
tragedy, and anxious to see it finished. Perceiving their assent,
he placed one of his pistols between his teeth, and drawing a
dagger from his belt, plunged it in his breast up to the hilt.
He still remained standing and seemed greatly surprised. There
was a movement toward him.

"Very well, gentlemen!" cried he, covering the men who sought
to surround him with his pistols, which he had seized again,
while the blood spurted freely from the wound in which he had
left his poniard. "You know our agreement; either I die alone
or three of us will die together. Forward, march!" He walked
straight to the guillotine, turning the knife in his breast as
he did so.

"Faith," said he, "my soul must be centred in my belly! I cannot
die. See if you can fetch it out."

This last was addressed to his executioner. An instant later