Page:The Necromancer, or, The Tale of the Black Forest Vol. 2.djvu/177

 by secret awe did I arrive at the place of execution, and horror made my blood run chill as I beheld the dreadful pile, which soon was to reduce to ashes the preserver of my life.

A gaping multitude was standing around, awaiting with cruel insensibility, and with more than beastly satisfaction, the dreadful catastrophe which was to terminate the life of their fellow creatures.

Without recollection was I standing amid the crowd, when, suddenly a confused noise was heard, and every eye directed to one spot: Lifting up my downcast looks, I beheld the funeral procession drawing near with slow solemnity: Volkert was walking in the front with firm and manly steps, followed by his ghastly looking fellow sufferer: The procession stopped at the enclosure, encircling the scaffold, and Volkert's eyes were anxiously looking around; at length he saw me, nodded to me, with a grateful smile, and entered the enclosure.