FIVE-Clemency
‘So, Colour-Sar’nt, what does the manual tell us about execution by firing squad?’ Morgan tried not to let his revulsion show, for McGucken was being utterly pragmatic about the whole business.
‘Damned if I know, sir. This is one of those jobs that you just make up as you go along,’ McGucken answered dispassionately. ‘You ready yet, Corporal Pegg?’
‘Almost, Colour-Sar’nt.’ Pegg—after his experience gained with the executions in Bombay—had been charged with tying the prisoners to five wooden posts set in front of a sandy bank. ‘Old still, Mr Bogger.’ The fourth condemned man in the first batch struggled a little as he was triced up by Private Beeston. ‘One more to go.’
After the capture of Rowa almost two weeks ago, General Smith’s column had flogged over one hundred drear
