As if to make Nolenki reflect, Verbitzsky spoke more slowly:—
"If Dmitry Nolenki jumps down into this pit before I say five, do not throw the bomb at him. You understand, Michael, do not throw if he jumps down instantly. Four!"
Nolenki's legs were so weak that he could not walk to the edge. In trying to do so he stumbled, fell, crawled, and came in head first, a mere heap.
"Wise Nolenki!" said my comrade, with a laugh. Then in his tone of desperate resolution, "Nolenki, get down on your hands and knees, and put your head against that wall. Don't move now—if you wish to live."
"Now, men," he cried to the others in military fashion, "right about, face!"
They hesitated, perhaps fearful that he would throw at them when they turned.
"About! instantly!" he cried. They all turned.
"Now, men, you see your chief. At the word 'March,' go and kneel in a row beside him, your heads against that wall. Hump your backs as high as you can. If any man moves to get out, all will suffer together. You understand?"
"Yes! yes! yes!" came in an agony of abasement from their lips.