He grew worse and his ravings continued. Snatches of songs, military commands, fragments of prayers and oaths, were all mingled together in an unintelligible manner.
Jacob was kneeling, holding the burning head of his friend, when suddenly some one struck his shoulder. It was the officer.
"Enough of this! Get up and come away!" said he.
"Dear Ivas," cried Jacob, without paying attention to the man; "one word more, dear Ivas, your last word!"
The condemned raised himself, threw his arms around his friend's neck, and with an expression full of love and enthusiasm, cried:--
"My country!"
Then he fell back weeping and laughing at the same time. The delirium had returned. The officer took Jacob by the shoulder and forced him out of the room.
Madré awaited him, and before he let them depart the officer extorted a present.
Before retiring, Jacob knocked at Jankiel's door.
"Have you seen the poor man?" asked his host.