On reaching the centre of the field, the detachment of Highlanders formed a semicircle, and a general halt took place—the prisoner and those with him standing in the midst, and the execution party remaining at the back.
Some short prayers were then recited by Mr. Coppock, in which both the sergeant and Helen joined very earnestly.
These prayers over, the sergeant took leave of Helen, and strained her to his breast.
At this moment, her firmness seemed to desert her, and her head fell upon his shoulder. Colonel Johnstone stepped forward, and took her gently away.
The provost then ordered a handkerchief to be bound over the sergeant's eyes, but at the prisoner's earnest request this formality was omitted.
The fatal moment had now arrived. The detachment of Highlanders drew back, and Erick knelt down.
The execution party made ready, and moved up within six or seven yards of the kneeling man.
"Fire!" exclaimed Syddall, and the fatal discharge took place—doubly fatal as it turned out.
At the very instant when the word was given by Syddall, Helen rushed up to her lover, and kneeling by his side, died with him.
Her faithful breast was pierced by the same shower of bullets that stopped the beating of his valiant heart.