I will choose, therefore, just one minute before that hour."
"Very good," said he. "Such clinging to life is rather childish,
but your wishes shall be met."
"As to the method," I added, "I love a death which all the world
can see. Put me on yonder pile of fagots and burn me alive, as
saints and martyrs have been burned before me. That is no common
end, but one which an Emperor might envy."
The idea seemed to amuse him very much. "Why not?" said he. "If
Massena has sent you to spy upon us, he may guess what the fire
upon the mountain means."
"Exactly," said I. "You have hit upon my very reason. He will
guess, and all will know, that I have died a soldier's death."
"I see no objection whatever," said the brigand, with his
abominable smile. "I will send some goat's flesh and wine into
your hut. The sun is sinking and it is nearly eight o'clock. In
four hours be ready for your end."
It was a beautiful world to be leaving. I looked at the golden
haze below, where the last rays of the sinking sun shone upon the
blue waters of the winding Tagus and gleamed upon the white sails
of the English transports.
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