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avest of my company； where all； or almost all； are good and brave。 I explained to him by what strange delusion the culprit's apparent desertion was occasioned； and how little his heart was accessory to the crime which his hand unhappily committed。 His answer was； 'These are Highland visions； Captain Campbell； as unsatisfactory and vain as those of the second sight。 An act of gross desertion may； in any case； be palliated under the plea of intoxication； the murder of an officer may be as easily coloured over with that of temporary insanity。 The example must be made； and if it has fallen on a man otherwise a good recruit； it will have the greater effect。' Such being the general's unalterable purpose；〃 continued Captain Campbell； with a sigh； 〃be it your care； reverend sir； that your penitent prepare by break of day tomorrow for that great change which we shall all one day be subjected to。〃
〃And for which；〃 said the clergyman； 〃may God prepare us all； as I in my duty will not be wanting to this poor youth！〃
Next morning； as the very earliest beams of sunrise saluted the grey towers which crown the summit of that singular and tremendous rock； the soldiers of the new Highland regiment appeared on the parade； within the Castle of Dunbarton； and having fallen into order； began to move downward by steep staircases； and narrow passages towards the external barrier… gate； which is at the very bottom of the rock。 The wild wailings of the pibroch were heard at times； interchanged with the drums and fifes； which beat the Dead March。
The unhappy criminal's fate did not； at first； excite that general sympathy in the regiment which would probably have arisen had he been executed for desertion alone。 The slaughter of the unfortunate Allan Breack had given a different colour to Hamish's offence； for the deceased was much beloved； and besides belonged to a numerous and powerful clan； of whom there were many in the ranks。 The unfortunate criminal； on the contrary； was little known to； and scarcely connected with； any of his regimental companions。 His father had been； indeed； distinguished for his strength and manhood； but he was of a broken clan； as those names were called who had no chief to lead them to battle。
It would have been almost impossible in another case to have turned out of the ranks of the regiment the party necessary for execution of the sentence； but the six individuals selected for that purpose； were friends of the deceased； descended； like him； from the race of MacDhonuil Dhu； and while they prepared for the dismal task which their duty imposed； it was not without a stern feeling of gratified revenge。 The leading company of the regiment began now to defile from the barrier…gate； and was followed by the others； each successively moving and halting according to the orders of the adjutant； so as to form three sides of an oblong square； with the ranks faced inwards。 The fourth； or blank side of the square； was closed up by the huge and lofty precipice on which the Castle rises。 About the centre of the procession； bare…headed； disarmed； and with his hands bound； came the unfortunate victim of military law。 He was deadly pale； but his step was firm and his eye as bright as ever。 The clergyman walked by his side； the coffin； which was to receive his mortal remains； was borne before him。 The looks of his comrades were still； composed； and solemn。 They felt for the youth； whose handsome form and manly yet submissive deportment had； as soon as he was distinctly visible to them； softened the hearts of many； even of some who had been actuated by vindictive feelings。
The coffin destined for the yet living body of Hamish Bean was placed at the bottom of the hollow square； about two yards distant from the foot of the precipice； which rises in that place as steep as a stone wall to the height of three or four hundred feet。 Thither the prisoner was also led； the clergyman still continuing by his side； pouring forth exhortations of courage and consolation； to which the youth appeared to listen with respectful devotion。 With slow； and； it seemed； almost unwilling steps； the firing party entered the square； and were drawn up facing the prisoner； about ten yards distant。 The clergyman was now about to retire。 〃Think； my son；〃 he said； 〃on what I have told you； and let your hope be rested on the anchor which I have given。 You will then exchange a short and miserable existence here for a life in which you will experience neither sorrow nor pain。 Is there aught else which you can entrust to me to execute for you？〃
The youth looked at his sleeve buttons。 They were of gold； booty perhaps which his father had taken from some English officer during the civil wars。 The clergyman disengaged them from his sleeves。
〃My mother！〃 he said with some effort〃give them to my poor mother！ See her； good father； and teach her what she should think of all this。 Tell her Hamish Bean is more glad to die than ever he was to rest after the longest day's hunting。 Farewell； sirfarewell！〃
The good man could scarce retire from the fatal spot。 An officer afforded him the support of his arm。 At his last look towards Hamish； he beheld him alive and kneeling on the coffin； the few that were around him had all withdrawn。 The fatal word was given； the rock rung sharp to the sound of the discharge； and Hamish； falling forward with a groan； died； it may be supposed； without almost a sense of the passing agony。
Ten or twelve of his own company then came forward； and laid with solemn reverence the remains of their comrade in the coffin； while the Dead March was again struck up； and the several companies； marching in single files； passed the coffin one by one； in order that all might receive from the awful spectacle the warning which it was peculiarly intended to afford。 The regiment was then marched off the ground； and reascended the ancient cliff； their music； as usual on such occasions； striking lively strains； as if sorrow； or even deep thought； should as short a while as possible be the tenant of the soldier's bosom。
At the same time the small party； which we before mentioned； bore the bier of the ill…fated Hamish to his humble grave； in a corner of the churchyard of Dunbarton； usually assigned to criminals。 Here； among the dust of the guilty； lies a youth； whose name； had he survived the ruin of the fatal events by which he was hurried into crime； might have adorned the annals of the brave。
The minister of Glenorquhy left Dunbarton immediately after he had witnessed the last scene of this melancholy catastrophe。 His reason acquiesced in the justice of the sentence； which required blood for blood； and he acknowledged that the vindictive character of his countrymen required to be powerfully restrained by the strong curb of social law。 But still he mourned over the individual victim。 Who may arraign the bolt of Heaven when it bursts among the sons of the forest？ yet who can refrain from mourning when it selects for the object of its blighting aim the fair stem of a young oak； that promised to be the pride of the dell in which it flourished？ Musing on these melancholy events； noon found him engaged in the mountain passes； by