Then by a refinement of cruelty, spades were brought forward, and
the condemned men were bidden to dig their own graves. The guards
passed along the line, placing a spade in the hand of each and
telling them roughly what they were to do. They came to Tom and
saw that his hands were bound. There was hesitation and a moment's
colloquy between two of the guards, and then one of them drew his
knife and cut the cords while the other handed Tom a spade.
Tom took it.
The next instant he had whirled it over his head and brought it
down on the head of the guard nearest him. The man went down as if
shot. Spinning about, Tom sent the other guard down in a heap.
Then he hurled the improvised weapon into the ranks of the men's
comrades, who in wild excitement were bringing their rifles to
their shoulders, and broke like a deer toward the woods.
"Charge!" shouted Lieutenant Winter.
Never was order obeyed with more alacrity. Out of the woods came
rushing the men of the old Thirty-seventh, sending a hail of
bullets before them. Several of the German firing squad went down
at the first volley and the rest were overborne in the mad rush.
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