The involuntary
shriek from those who beheld the mass, when, for an instant impending
above them, it seemed to hesitate in its progress down, was more full of
human terror than any utterance which followed the event. With the
exception of a groan, wrung forth here and there from the half-crushed
victim, in nature's agony, the deep silence which ensued was painful and
appalling; and even when the dust had dissipated, and the eye was
enabled to take in the entire amount of the evil deed, the prospect
failed in impressing the senses of the survivors with so distinct a
sentiment of horror, as when the doubt and death, suspended in air, were
yet only threatened.
Though prepared for the event, in one sense of the word, the great body
of the squatters were not prepared for the unusual emotions which
succeeded it in their bosoms. The arms dropped from the hands of many of
them--a speechless horror was the prevailing feature of all, and all
fight was over, while the scene of bloody execution was now one of
indiscriminate examination and remark with friend and foe.
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