Black Arrow, the Avenger — page 64: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

executicners, beseeching them to spare his life. But We groveled and begged and raved and threatened in vain. He was surrounded by men who were terribly in earnest, who Had banded together to free the land from a great plague, to se- cure the safety of themselves, their families and their property. They believed it to be their duty ‘to make un example of this man, and were determined to perform their duty, cost what it might. “ Your ten minutes are up.” said Captain Ferguson, return- ing his watch ‘to his pocket. “Up on the barrel with him {” ' The poor wretch was seized_by strong arms, and, in spite of his struggles and shrieks, was raised up on the “barrel, and '@ the noose was ‘tightened around his neck: The next instant the barrel was kicked out from under ‘him, and he was swing- ing in the air, * ‘During this procedure the circle closed about Whetstone! and knives were drawn, and pistols were cocked. But he gave no heed to these preparations, surveying the scene before him with an appearance of entire indifference. “His single eye was as unshrinking, and his countenance was as wndismayed as ever. A stalwart man, a match for any two of those who 'sur- rounded him, he might have broken through ‘their ranks and dashed away. Perhaps the drawn knives and cocked pistols deterred him ; but he ‘did not seem to notice them, nor did he show, by! look or movement, any desire to stir from the ground on which his feet were planted. After hanging about twenty minutes, in perfect silence, the body of Satterlee was lowered to the ground, and the noose was carefully removed from his neck. The barrel and - rope were then restored’ to theit former positions. “ Now, sir,” said Captain Ferguson, turning to Whetstone. The person addressed quietly stepped forward, without be- afta aay emotion, mounted the barrel, and put his head in the noose. This movement created considerable surprise, which found vent in whispers and murmurs ; but the gtiards still. closed in around him. - George Warner, who had been regarding his«friend in si- lence, but with great interest, quickly stepped forward. . “He is innocent, | Captain Ferguson 1” exclaimed "Warner. “He is ‘a true man. © I will go bail for him with my life” Comicloooks.comn