Perish with him the folly that seeks through evil good! Never more may yon Blue Ridges the Northern rifle hear, So vainly shall Virginia set her battle in array; In vain her trampling squadrons knead the winter snow with clay. He mounted the wagon besides his jailer, Captain Avis, who had been one of the bravest of his captors, who had treated him very kindly, and to whom he was profoundly grateful. The wagon was instantly surrounded by six companies of militia. Being asked on the way if he felt any fear, he replied: "It has been a characteristic of me from infancy not to suffer from physical fear." The day was clear and bright, and he remarked as he rode, that the country seemed very beautiful. Arrived at the gallows he said: "I see no citizens here; where are they?" "None but the troops are allowed to be present," was the reply. "That ought not to be," said he; "citizens should be allowed to be as well as others." He bade adieu to some acquaintances at the foot of the gallows, and was first to mount the scaffold. His step was still firm, and his bearing calm, yet hopeful. The hour having come, he said to Captain Avis: "I have no words to thank you for all your kindness to me." His elbows and ankles were pinioned, the white cap drawn over his eyes, the hangman's rope adjusted around his neck, he stood waiting for death. "Captain Brown,” said the Sheriff, "You are not standing on the drop. Will you come forward?" "I can't see," was his firm answer; must lead me." The Sheriff led him forward to the center of the drop. "Shall I give you a handkerchief to drop it as a signal ?" "No; I am ready at any time; but do not keep me needlessly waiting." In defiance of this reasonable request, he was kept standing several minutes, while a military parade, and display of readiness to repel an imaginary foe were enacted. The time seemed an hour to the impatient spectators; "You Perish with him the folly that seeks through evil good! Never more may yon Blue Ridges the Northern rifle hear, So vainly shall Virginia set her battle in array; In vain her trampling squadrons knead the winter snow with clay. He mounted the wagon besides his jailer, Captain Avis, who had been one of the bravest of his captors, who had treated him very kindly, and to whom he was profoundly grateful. The wagon was instantly surrounded by six companies of militia. Being asked on the way if he felt any fear, he replied: "It has been a characteristic of me from infancy not to suffer from physical fear." The day was clear and bright, and he remarked as he rode, that the country seemed very beautiful. Arrived at the gallows he said: "I see no citizens here; where are they?" "None but the troops are allowed to be present," was the reply. "That ought not to be," said he; "citizens should be allowed to be as well as others." He bade adieu to some acquaintances at the foot of the gallows, and was first to mount the scaffold. His step was still firm, and his bearing calm, yet hopeful. The hour having come, he said to Captain Avis: "I have no words to thank you for all your kindness to me." His elbows and ankles were pinioned, the white cap drawn over his eyes, the hangman's rope adjusted around his neck, he stood waiting for death. "Captain Brown," said the Sheriff, "You are not standing on the drop. Will you come forward ?” "I can't see,' was his firm answer; "You must lead me." The Sheriff led him forward to the center of the drop. "Shall I give you a handkerchief to drop it as a signal ?" No; I am ready at any time; but do not keep me needlessly waiting." In defiance of this reasonable request, he was kept standing several minutes, while a military parade, and display of readiness to repel an imaginary foe were enacted. The time seemed an hour to the impatient spectators; 66 |