Independent Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1842-1844, 1842-12-10

more sturdy than the rest withstood him
he turned and glanced at him, with look
OF such savage and bitter anger, that the
man was glad 10 let him pass. Thus OF
he went, until he reached the very
foot of the galIowS; and there he himself
taking notice of no one, and regardless
that even in that dense crowd small cir.
Gle was formed around him, as if there
were contamination in his touch. Above
him, from the cross-piece OF the gaIlows,
the cord swung to and fro in the wind; and
at times, as he raised his eye to it, smile
crossed his face, giving it a strangely wild
expression, that was long remembered by
those who saw him there.
"There'll soon be something to tighten
that string" said he, 10 tall, burIy man
who stood nearest him, with his good-na.
tured eye runulr from the speaker TO he
cord, as If it slruck ann, tha' the weigh
most fitting that purpose wer oa5e- than
he imagined.
"Yes, there will, more's the paw said
the man, in reply to the remark, after
pausng for some tme,as if in doubt wheth-
er it merted one, 81 for one am sorry for
it,"
"WouId you have The murderer escaped"
demanded the stranger.
"Let him hang when he's found, say l."
replied the man, shut Harry Blake denies
that he did it, and | believe HIM"
Again that strange smile passed across
the strangers face, as he said, "Twelve
sworn men, all of whom knew and
liked Blake, heard the testimony, and
said he did it. What more would you
want?
81 want Harry DIake's own confession,
and we would have it, if he was guilty.
That's what want. wish to Heaven,
had found him with the murdered nun.
would have soon known the truth.
went to the spot the next day, but it was
too late"
"What do you mean?" inquired the
stranger with some interest.
The man moved little aside,a and show
ed the head of large dog, who was seat.
ed near him, with his nose thrust forward
almost touching the stranger. 81 went
with that dog to the spot, and put his nose
to the track. He went round and round,
and over the ground for more than quar-
ter of mile. In the woods he found an
old hat, which he tore to rags. believe
it belonged to the true murderer,-(he was
smelling that hat this very morning, for
took it with mc,) but he lost the SCENT
Then | carried him to Harry Blake; but
he would not touch him"
ga strange dog"
"Damme, sirn' said the man earnestly.
ADO you know that he's been shutting about
you for the last ten minutes. Curse me
if havn't my suspicious of you: ID if
[ havn't.n
The strangers eye fairly glowed as
he returned his look; and then he burst
into loud laugh, and turned to those
around
CLEAR him! He says murdered
Wicklitfe, because his dog smells at my
knee. la! ha! ha! Why don't you ar
rest me?" demanded he, turning to the
man.
The man, evident aba she'd at this alb
rupt question, shook his head, muttered
something between his teeth, and remain
ed silent; and the stranger, after eyeing
him for several moments, seeing that he
was not disposed for further conversation,
and apparently not caring to be the object
OF attention TO all eyes, as he evidently
then was, moved off among the crowd, and
stationed himself on the opposite side of
the gallows.
The time Jagged heavily. The crowd
grew restless and uneasy; and here and
there, one or two, irritated beyond their
patience, commenced quarrel, which
came to blows. This created Temporal
ry excitement, but it was soon over, and
b. degrees they grew weared again. -
They stamped their feet on the ground, to
keep them warm. The farmers talked of
their harvest and of their stock. Some of
them g.ped and yavned, aud fe. yound
asleep as they stood here. Young girls
firted with and ogled their s~l 'thearts,
and there was many pretty fave A. that
crowd, whose owner had been Undue ] to
came only for the sake of him who vas to
escort her there, and who was thinking
more of the young fellow who stood at
her side, in his best apparel, than of poor
Harry Blake. These,and the troops of lib
Grated schoolboys,to whom ,iday was a
great thing. even though bought by the
life of fellOw-beng, were the only per-
sons unweuried.
Bat the time came at last, and loud
cry arose in the distance, aud swept along
through that multitude, becoming louder
and louder, until it reached the foot of the
gallowS; and the whole mass swayed
backward and forward, and rus | and
crowded together, as in the distance the
prisoner was seen approaching. With
slow, steady pace the soldiers which es.