Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-05-21

Remember that this was done while in the ex-
ecution of our duty -'
Which was to strike man in the rear like
a d--d coward,'' exclaimed Ham, inter-
rupting lhe speaker.
:. Now look here my young friend, we have
had enough of your talk, and we'll have no
more of it. If you value your existence, you'd
better keep quiet"
~ i,ain't long TO speak, and Ireckon as how
IN improve the chance
Try it if you wish. Now it remains for
you, my men, to say what punishment shall be
meted out 10 our prisoner ! suggest that he
be allowed to leave the Territory, if he will,
but -"
No, no we'll not stand that. Hang him,
as he deserves. By -! he shall not leave
the Territory alive
Col. Jacobs motioned to his men, who came
around the stump upon whic he was standing.
"Don't you see,' he exclaimed, in q low
tone, only heard by those for whom i. was in
tended, 2" that by giving him CHARGE to leave
the Territory, there will be show of fair play.
He will refuse, am confident, else should not
have given him that privilege
" You are right" was the reply, and retiring
from the stump Col. Jacobs continued :
"Mr, Melville, we will give you one more
chance for your life, and if you are wise, you
will accept it. If you will leave the Territory,
giving me your solemn promise as man OF hon
or. never to return, we will spare your life.
otherwise you die within an hour"
" 1t is strange to me. sir, that you should
repeat this proposition again." said MIR. Mel
vile. 81 have but one reply to make, and
that is that shall never leave this Territory
until see fit 50 to do If by thus refusing, |
am to lose my life, we'll and good ; but before
! die, wish to say few words. Can do so u
Certainly. We have no wish to refuse q
man who is about to die, a chance TO speak,
said Col Jacobs, turning with meaning look
to his men.
Give us your opinion of niggers and Slave
ry," exclaimed one of tho men in u ieering
tone.
Il will do SO if you wish it. Slavery is an
evil upheld by man, and condemned by God -
The object in uphoding and promoting so helm
Gus an evil is best known to you came tt
Kansas as many others have come, for the pur
pose of finding me home. have interierret
with no mans opinions, and did not come
here with the intention of using my whole en-
deayors to make Kansas free, AT the cost of my
/. life You have, for reasons best known to your
, selves, demanded nue. to leave the Territory
Not recognizing your right or authority tt
r make such denand-being upon soil ovel
Y which you have no Jurisdiction have refused
+ and rs the consequence of my refusal, you hav
!, condemned me to de- will not ask my OWL
life, or any lavors for myself but if you hav
homes, if you have children you love, if 20,
have one spark of humanity in your BOSOM a
you value the peace of u man who is about
die, spare my daughter and the boy that is wit
me. am ready"
During Mr.. Melvilles speech rope had bee
. thrown over the limb of II tree near by, in or
end of which moose was formed, while II
other was in the hands of five or six men.
W "Spare him oh, do spare him " exclaimt
Irene, throwing heraelf upon her fathers nec
=. "Oh !! as you are men, beg of you to spa
- my father You cannot, | know you cam
be so cruel as to hang him who has never harr
- ed yon.''
.c Men could not have resisted the impassion'
tones and bescechiug look with which Ire
;, begged for her fathers liIe. If there ever hi
= been the feelings of a man beating in Col. }
:, cobs bosom, they were usurped by demon
!. power now. Pity was word he had ney
E learned, and woman's tears were farce
him.
miss Melville" he said in a stern tone n
- proaching and reno wing her hands from her
ther's neck, Il" it is entirely useless for you
plead for your fathers life No harm shall
L. offered you. We have given him a chance
save himself, and he has refused, therefore,
must de- Not q word," he exclaimed as
saw Irene was about to speak, " for it will
no good Men, proceed with your duty.
Mr.. Melville was seized in the strong ar
of four men, and in Il moment more he "
standing beneath the tree, with a rope arou
At his neck, and the men awaiting the signal
nd their leader 10 launch him into eternity. Ire
th gave piercing shrek, made one feeble atten
in to 20 to her fathers side, but her strength
ID after the excitement and anxiety which she h
nd suffered - was insufficient for the task, and
me sank down upon the ground, unconscious Of
nd erything around her.
,ut Il will count three" said Col. Jaco
ult "and when the last word falls from my ii
ly you will do your duty"
I've A slight Tightening of the rope, and the
d it nal Of assent, was the only response
ms The word g three - had just issued from
ing lips OF Col Jacobs, when there came a loud
'ays port, and the man who was foremost upon
hter rope sank to the ground
With startled look, Col. jacobs turne
ascertain the cause of the Iull, and the
word was trembling ON his lips, when Wa
Join mounted Oh u powerful black horse Gov
YOU with foam and dust, dashed into the open
"Let go rhat rope. he exclaimed
ted voice of thunder, riding up to the astoni
his group, and drawing pistol from his bosol
ssed Let 20 of it, say, or you die upon tn
slant /"
the Do your duty, men--slring up the d.
IN n Aboltionist !! . shouted Col. Jacobs in q
veil of anger. "By Heavens | command |
with and you will do as bid you. Why in I
,pou don't you knock his infernal carcass whe
ar to belongsl" +" continued Col. Jacobs, seeing