Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1903-12-26


Captain Pearson" said Coventry il
great agitation, "can nothing be dom
to delay this execution a few hours
There are considerations, sir, in m!
possession which, feel sure, would in
cline his majesty, could he be commu
nicated with, to extend clemency tt
this gentleman-circums which,
"Are these circumstances within tn
knowledge Of Lord Westbrooke, Majo
Coventry?" answered the captain, sur
prised at the unusual nature of the in
terruption.
"They are, sir"
"Have you mentioned them to him
Have you called his attention specific
ally to them. mean?'
Eyes, sir, have" answered the sol
der reluctantly.
"And they have evidently not inhu
enced him, you see. Therefore fai
to see how can permit them to weigh
with me-"
"But delay, sir, Of a day, Of an
hour even, until I can communicate
with the admiral again! For Gods
sake, sir, do not hang this gentleman
| ike
''Major Coventry, you are soldier
and should not make such an appeal.
| have my orders. You have shown me
no cause to disregard them. I cannot
take it upon myself to do SO. dare
not"
"Not a moment. At five bells they
must be carried out" said the captain
inhexibly. "No more, sir" he added as
Coventry made an impetuous step for
ward. 81 have INDUCED you too long
already. Mr.. Pascoe, take the prisoner
forward"
'It is useless, Coventry. Why pro-
long this agony longer? You have
done what you could. thank you
and bless you,' said O'Neill as they
walked along the deck to the place Of
the grating.
Twill you please step up here, sir?'
said Pascoe, the first lieutenant Of the
Scraps, who had the matter in charge,
pointing to the grating ON the rail as
they came abreast Of it
ut is a fair and easy place from
which to step to heaven, sir, or to the
other place as WELL" said the Irishman,
smiling, as he stepped on the rail. II
pray you to tell your men to start me
on my way with quick pull. and a
swift run" Pascoe nodded in compre>
hension. This would be a case in
which speed would be merciful.
A boatswain's mate now stepped up
beside the prisoner and bound his feet
and hands with a lashing. A hang
mans knot had been made by expert
fingers in the rope leading from the
yardarm, and the running moose was
quickly cast about O'Neill's neck.
"The collar of an ancient ORDER this"
observed O'Neill, still smiling. "And
now one last request, sir" he added,
turning to the lieutenant.
"And that is?''
'Throw away that black cap, sir.
Let me go with my eyes open" The
lieutenant hesitated a moment. The
whole ships company was filed with
admiration for the intrepid and gal
liant Irishman.
"Do it, for Gods sake, Pascoev'
whispered Coventry, springing up
alongside O'Neill and the sailor, who,
to avoid him, stepped back and stood
on the rail by the fore shrouds.
"What are you doing there. Major
Coventry" answered Pascoe.
Nothing. 1 promised to stand by
him to the last" replied Coventry.
The officer hesitated a moment and
then threw the cap into the water.
81 thank YOU said O'Neill huskily.
''HOw much time is there?"
"Abeut two minutes, | think" said
the lieutenant nervously.
"You will run away with the fall at
the first or last stroke of the belle"
''The last, SIR
"No more" said O'Neill to Coventry,
turning his face in the direction of the
shore. The deep voice of the white
robed priest alone broke the silence:
"'Thou knowest Lord, the secrets
of our hearts; shut not thy merciful
ears to our prayer; but spare us, Lord !!
A4OoL AOlys " SON I1lOOl LIlSuLy, " uOly
and merciful Saviour. thou most !
worthy judge eternal. suffer us not, at |
our last hour. for any pains of death,
to fall from thee"
Out on the water white sailed little I
boat was speeding swiftly toward /
them. There was woman in it. The /
eyes Of love, even in the presence of |
death, are keen, perhaps even keener
then than ever 1t was Elizabeth How
ard. O'Neill recognized her at once
Good heavens! Why had she come
here? She would arrive in time to see
him swinging lifeless from the yard
arm-a hideous sight for any woman.
He could not take his eyes from her
"See!" he whispered to Coventry.
That boat yonder! She is there"
shy Godw said the officer what
shall we do?"
Nothing; tits too late"
"She has something in her hands"
:ried Coventry. what can it be?"
Forward, therep' cried the captain,
watch in hand "Strike the hell fivnp