The daily silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1903-1907, 1904-03-28
THE GRIP
or HONOR
Cyrus OotOnSend Brady, 5
Aabor Of "5bs |ou1bernsrs." 4 1s rOaso5 Nesr." Ere (
CoeyrlSb. 1900. By CHARLES ScRI3WER'S SONS I
rus CosOnSend Brady,

Aakb0r ef "6bs Ioufbernsrs." I'm ns rOas05 Nelt" EMe.


"Yes, sir, l have" answered the soi-
der reluctantly.
"And they have evidently not intl-
eDced him, you see. Therefore | fall
to see how | can permit them to weigh
with me-"
"But a delay, sir. of a day. of an
hour even, until l can communicates
with the admiral againl For Gods
sake, sir, do not hang this gentlemal
Ike
Major Coventry, you are a soldier
and should not make such an appeal.
I have my orders. You have shown me
no cause to disregard them. l cannot
take II upon myself to do SO. dare
not"
"But an hour, sir, until T.
mot a moment. At five bells they
must be carried out" said the captain
~infexibly. mo more, sir" he added as
Coventry made an impetuous step for
ward. Il have INDUCED you too long
already. Mr.. Pascoe, take the prisoner
forward"
at 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.
"Will you please step up here, sirf'
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 1t.
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 oil the rail. Il
pray you to tell your men to start me
on my way with a quick pull and a
swift rum" 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 q flashing. A hang
mans knot had been made by expert
fingers in the rope leading from the
yardarra. and the running moose was
quickly cast about O'Neill's neck.
"The collar of an ancient order, this"
observed O'Ntil, still smiling. "And
now one last request, sir" he added,
turning to the lieutenant.
"And that isg'
Throw away that black cap, sir.
Let me 20 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 ii, for Gods sake, Pascoe!"
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? y answered Pascoe.
Nothing. l promised to stand by
him to the last replied Coventry.
The officer hesitated a moment and
then threw the cap into the water.
Il thank you" said O'Neill huskily.
allow much time is theref'
About two minutes. l think" said
the lieutenant nervously.
'You will run away with the fall at
the first or last stroke of the bell?'
1.-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
most holy. @ God most mighty, o holy
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 a white sailed little
boat was speeding swiftly toward
them. There was a 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"
my God" said the officer. what
shall we do?"
Nothing; It's too late"
'She has something In her hand!"
cried Coventry. what can 1t be?'
Forward. thereT' cried the captain.
watch in hand. Strike the bell ive!'
The mellow tones of the first couplet
of the ships bell rang out in obedi-
ence to the command. The hour was
come! 1t vas his death signal, but
O'Neill never turned his head from the
approaching boat. The old quartermas-
ter struck the bell deliberately. linger-
ing over 1t reluctantly. A little shiver
ran through the men.
"Stand by" shouted the lieutenant
In a voice he strove in vain to make
firm. snake a quick Jerk and a lively
run. lads. for Gods sake!'
The men grasped the rope more