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HISTORICAL COLLATION 539

they were so exhausted by their long and hurried journey that they asked for a short
delay, which was denied them. All this while, the prisoner lay on his pallet, sick,
feverish, and half-conscious, knowing little of the methods by which his conviction
was to be secured, but feeling certain from the first that conviction was inevitable. A
verdict of guilty, on the 31st of October, was followed by sentence of death, and the
execution was fixed for the 2nd of December. The decision was appealed against, but
ultimately confirmed. On hearing the verdict and the sentence of the judge, Brown
said. "Gentlemen, make an end of slavery, or slavery will make an end of you." It
was an utterance in the spirit of prophecy. [Pilcrow]As the fatal day approached, the feeling
of apprehension on the part of the Virginians became still more intense. Governor
Wise ordered out a large military force, to overawe any attempt at rescue that might
be made. It was also proposed to establish martial law; but this was not done. Brown
expressed entire resignation to his fate, and money was liberally contributed in the
Northern and Western States to support his family. At eleven o'clock on the morning
of the 2nd of December, the prisoner was brought out of gaol. Before leaving, he bade
adieu to his fellow-prisoners, and was very affectionate to all except his principal
assistant, a man named Cook whom he charged with having deceived and misled
him respecting the support he was to receive from the slaves. Brown, it appears, had
been led to believe that they were ripe for insurrection; but, whether from fear, or
from actual disinclination, this seems not to have been the case. Cook denied the
charge, but otherwise said very little. When asked whether he was ready, Brown
replied, "I am always ready," and it was the simple truth. His arms were pinioned,
and, wearing a black slouched hat, and the same clothes in which he had appeared
at the trial, he proceeded to the door, apparently calm and cheerful. As he stepped
out into the open air he saw a negro woman with a child in her arms: he paused for
a moment, and kissed the infant tenderly. Another black woman exclaimed, "God
blcss you, old man! I wish I could help you, but I cannot. " Six companies of infantry,
and one troop of horse, were drawn up in front of the gaol; close by was a waggon,
containing a coflin. After talking with some persons whom he knew, Brown seated
himself on the waggon, and looked at the soldiers gathered about him. The vehicle
then moved off, flanked by two files of riflemen in close order. The field where the
gallows had been erected was also in full possession of the military. Pickets were
stationed at various localities, and the spectators were kept back at the point of the
bayonet, to prevent all possibility of a rescue. When Brown mounted the gallows,
and the cap had been put on his head, together with the rope around his neck, the
executioner asked him to step forward on to the trap. He replied, "You must lead
me --I cannot see." All was now ready on the scaffold itself; but, owing to some
fear on the part of the authorities, the soldiers were marched and counter-marched,
frequently changing their positions as if in the face of an enemy. This lasted ten
minutes, and the executioner asked the unfortunate man if he was not tired. "No,"
answered Brown, "not tired; but don't keep me waiting longer than is necessary." At
length the fatal act was completed; but Brown was a strong man, and the pulse did

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