He trembled violently, and those who were near him afterwards declared that his hair stood literally on end. Presently he appeared to recover himself somewhat, and he placed himself under the beam, on the spot pointed out by Calcraft, and indicated by that functionary by a chalk mark. The chaplain, who stood about a yard and a half from the culprit, went on with the burial service, while the other members of the sad procession ranged themselves behind the doomed man.
Chudley again scrutinised the faces of the spectators in front of him, but he was unable to recognise any person whom he had known. He was too affected to single out any.
Calcraft lost no time in making the preliminary arrangements, and, stooping down, he fastened a strap round the wretched man’s legs.
As soon as he felt the hangman’s touch, Chudley seemed as if about to swoon; he gave utterance to a short prayer, and swayed his hands to and fro in a manner which was piteous to behold.
The executioner next proceeded to adjust the rope round the man’s neck, but he displayed none of that professional coolness which he was usually credited with. He was agitated and nervous, and it was some little time before he could adjust the noose to his satisfaction.
At length, however, this task was accomplished, and stepping back a pace he produced from his pocket a white cap which he drew over the prisoner’s head.
The miserable convict during the whole of this painful period of suspense was ejaculating appeals to the Almighty for mercy in a muffled voice, the pitiful tones of which will long ring in the ears of those who heard it.
He was scarcely able to stand upright by reason of the shaking of his limbs, and when Calcraft, after putting on the white cap, left him for the purpose of pulling the fatal bolt he nearly fell backwards, but quickly by a powerful exertion of will he resumed an erect position.
The chaplain repeated “I am the resurrection and the life,” the fatal bolt was withdrawn, and the man fell like a plummet.
There was of course the usual “thud.” It is impossible for any newspaper reporter to describe an execution without making use of that expressive and favourite word.