Before he stepped upon the drop, Van's father came forward and faced him.
When the villain saw the man he had abandoned in the African wilds to die, a look of terror came over his face.
"Wha-a-t!" he gasped. "Are you alive?"
"I guess I am, John Moreland. So you were not satisfied when you thought you had left me to die; you made up your mind to find your way back home, after a number of years of your villainy, and murder my brother! But a Nemesis got upon your track, John Moreland! My son, Van, had pluck enough to chase you clear to this spot, which is entirely unknown to the outside world. Now, you vile hound! you have but a few minutes to live! Have you got anything to say?"
During the recital of the president's words the face of Doc Clancy turned the color of ashes, and when he had finished, the wretch uttered a horror-stricken groan and fell to the ground in a faint.
Van's father then spoke a few words to the executioner, and then walked to the spot where our friends were standing.
"Come," said he. "When I let my handkerchief fall the drop will go down. I have no desire to see the execution."
Together the party walked slowly from the place.
A few yards from the crowd the handkerchief was dropped.
The next instant a dull thud was heard, followed by a howl from the excited crowd.