Among the last to surrender was George. He was tried before a civil court and condemned to be hanged. Ten days only were to elapse before the carrying out of the sentence.
Being a member of a Christian church, Mary sought and obtained, through the influence of her mistress, with whom George had been an especial favorite, permission to visit him in the jail and administer the consolation of religion. Seated by his side but four days before the day of execution, she said:
“George, you made an effort for freedom against my wish, now will you make another, one in which I fully accord?”
“For me there is no hope. Whilst it is hard to part from you, I am not afraid to die.”
“If you are hanged, we must be separated, if you escape it can be no more.”
“Escape! how?”
“Well, listen. You shall exchange clothes with me. Then at my accustomed time of leaving you shall depart, and I will remain in your place. They will not harm me, and so nearly are we of a size, and so close the general resemblance, that you will have no difficulty in passing the guard. Once without the gate, you can easily escape to the woods, the mountains, to a land of liberty. May be——”
“Never can I consent to this. These miserable men would wreak their vengeance on you.”
“Never fear for me, and may be when you are safe in Canada you can provide for my coming to you.”
“If it were possible, but—”