"No, no," begged Mamie, "let me go with you, brother—I will be very calm—see I can walk alone." But that pale face and trembling form seemed little calculated to undergo the terrible scenes which must follow.
Alibamo was already seated in a rough cart which stood before the door. Hayward assisted his sister into it, and then entered himself, but stood erect, while the females were provided with seats. As they were driven onward, Branch rode by their side upon his horse. A crowd were following after them, and taunts and jeers were heard on every side.
"Oh! that I had a sword within my grasp, and was free from these shackles for a moment, I would teach those curs civility," cried Hayward.
"Oh! it won't matter to you long," said Branch.
The procession had proceeded about a mile from Springfield on the road running west. They were ascending the hill, upon the summit of which was a thick wood, when Hayward said:
"Do you see those lines of infantry just within that grove. They are rebel soldiers; it is the guard necessary at the execution of one man! Branch, don't you fear that these two half-fainting women will rescue me?"
"They might do it—they are the only ones who can!" replied Branch.
The cart had passed the wood through a line of soldiers formed on either side, and reaching the Fair-Ground, it was driven within the enclosure, and halted near the scaffold. Miss Hayward had been hopeful until this moment, but her feelings gave way, and throwing her arms around her brother, she cried:
"Oh! is there no way in which you can escape this terrible fate?"
"Yes," said Branch. "Accept my terms."