Two long pieces of timber had been lashed together at one end, and set up like the letter V inverted. These were held in place by some of the mob, and drove through the fastenings at the top was a long rope.
Billings was on hand acting as master of ceremonies, and when this portion of the work had been finished, he shouted:
"Half a dozen of you take hold of the rope, an' when I count three, string him up."
In an agony of apprehension Fred looked toward the store. No one appeared at the door; it seemed as if the bosses had abandoned Joe Brace.
"Stand ready, boys!" Billings shouted. "We'll soon show 'em how we serve out spies."
There was a moment of painful silence, during which more than one of the mob acted as if frightened because of the terrible crime about to be committed, and then an old miner cried:
"Hold on! This thing has gone far enough!"
"What do you mean?" Billings asked angrily.
"Just this: I joined your crowd to stand up for my rights not to commit murder. There's been mischief done already, an' the most of us will be sorry when we've had time to think the matter over."
"Hold your tongue and go home like the rest of the old women."