“I knew,” said he, “that I should be followed and hanged, when I met the party in Deer Lodge Valley; but I wish you would chain me, and not hang me until after I have seen those punished who are guiltier than I.”
Just before he fell, he shook hands with all, and then turning to the Vigilante who had escorted him to Lorrain’s, he said,
“Let me beg of you to follow and punish the rest of this infernal gang.”
“‘Red,’” replied the man, “we will do it, if there’s any such thing in the book.”
“Good-bye, boys,” said “Red,” “you’re on a good undertaking. God bless you.”
The stools fell, and the body of the intrepid freebooter swung lifeless in the midnight blast.
CHAPTER XXXII
LLOYD MAGRUDER
“In the name of all that is wonderful, Hill, what has kept you up till this late hour?” was the eager inquiry of Mrs. Maggie Beachy of her husband, when that gentleman entered his house at two o’clock in the morning.
“Well, Maggie,” replied her husband, “you remember my dream about Lloyd Magruder? I fear it has all come true. Indeed, I am perfectly certain poor Lloyd has been murdered.”
“Nonsense, Hill,” rejoined the wife. “Will you never have done with your unfounded suspicions? You will make yourself the laughing-stock of the whole country, and bring all the roughs in it about your ears, if you don’t cease talking about Magruder.”