Observing that he made signs of resistance, a Vigilante, whose courage exceeded his strength, seized the ruffian and attempted to drag him out. Finding himself overmatched, he called to his assistance a comrade, who soon succeeded in binding the hands of the desperado behind him. In this condition he was conducted by a guard to the cabin of Peter Martin.
“Tex,” who was in the saloon, was conquered in much the same manner, and forced to follow his companion.
Martin, who knew nothing of the arrest, was seated at a table playing a game at cards with some friends. Hearing that the Vigilantes were surrounding his house, he dropped his cards, and started with great affright for the door. For a long time he refused to obey their summons to come out, but, on being assured that he “wasn’t charged with nothin’,” he opened the door and returned to his game.
After breakfast the next morning a person who had been conversing with Bunton informed the Vigilantes that he had said to him that he would “get one of them yet,” on learning whereof they searched him a second time. They found a derringer in his vest-pocket, which had evidently been placed there by some sympathizer during the night.
Bunton refused to make any answer to the charges made against him. No doubt was entertained of his guilt. The vote on his case, taken by the uplifted hand, was unanimous for his execution. The captain informed him of it.
“If you have any business to attend to, you had better intrust it to some one, as we cannot be delayed here.”
Bunton immediately gave his gold watch to his partner Cooke, and appropriated his other property to the payment of his debts. He had gambled for and won the interest in the saloon from its former owner a fortnight before this time. Having thus disposed of his affairs, he was conducted to the gate of a corral near, surmounted by a gallows-frame, beneath which a board laid upon two boxes served the purpose of a drop. While the hangman was adjusting the rope, he gave him particular instructions about the exact situation of the knot. This being fixed to suit him, he said to the captain,
“May I jump off myself?”
“You can if you wish,” was the reply.
“I care no more for hanging,” said Bunton, “than I do for taking a drink of water; but I should like to have my neck broken.”