“Any objection to our entering?” inquired Pitt.
A VIGILANTE EXECUTION
Van Dorn replied by opening the door of the room, where George was discovered, knife in hand. He surrendered without resistance, astonishing his captors by the utter indifference he manifested to the near approach of death. Walking with Pitt to the corral, he designated the horses he had stolen, and confessed his guilt.
“I knew,” said he, “I should have to come to this sometime, but I thought I could run another season.”
“There is no help for you, George,” said Pitt. “You must suffer the same fate as your companions in crime.”
“I suppose I should be satisfied,” replied the ruffian, “that it is no worse.”
He was conducted to the barn, where, a rope being cast over a beam, he was requested, in order to save the trouble of procuring a drop, to ascend the ladder. He complied without the least reluctance. After the preparations were completed, he said to his captors,
“Gentlemen, I am not used to this business, never having been hung before. Shall I jump off, or slide off?”
“Jump off, of course,” was the reply.