He promised everything, begged everything, if only life might be spared him--asked his captors to cut off his ears, to cut out his tongue, then strip him naked and banish him.

At the very last, however, he seems to have become composed.

Stinson and Ray went to their fate alternately swearing and whining.

Some of the ruffians faced death boldly.

More than one himself jumped from the ladder or kicked from under him the box which was the only foothold between him and eternity.