Payne and Harris snatched the supports out with a single jerk.

The planks fell with a clatter.

Five of the bodies swung around dizzily in the air.

The sixth that of "Mosby," a large, powerful, raw-boned man, one of the worst in the lot, and who, among other crimes, had killed Limber Jim's brother-broke the rope, and fell with a thud to the ground.

Some of the men ran forward, examined the body, and decided that he still lived.