Even a condemned murderer, who lay in the town gaol, refused to accept his life in recompence for performing the office.

It should never be said, he observed, that his mother had given birth to a hangman.

When told, however, that the intended victim was a Spanish officer, the malefactor consented to the task with alacrity, on condition that he might afterwards kill any man who taunted him with the deed.
"Arrived at the foot of the gallows, Pacheco complained bitterly of the disgraceful death designed for him.

He protested loudly that he came of a house as noble as that of Egmont or Hoorn, and was entitled to as honourable an execution as theirs had been.

'The sword! the sword!' he frantically exclaimed, as he struggled with those who guarded him.