He was told that a horrible death awaited him.

He was informed that the platform on which he stood was a trap door that concealed an opening in the center of the building, that extended to the first floor.

He was told that he would be dropped far enough to have his arms torn from his body and would be left to die.
Bernard perceptibly shuddered at the fate before him but he had determined long since to be true to every higher aspiration of his people, and he would die a death however horrible rather than stand by and see aspiring souls slaughtered for organizing to secure their rights at all hazards.

He muttered a prayer to God, closed his eyes, gritted his teeth and nerved himself for the ordeal, refusing to answer Belton's last appeal.
Belton gave command to spring the trap door after he had counted three.

In order to give Bernard a chance to weaken he put one minute between each count.