It did more for him than the most eloquent pleading could have done.

Man in a crowd is an unstable being.

At any moment he will veer right round and run in an opposite direction.

The idea that the condemned man had a Susan who would mourn over his untimely end touched a chord in the hearts of many among the crowd.

The reference to her sweet blue eyes at such a moment raised a smile, and an extremely dismal but opportune howl from poor Toozle raised a laugh.
Bumpus started and looked sternly on the crowd.
"You may think me a pirate," said he; "but I know enough of the feelin's of honest men to expect no mercy from those wot can laugh at a fellow-creetur in such an hour.