e. This is not
built for nothing; here we must end our lives. You know I am innocent,
but I must die the same as you all. There is not any body here who can
do us any good, so let us think only of God Almighty. We are not
children but men, you know that all must die; and in a few years those
who kill us must die too. When I was born, God set the way of my death;
I do not blame any body. I was taken by the pirates and they made me
help them; they would not let me be idle. I could not show that this was
the truth, and therefore they have judged me by the people they have
found me with. I am put to death unjustly, but I blame nobody. It was my
misfortune. Come, let us pray. If we are innocent, so much the less we
have to repent. I do not come here to accuse any one. Death must come
one day or other; better to the innocent than guilty." He then joined in
prayer with the others. He seemed to be much reverenced by his fellow
prisoners. He chose those prayers he thought most adapted to the
occasion. Hundreds were witnesses to the manly firmness of this negro.
Observing a bystander listening attentively to the complaints of one of
his fellow wretches, he translated what had been said into English. With
a steady pace, and a resolute and resigned countenance, he ascended the
fatal scaffold. Observing the executioner unable to untie a knot on the
collar of one of the prisoners, he with his teeth untied it. He then
prayed most fervently till the drop fell.

Miguel Jose protested his innocence.--"No he robado, no he matado
ningune, muero innocente."--(I have robbed no one, I have killed no one,
I die innocent. I am an old man, but my family will feel my disgraceful
death.)

Francisco Migul prayed devoutly, but inaudibly.--His soul seemed to have
quitted the body before he was executed.

Breti Gullimillit called on all to witness his innocence; it was of no
use for him to say an untruth, for he was going before the face of God.

Augustus Hernandez repeatedly declared his innocence, requested that no
one would say he had made a confession; he had none to make.

Juan Hernandez was rather obstinate when the execution pulled the cap
over his eyes. He said, rather passionately--"Quita is de mis
ojos."--(Remove it from my eyes.) He then rubbed it up against one of
the posts of the gallows.

Miguel Jose made the same complaint, and drew the covering from his eyes
by rubbing his head against a fellow sufferer.

Pedro Nondre was loud