d me guilty;
and sentenced me to death by hanging. Even this was not permitted to go
forth in an informal manner. The very phraseology was adopted. I was
to be hung by the neck until I should be dead--dead!

You will deem this relation exaggerated and improbable. You will think
that I am sporting with you. You will not believe that such lawlessness
can exist in a Christian--a civilised land. You will fancy that these
men were sporting with _me_, and that in the end they did not seriously
intend to _hang me_.

I cannot help it if you think so; but I solemnly declare that such was
their design: and I felt as certain at that moment that they intended to
have hanged me, as I now feel that I was not hanged!

Believe it or not, you must remember that I would not have been the
first victim by many, and that thought was vividly before my mind at the
time.

Along with it, there was the rope--there the tree--there stood my judges
before me. Their looks alone might have produced conviction. There was
not a ray of mercy to be seen.

At that awful moment I knew not what I said or how I acted.

I remember only that my fears were somewhat modified by my indignation.
That I protested, menaced, swore--that my ruthless judges answered me
with mockery.

They were actually proceeding to put the sentence into execution--and
had already carried me across to the foot of the tree--when the sound of
trampling hoofs fell upon our ears, and the next moment a party of
horsemen galloped into the glade.

CHAPTER SEVENTY EIGHT.

IN THE HANDS OF THE SHERIFF.

At sight of these horsemen my heart leaped with joy, for among the
foremost I beheld the calm, resolute face of Edward Reigart. Behind him
rode the sheriff of the parish, followed by a "posse" of about a dozen
men--among whom I recognised several of the most respectable planters of
the neighbourhood. Every one of the party was armed either with a rifle
or pistols; and the manner in which they rode forward upon the ground,
showed that they had come in great haste, and with a determined purpose.

I say my heart leaped with joy. An actual criminal standing upon the
platform of the gallows could not have been more joyed at sight of the
messenger that brought him reprieve or pardon. In the new-comers I
recognised friends: in their countenances I read rescue. I was not
displeased, therefore, when the sheriff, dismounting, advanced to my
side, and placing his hand upon my