to address him, but the
miscreants who had charge of us pushed us back with their muskets,
refusing even the small boon of exchanging a few words with an old
companion now about to suffer an ignominious death. Howland saw
and felt the movement on our part. He turned upon us another look,
a look full of brave resolution as well as resignation, and, in a
low but distinct tone, uttered: '_Good-bye, boys; I've got to
suffer. You must_----' But the rest of the sentence died on his
lips, for he was now some yards in the rear of us, and out of
hearing.

'The guard who had charge of us now wheeled us round, and marched
us in the same route taken by our unfortunate guide, and within
ten yards of him. A more gloomy procession cannot be imagined.
With Howland in advance, we were now conducted to the plaza, and
halted close by the spot where, in plain sight, lay the body of
our recently-murdered companion. A bandage was placed over the
eyes of the new victim, but not until he had seen the corpse of
his dead comrade. Worlds would we have given could we be permitted
to exchange one word with our unoffending friend--to receive his
last, dying request--yet even this poor privilege was denied us.
After the cords which confined his arms had been tightened, and
the bandage pulled down so as to conceal the greater part of his
face, Howland was again ordered to march. With a firm, undaunted
step he walked up to the place of execution, and there, by the
side of his companion, was compelled to fall upon his knees with
his face towards the wall. Six of the guard then stepped back a
yard or two, took deliberate aim at his back, and before the
report of their muskets died away poor Howland was in eternity!
Thus fell as noble, as generous, and as brave a man as ever walked
the earth.'

The following passage narrates another barbarity of the same character:

'Just as we were starting, a man named John McAllister, a native
of Tennessee and of excellent family, complained that one of his
ankles was badly sprained, and that it was utterly impossible for
him to walk. The unfortunate man was naturally lame in the other
ankle, and could never walk but with difficulty and with a limp.
On starting, he was now allowed to enter a rude Mexican cart,
which had been procured by the Alcalde of Valencia for the purpo