"Throw the rope over that limb--the big one that sticks out this way,"
ordered the Texan, and a cowpuncher complied.
"The knot had ort to come in under his left ear," suggested one, and
proceeded to twist the noose into place.
"All ready!"
A dozen hands grasped the end of the rope.
The Texan surveyed the details critically:
"This here is a disagreeable job," he said. "Have you got anything to
say?"
Endicott took a step forward, and as he faced the Texan, his eyes
flashed. "Have I got anything to say!" he sneered. "Would you have
anything to say if a bunch of half-drunken fools decided to take the
law into their own hands and hang you for defending a woman against the
brutal attack of a fiend?" He paused and wrenched to free his hands
but the rope held firm. "It was a wise precaution you took when you
ordered my hands tied--a precaution that fits in well with this whole
damned cowardly proceeding. And now you ask me if I have anything to
say!" He glanced into the faces of the cowboys who seemed to be
enjoying the situation hugely.
"I've got this to say--to you, and to your whole bunch of grinning
hyenas: If you expect me to do any begging or whimpering, you are in
for a big disappointment. There is one request I am going to make--and
that you won't grant.
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