 murder me without time, let my sins as well as my
blood lie at their door.«
    »Who was it,« said the stern voice of Wildfire, »that said to Wilson at this
very spot, when he could not pray, owing to the galling agony of his fetters,
that his pains would soon be over? - I say to you to take your own tale home;
and if you cannot profit by the good man's lessons, blame not them that are
still more merciful to you than you were to others.«
    The procession now moved forward with a slow and determined pace. It was
enlightened by many blazing links and torches; for the actors of this work were
so far from affecting any secrecy on the occasion, that they seemed even to
court observation. Their principal leaders kept close to the person of the
prisoner, whose pallid yet stubborn features were seen distinctly by the
torch-light, as his person was raised considerably above the concourse which
thronged around him. Those who bore swords, muskets, and battle-axes, marched on
each side, as if forming a regular guard to the procession. The windows, as they
went along, were filled with the inhabitants, whose slumbers had been broken by
this unusual disturbance. Some of the spectators muttered accents of
encouragement; but in general they were so much appalled by a sight so strange
and audacious, that they looked on with a sort of stupified astonishment. No one
offered, by act or word, the slightest interruption.
    The rioters, on their part, continued to act with the same air of deliberate
confidence and security which had marked all their proceedings. When the object
of their resentment dropped one of his slippers, they stopped, sought for it,
and replaced it upon his foot with great deliberation.12 As they descended the
Bow towards the fatal spot where they designed to complete their purpose, it was
suggested that there should be a rope kept in readiness. For this purpose the
booth of a man who dealt in cordage was forced open, a coil of rope fit for
their purpose was selected to serve as a halter, and the dealer next morning
found that a guinea had been left on his counter in exchange; so anxious were
the perpetrators of this daring action to show that they meditated not the
slightest wrong or infraction of law, excepting so far as Porteous was himself
concerned.
    Leading, or carrying along with them, in this determined and regular manner,
the object of their vengeance, they at length reached the place of common
execution, the scene of his crime, and
