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at once informed of his doom； and inquiry was made as to whether he
had any business to settle。 Several parties spoke to him on the
subject； but to all such inquiries he turned a deaf ear； being
entirely absorbed in the terrifying reflections on his own awful
position。 He never ceased his entreaties for life； and to see his
dear wife。 The unfortunate lady referred to； between whom and Slade
there existed a warm affection； was at this time living at their
ranch on the Madison。 She was possessed of considerable personal
attractions； tall； well…formed； of graceful carriage； pleasing
manners； and was； withal； an accomplished horsewoman。
A messenger from Slade rode at full speed to inform her of her
husband's arrest。 In an instant she was in the saddle； and with all
the energy that love and despair could lend to an ardent temperament
and a strong physique； she urged her fleet charger over the twelve
miles of rough and rocky ground that intervened between her and the
object of her passionate devotion。
Meanwhile a party of volunteers had made the necessary preparations
for the execution； in the valley traversed by the branch。 Beneath
the site of Pfouts and Russell's stone building there was a corral；
the gate…posts of which were strong and high。 Across the top was
laid a beam； to which the rope was fastened； and a dry…goods box
served for the platform。 To this place Slade was marched；
surrounded by a guard； composing the best armed and most numerous
force that has ever appeared in Montana Territory。
The doomed man had so exhausted himself by tears； prayers and
lamentations； that he had scarcely strength left to stand under the
fatal beam。 He repeatedly exclaimed； 〃My God！ my God！ must I die？
Oh； my dear wife！〃
On the return of the fatigue party； they encountered some friends of
Slade； staunch and reliable citizens and members of the committee；
but who were personally attached to the condemned。 On hearing of
his sentence； one of them； a stout…hearted man； pulled out his
handkerchief and walked away； weeping like a child。 Slade still
begged to see his wife； most piteously； and it seemed hard to deny
his request； but the bloody consequences that were sure to follow
the inevitable attempt at a rescue； that her presence and entreaties
would have certainly incited； forbade the granting of his request。
Several gentlemen were sent for to see him； in his last moments； one
of whom （Judge Davis） made a short address to the people； but in
such low tones as to be inaudible； save to a few in his immediate
vicinity。 One of his friends； after exhausting his powers of
entreaty； threw off his coat and declared that the prisoner could
not be hanged until he himself was killed。 A hundred guns were
instantly leveled at him； whereupon he turned and fled； but； being
brought back； he was compelled to resume his coat； and to give a
promise of future peaceable demeanor。
Scarcely a leading man in Virginia could be found； though numbers of
the citizens joined the ranks of the guard when the arrest was made。
All lamented the stern necessity which dictated the execution。
Everything being ready； the command was given； 〃Men； do your duty；〃
and the box being instantly slipped from beneath his feet； he died
almost instantaneously。
The body was cut down and carried to the Virginia Hotel； where； in a
darkened room； it was scarcely laid out； when the unfortunate and
bereaved companion of the deceased arrived； at headlong speed； to
find that all was over； and that she was a widow。 Her grief and
heart…piercing cries were terrible evidences of the depth of her
attachment for her lost husband； and a considerable period elapsed
before she could regain the command of her excited feelings。
There is something about the desperado…nature that is wholly
unaccountableat least it looks unaccountable。 It is this。 The true
desperado is gifted with splendid courage； and yet he will take the most
infamous advantage of his enemy； armed and free； he will stand up before
a host and fight until he is shot all to pieces； and yet when he is under
the gallows and helpless he will cry and plead like a child。 Words are
cheap； and it is easy to call Slade a coward （all executed men who do not
〃die game〃 are promptly called cowards by unreflecting people）； and when
we read of Slade that he 〃had so exhausted himself by tears； prayers and
lamentations； that he had scarcely strength left to stand under the fatal
beam；〃 the disgraceful word suggests itself in a momentyet in
frequently defying and inviting the vengeance of banded Rocky Mountain
cut…throats by shooting down their comrades and leaders； and never
offering to hide or fly； Slade showed that he was a man of peerless
bravery。 No coward would dare that。 Many a notorious coward； many a
chicken…livered poltroon； coarse； brutal； degraded； has made his dying
speech without a quaver in his voice and been swung into eternity with
what looked liked the calmest fortitude； and so we are justified in
believing； from the low intellect of such a creature； that it was not
moral courage that enabled him to do it。 Then； if moral courage is not
the requisite quality； what could it have been that this stout…hearted
Slade lacked？this bloody； desperate； kindly…mannered； urbane gentleman；
who never hesitated to warn his most ruffianly enemies that he would kill
them whenever or wherever he came across them next！ I think it is a
conundrum worth investigating。
CHAPTER XII。
Just beyond the breakfast…station we overtook a Mormon emigrant train of
thirty…three wagons； and tramping wearily along and driving their herd of
loose cows； were dozens of coarse…clad and sad…looking men； women and
children； who had walked as they were walking now； day after day for
eight lingering weeks； and in that time had compassed the distance our
stage had come in eight days and three hoursseven hundred and ninety…
eight miles！ They were dusty and uncombed； hatless； bonnetless and
ragged； and they did look so tired！
After breakfast； we bathed in Horse Creek； a （previously） limpid；
sparkling streaman appreciated luxury； for it was very seldom that our
furious coach halted long enough for an indulgence of that kind。 We
changed horses ten or twelve times in every twenty…four hourschanged
mules； rathersix mulesand did it nearly every time in four minutes。
It was lively work。 As our coach rattled up to each station six
harnessed mules stepped gayly from the stable； and in the twinkling of an
eye； almost； the old team was out； and the new one in and we off and away
again。
During the afternoon we passed Sweetwater Creek； Independence Rock；
Devil's Gate and the Devil's Gap。 The latter were wild specimens of
rugged scenery； and full of interestwe were in the heart of the Rocky
Mountains； now。 And