The executioners came to fulfil their part. They passed an iron chain round the victim’s body, and thus fastened him to the stake which rose above the pile. Conscious that acute pains might lead him to err, Hamilton prayed to God that the flames might not extort from him the least word which should grieve his divine master. ‘In the name of Jesus,’ he added, ‘I give up my body to the fire, and commit my soul into the hands of the Father.’ Three times the pile was kindled, and three times the fire went out because the wood was green.[118] Suddenly the powder placed among the faggots exploded, and a piece of wood shot against Hamilton flayed part of his body; but death was not yet come. Turning to the deathsman, he said mildly, ‘Have you no dry wood?’ Several men hastened to get some at the castle. Alexander Campbell was present, struggling with his evil conscience, and in a state of violent agitation which rose with his distress and misery. The servants of the executioner brought some dry wood and quickened the fire. ‘Heretic,’ said Campbell, ‘be converted! recant! call upon Our Lady; only say, _Salve Regina_.’ ‘If thou believest in the truth of what thou sayest,’ replied Patrick, ‘bear witness to it by putting the tip only of thy finger into the fire in which my whole body is burning.[119]’ The unhappy Dominican took good care to do no such thing. He began to insult the martyr. Then Hamilton said to him, ‘Depart from me, messenger of Satan.’ Campbell, enraged, stormed round the victim like a roaring lion. ‘Submit to the pope,’ he cried; ‘there is no salvation but in union with him.’ Patrick was broken-hearted with grief at seeing to what a pitch of obduracy his old friend had come. ‘Thou wicked man,’ said he to him, ‘thou knowest the contrary well enough; thou hast told me so thyself.’ This noble victim, then, chained to the post and already half-burnt, feeling himself to be superior to the wretched man who was vexing him, spoke as a judge, commanded as a king, and said to the Dominican, ‘I appeal thee before the tribunal seat of Christ Jesus.’[120] At these words Campbell, ceasing his outcries, remained mute, and leaving the place, fled affrighted into his monastery. His mind wandered; he was seized with madness; he was like one possessed by a demon, and in a little while he died.[121]