“Strange! New kind of sickness for winter! Nothing else the matter?” “Yes. I froze my feet while prospecting at the head of Rattlesnake Creek.” “Did you raise the color?” “No. The water prevented me from going to bed-rock.” While this conversation was in progress, the party had built a fire and commenced cooking supper. Removing from beside the bed two double-barrelled shotguns, a yager, and another rifle, they invited Marshland to get up and take supper with them. During the meal all engaged in merry conversation. After it was over, the leader informed Marshland that he was arrested for the robbery of Moody’s train. “You received,” said he, “while engaged in that robbery, a bullet wound in the breast, by which we shall be able to identify you.” “I received no such wound,” said he; and, striking his breast several times, he continued, “My breast is as sound as a dollar.” “You can have no objection, then, to submitting to our examination.” “None in the least, gentlemen. Look for yourselves.” The leader threw open Marshland’s shirt. The mark of the recent wound confirmed the guilt of the robber. He could give no explanation of the manner in which he received it. “The evidence is satisfactory to us,” said the leader. “We have made no mistake in arresting you. You must die.” “For God’s sake, do not hang me. Let me go, and I will trouble you no more.” “It cannot be. We shall certainly execute every one of Plummer’s infamous band that falls into our hands, and we hope to catch them all.” Finding importunity of no avail, he made a full and frank confession of all his crimes. A scaffold was improvised by sticking into the ground a pole, the end of which projected over the corral fence, upon which the pole rested. A box taken from the cabin was placed under it, for the prisoner to stand upon. When all was ready, and the fatal noose was adjusted, the prisoner once more appealed to his captors. “Have mercy on me for my youth!” he exclaimed. “You should have thought of it before,” replied the leader, as he gave the fatal order, and the poor wretch was launched into eternity. The scent of his frozen feet attracted the wolves, and the party were obliged to watch both him and the horses, to prevent an attack by these animals. He was buried near the place of execution. The detachment found the main party the next morning, having been absent only one night.