We shall prove it upon him, and he shall hang, Dillon--ay, hang, hang,
hang--though it be under her very eyes!"
It was in this way that, in the progress of the dialogue which took
place between the chief and his subordinate, the rambling malignity
would break through the cooler counsels of the villain, and dark
glimpses of the mystery of the transaction would burst upon the senses
of the latter. Rivers had the faculty, however, of never exhibiting too
much of himself; and when hurried on by a passion seemingly too fierce
and furious for restraint, he would suddenly curb himself in, while a
sharp and scornful smile would curl his lips, as if he felt a
consciousness, not only of his own powers of command, but of his
impenetrability to all analysis.
The horses being now ready, the outlaw, buckling on his pistols, and
hiding his dirk in his bosom, threw a huge cloak over his shoulders,
which fully concealed his person; and, in company with his lieutenant,
and two stout men of his band, all admirably and freshly mounted, they
proceeded to the abode of the sheriff.
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