partook of the Indian that was in him.  He received the notice to proceed to the scaffold in the same composed manner he had shown the preceding night on receiving warning of his fate.  His face was full of colour, and he appeared to have complete self-possession, still responding to the service in a clear tone.  The prisoner decided only a moment before starting for the scaffold not to make a speech.  This was owing to the earnest solicitations of both the priests attending him.  He displayed an inclination at the last moment to make an address, but Father Andre reminded him of his promise.

The hangman, who on a former occasion had been in the hands of Riel as a prisoner, commenced the work of pinioning the doomed man, and then the melancholy procession soon began to wend its way toward the scaffold, which had been erected for Khonnors, the Hebrew, and soon came in sight of the noose.  Deputy-Sheriff Gibson went ahead, then came Father McWilliams, next Riel, then Father Andre, Dr. Jukes, and others.  As he stood on the trap-door Riel continued invoking the aid of Jesus, Mary, and the saints, during his last agonies.  “Courage, pere,” he said, addressing Father Andre, and then he addressed Father McWilliams in the same words.  The latter priest kissed Riel, who said, “I believe still in God.”

“To the last,” said Father Andre.

“Yes, the very last,” answered Riel:  “I believe and trust in Him.  Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on me.”

Dr. Jukes shook hands with the prisoner, who said in English:  “Thank you, doctor.”  Then he continued:  “Jesus, Marie, Joseph, assistez moi en ce dernier moment.”

Deputy-Sheriff Gibson then said, “Louis Riel, have you anything to say before death?” Riel answered “No.”  He was given two minutes to pray, and he repeated the Lord’s prayer, Father McWilliams leading, while the cap was being drawn over his face and the rope adjusted.  At the words “Lead me not into temptation” the hangman sprang the bolt, at twenty-eight minutes past eight, and Riel shot downward with a terrible crash.  For a second he did not move.  A slight twitching of the limbs was noticed, but instantly all was still again.  In two minutes after the fall, Louis Riel was no more.  His conduct on the scaffold was very courageous.  He was pale but firm, and kept up his courage by constant prayer, thus diverting his thoughts from the terrible death before him.  His neck was broken by the fall; the doctors say he could have experienced no physical suffering.  For a second or two his limbs twitched slightly, then a convulsive shudder ran through his frame, and all was over.  In less than three minutes Dr. Dodds pronounced him dead.

Few persons were present.  The only people on the scaffold, besides the condemned man and the hangman, were Deputy-Sheriff Gibson, Dr. Jukes, of the Mounted Police, Father Andre, Father McWilliams, and the press representatives.