Chapter 7

There was noise outside the jail. In the alley way men were working to build a platform. There would be one if not two hangings today after the 'trial.' The Judge stopped on his way to his office and smiled. He always enjoyed a good hanging. Then he went on his way. Inside, Jeremy woke to the sound of hammers and a trap door being tested. He wondered if this was really going to be his end. He wondered if his brothers had escaped. He prayed that they had and that they were safe.

Sitting up on the cot, he looked over to the other cell where Miss Shelly was. She had been crying through the night. She was surprised that the Judge and Sheriff had turned on her. She looked out the window and sighed. Someone came in and brought some food to them. The person slid it under the cell bars and looked at Jeremy. He walked away and out of the cell block. Jeremy had not even looked up but there had been a familiar small sound that he recognized. Hope was renewed inside, but he did not know or realize what it had been.

The Sheriff came in then and looked at them.

"Well, here you two are. I hope you enjoy your last meal; it won't be long now until we have you shot and strung up on the gallows!" The sheriff laughed and then he said:

" Miss Shelly, you are going first. I think stringing you up is too easy, We will shoot you first. Then your boyfriend can watch you die while he is hung!" The sheriff laughed.

"Why are you going to kill me? I did everything you wanted me to do?" She asked.

"Oh, you did, but this one is still here, You were supposed to lure him to a ship! But you failed and we can't have someone that fails in their mission, now can we!?" The sheriff said and laughed again. The judge walked in next and asked:
"I think we will be ready soon. You two had better eat because once you are out of here you won't have much time for anything but to die!" The judge said. The Sheriff and the judge both left. Jeremy did not feel much like eating anything at the moment. Neither did Shelly who started to cry.

"P-p-please don't c-c-cry! Said Jeremy walking over to the bars that divided their cells.

Sobbing Shelly answered him:

"What do you care! I have done nothing to help you! I have gotten you in trouble, I tried to get you shipped away or killed! Why do you care if I cry?" Miss Shelly asked.

Jeremy looked at her, then looked down at his feet. He wasn't sure why he cared; it is just that he cared. Studying her, he realized there was something familiar about her. Who was she? He questioned himself and his motives. Then a memory was sparked.

"Miss Shelly, did you perhaps come through Settle, about 5 or 6 years ago?" asked Jeremy

She looked at him and then said:
"I think so, I know my parents were going to stop and stay there but I don't really remember why they didn't? Why do you ask?"

Jeremy wasn't really sure if his memory was correct, but he then asked:
"Do you remember sitting on a rock by the river and throwing the little rocks in?

She looked at him puzzled, staring at him, she suddenly realized he had been the boy they had been playing with. Her little brother and her had been out exploring while her parents were in town talking to some people about where they were going.

"Yes, I seem to recall that! Were you the boy?"
Jeremy smiled shyly and said:

"Yes!"

She smiled at the memory and then stopped.

"Well, it is good to see you again, if only for a short while!" she said feeling sad that their reacquaintance would be short.

"Wh-wh-what happpppen-happened, T-t-to you?" Jermey asked. Another sound from the trap door being tested and both of them jumped. Jeremy took her hand between the bars and tried to comfort her.

"We traveled north and stopped somewhere, and the Indians attacked us. My parents and brother were killed, they took me, and I was sold to some trappers who took me to the nearest town and sold me to a saloon owner. I have been dancing ever since. The Judge saw me and brought me here and ever since I have had to do what he wanted me to do regardless of what I wanted. To tell you the truth, I am not afraid to die, I just want out of this kind of life!" she started to cry, and Jeremy put his arm through the bars and tried to hold her.

"Well, ainn't that sweet!" said the sheriff as he came in to take them to their destiny.

"The two lovers getting all nice! You didn't eat so I guess you will have to go to your graves hungry!" As he said this, he motioned to two hooded men who took them out of their cells and tied their hands behind their backs.

Jeremy looked and recognized the eyes of one of the hooded men. They were blue. He then looked over at Shelly nodding to her. The hooded man moved his eyes slightly and continued to take his charge to the gallows. The other man took the girl to the gallows as well but stood her in front of the fence that separated the alley from the main street.
Out on the main street was a crowd that had gathered, it was almost like a celebration day. There were hawkers who were selling all sorts of things from roasted peanuts to some candy for the kiddies. There was a band playing and a joyous atmosphere surrounded the gruesome idea of a hanging and shooting. The town had been told that it was 'founders Day' and that they were celebrating. The reason the band was playing was so that no one would hear the shot or the bang of the trap with a body swinging from a rope.

Jeremy was led up the stairs, and a rope was put around his neck. The man in the hood took a hood for Jeremy who shook his head no. He was not going to wear a hood to disguise this abuse of power. Miss Shelly was standing at the fence; she too refused the blindfold. Looking at Jeremy she took her que. He looked at her, giving her his strength to help her through this. He did remember her! She had been a fun playmate and he wished they had gotten to know each other as friends. She looked at him and remembered how kind he was when she almost fell off the rock. She wished they could have been friends as well.

The shot came and the trap door dropped. The band played a rousing marching song, no one outside of the alley knew that anything had happened. There was silence behind the fence in the alleyway.