midnight
Before noon they brought him in . Two horsemen rode abreast ; between them , half dragged , the poor wretch made his way through the dust . His hands were tied behind him , and ropes around his body were fastened to the saddle horns of his double guard . The men who at midnight had been stern and silent were now emitting that terror-instilling sound known as the `` rebel yell . '' A space was quickly cleared in the crowd , and a rope placed about his neck , when from somewhere came the suggestion , `` Burn him ! '' It ran like an electric current . Have you ever witnessed the transformation of human beings into savage beasts ?