twenty minutes past one
His weight was now almost that of a dead body ; and it was only at intervals that he made any struggles to move himself by the aid of his paralysed limbs . Two other individuals were got to relieve them ; and the compulsory motions were continued . The lethargy had not altogether mastered the sentient powers ; and , the operation having been stopped that I might examine his condition , he lifted his head slowly , looked round him with a vacant stare , and , after a few moments , muttered again the word `` hour . '' I pulled out my watch , and told him that it was twenty minutes past one , he understood me , as I thought ; and pronouncing indistinctly `` mother , '' he again sank into apparent listlessness . The men again resumed their work . Meanwhile , a buzz from without intimated too distinctly that the mob was collecting to witness the fate of their townsman . There was no distinct sound , save that which a mass of people , under the depressing feelings of sorrow , seem to send forth involuntarily -- making the air , as it were , thick , and yet with no articulation or distinct noise which can be caught by the ear of one at a distance , or within the walls of a house .