His food was served to him in a wooden bowl, lest a bit of broken crockery might he used as a means of self destruction.
One morning he sent a little package to the commanding officer as a present.

It contained a strong rope, fabricated from strips of his blanket, that he had carefully separated, and with a large stout spike at the end of it.

The message accompanying it was, "He wished Major Clark to see that if he chose to put an end to himself, he could find means to do it in spite of him." And this hardened frame of mind continued to the last.

When he was led out for execution, in passing beyond the gate, he observed a quantity of lumber recently collected for the construction of a new Company's warehouse.
"Ah, captain, what are you going to build here ?" inquired he of Captain Scott, who attended him.
"Doyle," replied his captain, "you have but a few moments to live--- you had better employ your thoughts about something else." "It is for that very reason, captain," said he, "that I am inquiring--as my time is short, I wish to gain all the information I can while it lasts." * * * * * We were not suffered to remain long in suspense in regard to the friends we had left behind.

In less than two weeks Old Smoker again made his appearance.