The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-09-13

on their shoulders, as though they had
been deaf to all the nqisc Of the attack
and defence, and had just learned
what was going on, they addressed
themselves in tho language of rebuke
to their own soldiers, saying, Why
do you fight oxr friends Tie french 2"
Their il tention, no doubt, was to
mako us think that this defence was
wholly unauthorized by them. hoping,
il they could. make. ns believe that
they were friendly, they should have
better opportunity, in the confusion
OF the moment, to eScape. Their ar
tificc was too shallow, and did not
saccecd. caused them to be placed
under guard, and all lie soldiers Of the
lnquisition to be secured us prisoners.
We then proceeded to examine all the
rooms Of the stately ediGce. We
passed through roorn after room: found
all perfectly in order, richly furnished
with altars and cruciGxc$, aid wax
candles in abundance, but could us.
cover no evidences of inequity beng
practced therc-nothing of those pccu-
liar features which we expected TO find
in all lnquisition. We found splendid
paintings, and rich and extensive
library. Here was beauty and splcn-
der, and the most perfect order on
whict my eyes had ever rested. The
architecture-thc proportions were
perfect. The ceiling and floors of
wood were secured and highly polish,
ed. The marble pavcmcnts were ar.
ranged with ?, strict regard to order.
There was every yshing to please the eye
and crafty cultivated taste; but
where were those horrid instruments
OF torture Of which we had been told,
and where those dungeons in which
human beings were said to be buried
alive. We searched in vain. The
holy father assured us that they had
been belled; that we had seen all; and
l.was prepared to give up the search,
convinced that this Inqliisition was
different from others Of whiol~l had
heard.
But Col. De Lille was no, so ready
as r!ysulftn rel:ndunish our invcstiga-
,ion, and said to nc, .t Colonel, You
are commanded 10 day and rs you say h,
SO it must be; but II you will be adj.
vised by me, let this marble flnor be
examined. = Let %;S.1cr ise, |,rrV},jgti, ..i,nd
poui'ct' upui: it, And wc vii! iratch. End
sec If thrre is any place through which
it passes more freely than others"
replied to him, DO as you please CO.
loncl,' ana ordered water to be brought
accordingly. The slabs of marble
wefc large and beautifully polished
Wien the water had been poured over
the floor, much to the dissatisfaction of
the lnqn:si;ors, careful examination
was made of every seam in the floor.
to see ifthc water passed through. -
Presently, Col. DE Lille exclaimed that
he had found it. BY the side of these
marble slabs the water passed through
last, as tho,lYh there was an op, ming
beneath. All hands were now at work
for further discovery; the officers with
their swords, and the soldiers with their
bayoncts, seeking to clear out the seam
and pry up the slab with ill their
might to break it, while the priest re
monstratcd against our desccratinn
their holy and beautiful house. While
thus engaged, a soldier who was stri
king with the butt of his muskct, struck
i spring, and the marble slab flew up.
Then the face of the Inqu;sitors grew
pale as BcIshazzir, when the hand.
writing appeared on the wall; they
trcmbIel all over, Beneath th2 MAJ;
bic slab, now partly NJ, their was a
staircase. stepped 10 the altar, and
t ok fIcm the candlcstick one ui the
candles, four feet in length, which w..<
burning, that | might explore the room
below. AS was doing thus; was
arrested by one of tie lnquisitors, who
laid his hand gently on lily arm, and
with very demurc and sanctimonious
look, said, My son you must not
take those lights with your bloody
hands. they are holy 'tVcII,' said,
4 will take n holy thing 10 shed light
on iniquity; will bear tile rcsp,o'llisi
biity.! took the candle, and proceed.
cd dHwn the staircase. AS we reached
the foot of the stairs we entered large
square room, which was called the
Hall of Judgment. In tic centre of
it was huge block, and a cllain faslcn.
cd to it. On this they h;ld been nc
customcd to place the accused, chained
to his seat: On one side of the room
was an elevated seat, called the Throne
OF Judgment. This the Inquisitor
General occupied, and on either side
were seats less elevated, for the
prleslly fathers, while engaged in the
solemn business Of the Holy lnddi,i.
ton.
From this room we proceeded to
the right, and obtained access to small
cells, extending the entire length of
the edIiice; and here such sights were
presented as wo hope never to see
again.
"Ihese cells wero places of solitary