White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1859-07-21

the tOrturefS, ''IOr the screws are ALREADY
down, and the thumbs are utterly crush
ed I"
"And you will not yet confess ?"
t'Never % Er
"7Hen to tie rack p
AS these words sounded through the
place, the old man started, and uttered q
quick, fervent prayer but his prayer was
not needed. There was a loosening oil
the bonds that now held him, and in a
few moments more. the heavy rack was
trundled up to the space in front of the
inquisitor's throne. The torturers again
seized upon the poor old man, and threw
him upon the rough boards that formed
the surface of the Internal machine. At
the head and foot of this rack were stout
rolling pieces, or windlasses, to which
were attached the running part of the rope
that worked the pulleys, and to the pull
legs were iron bands, made to tighten
with screws. for fastening to the wrists
and ankles, but so constructed that every
turn of the windlass also turned the
screws and frightened the iron bands.
There was a dull ring of Changing iron,
a rattling Of ropes and blocks, creaking
Of the rollers as the machinery was regu-
lated, and at length the workmen stepped
back. and announced that all was ready.
"Arnot de Marronay," said the inquis-
itor. in voice so deep that it seemed to
come from the very dungeons, "you are
now upon the rack, and your life is in
your own hands. For the safaty of the
Church of God, you are now put to the
torture, and if you die with lie in your
mouth, you know what dread fate awaits
you hereafter. Confess that the ProteS-
tants have conspired against the life Of
the King, and return once more to the
true Catholic Church, and from this mo-
ment you are saved and free. Speak"
That old man did not speak at once,
but it was MOI because he hesitated in his
answer. He only seemed to mediate for
a moment, upon the fiendish power that
had seized him. His hands were all COW
cred with blood, and his two thumbs were
literally turned to horrible mass of
quivering. bloody pulp.
"You can take my iife," he at length
said, "but you cannot steal from me my
soul. will not lie-I know nothing of
what you speak"
The inquisitor waved his hand, and the
executioners seized their bars, and placed
them in their sockets. Another wave,
and the rollers were turned. The cords
frightened. and the iron bands set firmly
upon the flesh.
"Will you speak now ?" asked the
master of the torture, while his eyes
CLEANED strangely upon the stubborn old
man. "Will you now speak the truth >"
"Yes-yes.''
"Hal Then speak. Speak it quickly.
1 am listening"
81 know nothing at all of what you
ask"
"Fool p' Kissed the inquisitor, half
rising from his seat. Il thought you
would speak to the point
"You asked me if would speak the
truth. and l answered, yes. did speak"
"On with the torture !" cried the ruler
of the patchwork. Wen have the
truth. yet"
There was another turn Of the heavy
rollers, and the limbs of the old man be-
gan 10 give. There was a cracking of
the joints, and a swapping of some of the
finer fibres of the skin. The victim
groaned heavily.
"Speak, Arnot dc Marronay."
81 have spoken
"Say that the Hugucnots have conspir-
ed against the King"
"7Rey hare not"
An oath escaped from the confessor's
lips.
"Will the old dotard die % he uttered
Turn again. Turn till the life-cord
snaps !"
The stout executioners placed their bars
into the upper sockets of the rollers,
and then with their whole weight they
bore down upon them. The corls strain
ed and vibrated, and the pulleys creaked.
mercy mercy! oh, Godl'' broke
from the sufferer, in quick, sharp accents.
"Then confess" sternly pronounced
the inquisitor. He stood up as he spoke.
and leaned over his throne; and there
was a look Of calm, cold blooded deter
mination upon his countenance-not as
though he gloated over, or took pleasure
in, that old mans suffering. but rather as
one who was determined upon the result
he desired, let it cost what it might. He
was a type of the Church he followed,
for even in the very work he had in hand.
he was but following out the instructions
of those to whom the church looked as
its head.
"Will you confess ?'
'The truth ?" gasped de Marronay.
"Then the Huguenots have conspired
against the"
"Neverl' stoutly persisted the tortured
noble, speaking ere his questioner had
concluded.
"Then your death be upon your own
head % shouted the inquisitor, starting
down from his throne. ply your
now. AMI put your weight to the
bars. Rack him rack him till his
body parts J Confess-coniess."
"God Almighty have mercyP shrieked
the old man, as the internal engine rolled
onward towards the dark pit Of death.
And no wonder he shrieked. The cords
were now frightened till they vibrated like
the swapping cable when the ship is about
to break from its grasp, and the bars
fairly bent as the heavy executioners