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

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"Ah! And will you, too. be fool
Look upon that stubborn man! Remove
the shroud."
The inquisitor pointed to the CHASTITY
form of what was once a man, and de
Hois shuddered as he looked.
beware. John de Hois There is a
plot against the life of the King. Con-
fess."
81 know Of none"
"Once more-you are well now. Con-
fess."
"Nsrsr Z" said the knight but he hesi-
tated as he spoke, and his eyes once more
sought the resting place Of the racked and
CHASTITY dead. John de Hois was a stout
man, and confinement had had more to
work upon in him, than it had in de
MarrOnay. His soul was already shat
tered.
The inquisitor waved his hand, and
the knight was placed upon the same
bench where de Marronay had first been
seated. His feet were dashed down, and
the rings and gives were applied to his
thumbs and wrists. The screws were
turned, and the stout man groaned. But
he would not tell the lie that was asked
of him. Groan after groan sounded
through the place, as turn after turn was
taken in the screws. and yet he remained
true to his truth; but his answers were
at length hesitating and faint.
At length the screws could be turned
no more, and John de Hois was taken
from the bench. He glared fearfully
around, and ever and anon his eyes sought
again and again that fearful rack.
John de Hois," spoke the inquisitor.
"once more Iput to you the chance of
life Will you confess 90
"NeV-er!i" The word was spoken
family.
"Then we'll help you. Lead him to
the cross -
-Four more executionerS now came for
ward, and the knight was stripped of his
clothing, and single piece of sack-cloth
placed about his loins. Then he was
led to the spot where stood the bloody
cross against the black wall, and four of
the men mounted the ladders which stood
one upon each side of the crucilix. The
victim was drawn up, and with a stout
cord his body was bound to the wood.
Slowly and calmly did the workmen pro-
coed in their business, and the quiet rest
in which their countenances were cast,
showed how used they were to the bust
ness. There was a clinking of iron-a
sharp, ringing clink-and John de Hois
looked down to the place from whence
the sound had come. He saw a man
with sharp pointed spikes in his hand,
and deep groan escaped him.
But the inquisitor spoke not. Upon
his throne he sat, and calmly left the
work to those who knew well how to
perform it.
He with the spikes assembled the lad
der, and handed them to the man who
was farther up. The victims arm was
stretched out, the palm spread, and the
sharp point of the spike placed against
it. There was silence for single mo-
then came q dull, heavy
stroke. The iron had pierced the flesh
torn its way through cords, nerves and
bones-and the hand, all panied and
bleeding, was transfxed. There sound
ed sharp, wild cry through the room,
but the inquisitor did not speak.
The other hand was next stretched out,
and in a moment more, that, too, was
nailed to the fatal wood. That same cry
was repeated, but not so sharp nor so
wild. But the work was not yet COM
Dlete. The men descended from the lad
1ers-all but One-and then the victims
feet were crossed, and a spike set upon
hem. There was a blow-a heavy,
ieadening blow-and another-and that
cry startled the air more wildly than
ever.
"Now will you confess - came from
he inquisitor's lips, in deep, calm tones.
And the knight once more answered in
he negative, but his voice was more hes
tating, and his face looked more eager
md stricken.
There was a wave Of the hand, and he
1pon the ladder unbound the cord that
had held de Hois's body to the cross, and
low the whole weight Of the knights
iorm came upon the transfxed hands and
eet. The cords and muscles snapped
he bones cracked and strained, and the
,uivering flesh was torn and lacerated
earthly. The torture was most exqui-
The wild. sharp cry of
lgony now rang through that dark place.
IF death, until the very implements Of
pain seemed to take up the strain Of de-
pair.
Now, John de Hois, confess -
The poor knights mind was gone-all
yone-and his soul was wild and frantic
With torture, such as demons alone can
invent and apply. He bowed his head,
md at length the fatal word escaped him.
BE could not keep it back-he could not
bis tongue. Only he felt the
iery pangs that ran fiendish riot in his
.rame, and struggled to FREQ himself
.herefrom. The fatal word was upon his
he spoke it.:
ayes! yesl OH God. have mercy"
You do confess. Hal | knew it y
he inquisitor cried, starting to his feet,
and bending eagerly forward. There
IS a plot among the ProteStants, for the
murder of our King ?"
"Yesl yesl Great Godl oh. mercy"
"And Gaspard De Coligny, Admiral
n Is-.,..o = ~ ;ts bead . Sneak -