, 1876-11-17
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thus ..>.a.. aH sf...uiI.n ai 10 Don
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49, afsss.4uttsn 49, rai-s,i hlrI alH'sr
~. ~ al ..Yruls.i o. o. hii sIi Uut
-fr.n III. hf.i. the high hank On The oih.
,rstis af..ring the si-s-iii"r~ a g,stl
,iev. & IL prurv~lines. The pti-pl-
er. v,na hlinafullol On the r,ai on
frunt & the hill. and were thsn brought
rs The rai-c,i ground and ihs kago'rs
plar.l doNn. Rcircshncnis IN the
shape of ish. omlc,s, cake and vine
we're then handel by the attendants %
the prisoners. Who SEEMED 10 Iart1ke
quite freely. The prisoners commenced
10 converse freely among themselves,
calling each other by name, and exhort-
ing one another to behave firmly at the
last moment.
At the centre Of the ground was hole
about on, foot deep and about one foot
in diameter. The first prisoner was
brought up to the mat and made to
kneel. The executioner prepared his
sword by pouring water down the edge.
The prisoners body was barred down to
the waist, and his arms were held be-
hind his back by q strong young fellow,
who gained more control over the pris'
oner's body by l1neeling also, and press
ing his right foot against the feet OF the
prisoner. Another man settled the
bandage afresh over the eyes and ears,
while another drew his neck out to the
utmost, holding the head over the hole
till all was ready, when he withdrew.
A slap on the back, just below the neck,
intended to give rigidity to the muscles
was also the signal for the executioner
to perform his task. He made his bow
to the officials, and gave the coup de
grace with an ease and certainty tnat
would have excited the envy of any
swordsman. The instant the sword had
passed through, the man behind the
body pressed the trunk toward into the
hole. The executioner retired with a
bow, and in an instant after the trunk
and head, streaming with blood, were
conveyed to side place to await their
removal by friends.
The second prisoner when approach
ed stated he was ready, and the other
two shouted "Shikari ikei" (be frm)
to which he replied undauntedly "Shi-
kari a1ii" II am frm). His mode of
treatment was similar to the first, but
he shouted to the last, telling the others
that be was Just going, and that he was
firm, while they repeated the same ex-
hortation. A new executioner officiated
and advanced to the front, and upon
the signal being given made his bow.
and with similar dexterity performed
his horrid task. The third prisoner was
boy, who showed not the least emotion
when informed his turn had come, but
shouted to the last prisoner Il am 60
ingl" who replied, BE firm" 1t was
. painful sight to witness this slight
boy led forward to the mat, but his cour-
age never forsook him an instant, and
he marched as steadily as though he was
being led for an ordinary walk rather
than to the edge of the hole from which
he would be instantly precipitated into
another world. He spoke firmly to the
finish.
The last prisoner, notwithstanding
his bravado, appeared excited, his face
being very red. When taken from the
kago he marched with peculiar strut,
throwing his feet out and holding him
self quite erect. Ny impression was
that the sake given the prisoners was
drugged to certain extent, and the last
man being Of peculiar temperament,
the wine affected him differently. Hav-
ing no friends remaining to address him
selfto, be sung song, saying he would
follow the others, and that he thanked
the people for coming to see him. He
then allowed his head to be rebandaged.
There seemed TO be more than ordinary
time in arranging this man for the ex-
ecutioner. The latter functionary hav-
ing approached before the time, the old
fellow who prepared the prisoners neck
asked him to wait. This seemed to
slightly disconcert the executioner, and
instead of performing his work with
cleanness Of stroke, he cut somewhat
what high and only partially severed the
head. He had to take second cut and
afterward to saw upwards.