Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1910-11-03

SnOulu not wear SNORT sklilS-
at the edge of the circle the prison
err hesitated and the muscles in his
arms and chest grew rigid Those of
the crowd nearesttto him drew back.
Then sudden change swept over the
mans features and he walked quick
ly to the stake and kneeled before 1t.
The thongs about his wrist were tied
to the straps of the crosspiece and
the whipper took his position AS the
first lash fell cry burst from the
lips of the victim. When the whip
descended again he was silent. A
curious sensation of sickness crept
over Nathaniel as he saw the red
gashes thicken on the white flesh.
Five times--six times--seven times
the whip rose and fell and he could
see the blood starting. In horror he
turned his eyes away. Behind him a
man grinned at the Wilderness of his
face and the involuntary trembling of
his lips. Again and again he heard
the lash fall upon the naked back.
From near him there came the Sob
bling moan of woman A subdued
movement. sound as of murmuring
wordless voices swept through the
throng. A steady glitter filled the eyes
of the man who had laughed at him
and he turned again to the stake. The
mans back was dripping with blood.
Great red seams lay upon his shout
ders and single lash had cut his
bowed neck. Another stroke, more
fierce than the others, and MacDougall
turned away from the figure at the
post, breathing hard The guards un-
fastened the victims wrist-throngs
and the man staggered to his feet. AS
he swayed down through the path that
opened for him his crimson back
shone in the sun.
Great GodT gasped Nathaniel.
He turned to Obadiah and was star
tied by the appearance of the old man.
The councillors face was CHASTITY. His
mouth twitched and his body trem-
bled Nathaniel took his arm SYM
pathetically
Hadn't we better go, dad?" he
whispered
"No-no-no-not yet Nat lists
Neil now and must see how the
boy--stands i'll"
1t was but a short time before the
guards returned. This time their
prisoner walked free and erect. The
thongs dangled from his wrists and
he was a pace ahead of the two men
who accompanied SHIN. He was a
young man. Nathaniel judged his age
at twenty-five. He was a striking con.
trast to the man who had suffered
first at the post His face instead OF
betraying the formers pallor was
flushed with excitement; his head was
held high; not sign Of fear or hest
tation shone in his eyes. AS he glanced
quickly around the circle of faces the
flush grew deeper in his cheeks. He
nodded and smiled at MacDougall and
in that nod and smile there was a
meaning that sent SILVER to the
whipmaster's heart. Then his eyes fell
upon Obadiah and Nathaniel He
saw the councillors hand resting upon
the young captains arm and flash
of understanding passed over his face
For an instant the eyes of the two
young men met The man at the post
took half a step forward. His lips
moved as If he was on the point Of
speaking, the defiant smile went out
of his face, the flush faded in his
cheeks. Then he turned quickly and
held out his hands to the guards,
AS the voung man kneeled before
the most Nathaniel heard a smothered
sob at his side which he knew came
from Obadiah
"Como dodp be so,d softly g,
can't stand tbis Let's qat awayl"
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