Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1913-06-04
Anew Method
Of Torture
BY ALBERT 7. KENYON

ed StStes infantry, stationed on the
Island OF Luzon. Philippine Islands,
was sent with detachment of twelve
men to regulate some unruly natives.
He found larger number than he had
expected. and. instead of regulating
them, they regulated him and his men.
There were about fifty of them. and
they had good arms and ammunition.
They drove the soldiers into a sort of
pocket. where they killed most of them
and put the rest TO the sword. except
the lieutenant. whose leadership had
resulted In the slaughter of nearly one
third their number. This and their
hatred for Americans generally decided
them to put him to death by ms fright.
full a means as could Ice devised.
Being near the seashore. four OF their
number were deputed TO take the OFF,
Ger 20 the beach and bury him to his
chin In the sand. where an incoming
tide would drown him. The four men
were well armed. while winward was
derenseless. The Ftlipinos had pos
sessed themselves OF a demijohn OF
whisky aud quinine which the soldiers
had brought with them as protection
against malaria. This the execution
ers. after giving every man left behind
a drink, took with them, but, being
aware OF It's effect. prudently determin-
cd to abstain from Ii TIL they had ac-
cotnplished their purpose.
When they reached the seashore
there was discussion among them
which Winward, not understanding
their language. could not interpret, but
by their gestures he inferred that some
were in favor of giving him a short
time TO live by placing him far from
the incoming tide. while others pro-
posed that he should be placed near IT.
He also believed that the latter wish
ed to make quick work with him in
order to get at the liquor. He hoped
they would prevail, siuce the longer
the contemplation OF such death pin
ned In the sand the more agonizing II
would be. A compromise was made
by placing him at half tide, the waters
recedlng. This would give him till the
return OF the Good tide to live.
A hole was dug In the sand deep
enough to place him In the proposed
position. When they attempted to put
him In he made a desperate fight hop
ing to force them to shoot him. But,
seeing his intention, they RETAINED,
and, being powerful men while Win
ward was small and slight, notwith-
standing that horror gave him
strength. they had no great difficulty
In burylng him. His arms were placed
against bis sides and the sand packed
close about him by the men tramping
upon IL. He was placed with his face
to the ocean in order that he might
suffer the greater mental torture by
seeing It slowly crawl upon him.
No sooner had he been buried than
some OF the Filiplnos began to show
signs by their actions that they were
In favor of taking pull from the demi-
john. Wlnward could not see how IL
could make any difference to him
whether they were drunk or sober.
Had the desires of those who wished
to drink at once prevailed they would
have had time to get drunk and sober
again before the tide receded and re-
turned to their victim. but there was
one who seemed to be leader among
them who counseled delay. Why, the
officer could not understand. At any
rate he was enabled to keep them from
the liquor till the tide had turned and
passed half the distance between the
ebb and the man IL was TO drown.
Then one of the men seized the demi-
john and took drink. That started
the rest, including the leader, and they
all got drunk.
When the last one had succumbed
the waters had advanced to within a
few feet of the buried man. The ST.
lenee permitted his mind to concen-
trate upon the approaching death. His
despair led him to make an effort to
free himself. which he knew would be
futile. Slowly came the tide, now and
again wave advancing nearer his
chin. till at lasta ripple broke against
his mouth.
Winward was enabled to put of the
evil moment by holding his breath as
the edge of the waves rolled past him.
Presently he began to feel that the
pressure of sand against the front of
his neck had diminished. The water
was washing 1t away from there and
piling 1t up behind. Each wave in
creased this change. A wild hope
sprang within him. Would enough
sand In front OF him be displaced to
enable him to free himself: He could
bend forward slightly. The water had
softened the sand. and by doing so he
found he could assist in the displace-
ment 1t was not long before his
arms were free. Using his hands Wig
orously. he scooped away part of the
sand, while the waves continued to
displace the rest. His body was loos-
ened. By an effort he freed his legs
and was saved.