five minutes. As the body dangled in mid-air, and
while the blood was streaming down the victim's sides, the bystanders
would grasp at the body, and hang upon the splints each man's shield,
bow, and quiver. In some instances, a buffalo's skull was attached to
his lower limbs, to prevent the struggling which would otherwise have
taken place, to the disadvantage of the sufferer.

When these were adjusted, the body was raised higher until the weight
swung clear. In this plight they became a fearful sight to look upon.
The flesh, to support their bodies with the additional weights attached
thereto, was raised some eight inches by the skewers, and their heads
sinking forward on their breasts, or thrown backward in a much more
frightful condition, was a sight that made one's blood curdle, and the
heart turn sick at the ghastly, bloody spectacle. The fortitude with
which the victims bore this torture almost surpasses belief. As the
knife was thrust through the flesh not a muscle moved, and some even
called attention to their faces, and challenged the judges to detect the
first symptom of weakness or faint-heartedness.

Truly it was a fearful sight, and as the knife _ripped_ through the
flesh, it was more than I could bear, and, throwing down the drumstick,
I give way to the most violent grief. It was not until I was severely
admonished to continue my task, that I could sufficiently control my
emotion and resume the horrid thrum thrum of the monotonous music.

As soon as a victim was thoroughly suspended, a number of demons in
human guise clustered around him, devising means that would make this
exquisite agony more intense. One would advance with a long pole in his
hand and commence turning the bleeding body, slowly at first, but the
motion would be gradually accelerated until the victim would cry out in
bitterness of spirit and in tones the most lamentable and heart-rending
that the human voice is capable of producing; appealing to the Great
Spirit and beseeching him not to forsake his servant in this, his hour
of severest agony.

He is turned faster and faster. There is no hope for escape; not the
slightest respite, until by fainting he is relieved from his tormentors,
and left to hang, apparently a lifeless corpse. When it has been
ascertained that he is, as they term it, "entirely dead," his torture
ceases, and there hangs suspended by cords, all that remains of a form
that a few hours since was instinct with life and v