for the tortures, and enables them to bear
the infliction without the same degree of pain that might, under other
circumstances, result in inflammation and death. During these cruel
scenes, the chiefs and dignitaries of the tribe are looking on unmoved,
and by taking mental notes of the way in which the victim bears this
terrible torture, decide who are the hardiest and stoutest hearted, who
can hang the longest by his flesh without fainting, and who will be the
soonest up after he is cut down. In this way they judge of the physical
capacity of the young braves to bear hunger, fatigue, and suffering; and
to those who acquit themselves the most worthily is entrusted the
leadership of "forlorn hopes," war parties resolved on desperate
enterprises, etc., etc.

This scene was enacted during a whole day, and in that time some forty
or fifty young men went through the agonies of suspension and
amputation. All the while the din and clatter was undiminished. Did we
but relax our efforts for a moment, a brawny savage was at our side, and
by word and blow commanded us to recommence.

What with the physical and mental fatigue caused by this continuous and
seemingly everlasting thrumming, joined to the horrid sights, sounds and
emotions to which we were subjected, and the revolting and bloody nature
of the drama, it seemed as if we were under the influence of a horrid
nightmare. As if we had suddenly been wafted away in the arms of some
hideous genii to realms of darkness, and were maliciously compelled to
be the unwilling spectators of scenes which even at this day, the bare
remembrance of, causes the blood to chill with horror and the frame to
vibrate with agony at their recollection. God grant that such cruelties
may soon disappear off the face of the earth, _together with the actors
and instigators of these horrible rites!_

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE WAR PARTY.

The following morning found me entirely occupied with my new plan of
escape, and I lost no time in gaining such information as I could,
concerning Stonhawon's intentions respecting his projected expedition.

By making a few cautious inquiries of some of the warriors whom I knew
to be favorably disposed towards me, I learned that the party would
probably depart within three days. The first point necessary to the
success of my plan was to obtain the consent of Wakometkla, and this I
feared would be no easy task. After considering the matter fully, I
concluded th