ree times, of the water that
is next to the prison-door, except running-water, without any bread. And
this shall be your diet till you die."

"Prisoner at the bar," continued the clerk of the court, "he against
whom this judgment is given, forfeits his goods to the king."

An awful silence prevailed throughout the court. Every eye was fixed
upon the prisoner. But, as he made no answer, he was removed.

Before the full sentence was carried into execution, he was taken into a
small room adjoining the court. Here Marvel, the executioner, who was in
attendance, was commanded by Wild to tie his thumbs together, which he
did with whipcord so tightly, that the string cut to the bone. But, as
this produced no effect, and did not even elicit a groan, the prisoner
was carried back to Newgate.

The Press Room, to which Blueskin was conveyed on his arrival at the
jail, was a small square chamber, walled and paved with stone. In each
corner stood a stout square post reaching to the ceiling. To these a
heavy wooden apparatus was attached, which could be raised or lowered at
pleasure by pullies. In the floor were set four ring-bolts, about nine
feet apart. When the prisoner was brought into this room, he was again
questioned; but, continuing contumacious, preparations were made for
inflicting the torture. His great personal strength being so well known,
it was deemed prudent by Marvel to have all the four partners, together
with Caliban, in attendance. The prisoner, however, submitted more
quietly than was anticipated. He allowed his irons and clothes to be
taken off without resistance. But just as they were about to place him
on the ground, he burst from their hold, and made a desperate spring at
Jonathan, who was standing with his arms folded near the door watching
the scene. The attempt was unsuccessful. He was instantly overpowered,
and stretched upon the ground. The four men fell upon him, holding his
arms and legs, while Caliban forced back his head. In this state, he
contrived to get the poor black's hand into his mouth, and nearly bit
off one of his fingers before the sufferer could be rescued. Meanwhile,
the executioner had attached strong cords to his ankles and wrists, and
fastened them tightly to the iron rings. This done, he unloosed the
pulley, and the ponderous machine, which resembled a trough, slowly
descended upon the prisoner's breast. Marvel, then, took two iron
weights, each of a hundred pounds, and placed them