Hill would revolve the stories in his mind, decide the innocence or guilt of the accused, and if he thought the accusation sustained, order the culprit to punishment.

He did not imitate his Mussulman prototypes to the extent of bowstringing or decapitating the condemned, nor did he cut any thief's hands off, nor yet nail his ears to a doorpost, but he introduced a modification of the bastinado that made those who were punished by it even wish they were dead.

The instrument used was what is called in the South a "shake" -- a split shingle, a yard or more long, and with one end whittled down to form a handle.

The culprit was made to bend down until he could catch around his ankles with his hands.

The part of the body thus brought into most prominence was denuded of clothing and "spanked" from one to twenty times, as Hill ordered, by the "shake" in same strong and willing hand.
It was very amusing--to the bystanders.