About each of his naked wrists was tied a leather thong and these thongs were held by the man's guards.

The prisoner's face was livid; his hands were red with blood that dripped from his lacerated wrists; his eyes glared malignantly and his heaving chest showed that he had not been brought from the log prison without a struggle.
"Ah, it's Wittle first!" breathed the councilor.

"It's he who said his wife should not wear short skirts." At the edge of the circle the prisoner hesitated and the muscles in his arms and chest grew rigid.

Those of the crowd nearest to him drew back.
Then a sudden change swept over the man's features and he walked quickly to the stake and kneeled before it.

The thongs about his wrists were tied to the straps of the cross-piece and the whipper took his position.
As the first lash fell, a cry burst from the lips of the victim.