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 in the press.