HISTORY OF VERMONT. 175 



ferings to fear : they are adopted into the fami- 

 ly, and succeed to all the privileges of the de- 

 ceased ; and are esteemed as friends, brothers, 

 and near relations. But if thev are not received 

 and admitted into the family, or if they are des- 

 tined to be put to death, a most distressing and 

 horrid scene ensues. 



A stake is fixed firmly in the ground. At 

 the distance of eight or ten feet, dry wood, 

 lenves, and faggots, are placed in a circle round 

 the stake : And the whole village is collected, 

 to bear their part in the tragedy, which is to 

 ensue. The prisoner is led to the stake, and 

 tied to it by his hands, in such a manner that 

 he may move freely round it. Fire is set to 

 tlie vvood, that as it runs round the circle, the 

 unhappy victim may be forced to run the same 

 way. As the sufferings of the prisoner begin 

 to become severe, the acclamations of the spec- 

 tators begin. The men, women, and children, 

 strive to exceed each other, in finding out new 

 and keener methods of torment. Some apply 

 red hot irons, others stab and cut with their 

 knives, others mangle and tear off the flesh, oth- 

 ers again bite off the nails and joints, or twist 

 and tear the sinews. Every species and degree 

 of cruelty, that savage rancour and revenge can 

 invent and apply, is tried upon the wretched 

 sufferer. But great care is taken that the vital 

 parts may not be so injured, as to bring the 

 torments of the victim to a speedy end. In this 

 horrid situation, the sufferer is undaunted and 

 intrepid. He reviles and insults his tormentors. 

 He accuses them of cowardice, meanness, and 

 We!.nt of spirit ; as ignorant, unskilful, and des- 



