114 HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 



nearly suffocating the prisoner, he made spasmodic efforts to expel it and 

 inhale a little fresh air ; and every exertion of this kind was certain to be 

 accompanied by new turns of the crank, driving the cords deeper into the 

 flesh. The water torture continued about an hour. If the patient mani- 

 fested any signs of torpor or insensibility, agencies were employed to restore 

 consciousness. Whenever the physician, who always attended the torture, 

 suggested the impossibility of further endurance, the punishment terminated. 

 Sometimes the nose was closed, and water poured down the throat through a 

 funnel. 



The third degree was the fire torture, which was applied in different 

 ways. The most common application was the following : the accused was 

 bound to a bench or to the floor, and in such a position that his bare feet 

 could extend to a little furnace of red hot coals. The feet were held so 

 near the fire as to feel its gradually blistering effects. Here they remained 

 until the skin was as white as parchment, when they were basted and rubbed 

 with oil. The power of the fire, increased by the grease, grew so great as 

 to peel off the skin, and expose the nerves, veins, and muscles. Another 

 contrivance was to bind the victim upon the circumference of a large 

 wheel, which was slowly turned over the fire, bringing his body in close 

 proximity with the coals. It was in vain to look for a cessation of tortures. 

 They were frequently repeated, and every time combined with some new 

 element of cruelty. If the poor captive, amid intolerable agonies, con- 

 fessed to the charges made against him, he was consigned to the galleys 

 or perpetual imprisonment, his property was confiscated, and his family 

 proscribed. 



Burning at the stake constituted the usual punishment of such as con- 

 tinued to refuse confession. The day on which the execution took place 

 was considered as solemn and holy. Vast multitudes assembled to witness 

 the mournful spectacle. The charcoal-bearers, armed with muskets and 

 lances, headed the procession, and for this distinguished honor they bound 

 themselves to supply, at their own expense, the necessary fuel for burning 

 the condemned. Next followed the great white cross, being the banner of 

 the '• Children of Dominicus de Guzman," and borne by a friar of the order. 

 The banner was followed by its order in a body. After them came the 

 persons of rank and the public assistants of the Inquisition, who in turn 

 were succeeded by the condemned. Foremost among those unhappy wretches 

 walked such as expected what the tribunal styled an easy punishment. 

 They wore the San Benito, a brown linen dress, on the breast of which 

 was wrought a large yellow cross of St. Andrew. Their heads and feet 

 were uncovered. Next came those who were destined for the galleys, 

 perpetual imprisonment, or public flogging. The third class comprised 

 those who expected martyrdom, and who, in reward of a late confession, 

 had obtained the privilege of being strangled before they were burnt. 

 Upon their San Benito were painted inverted devils and flames, and their 

 heads were disfigured b}^ the Coraza, or conical cap, about three feet high, 

 and also painted. Last came the victims destined to be burnt alive. They, 

 too, had on the Coraza, and bore upon their San Benito devils and flames in 

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