ost demagogues, who are
commonly despised even by those they lead and deceive. No one
regretted him much, and some were actually glad at his fate. But the
dignity of the conquerors must be vindicated. It would never do to
allow a pale-face to obtain so great an advantage, and not take a
signal vengeance for his deeds. After a long consultation, it was
determined to subject the captive to the trial by saplings, and thus
see if he could bear the torture without complaining. As some of our
readers may not understand what this fell mode of tormenting is, it may
be necessary to explain.

There is scarcely a method of inflicting pain, that comes within the
compass of their means, that the North American Indians have not
essayed on their enemies. When the infernal ingenuity that is
exercised on these occasions fails of its effect, the captives
themselves have been heard to suggest other means of torturing that
_they_ have known practised successfully by their own people. There is
often a strange strife between the tormentors and the tormented; the
one to manifest skill in inflicting pain, and the other to manifest
fortitude in enduring it. As has just been said, quite as much renown
is often acquired by the warrior, in setting all the devices of his
conquerors at defiance, while subject to their hellish attempts, as in
deeds of arms. It might be more true to say that such _was_ the
practice among the Indians, than to say, at the present time, that such
_is_; for it is certain that civilization in its approaches, while it
has in many particulars even degraded the red man, has had a silent
effect in changing and mitigating many of his fiercer customs--this,
perhaps, among the rest. It is probable that the more distant tribes
still resort to all these ancient usages; but it is both hoped and
believed that those nearer to the whites do not.

The "torture by saplings" is one of those modes of inflicting pain that
would naturally suggest themselves to savages. Young trees that do not
stand far apart are trimmed of their branches, and brought nearer to
each other by bending their bodies; the victim is then attached to both
trunks, sometimes by his extended arms, at others by his legs, or by
whatever part of the frame cruelty can suggest, when the saplings are
released, and permitted to resume their upright positions. Of course,
the sufferer is lifted from the earth, and hangs suspended by his
limbs, with a strain on the