fficials whose unpopular
duty it was to administer castigation.

One bore a stout rattan, the other several pieces of strong rope.

The frame to which they were to be lashed was then brought into the
room, it being the lieutenant's intention that the punishment should be
administered in his presence.

The first prisoner was then seized, and his slippers--stockings not
being worn by the majority of Turks--taken off.

He was then bound hand and foot, and securely tied to the frame.

The two executioners then took it in turns to administer ten heavy
blows upon the bare soles of the criminal.

At the first blow, the patient set up a howl, which seemed but to
increase the vigour and energy of the operator.

It was indeed a terrible sight for any person of sensitiveness to see a
human being--though deserving--suffer in this manner.

Mole, however, didn't feel any anxiety on that score, and he made up
his mind to do the brave and noble Englishman, for he knew that they
might hammer away at his cork soles for ever, without hurting him much.

What troubled him was the probability that they would take his
stockings off, and discovering the insensate nature of his
"understandings," order him some other and more deadly punishment.

So, after the infliction of seeing several men suffer, with various
degrees of bravery and cowardice, and all variety of groans and
contortions, Mole heard himself called up for similar castigation.

He had, in the meantime, thought of a _ruse_.

Then, marching up boldly to the lieutenant, he addressed him--

"I know I fully deserve your dreadful but just sentence and quietly
will I submit myself to the torture; but, I entreat you, do not compel
me to remove my stockings, which, among my countrymen, is considered
the deepest degradation and never inflicted, save upon criminals
sentenced to death."

"H'm!" said the lieutenant, somewhat moved. "For my part, I would just
as soon suffer the infliction with bare feet as through a thin layer of
stocking."

"But my feelings as an Englishman," pleaded Mole.

"Well, be it as you wish. Take off your shoes only; but, Hamed,
remember to give it to him a little harder, to make up for the
stockings."

"Great lieutenant, I will obey. The force of the blows shall be
doubled."

At this moment, Mole saw the eyes of Tinker fixed upon him, and he knew
he should yet get help.

Mole then submitted himself resignedly to the hands of the torturers.

Bi