She still maintained all the calmness and submission of a lamb. Some of
those who took part in this transaction, I believe, were as unwilling
as myself; but of others I can safely say, that I believe they
delighted in it. Their conduct certainly exhibited a most blood-thirsty
spirit. But, above all others present, and above all human fiends I
ever saw, I think Sainte Hypolite was the most diabolical. She engaged
in the horrid task with all alacrity, and assumed from choice the most
revolting parts to be performed. She seized a gag, forced it into the
mouth of the poor nun, and when it was fixed between her extended jaws,
so as to keep them open at their greatest possible distance, took hold
of the straps fastened at each end of the stick, crossed them behind
the helpless head of the victim, and drew them tight through the loop
prepared, as a fastening.
The bed which had always stood in one part of the room, still remained
there; though the screen, which had usually been placed before it, and
was made of thick muslin, with only a crevice through which a person
behind might look out, had been folded up on its hinges in the form of
a W, and placed in a corner. On the bed the prisoner was laid with her
face upward, and then bound with cords, so that she could not move. In
an instant another bed was thrown upon her. One of the priests, named
Bonin, sprung like a fury first upon it, and stamped upon it, with all
his force. He was speedily followed by the nuns, until there were as
many upon the bed as could find room, and all did what they could, not
only to smother, but to bruise her. Some stood up and jumped upon the
poor girl with their feet, some with their knees, and others in
different ways seemed to seek how they might best beat the breath out
of her body, and mangle it, without coming in direct contact with it,
or seeing the effects of their violence. During this time, my feelings
were almost too strong to be endured. I felt stupefied, and was
scarcely conscious of what I did. Still, fear for myself remained in a
sufficient degree to induce me to some exertion, and I attempted to
talk to those who stood next, partly that I might have an excuse for
turning away from the dreadful scene.
After the lapse of fifteen or twenty minutes, and when it was presumed
that the sufferer had been smothered, and crushed to death, Father
Bonin and the nuns ceased to trample upon her, and stepped from the
bed. All was motionless and silent beneath it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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