The seven merchants were led before the bones that had been discovered. They persisted in the declaration of their innocence. From this time forward, all scruple as to their treatment vanished, and they were tortured with diabolical barbarity. They received the bastinado again, they were burned where their flesh was tenderest with red hot pincers. Red hot wires were passed through their flesh. A German traveller, present at the time, declares that the first to acknowledge the truth of the charge was brought to do so by immersing him after all these torments for several hours in ice cold water; after which the other six were lashed with a scourge made of hippopotamus hide, till half unconscious, and streaming with blood, they were ready to admit whatever their tormentors strove to worry out of them. The Protestant missionary, Wildon Pieritz, in his account enumerates the sufferings to which these unhappy men were subjected. They were, 1st, bastinadoed. 2nd. Plunged in large vessels of cold water. 3rd. Placed under pressure till their eyes started out of their sockets. 4th. Their flesh, where most sensitive, was twisted and nipped till they went almost mad with agony. 5th. They were forced to stand upright for three whole days, and not suffered even to lean against a wall. Those who fell with exhaustion were goaded to rise again by the bayonets of the guard. 6th. They were dragged about by their ears, so that they were torn and bled. 7th. Thorns were driven up the quick of their nails on fingers and toes. 8th. Their beards were singed off, so that the skin was scorched and blistered. 9th. Flames were put under their noses so as to burn their nostrils.